News Releases

Molokai Community Does Great Job in Wildfire Preparedness Efforts

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

HWMO News Release

Look what Molokai Communities accomplished in 2025 with technical and financial support from the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization’s Firewise Communities Program, funded through a grant from the American Red Cross. 

Nāʻiwa removed one acre of dry brush and shrub to clear their main access roadway in case of evacuations. Twelve families assisted in removing over 20 cubic yards of flammable vegetation, consisting mostly of invasive haole koa. 

Kalamaʻula cleared over 200 cubic yards and contributed 100 hours of volunteer work to reduce the risk of wildfire for 124 homes, eight churches, seven businesses, and two preschools. 

Paniolo Hale maintained a fire apparatus road that doubles as a fire break and removed wildfire hazards.…

OHCRA Donates $10K to Molokai High, Middle Schools

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools News Release

Established in 1952, the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to perpetuating the rich heritage of Hawaiian canoe racing.

OHCRA is the organizer of the Nā Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe (Molokai to Oahu) canoe races across the Kaiwi Channel. Both events are regarded as among the most famous and most challenging outrigger canoe events in the world. More than 2,000 canoe paddlers from around the globe come to compete in the annual 41-mile event from Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai to Waikiki Beach on Oahu.…

MEO Head Start Preschool Remains Open

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool classrooms on Maui and Molokai are not currently impacted by the federal government shutdown and will remain open.

While some of our Head Start partners have had to close due to funding issues, MEO’s Head Start operates on a different program year, June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, explained MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. This means that MEO Head Start is funded for the current school year.

“MEO would like our Head Start parents and the community to know that our preschool program remains open,” Cabebe said. “This is not the case for some communities across the nation, forcing families to scramble to secure childcare or to stay home from work.…

Compost Reimbursement Program Accepting Applications

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

DAB News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB), Plant Industry Division, is now accepting applications for the Compost Reimbursement Program for fiscal year 2026, The program may reimburse agricultural producers for the cost of purchasing compost, including transportation expenses.

During the 2025 legislative session, the legislature and Governor Josh Green approved funding for the program totaling $400,000 for fiscal year 2026. Under the program, agricultural operations may apply for reimbursement of up to 50% of compost and compost transportation costs expended between July 1, 2025 and May 1, 2026. Reimbursement applications will be processed in the order received, not to exceed $50,000 per qualified purchaser and as funds are available.…

Gov. Announces Efforts to Protect Families from Federal Shutdown Impacts

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Office of the Governor News Release 

Gov. Josh Green today announced new coordinated state actions to protect Hawaii families from the impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown and disruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

To provide necessary support, the state will issue a $250 emergency relief payment per eligible individual, for a total cost of $42.2 million in November, helping households bridge the gap created by the pause in federal SNAP funding.

In addition, the governor has directed $2 million in state support through the Department of Human Services (DHS) to Hawaii’s food banks to maintain essential operations and food distribution across every island.…

Molokai Farmers Market Returns to the Heart of Kaunakakai

Thursday, October 30th, 2025

Molokai Farmers Market News Release
After several years away, the Molokai Farmers Market is returning to the heart of town Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Molokai Public Library grounds, directly across from the site of the original market.
Hosted by Pūlama Ka Heke, the Molokai Farmers Market aims to restore a long-standing community tradition that connects farmers, food producers, artisans, and ʻohana. Once the center of Saturday life in Kaunakakai, the market closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, community members and local businesses have voiced a shared desire to bring it back — not only as an economic driver but as a gathering place filled with local food, culture, and aloha.…

New Pharmacists at Molokai Drugs

Thursday, October 30th, 2025

Molokai Drugs News Release

Please welcome our new pharmacists, Brandi Hutchins, PharmD, and Xrystina Bicoy Nims, PharmD.

Brandi has been working for us since 2019 as an intern (prior to pharmacy school) rotations and as a grad pharmacy intern. She became a licensed pharmacist last week and is now working part-time. Brandi is a graduate of Maryknoll High School, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Hawaii College of Pharmacy. She and her husband Cory Kamehanaokala Holt Taum married at Keawanui and have decided to raise their daughter on Molokai.

Born and raised on Molokai, Xrystina graduated from Kilohana School, Molokai Middle, Molokai High, the University of Wyoming and Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy.…

12th Annual Floating Lantern Ceremony

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

Hospice Maui Molokai News Release

Join us for a multi-cultural event to honor our loved ones who died with love, gratitude, peace, and harmony at the Molokai Community Health Center on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4-6:30 p.m. 

Participate and join others in decorating and assembling your own personal lantern to be released at dusk. One lantern per family (four sides of lantern can be decorated). Bring your tabis if you want to walk in the water; it’s muddy. Assistance to float the lantern is available.

While decorating and waiting for lantern release, enjoy music, hula, etc. Food available for purchase. Sponsored by Hospice Maui Molokai and the Guzeiji Soto Mission.…