Out of Darkness Walk

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Out of Darkness Walk

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

“You’re not alone,” said Dr. Deb Goebert, co-chair of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force. “Hope moves us forward.”

Goebert is one of many who have been impacted by the effects of suicide. She, along with over 80 attendees, met at the Molokai Canoe Club last Saturday for the Out of Darkness Walk in the hopes of raising awareness for suicide prevention. 

According to Goebert, events like the Out of Darkness Walk make a big difference, especially on neighbor islands where mental health resources are scarce. 

Communities like Molokai have higher rates of suicide, explained Goebert, but they also have more of the strengths that people struggling with mental health can use – like community and family connection. …

Gonzales Named HI Teacher of the Year Finalist

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Gonzales Named HI Teacher of the Year Finalist

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Among the 13,000 Hawaii Dept. of Education (HIDOE) educators, 15 were chosen as Teacher of the Year finalists. Kaunakakai School fifth grade teacher Kawika Gonzales was one of those select few. 

“A recognition like this reassures me that great things are continuing to happen on Molokai. It lets me know that I’ve had amazing teachers growing up on Molokai,” said Gonzales.

“We have outstanding teachers today that I work with, and I see the potential of amazing teachers in the future through our students,” Gonzales explained. “I am thankful for my family, friends, and island who continue to support me.…

Victories for MHS Sports

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Victories for MHS Sports

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

This past Saturday, the Molokai High School (MHS) Cross Country Team competed at King Kekaulike, featuring both the Boys and Girls divisions.

As a team, the Molokai boys placed fifth with a score of 143. Top finishers for Molokai included Jericho Adolpho placing 18th with a time of 20:02.8 and Sonny Dunham placing 22nd with a time of 20:55.5.

For the Girls Cross Country Team, top finishers included Kaia Yamashita placing 19th with a time of 26:15.2, Sonni Han with a time of 32:43.1 at 39th, and Ara Puaa with a time of 33:05.1 at 40th. …

Family Sues County Over Fatal Shooting in April

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Members of Naki ‘ohana have sued the County of Maui and police officers involved in the April 30 shooting of 39-year-old Nathaniel Naki. In the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court last week, his family claims officers on the scene used “unlawful deadly force when they discharged their weapons at Nathaniel without provocation.”

The suit is based on seven counts that include malicious, willful and wanton conduct by police, emotional distress and suffering to Naki prior to his death, intentional infliction of emotional distress to his family, and wrongful death. 

On April 30, police officers responded to a temporary restraining order violation in Waialua on Molokai’s east end.…

Country Fair

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

St. Damien Parish News Release 

Please join us for this free community event on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Damien of Molokai Parish Country Fair is in its 20th year.  The event offers something for everyone including, a country store, a plant sale, a silent auction, entertainment, keiki games, a prayer table, baked goods, Filipino food, popcorn and drinks, and our specialty food items.  This year we are again selling our marinated uncooked chicken and cooked shrimp plate by pre-sale tickets.  You can purchase both at the Damien Center office 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday or after mass at any of our parish churches. …

Grand Opening of the Molokai History Project

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

MHP News Release 

Join the grand opening of the Molokai History Project at 145 Ala Malama Street, Unit 103, 9:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6.  Blessings will be by Uncle Jimmy Duvauchelle and welcoming remarks by Donna Paoa. 

Following the passing of Dr. Aluli late last year, there was a groundswell of support to establish a place on Molokai to share our collective histories and cultural objects.

Over the past few months, a group of 15 plus individuals have met to brainstorm ways to make this possible.  Most recently, our group met with Pulama Lima, the executive director of Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center, a local non-profit already doing heritage preservation work on Molokai.…

Big Changes Coming for Mobile Market

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Sustʻainable Molokai is pleased to announce exciting changes to our Mobile Market schedule, aimed at better serving our valued customers across the island. These changes are set to roll out during the first week of October.

We are thrilled to be adding a new pick-up location, making it easier than ever for our Manaʻe community to access fresh, locally-sourced produce. Starting Oct. 1, you can find us at Kilohana Elementary School every Thursday from 2:30-3:30 p.m., to pick up your orders, right after the buses leave. 

For our Kaunakakai and Hoʻolehua customers, we have expanded our pick-up time windows to offer greater flexibility.…

Molokai Artists Selected to Statewide Exhibition

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release 

Hawaii Craftsmen would like to heartily congratulate the eight Molokai artists whose works were juried into the Hawaii Craftsmen 57th consecutive statewide exhibition.

This is a very competitive show to participate in and the Molokai entrants faced an even greater challenge being smaller in numbers in comparison to the other islands. This exhibition features 106 extraordinary artworks from 99 artists on Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. These artworks were selected from 537 entries across the state.

Congratulations goes to Arabella Ark, Dan Bennett, Jason Elder, Patti Golebieski, Terry Klerlein, Jason Liu, Kim Markham and Carol Rocha.…

Know Your Place

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Community Contributed

Li’ula Busby, MHS Grade 12 

Kalo is happiest when it is growing where it belongs. When I was five, my mom asked me what I want to be when I grow up. I said I want to be happy. I’m happiest when I have a sense of belonging. Belonging means to fit in. It means being in the right place with the right people. Knowing your place is challenging sometimes because your place shifts when you’re with different people and when you’re in different places. To truly know your place, you need to know who you are. Next, figure out your viewpoint on what’s right and wrong.…

Art and Health Go Hand in Hand at MGH

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Art and Health Go Hand in Hand at MGH

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

“What do you want the art to say?” asked Dewitt Jones, longtime photographer and Molokai resident. 

He gestured along the walls of Molokai General Hospital, adorned with huge canvases capturing May Days, Makahiki, rodeos: Molokai people and Molokai days gone by. These are just some of the estimated 120 photos decorating the hospital. 

“When the nurses go away, it’s just the walls,” said Jones. “You feel very alone.” 

Jones’ hope is that pictures of local people, places and scenes help those who enter and work at the hospital to feel more at peace. 

“You come to a hospital.…