Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter
On March 14, a judge sentenced Marlin Lavoie, of Molokai, to a 40-year prison term during a re-trial for the fatal shooting of Malia Kahalewai in 2013.
Eight years ago, Lavoie was initially sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus 20 years, following his jury conviction of second-degree murder and three firearms charges in 2015. However, Lavoie appealed the convictions, and the state Supreme Court sent the case for re-trial, with the court’s ruling that testimony regarding five previous domestic violence acts by Lavoie shouldn’t have been permitted at the trial, according to The Maui News. …
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
OHA News Release
More than $9 million in grant solicitations to help Native Hawaiians are now available through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Solicitations include community grants to strengthen ʻohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻaina (land) connections, and grants to support education, health, housing, economic stability, homestead communities, and iwi kupuna repatriation and reinternment. Two new granting categories are being launched to support Native Hawaiians with disaster recovery and provide technical assistance to organizations serving Native Hawaiians (Kakoʻo Support Grants).
Molokai nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply.
With a legacy of supporting more than a decade of community events, OHA’s ʻAhahui Grant Program is making more than $300,000 available for community events scheduled from June to December 2023.…
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
MEO News Release
New or lightly used long-sleeved shirts are being collected for farmworkers from March 24 to 31 by Maui Economic Opportunity’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP).
The Nat’l Long Sleeve Shirt Drive, organized nationally by the Association of Farmworker Opportunities Programs, coincides with Farmworker Awareness Week, which brings attention to farmworkers and honors their work.
Long-sleeved shirts provide protection from pesticide exposure and heat-related illnesses. Donations, which will be given to farmworkers, need to be light colored, natural fabric and long sleeved.
They may be dropped off at MEO Molokai, 380 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai.
MEO is Hawaii’s NFJP operator, the nonprofit agency’s only statewide program.…
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
The Molokai Arts Center held its 13th annual Soup ‘R Bowl on March 11. Over 300 residents and visitors indulged in visual, culinary and performing arts. We are grateful for the many hands and hearts that graciously gave of their time and talent to make this event a success.
Mahalo to our bowl makers who handcrafted over 450 soup bowls and mugs to choose from: Ames Chow, Ashley Ingram, Maricel Kanemitsu, Lil Macmillan, April Maddela, Judith Palmeri, Bianca West and Madison Zeller. Bowl makers Dan Bennett, Kim Markham, Emillia Noordhoek and Dawn Simpson also donated exquisite pieces for our art sale, along with Arabella Ark, Miliopuna Davis, Debbie Delatour, Allyson Durkin, Dewitt Jones, Cynthia Kalfas Cox, Barbie Levy, Joanne Pryor and Paula Scott.…
Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter
Armed with rakes, buckets and heavy-duty trash bags, volunteers took to Molokai’s south shore with a target in mind: the invasive gorilla ogo.
Gorilla ogo is a type of algae likely introduced to Hawaii’s ecosystem in the early 1970s by Filipino shipping vessels. Prone to creating fast-growing clumps around reefs, gorilla ogo can strangle native coral and dominate reef ecosystems.
To combat this algae threat, Molokai nonprofits Sust’ainable Molokai and ‘Aina Momona have partnered to lead community cleanups. The most recent cleanup occurred last Friday at Kaunakakai Wharf.
Raked from the exposed shoreline, mounds of spiny red and brown ogo ran the length of the beach.…