• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    January 8, 2026

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    January 9, 2026

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    January 7, 2026

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Molokai Kumu Develops Online Keiki Program

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Ka Hale Hoaka News Release

Ka Hale Hoaka, an online Hawaiian learning school, is pleased to announce its Keiki Program.

The 16-module program is targeted to students ages 5-11 and teaches Hawaiian language, music, chant, hula, arts, and crafts. The Keiki Program is designed to be implemented into the existing distance learning curriculum of elementary schools statewide.

The Keiki Program is taught by co-founder Maile “Kumu Maile” Naehu, a Kumu, Native Hawaiian educator, performer, artist, and community organizer from the island of Molokai. Naehu has taught Hawaiian immersion for Kamehameha Schools and is a resource teacher for the DOE.

“We founded Ka Hale Hoaka as a creative way to connect keiki to the rich, timeless teachings of Hawaii, especially as schools transitioned to online curriculum,” said Naehu.…

Posted in , , , , , commentsAdd your comment

It’s Never Too Late

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

Just a few minutes ago, I walked across the street to check my mail box, just in case I had received a million dollars to benefit St. Francis Church. The sign on the window as well as on the door read, “Closed 12/7; Open 12/8.” Today is 12/8 and this was my third trip today to the USPS of Kalaupapa. I will probably stop there again later. After all, this is Kalaupapa and it’s never too late here.

It has been three weeks plus since I last used our landline to make a call.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Christmas in Kalaupapa

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Christmas in Kalaupapa

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The annual Kalaupapa Lion’s Club Christmas celebration is normally the settlement’s “event of the year,” with a big party at McVeigh Hall that includes a feast, decorations, lucky number prizes, gift exchanges, friends and live music. But this year, as with so many things, the festivities looked a little different. Instead of a party, the Lion’s Club hosted a drive thru candy cane lane for community members, with a candy cane decorating contest, Christmas light decorating contest, raffles and gifts bags for everyone.

“There have been no events at all since March when the settlement closed to visitors and the Christmas Lion’s Club party is the event of the year for the Kalaupapa community,” said Ka’ohulani McGuire of the National Park Service.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Last Workshop of the Year for Energy Coop

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Shake Energy Collaborative News Release

On Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 to 10:30 a,m., we will host a virtual public meeting to further our progress on designing renewable energy on Molokai to be locally owned and operated by a newly forming Molokai Renewable Energy Cooperative.

This will be our last meeting of the year as a group and it will be a fun one! We will review our progress to date including physical project design, partner company selection and coop formalization and naming.

We will also join in a couple of fun design activities! If you want to receive a design kit, please contact us as soon as possible.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

NPS Seeking Kalaupapa Electrical System Improvements

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

KNHP News Release

The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting input and manaʻo on options to rehabilitate the existing electrical system at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and the Kalaupapa Settlement. At this time, the park is initiating a 45-day public scoping period in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The current electrical system at the park was installed in 1969 and is owned by State of Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. An overhead power line, owned by the Maui Electrical Company (MECO), follows the Kalaupapa trail and terminates at the 300kVA MECO-owned substation on the Kalaupapa peninsula; the existing overhead system is tied in and managed by the NPS.…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

Electric Walk-in Payment Centers Permanently Close

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric’s walk-in payment centers in Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, Kona and Molokai, closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, will permanently shut their doors due to declining use and customers adapting to other payment options.

The company is encouraging customers to enroll for online services through its Online Customer Service Center or mobile app. Online, customers may start, stop or move service requests, request payment arrangements through an authenticated channel, report payment, submit billing inquiries, schedule one-time or automatic bill payment, as well as report and check status on outages.

The payment centers were closed in mid-March to keep customers and employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have remained closed.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Community Solar Proposals Take Shape

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

By Dayanti Karunaratne, Community Reporter

It is an exciting time for renewable energy on Molokai as the community awaits details of what will be the island’s biggest ever solar energy project. Unlike past solar projects that involve in-stalling rooftop panels on private property, this project will involve the building of a large solar plant to generate energy — and reduce electricity bills.

Projects under the Community-Based Renewable Energy Program (CBRE) platform, set up by Hawaiian Electric (HE) and approved by the Public Utilities Commission, will be selected through a bidding process called a Request for Proposals (RFP). The CBRE model involves a “community solar” installation that allows customers who cannot put solar panels on their roof to still reap the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Kalauapa Gets First Case, 3 More for Topside Molokai

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kalaupapa recorded its first COVID-19 case last week, after being reportedly the last county in the U.S. without the virus. Separately, Molokai had three additional positive cases, bringing the island’s total to 22 since the pandemic began, not including the Kalaupapa case.

On Dec. 8, the Dept. of Health reported the three Molokai cases today as household contacts. One person had travel history, but it is unclear whether the transmission of the virus was from the traveler of as a result of community spread. The investigation is ongoing as of last week, according to the DOH.

In the Kalaupapa case, the individual received their positive test result after returning on a local flight to the Kalaupapa settlement and was in self-isolation with no symptoms, the DOH reported on Dec.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Lighting Up the Holidays

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Lighting Up the Holidays

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Though the annual Christmas light parade was cancelled this year due to the pandemic, many businesses and residents have lit up the holidays with elaborate, glowing decor. Pictured here, Molokai Community Service Council erected a giant tree structure and rooftop display. Paleka’s shave ice stand, which serves funnel cake some nights, is also decked out for the holidays.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Education for Essential Careers

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

UHMCM News Release

We have all grown a new appreciation for our health care professionals, grocery workers, educators, transportation specialists, and all other workers who put their lives at risk during this pandemic. Today, we send our gratitude and thanks to each of them.

We invite you to become a professional in one of these many aspiring jobs. Higher education is available locally here at UH Maui College Molokai campus. Learn more about the many degrees available through distance learning. For more information, visit us online at uhonline.hawaii.edu/programs or contact Theresa Tamanaha at 808 553-4490 Opt 3. Happy Holidays!…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment