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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Bissen Introduces Mayoral Agenda to Molokai

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

On Jan. 24, Molokai greeted its new mayor Richard Bissen with song, lei and a wide selection of residents and representatives. 

Bissen, a former judge, accompanied Maui County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez to her Molokai townhall meeting at the Mitchell Pauole Center. 

The evening was both an opportunity to “warmly embrace our new mayor” and to outline new mayoral policies and information, explained Rawlins-Fernandez. 

These townhall gatherings, started by Rawlins-Fernandez back in 2019, “make sure that information is being shared and that there is a two-way dialogue” between government officials and the community, she said. 

Bissen used the opportunity to concisely lay out his department and agenda. …

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New Land Designations Proposed for Ilio and Waikolu

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Molokai’s Ilio Point and Waikolu Valley are up for possible re-designations that Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) staff say would allow more focused funding and management. 

Currently managed by the Land Division, a broad department which maintains state lands, the DLNR is proposing a re-designation of the areas as Natural Area Reserves. 

Natural Area Reserves were “established to preserve in perpetuity specific land and water areas which support communities, as relatively unmodified as possible,” according to the DLNR website. 

“The purpose of that would be that we could do more focused management in those areas,” explained Molokai DLNR representative James Espaniola. …

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Season Closes for Boys Basketball

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

This past week, Molokai Boys Basketball and Farmers Swim team traveled to Maui to compete in the Maui Interscholastic League Division two tournaments. 

Hosted at Maui Preparatory Academy, the Farmers Basketball team won the last game of their season against Haleakala Waldorf, 50 to 47. Winning this game allowed them to advance to the MIL Division II Tournament Semifinals. The semifinals were held in the King Kekaulike High School Gym, where the boys competed against Seabury. The game brought the Farmers basketball season to an end with a score of 73 Seabury, 41 Molokai. 

The MIL swim meet was canceled due to the weather but will be rescheduled. …

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Ka Hoʻolewa no ke Aliʻi Wahine

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

Ka Hoʻolewa no ke Aliʻi Wahine

Community Contributed

By Wailana Purdy-Avelino

On Sunday, Jan. 22, Iolani Palace was overflowing in sorrow as the gates opened. The sounds of wailing filled the air as Hawaii mourned the loss of Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa. Guarding her procession from the gates to the palace doors were men, women and children dressed in their regalia from the Royal Hawaiian Societies and the Hawaiian Civic Clubs. She was carried in her casket made entirely of koa wood into the palace, where her people could pay their respects as she lay in state.

On Monday, Jan. 23, the sacred resting ground of the aliʻi of Hawaiʻi, Maunaʻala is where the princess will be laid to rest.…

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New UH Molokai Cooperative Extension Staff

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

UHCTAHR News Release 

The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is proud to announce that on Jan. 3, our staff on Molokai doubled in size with the addition of two new agents.

Joining the staff are Kristina “Tina” Cacpal and Kyle Franks.  They join the long-time staff of Glenn Teves, Jennifer Hawkins, and Ag Technician Faith Tuipulotu.

Tina Cacpal was born and raised on Molokai in Maunaloa and is a proud alumna of Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai High and Intermediate School. She recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Most of her career was spent as an Educational Assistant at Maunaloa that nurtured her love for education as well as connecting with the land and her people.…

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From Firefighter to Farmer

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

From Firefighter to Farmer

By Paul Hanley, Community Reporter

Weymouth Kamakana is 85 years old but looks 10 years younger. When he is not on dialysis—every other day for four hours—he can usually be found in his golf cart, inspecting his mango orchard in Kalamaula.

 “When I was young,” says Kamakana, “I did everything, ran marathons, paddled to Oahu. I had a lot of energy. When I retired after 28 years as a firefighter, I had to find something to keep active. There were two big mango trees on our property, planted by my parents. This area is nice and hot, mangoes like plenty of heat and sun.…

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New Year, New Restaurant for Molokai

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

New Year, New Restaurant for Molokai

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

In the center of Kaunakakai, a new restaurant, filled with color and flavor, has caught Molokai residents’ attention. Thanks to savvy strategies like OTH Restaurant Influencer Marketing, this vibrant spot has quickly become the talk of the town, attracting both locals and visitors eager to experience its unique offerings.

Carol Rocha’s Pacific Eatery opened its doors on Jan. 7, located across from Friendly Market. Aiming for a fusion of different cultures and foods, Rocha’s restaurant offers new possibilities for dining on Molokai. Looking for latin restaurants Roanoke visit El Paraiso.

“What I wanted to create was something that embraced this multicultural influence we have here,” explained Rocha. …

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Kamaka Air Accident

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A Kamaka Air cargo plane crashed about two miles south of the Ho’olehua Airport on Jan. 16 during its approach to land. The two pilots on board had treatable injuries. The cause of the crash, which occurred just after 5 a.m., is currently under investigation.   

Kamaka Air provides daily, essential cargo service to Molokai and other islands.

The Federal Aviation Administration accident report noted “substantial” damage to the single engine Cessna 208 aircraft. 

“Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances on landing,” the report states. The report classified one flight crew injury as “minor” and the other as “serious.”…

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E-Bike Business Debuts

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

E-Bike Business Debuts

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Molokai has its first electric bike rental business, recently launched by Glenn Poller. 

Through Molokai E-Bike Rental, Poller is currently renting out five e-bikes. Electric bikes use a small battery-powered motor to assist when pedaling. Riders can choose between pedaling with engine assistance or just using the throttle, depending on how reliant they want to be on the bike’s 750-watt electric engine. 

Poller’s bikes are loaded up with puncture resistant tires, shock absorbers and lights, and come with a helmet, rear storage bags and lock. The e-bikes cover a range of 60-80 miles and top out at about 25 mph, he said. …

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House Fire in Ranch Camp

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

A family of four has been displaced after their home caught on fire on Jan. 17. By 5:33 p.m., four fire engines had been dispatched to the scene of the house fire on Kikipua St. 

The Maui County Fire Department reported that the residential fire in Ranch Camp was knocked down by 5:45 p.m. and extinguished by 6:55 p.m. but not before much of the house was destroyed by flames. No one was home or injured at the single-family residence, according to the Fire Dept. 

Ruled an accident, likely caused by an electrical malfunction, an estimated $125,000 in damage occurred as a result of the fire, said fire officials.…

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