Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Bovine TB Control Evolves

Wednesday, June 8th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Agriculture, health and wildlife officials visited Molokai two weeks ago to educate residents and answer questions about the ongoing bovine tuberculosis (bTB) outbreak on Molokai. Together, they discussed the impacts of the disease, what has been done and what’s ahead regarding control, legislation and community action. 

The source of the 2021 outbreak that has swept through Molokai populations of cattle and pigs is still under investigation but genomic testing shows that all of the infected herds are related to a Molokai strain tracing back to feral pigs on the island’s east end. 

Dr. Isaac Maeda, Hawaii Dept.…

June Arts Programs

Wednesday, June 8th, 2022

June Arts Programs

MAC News Release

April showers brought May flowers and at the Molokai Arts Center (MAC), programs sprung open with a kanaka maoli Artist in Residence, a Balinese painter/dancer, accomplished musicians Galliard String Quartet with Molokai Instrumental Music Education (MIME) Septet and a surprise guest from Europe.

Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, who was recently featured at the Lahaina Noon program at Honolulu Civic Center, spent a couple of weeks on Molokai completing a music composition for her residency. Her next big project is an opera based on the works of Queen Lili’uokalani. The East-West Center partnered with the MAC to bring Balinese painter and dancer I Made Moja to Molokai.…

Golf Aces

Wednesday, June 8th, 2022

Golf Aces

By Rick Schonely

David Spencer is the June Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Kaleo Len Wai defeated Henrietta Helm in a playoff to claim the May Ace. Mahalo to Iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating golf on Molokai.…

A Hui Hou

Wednesday, June 8th, 2022

A fond farewell and safe travels to Aunty Teri Waros as she moves to the states. They say that knowledge is power. There is certainly plenty of knowledge contained in a book. Thank you for sharing countless books with this community for more than a decade. Running a small business is never easy, let alone an independent bookstore in Kaunakakai. We are so grateful to have met and gotten to know you and to have shared many cups of coffee and lunches with you under the shade of the kukui trees in the backyard of the bookstore. We know that the past few years haven’t been easy on anyone, especially you, but we’re so happy you made it through those difficult days.…

Maunaloa School Garden Blooms

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

Maunaloa School Garden Blooms

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Since dreaming of a Maunaloa School garden for years and digging their shovels in the ground for the first time in a blessing of the space just over a year ago, the Maunaloa Mala – the school’s garden — is now flourishing. Each class spends time in the garden twice a week, incorporating lessons into hands on learning under the outdoor hale. At a fourth quarter Ho’ike to celebrate their progress in the garden last week, the school community enjoyed lu’au stew made with kalo grown by students, while keiki presented their recent work to ‘ohana and friends.…

Below Normal Hurricane Season Predicted

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting a below normal 2022 hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs through November 30. Experts say there is a 60 percent chance of below-normal tropical cyclone activity during the Central Pacific hurricane season this year, according to NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, divisions of the National Weather Service. The outlook also indicates a 30 percent chance for near-normal activity, and only a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season.

For the season as a whole, forecasters are expecting two to four tropical cyclones for the Central Pacific hurricane region.…

Farewell to Colette Machado

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

Farewell to Colette Machado

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai’s Colette Machado, a former Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee of two decades, Hawaiian advocate and community leader died on May 23, officials said. At the age of 71, she passed away at Queen’s Hospital after an extended stay, though her passing was unexpected by many who knew her.

“We are shocked and saddened by today’s news of the sudden passing of former Office of Hawaiians Affairs Board Chair Colette Machado,” said OHA Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey in a statement on May 23. “Colette proudly served the Molokai and Lanai communities for 24 years as a dedicated and committed trustee.…

Memorial Scholarships Awarded

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

FMHMSF News Release

Two Molokai High School graduates have been awarded $2,000 each and a Da Kine backpack by the Kukui Malamalama Scholarship program in memory of Kekuhaupio Likua.  The scholarship award is administered by the Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools Foundation (FMHMSF).  The Kukui Malamalama Scholarships are funded by local residents that are interested in seeing more of our students continue their education after high school.

This year’s recipients are Steven Arce and Dianthe Kaili.

 Steven plans to attend Hawaii Community College and major in national resource management of our forests ecosystems and agroforestry.

Dianthe Kaili will be attending college to pursue a degree in art.…

Tracking COVID Trends

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai logged 18 new COVID cases in the week between May 18 and May 25, according to the Dept. of Health. That’s down from 26 the previous week, and 40 the week before that, May 4-11. However, officials suggest that the tally is likely five to seven times what’s officially reported, due to the influx of home COVID tests, which go unreported. By that calculation, last week’s Molokai cases probably range between 90 and 126 new cases. 

Between May 17 and May 26, Molokai Middle School reported eight new COVID cases and Molokai High School had two, according to the DOE weekly COVID report.…

Free Summer Meals for Youth

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

HIDOE News Release 

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced that 83 public schools will serve meals free of charge over the summer to children ages 18 years and younger, regardless of public school enrollment status, through its summer food service program. Three schools on Molokai are participating in the program.

Beginning in early June, the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program will serve meals at select schools Monday through Friday, with the exception of June 10 (King Kamehameha Day) and July 4 (Independence Day). SSO is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer. …