Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

COVID Surge Causes School Cancellations

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

COVID Surge Causes School Cancellations

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A recent surge in COVID cases on Molokai has caused a disruption to some school classes and sports competitions. The Dept. of Health now only provides reporting on COVID case counts weekly on Wednesdays, with nine new cases reported for Molokai between Wednesday, April 17 and Wednesday, May 4, community reports suggest last week’s case numbers on Molokai were much higher. DOH officials did not respond to requests for updated Molokai counts. 

Last Sunday night, Molokai Middle School announced school closure this week, with cancellation of classes on Monday, May 10, followed by distance learning the rest of the week due to “the high number of cases among staff and students.”…

Baseball Plays at States

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Baseball Plays at States

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Farmers Baseball team closed their undefeated season with two losses at the State Division II Baseball Championship in Hilo. On Thursday, the team played Damien Memorial School, with an 8-2 score. 

“We battled and did the best we could do,” said Head Coach Keahi Rawlins. “Gavin [Ainoa] gave it his all on the mound and we made some crucial errors that hurt us. Effort and intensity I felt was there but mental mistakes and physical errors on both sides of the ball affected the outcome. Damien plays against top notch clubs and they played well hats off to them.”…

Personal Records for Track and Field

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Personal Records for Track and Field

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High Track and Field team closed their season at the Maui Interscholastic League Championships last week. Though the team didn’t qualify for states, Head Coach Kabbie Bicoy-Juario said athletes logged many personal records. 

“Great season to our runners and throwers,” she said. “It was another battle with a windy season but it didn’t stop them from practice and competition. We had a few fell short from states but everyone made new personal records. We’re excited for next year and already planning it out.”

She thanked coaches Micah, Isaiah and Dave, as well as the athletic department for their support.…

Join the Climate Crew

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Blue Planet News Release 

Blue Planet is recruiting for our fourth Climate Crew cohort! If you know of any motivated high school students on Molokai, Lanai, or Maui who might be interested in making an impact in their community through clean energy and sustainable efforts, please forward this to them! Up to 12 students will be selected for this two-month program in June and July.

Being part of the Climate Crew helps you find your voice in whatever form that might be; understand the legislative process through an equity, climate and energy efficiency lens; connect with other passionate students from other schools/islands to make impacts in your community; and build your college resume!…

Water Use Plan Outreach

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Townscape News Release 

As a part of our community outreach for the Molokai Island Water Use and Development Plan, Townscape, Inc., consultant to the Maui County Department of Water Supply, will have staff on island to conduct in-person outreach. We would appreciate a chance to talk story with you and to get your manaʻo about your island’s water resources.

We will be setting up a booth pop-up style at a variety of locations during the third week of May. On Wednesday, May 18 we will be at Kualapuʻu Market from 1 to 5 p.m.; Thursday, May 19 at Friendly Market from 9 a.m.…

Patricia Quintua

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Patricia Quintua

Patricia Ann Ku’ikawahiwahiwaopu’uokalani Akemi Quintua, 33 years old, passed away April 30, 2022 in Maunaloa, Molokai. Patty was born on Jan. 1, 1989 in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. Patty is survived by her loving parents John and Dorothy Quintua of Ho’olehua Molokai, and her sister Johnessa Quintua (Jeremiah Keohuloa). She is also survived by her three beautiful children, Arieana, Kamaia and Jhamari. Her services will be announced at a later date.…

Peter Paul Soares, Sr.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Peter Paul Soares, Sr.

Peter Paul Soares Sr. 77, of Las Vegas Nevada and formerly of Kahului Maui, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2022 in Summerlin Las Vegas with his loving family at his side. He was born to the late Jack and Dolores (Omalza) Soares on June 29, 1944 in Ho’olehua on Molokai.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Cheryl; sons Peter Soares Jr (Desiree) and Daniel Soares (Ginger); daughters Tammy Locke (Bruce) and Raynette Yap (Byron); eight grandchildren; brothers Jacob Soares (Ruth) and Patrick Soares; his extended family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; hanai son James Hirozawa and hanai daughter Lynette Sakamura.…

Elizabeth Nani Aki Street

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Elizabeth Nani Aki Street

Elizabeth Nani Aki Street was born on Jan. 28, 1933 in Ho’olehua, Molokai and died on Feb. 26, 2022 in Seattle, WA. She is survived by sons Butch, Carl and Eric; daughters Gail and Doris; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and sister Mahiki Lankford. She was preceded in death by husband Duane Street and parents William and Annie Wahinealii Aki.

Burial will be on Saturday, May 28th, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Homelani Cemetery.…

Kualapu’u La Ali’i

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Kualapu’u La Ali’i

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Last week, Kualapu’u School’s Hawaiian Immersion Program honored Hawaiian royalty in the annual La Aliʻi celebration. The entire school, along with some others island wide, will be prerecording May Day observances for broadcast this month, while a few schools will be doing live May Day celebrations this year. Donning colorful lei and representing the royal courts and colors of various islands, Lei Day is a beloved annual tradition among schools, one of many that was put on hold during the pandemic.

 …

Inspected Meat Remains Safe as bTB Outbreak Continues

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

With concern about bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which has rapidly spread across livestock herds in central and west Molokai this year, some residents have wondered, is it safe to eat meat slaughtered on Molokai? The answer is yes. 

“The Molokai Livestock Cooperative would like to assure you, our community, that the procedures of how we handle every single animal, whether it be cattle, hogs, deer or sheep, must go through a stringent inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also known as the USDA,” wrote Randy Cabreros, interim manager of Molokai’s slaughterhouse, in a social media post last week.…