Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Community Calendar Returning

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

The Molokai Dispatch News Release 

The community calendar, a weekly section of The Molokai Dispatch that lists upcoming community events and meetings, is making a comeback after a hiatus during the pandemic. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Sust’ainable Molokai, the calendar will be printed again beginning in April. Get ready to submit your events and plan your community schedule! 

Prior to COVID-19, the community calendar section was a prominent weekly feature in the pages of the Dispatch, offering extensive listings of recurring weekly classes and meetings, as well as upcoming one-time events. In an effort to cut costs during the pandemic, combined with the fact that community events weren’t taking place, we temporarily removed the calendar.…

Call for Fiber Art

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Since 1982, Hawaii Craftsmen has had a juried biennial fiber exhibit that is, “in, of or about fiber.” Artists are asked to consider fiber and textile techniques, exploring all fiber related work as an idea as well as a media. Emerging and established artists, members and nonmembers from Molokai and across the state are encouraged to submit completed artworks to be considered for inclusion in this statewide exhibition. 

Fiber Hawaii 2022 entries will be juried by well-known fashion designer and creative consultant, Amos Kotomori. Amos is sure to bring a unique sense of style to the Fiber exhibit.…

Meet the Artists: Kananikalā Bishaw-Juario

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: Kananikalā Bishaw-Juario

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.

What is your name?

My name is Kananikalā S. Bishaw-Juario and I’m called “Kalā.”

What is your art form? 

I play different genres of music using my guitar, and I sing. I play music once a week with Raymond Hiro at Hiroʻs Ohana Grill.

How did you get started? 

My grandparents Alexander and Anna Bishaw would play ukulele and sing together.…

Kahea for Descendants of Mapulehu

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Community Contributed

By Keomailani Hanapi-Hirata, East Molokai Representative 

In 1991, within the Ahupua’a of Mapulehu, on the parcel of land formally known as the “Mapulehu Glass House,” discovery of human skeletal remains was being uncovered during a development phase of land clearing, with a bulldozer and excavator. An article written in The Honolulu Advertiser on Dec. 21, 1991, titles, “Molokai farm yields ancient remains.” The article describes reports from police, state officials and Molokai burial council, “bones were scattered over about four acres and at least 30 human jawbones were found, and 11 human skulls were recovered along with numerous fragments of human remains.”…

Partner in the Spotlight: Diane Pike

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Partner in the Spotlight: Diane Pike

NOAA News Release

Molokai’s Diane Pike stumbled into the Hawaiian monk seal world in 2008 when she volunteered to help locate a mom and pup pair that were spotted on Molokai during a NOAA aerial survey. Little did she know where that road would lead her! At that time, finding reproductive females giving birth across the main Hawaiian Islands was still a relative novelty.

Diane’s involvement in monk seal conservation expanded alongside these promising signs of recovery in the species itself. Later that year, she facilitated NOAA’s efforts to tag that pup, and in observing the process and learning about the important work happening in her backyard, she was hooked.…

Return to the Banyan Tree

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Community Contributed

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

I was the first to arrive at the venerable old tree. I had wanted to assure myself of a good seat before they had all sold out to the eager masses. Soon they all began to arrive, in ones and twos, on foot, in cars, vans and trucks. It was like the prelude to a football game. Then he approached the grassy verge of the banyan’s shelter, flanked by Dr. Wasserman and Baron Chan. It was like a reenactment of the Lord’s transfiguration on the mountain all over again. Ken Seamon, our administrator, had abandoned his golf club and armed himself with a clip board.…

Molokai Hit Hard with Rising Cost of Fuel

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Molokai Hit Hard with Rising Cost of Fuel

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As drivers gasp at the gas prices skyrocketing recently, rising fuel costs around the globe will soon drive the cost of living for Molokai residents even higher, and officials are urging consumers to find ways to save. Hawaiian Electric just warned of a 25 percent increase for Molokai customers in upcoming electric bills from a jump in fuel prices, and changes to the global oil market will affect everything from food costs to airfares to monthly utility charges. 

Last week at the gas pumps, residents saw an overnight jump from $5.63 to $5.78, coming after recent weeks of frequent increases.…

Indoor Mask Mandate Ending

Friday, March 18th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Hawaii becomes the last state in the U.S. to lift its indoor mask mandate on March 25. Gov. David Ige announced the statewide mask requirement for inside settings will end this month. It will be the first time masks won’t be required indoors since April 2020. 

“Together, we have reduced COVID-19 in Hawaii to the point where most of us will be safe without masks indoors,” said Ige last week. “Right now, hospitalizations are trending down. Case counts are falling. We are better at treating people who are infected. Booster shots are saving lives. And the CDC has rated the state’s COVID-19 community level as ‘low.’…

Boys Volleyball Starts Season with Split

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Boys Volleyball Starts Season with Split

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Farmers Volleyball team won a game and lost a game during last weekend’s season starter hosting Seabury at The Barn. 

“Last night and today was a blessing just to have boys’ volleyball back in competition mode. To have fans cheer on our kids brought happiness to The Barn,” said Head Coach Hale Domingo on Saturday. 

Friday’s game closed with Molokai taking the win over Seabury 3-2. Molokai’s Jaydon Kaupu got 20 kills, Dreydon Garces had 18 kills and three aces, and Elijah Kadowaki had 12 kills and 35 assists. 

“Friday night was as exciting as it could get, point after point, play after play, squeeze okole action,” said Domingo.…

Playing for a Cause

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Playing for a Cause

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Kalaupapa Backyard Band performed a special show last Friday night at Paddlers Restaurant and Bar. All proceeds from the tip jar will be donated to the Ukraine through the United Church of Christ and the Kalaupapa churches, Kana’ana Hou and Siloama, through their minister Richard Miller. Playing to a packed house, the band raised $850 for the cause, which will be sent to assist Ukrainians in need, being invaded by Russia. 

Miller, the band’s harmonica player, is one of the founding members of KBB and will be returning to his home in Pennsylvania on May 1 after almost 20 years of service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and the churches.…