Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Cases Continue to Rise, Majority Have Mild Symptoms

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai had a new single-day high COVID count record of 42 cases last week on Jan. 18. The island had 184 new cases last week alone between Friday, Jan. 14 and Friday, Jan. 21, according to Dept. of Health data last Sunday. Recent cases on island haven’t caused much increase in emergency room visits, however, according to Molokai General Hospital. 

“We have not had a significant uptick in people visiting the Emergency Dept. with COVID symptoms, thank goodness, and those we have seen, have not had symptoms serious enough to ship out,” said Janice Kalanihuia, president of Molokai General Hospital, on Friday.…

Wins for Girls Basketball

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Wins for Girls Basketball

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High Girls Basketball team got their season off to a strong start with two wins in Hana last weekend. Friday’s score was 47-14, and Saturday’s was 42-16, with high scorers including Lia-Chey Meyer, Leila Hooper-Phifer, Sally Andallo-Merkel, Kailana McGuire-Guerrero, Kaia Yamashita and Kaualea Helm. 

“Overall a great weekend of competition against Hana,” said first year Head Coach Kaimana Kahale. “Girls finally had an opportunity to play amidst this tough and challenging season so that was the biggest positive. Coaching wise we can establish a good foundation and had a chance to see what else we need to improve on.…

Deer Overpopulation, Rainfall Impact Molokai’s Landscapes

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Deer Overpopulation, Rainfall Impact Molokai’s Landscapes

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

It’s no surprise to many Molokai residents that the island is overrun with axis deer. Recent footage from a helicopter during an aerial survey of Molokai by Dept. of Land and Natural Resources staff captured massive herds of deer moving across the land like tiny ants, confirming the environmental damage being done by overpopulation of the nonnative species. 

“Cattle ranchers have been the hardest hit,” Molokai’s James Espaniola, a Forestry and Wildlife Technician with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) said, as he pointed out the helicopter at barren ground. “They do their part in rotating the use of pasture lands to prevent overgrazing by moving their cows around.…

Science Education Grants

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Bayer Fund News Release

Applications are now being accepted for the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund. This Bayer Fund grant program is open to public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai.

Established in 2005, the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund helps provide Hawaii public schools with programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance science education in the schools, and encourages today’s students to consider a future career in the sciences. To date, more than $325,000 has been awarded to schools in Hawaii.

The next grant application deadline is Tuesday, March 1. To…

Meet the Artists: Arabella Ark

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Arabella Ark

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 and your art form?

My name is Arabella Ark, and I am a Ceramicist.  Ceramics entered my life through the backdoor after I moved to Hawai’i. Prior to that move, I had been trained, schooled, and worked in the theatre: as an actress and director.   I earned a master’s degree in dramatic art at University of California at Berkeley, acted with the Greek National Theatre and San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre, produced numerous plays in California, France and Hawaii, and wrote drama and art criticism.…

Annual Soup ‘R Bowl in March

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Annual Soup ‘R Bowl in March

MAC News Release 

The 12th annual Soup ‘R Bowl fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 5, at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho’olehua.

The unique fundraiser, featuring ceramic bowls made by Molokai artists and a hearty soup meal, benefit the Molokai Arts Center (MAC), the island’s only nonprofit arts education organization. Potters have been busy making new bowls (photo of first kiln of 2022) to choose from.

Save the date, mark your calendars, and watch for online ticket sale information coming soon.

 …

Hawaiian Homes Molokai Meetings in April

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

HHC News Release

The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC), the nine-person executive board that governs the Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands (DHHL), has approved and announced its 2022 meeting calendar. The Molokai community meeting will be held on April 18, and the HHC meeting will be held on April 19, at Lanikeha, both at 9:30 a.m. 

 The meetings will be held in compliance with Act 220 and comply with any existing COVID-19 guidelines at the time of the meeting. Act 220 provides state agencies the flexibility to utilize interactive conference technology for the public to view meetings online as well as provide remote oral testimony so board members and other participants can hear the testimony whether through the internet, a telephone or other means.…

Meeting Postponed

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Kaunakakai Filipino Assn News Release

The Kaunakakai Filipino Association meeting that had been scheduled for Jan. 28 is postponed until further notice.…

Molokai Gets Two New Firefighters

Thursday, January 20th, 2022

Molokai Gets Two New Firefighters

MFD News Release

On Friday, Jan. 7, the Department of Fire and Public Safety celebrated the graduation of its 37th Firefighter Recruit Class in Kahului, including two Molokai recruits. 

Molokai’s Troy Heen and Lohiao Paoa were among the 19 firefighter recruits graduated from the Maui Fire Department’s 28-week Recruit Training Program. The program is designed to train and evaluate fire recruits on the many skills and disciplines necessary to serve the public as a firefighter. 

The 37th Recruit Class was comprised of 19 firefighter trainees. 15 firefighters will be joining the ranks with the Maui Fire Department and will be assigned to Maui County fire stations on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.…

Kupu Summer Programs Open Now

Thursday, January 20th, 2022

Kupu Summer Programs Open Now

Kupu News Release

Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and youth education nonprofit, announced applications are open for the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Summer Program, which offers an intensive hands-on experience into the world of conservation. This year Kupu is inviting applicants to apply on Molokai, along with Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. Application deadline is Feb. 25. 

The program runs for seven weeks, from June 7 to July 22. If selected, participants are partnered within a team of five to seven other like-minded individuals and each week they will get to explore and serve within a different partner site, which holds new adventures, challenges, teachings and opportunities for personal growth.…