Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Maui Matsuri Art Contest, Cash Prizes Available

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Maui Matsuri News Release

The 23rd annual Maui Matsuri is now accepting entries for its art contest from eligible students, who can win up to $100 in cash prizes. The Maui Matsuri Art Contest is sponsored by HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts Maui.

The contest is open to Maui County students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The deadline to enter and submit artwork is April 21. All entries must depict this years’ Maui Matsuri 2025 Festival theme of Nozomi “Hope and Aspiration”.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners in each of the following four age divisions: kindergarten – 2nd grade; 3rd – 5th grade; 6th – 8th grade; 9th – 12th grade.…

Mayor Bissen Proposes FY 2026 Budget Focuses

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Maui County News Release

On March 25, Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 proposed budget to the Maui County Council, emphasizing the plan’s focus on recovery, long-term resilience and a balanced approach to countywide priorities.
“Over the past year, our community has faced immense challenges — and through strong partnerships with the County Council and our community, we’ve stood united in our shared commitment to serving the people of Maui County,” said Mayor Bissen. “This year’s budget is guided by the theme of kahua — a Hawaiian concept meaning ‘foundation,’ and it is our reminder to care for our people, protect our ʻaina, respect our culture and honor our history.”…

Support for Molokai’s Hawaiian Language Immersion Families

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Hui Makua o ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu News Release

The “Hui Makua o Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu” recently announced a grant award totaling $40,000 that will support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The grant will help to reinforce and strengthen Native Hawaiians’ connections to ‘ohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻaina (land and water) and support work in OHA’s Mana I Maoli Ola Strategies and Outcomes.”
This school year, ʻohana of Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (HLIP) students on Molokai will have access to an assortment of opportunities to support their HLIP students at home.…

Ornellas Honored for Work in Civic Education

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Hawaii State Judiciary News Release

Chosen from teachers across Hawaii, Molokai High School (MHS) teacher Ric Ornellas was honored by the Hawaii House of Representatives, along with the Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE), for his work in civic education and for inspiring a sense of civic responsibility and community in his students.

Ornellas was recognized along with four other Hawaii teachers: Jessica dos Santos, Denise Mazurik, Janyce Omura, and ʻImaikalani Winchester.
“Mr. Ornellas is very deserving,’ said MHS Principal Katina Soares. “He has been an indispensable pillar of the MHS community since 2008, dedicating his second career as an educator to empowering students as a special education and social studies teacher, and class advisor.…

Molokai and Lanai Keiki Take Flight in Musical Mystery Camp

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai News Release

Spring break brought young performers from Molokai and Lanai came together for an action-packed three-day musical play training camp from March 17 to 19, helping students fine-tune their voices, dance moves, and stage presence for Molokai’s first-ever full-length children’s musical play.
“Flight of the Mothman,” a thrilling musical mystery by Matt Glickstein and Jason Spraggins, features 11 original songs and dances. The show will debut Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at Home Pumehana Main Hall, and Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
The camp was a whirlwind of high-energy performing arts workshops, team-building activities, and a special cultural excursion to Keawanui Fishpond, where students explored Molokai’s rich history of sustainability.…