Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai Land Trust Acquires Kahanui Wetland for Restoration

Friday, June 27th, 2025

Molokai Land Trust News Release
In a significant collaboration among county, state, federal and private partners, a 45-acre wetland parcel in Kahanui on Molokai’s south shore, which includes a portion of the Punalau loko i‘a, was recently acquired by local conservation nonprofit Molokai Land Trust (MLT) for restoration and management.
The $653,850 acquisition closed April 9. Previously privately owned, this sale was possible with assistance from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and funded by a US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant ($398,850); a County of Maui Open Space, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources and Scenic Views Preservation Fund ($210,000); and private contributions ($45,000).…

Growing Gardeners

Friday, June 27th, 2025

CTAHR News Release
Funded through a grant from the County of Maui, CTAHR recently completed the first cohort of our Seed 2 Harvest gardening program — a hands-on, workforce development course focused on small-scale annual food production.
Designed for beginning gardeners, the program provided both technical skills and real-life growing experience that students can take into home gardens, community efforts, or future farm ventures.
Participants were guided through the full growing cycle, from seeding and transplanting to harvest. Crops included tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, arugula, cilantro, radishes, lettuce, and Swiss chard — offering students a diverse set of planting, care, and harvesting experiences.…

Hawaiʻi Students Earn Top Awards at National History Day

Friday, June 27th, 2025

Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities News Release
Hawaiʻi students won top awards at the National History Day (NHD) competition at the University of Maryland June 8-12. Student historians from across the state showcased their passion for history, demonstrated exceptional research and presentation skills, and responded to judges’ interviews with knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm.
Hawaiʻi History Day students in grades 4 to 12 from 46 public, private and charter schools on Molokai, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii who advanced through school, district, and state-level competitions earned the opportunity to compete at the national level. Hawai’i students competed in Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) Divisions, as individuals or groups (2 or 3 members), amidst fierce competition from nearly 3,000 students from all 50 states, international schools and U.S.…

Wailau Land to Be Permanently Protected

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

The Conservation Fund News Release

The Brown Family Trust has announced that its land in Wailau will be permanently protected for the benefit of the Molokai community. 

The Sacharuna Foundation, which has been active in land protection on Molokai for 40 years and was a leader in The Nature Conservancy’s successful effort in 1988 to permanently conserve the Mo’omomi Dunes, will assume title to support local stewardship and empower community leaders in their vision to restore and malama this land. In the words of Molokai native Wailana Moses — a part-time resident of Wailau with over 25 years of experience in natural resource management:

“Wailau is a unique and special place to many families on Molokai and we are so grateful to the Brown family for this incredible contribution.…