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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

New Exhibit at the Molokai History Project

Friday, January 31st, 2025

Molokai History Project News Release

The Molokai History Project is excited about a new exhibit to be dedicated to showcasing the rich history of fishing, farming, hunting, and feeding our community. To bring this story to life, we invite you to join us and participate in sharing your experiences and history as we tell this rich part of the story of Molokai.

We are seeking artifacts like tools, equipment, and items used in fishing, farming, and hunting; photos of historical images of community members at work or celebrating their harvests; memorabilia, personal stories, documents, and items that highlight how these traditions shaped our community.…

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New Film Highlights Kawela Restoration Project 

Friday, January 31st, 2025

New Film Highlights Kawela Restoration Project 

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

A new short film, “I Ola Ka ‘Aina,” looks at the culmination of more than 20 years of land restoration work in Kawela aimed at protecting Molokai’s reefs. Created by Matt Yamashita, the 15-minute film documents the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Geological Survey, Molokai residents and more to solve the problem of erosion runoff in Kawela.

Lying at the base of Molokai’s southern coast, is the largest fringing coral reef in the U.S. For years, it has been the recipient of thousands of tons of erosion annually – resulting in murky, sediment-suffused water detrimental to the health of the coral reef and larger ecosystem.…

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Girls Basketball on to States

Friday, January 31st, 2025

Girls Basketball on to States

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

After defeating Haleakala Waldorf in a close 24-20 win, Molokai High School (MHS) girls basketball took on the number one ranked Lanai Pine Lasses in the Maui Interscholastic League DII finals. Ultimately, the Lady Farmers fell in an extremely tight game, with a final score of 26-23 in the favor of the Pine Lasses. Molokai’s Leila Hooper-Phifer led the Lady Farmers’ offense with 14 points. With the finals appearance, the Lady Farmers clinched a spot in the state tournament, which will take place from Feb. 5 to Feb. 8 in Honolulu.

Molokai girls soccer played in a historic match on Saturday, Jan.…

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Mango Theater Will Bring Movies Back to Molokai

Friday, January 31st, 2025

Mango Theater Will Bring Movies Back to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Reporter 

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Molokai residents will be able to eat popcorn, sit in a theater seat and watch a movie on the big screen without traveling off island. The Mango Theater in Kaunakakai is anticipated to open next month, bringing with it much excitement for Molokai residents. 

“We’re hoping that it’s going to be a good thing, that it will be well received, and that it’ll be seen as a really positive thing for the island,” said Brad Ellis, who owns the theater with his wife, Grace Chen-Ellis. 

The single-screen theater has padded black walls, Molokai art, a laser projector for the big screen and seating for 45 people.…

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Mokulele Not in the Clear Yet

Friday, January 31st, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

While Mokulele has resumed commercial flights to Molokai, residents are still dealing with prolonged delays, flight cancellations and a frustrating lack of communication from the airline. In a recent interview with KHON news, Ed Sniffen from the Hawaii Dept. of Transportation explained that Mokulele is only at about 50 percent flight capacity right now and that it will take approximately six weeks before Mokulele flights are back to normal.

Currently, Molokai community members and representatives are heading efforts to try to bring better flight service to the island. Molokai’s Tylor Tanaka is helping lead this process by collecting hard data on flight delays and cancellations experienced by residents.…

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Lonoikamakahiki

Friday, January 31st, 2025

Lonoikamakahiki

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Last week, Molokai residents made their way to Kaunakakai Ball Park to celebrate the end of Makahiki season. Makahiki, a four-month period starting in late October or early November and ending in January, represents the season of Lono, and the bounty of the rain and harvest. The Hawaiian tradition of competing in games to honor this time of year was revived on Molokai over four decades ago.

“Forty-four years ago, we started the Makahiki games playing baseball and basketball because that’s all we knew,” explained Walter Ritte, one of the founders of Ka Molokai Makahiki’s revival of the ancient tradition.…

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Robert Mack Granger

Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Robert Mack Granger

Robert Mack Granger passed away quietly on Dec. 16, 2024, at home on Molokai at the age of 84.
Born July 20, 1940 in New Iberia, Louisiana, to Lucille Mack Granger and Ignace A. Granger, Robert was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.
He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor’s in General Agriculture, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a Master’s in Agronomy, and the University of Minnesota with a PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding. He worked 30 years for Cargill of Minneapolis in their seed division developing corn hybrids. His work took him to Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.…

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January Golf Ace

Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

January Golf Ace

Community Contributed 

By Rick Schonely 

Dana Takashima is the January Ace for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Takashima, a famous retired Molokai dentist and professional Molokai golfer, shot 40-40 for a gross total of 80. With his 16 handicap, his net 64 got him the victory.

Congratulations on the first ace of 2025, Dana!

 

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of Iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai!

 …

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Children’s Theater Receives HCF Grant

Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

HCF News Release

The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) announced on Jan. 14 the awarding of $1,521,000 in grant funding to 28 art and culture organizations through its Equitable Access Arts and Culture program. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing equitable opportunities for all Hawaii residents to engage in arts and culture, addressing barriers such as geography, socio-economic factors, and systemic inequities.
For Molokai, the Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai was the recipient of a $55,500 grant. The Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai Enriches Molokai’s youth through performing arts education and accessible artistic opportunities.
The HCF grants, which provide two-year general operating support, empower local organizations to sustain and expand programs that foster inclusivity, diversity, and community engagement in the arts.…

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Erosion Repairs for Kam. V Highway

Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Hawaii Dept. of Transportation News Release

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises highway users that crews are preparing Kamehameha V Highway (Route 450) in the vicinity of Waialua Stream for temporary repairs to the undermined road. One lane will remain open for alternating traffic at mile post 18.7 on Kamehameha V Highway during the work.

Crews have placed cones and barriers at the site this week and will be installing temporary erosion control measures which include stacking sandbags alongside the eroded asphalt.
Work to rebuild the foundation of the road and shoreline protection measures started on Tuesday, Jan. 14, and will continue until early February.…

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