Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Historic Molokai Newspapers Digitized for Public Access

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Historic Molokai Newspapers Digitized for Public Access


Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center News Release
Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center’s Moaʻe Molokai Digital Repository is excited to announce the release of over 1,300 newspaper scans from the 1950s. Supported by a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, these scans include 287 issues from the Ka Leo o Molokai and the Friendly Isle News. Ka Leo o Molokai, printed in English, graced the island’s readers weekly from Dec. 8, 1950, to Nov. 11, 1955. Sponsored by the Molokai Chamber of Commerce and managed by the Molokai Civic Group Advisory Board, it operated under the guidance of Dorothy Tanner and Louise Borsella, with Marie Horner at the editorial helm.…

Come Celebrate the HECM Graduates

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

HECM News Release
Hoahu Energy Cooperative Molokai (HECM) is hosting a ceremony for the graduates of the 2024 Clean Energy Solar Sales Training. The ceremony will be held on Monday, June 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the OHA Conference Room at Kulana Oiwi, Kaunakakai. These graduates have been engaged during the spring 2024 term with exploring the world of solar sales. They have learned the ins and outs of solar technology, how to effectively provide solar systems to potential clients, and how to overcome common objections. They received guidance through real-world scenarios and were given valuable techniques for successful solar sales.…

Temporary Office Closure

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Maui County News Release

The County of Maui Department of Finance Real Property Assessment Division office located at Mitchell Pauole Center on Molokai is closed temporarily through Friday, June 14, due to a staffing shortage. The office will reopen on June 14 for its regular hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For property tax payments and circuit breaker questions, call (800) 272-0117 and ask for Real Property Treasury or call (808) 270-7697. For other property questions, call (800) 272-0117 and ask for Real Property Assessment or call (808) 270-7297. More information is available at mauipropertytax.com or by emailing rpa@co.maui.hi.us.…

Aka’ula School Graduation

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Aka’ula School Graduation

On May 29, Molokai’s Aka’ula School celebrated graduation for its three high school seniors, as well as promotion for the eighth graders. One of the highlights of the event was a hula performance by graduating senior ‘Ohi’aku Ritte Camara Tangonan to the song, “How Great Thou Art.” Other graduating seniors were Hunter Welch Scott and Maylanii Malmgren.…

Kicking Off Summer

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Kicking Off Summer

Kaunakakai Elementary School students celebrated the end of the school year in spectacular fashion. Firefighters from the Kaunakakai station brought a tanker and hoses to the last day of school on Thursday, May 30 to drench the enthusiastic kids, as per tradition.…

Joe Kennedy Marks a Half-Century of Farming on Molokai

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Joe Kennedy Marks a Half-Century of Farming on Molokai

Joe Kennedy won’t give up. He’s been farming on Molokai for 55 years and despite heart trouble and a fractured pelvis, the 83-year-old is determined to keep producing food and to share his wealth of knowledge.
“I had a charmed childhood,” said Kennedy, who grew up in Missouri, where the family had a farm and loved gardening and nature. Although he earned a college degree in teaching and art, what he really wanted was to farm. While teaching in Alaska, his supervisor recommended he try Hawaii.
“Oahu was too commercialized,” said Kennedy, “but when I came to Molokai in 1969, I took one look at the land and people and knew I was going to stay.…

‘More than Ready’ – Celebrating the Class of 2024

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

‘More than Ready’ – Celebrating the Class of 2024

On a breezy May evening, the Molokai High School community gathered to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2024. This year’s ceremony was particularly poignant, marked by a shared sense of triumph over adversity. As Principal Dr. Katina Soares took to the podium, she delivered a speech that resonated deeply with both the graduates and their families.

“There’s no point in sugarcoating it. Your high school journey hasn’t been easy,” said Soares, addressing the tumultuous years the students had endured. She recounted the significant challenges faced by the class, from navigating online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to the constant upheaval of schedules and routines upon their return to in-person classes.…

Sources of Marine Plastic Pollution

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

Community Contributed
Clare Gallagher, PhD Student, Environmental Studies

On a hot summer day in 2022, Jasmine Buerano found herself on a remote coastline of Molokai, hacking away at a 1,000-pound bluish-gray fishing net that smelled like seawater.

Buerano, the storytelling coordinator for the non-profit Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH), along with 15 other volunteers, couldn’t gawk for long. They were racing the tide.

They tackled the huge net in sections to put into “super sacks,” which would be scooped up by a helicopter the next day. But in addition to consolidating the net and other plastic trash, they had to move the sacks across rocky tidal pools, up a steep embankment, and above the high tide line so that the sacks wouldn’t be taken back out to sea later.…

Luau Mahalo

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

HHA News Release

Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association (HHA) celebrated higher education and servant leadership at its Scholarship Lu’au on Friday, May 10. The last two years of fundraising garnered two $500 scholarships this year. Mahalo to Ho’ohana Molokai, Luana Alapa, who donated a check for $1,000 to match the fund, resulting in two $1,000 scholarships awarded to Kamalua Arce, for nursing, and Ohi’aku Ritte-Camara-Tangonan, for business entrepreneurship.

The event also honored three distinguished homesteaders whose servant leadership has mirrored the legacy of Hawaiian Homestead champion Prince Kuhio. The late Winona “Auntie Nona” Ka’awa was represented by her husband Edwin and their beautiful daughters Hau’oli, Lana, Kuulei, and Jay-R.…

Dorothy Ann Kehaulani Quintua

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

Dorothy Ann Kehaulani Quintua

Dorothy Ann Kehaulani Quintua peacefully departed this world on March 30, 2024 at the age of 77, at home surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren, and cherished ohana. She was born January 16, 1947 and her life was a testament to love, kindness, and unwavering strength.

Dorothy is survived by her loving daughter Johnessa Quintua (Jeremiah Keohuloa) of Hoolehua, Molokai, sons Travis Reyes and Guy Quintua both of Honolulu, Oahu, and her sister Miriam Kunihiro of Hilo, Hawaii. Dorothy’s legacy extends through numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews all of whom she adored deeply.

A celebration of Dorothy’s remarkable life will be held on September 14, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.…