Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Satisfy Your Malasada Craving

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

Satisfy Your Malasada Craving

St. Damien Parish News Release

Malasadas — more than just a donut. When Portuguese laborers from the Azores and Madeira arrived in Hawaii in 1878, they brought their traditional foods, including the malassada — now commonly spelled as malasada. A staple for anyone who has grown up in Hawaii, the malasada is a yeasted donut that is deep fried, and coated with sugar and sometimes cinnamon, offering a slightly chewier and fluffier texture than an everyday donut.
In high demand, malasadas are known to sell out quickly when offered for sale. However, here on Molokai, there is a scarce supply of this beloved delicacy.…

UHMC Molokai Celebrates Commencement

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

UHMC Molokai Celebrates Commencement

For the first time since 2016, the University of Hawaii Maui College, Molokai Education Center celebrated an in-person commencement ceremony. With more than 40 graduates walking, the quadrennial ceremony was one to remember.

Kelly Dudoit, College Coordinator for the Molokai Education Center, explained that a graduation is more than just a celebration of a degree.

“It’s so important,” said Dudoit. “As I’m going through the lists of graduates and thinking about their stories, their backgrounds, their struggles, their triumphs, who they were when they walked in the door…it’s so amazing to witness the transformation that education can have in people’s lives.”…

HHA Scholarship Supports High School Seniors

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

HHA Scholarship Supports High School Seniors

Two Molokai high school seniors are $1,000 closer to their future educational goals.

The Ho’olehua Homesteaders Associations (HHA) scholarship fundraiser celebrated scholarship recipients Ohi’aku Makaila’olu Ritte Camara Tangonan and Kamalua Arce at their fundraiser last Friday.

Established back in the 1980s by Evangeline Bush and the late Winona Kaawa, the HHA’s scholarships are intended for any high school senior who lives in the Ho’olehua area code for post-high school studies.

The scholarship fundraiser likewise recognized Bush, Kaawa and current DHHL Commissioner Zachary Helm “for all the hana done for our homesteaders,” explained HHA Treasurer Lu Ann Faborito.

Homesteading can be financially difficult, explained Faborito.…

May Day 2024

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

May Day 2024

For Molokai schools, the month of May means May Day. Students from across the island practiced for weeks, learning hula, mele, oli and more in honor of the aloha spirit. While celebrations vary from school to school, all include the Royal Court procession with students donning specific colors, clothes and lei representing each Hawaiian island. Typically, each grade will have a performance, along with special ceremonies by the King and Queen and their courts.
Photos from Molokai High School, Kualapu’u and Kilohana are included above, with more from Kaunakakai and Mauanloa Schools to follow later in the month.…

Once in a Century

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Community Contributed
By Fr Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The chatter of excited voices was momentarily hushed, then broke into loud cheers and applause as he entered McVeigh Hall, weighed down by numerous leis and topped by a colorful hat. The setting compared with the aftermath of the super bowl when Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs was showered with accolades. It was like those die-hard fans greeting the second coming of King Elvis. It was reminiscent of the president entering the Hall of Congress prepared to give the State of the Union Address. He took his seat at the head table.…

Molokai Pesticide Disposal Event

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture News Release

The Pesticides Branch of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will hold a free pesticide disposal program on Molokai in June. Molokai farmers and other commercial users of pesticides may safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides, but pre-registration is required.

This statewide Pesticides Disposal Program (PDP) is only for commercial operations such as farms, licensed pest control operators and certified applicators as well as state and county agencies. There are some restrictions. Household pesticides will not be accepted under this program.

Participants must register in advance. The registration deadline is Wednesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m.…

Annual Board of Trustees Community Meeting

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

OHA News Release

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is pleased to announce its annual Board of Trustees Island Community Meeting, scheduled to take place on Molokai. The meeting will be held at the Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua on Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. The event will commence with a light dinner for all attendees at 5 p.m. followed by the meeting starting promptly at 6:30 p.m. In a historic first, MEO will provide transportation to and from the meeting for registered attendees, with bus pickup points at the Kilohana Recreation Center in Mana`e and the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.…

Middle School Soccer Up and Running

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Middle School Soccer Up and Running

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Soccer players from Molokai Middle School had a chance to test their skills in a season opener scrimmage. The soccer team will hold another scrimmage on May 8 at Molokai High School before traveling to Maui on May 18 to compete in a tournament.…

FFA Alumnus Meets with Molokai Students

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

FFA Alumnus Meets with Molokai Students

Molokai Drugs Inc News Release

Owen Petrich, CPhT, has been the spring 2024 pharmacy intern at Molokai Drugs, Inc. for the past three months. Raised outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Owen was very involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA). The Molokai High School (MHS) staff and students enjoyed hearing Owen talk about his experiences in FFA, which included his state championship project in chicken production and representing the state of Wisconsin at the national FFA convention. At the same time, the MHS FFA students were able to share their successes and how much the Molokai Farmers chapter has grown in the past year.…

MHS Library Receives National Grant

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

MHS News Release

Molokai High School (MHS) Library has been selected as one of 310 libraries to participate in round two of the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, American Library Association (ALA) initiative. This provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.
The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant that will initiate the MHS Library’s new A’o Project – A’o meaning to learn, teach, counsel – for students needing improved reading comprehension and focused real-life skills practice. The A’o Project supports the MHS third-transitioning year to full academy school status.…