Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Softball Wins MIL Championship

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Softball Wins MIL Championship

Lady Farmers Softball took on Lanai to determine the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) champion this past weekend. The number one ranked Lady Farmers contested the final at home. Friday’s game went into the 6th inning tied, 22-22, when it was delayed due to darkness. The 7th inning began Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The Lady Farmers held the Pine Lasses scoreless, before putting up the walk-off run in the bottom of the 7th, resulting in a 23-22 win for Molokai. With the win, the Lady Farmers claimed the regular season and tournament championship for the MIL Division II, as well as the number one seed for the upcoming state tournament.…

Kruze Cruises to National Finals

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Kruze Cruises to National Finals

A freshman at Molokai High School (MHS) is headed to the International Science and Engineering Fair. Kruze Lani earned a spot in the finals, which will be held in Los Angeles, by securing second place at last month’s Hawaii state competition.

Kruze’s project is a “comparative analysis on water conservation and plant growth efficacy,” he explained. The project examined differences between traditional watering methods and a wicking bed.

“The main thing I was researching was which one would grow the plants better and save water, especially because we live on Molokai,” said Kruze.

He was inspired by a workshop he took at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Molokai extension office, which experimented with wicking beds.…

Ross Selected for Deep Sea Exploration Voyage

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Ross Selected for Deep Sea Exploration Voyage

“All my life, I grew up in and around the ocean, but not really in the deep ocean,” said Molokai’s Gandharva Mahina Hou Ross.
This summer, the Hawaiian language immersion teacher at Molokai High School’s O Hina I Ka Malama program will get the chance to explore the depths of the ocean floor, and share that knowledge with the world.
Ross was selected as one of 13 science communications fellows aboard the exploration vessel (E/V) Nautilus, operated by nonprofit Ocean Exploration Trust. He was the only Hawaii resident chosen out this year of applicants from around the world.
“He mea koʻi koʻi no mākou ke kau ana i luna o ka moku E/V Nautilus e ʻimi ʻike e pili ana i ka papakū o ka moana i hiki ke kaʻana like me nā poʻe o Hawaiʻi a me nā poʻe a puni ka honua,” said Ross.…

Robotics Awarded at World Championship

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Robotics Awarded at World Championship

Molokai High School (MHS) robotics concluded their memorable season with a trip to Dallas, Texas to compete in the Vex Robotics World Championship. Of the 820 robotics teams from across the world, the MHS robotics team was honored with the 2024 Vex Community Award. Sponsored by Google, the award recognized the MHS team for their contributions towards supporting the larger Molokai robotics landscape.

Coach Edwin Mendija explained that judges were “really impressed, just knowing how limited in resources we are.”

Mendija and the MHS team had helped restart robotics on Molokai following COVID. Mendija explained that the MHS students helped Molokai elementary schools gear up for robotics competitions by providing parts, training and funding.…

New Fuel Facility at Kalaupapa

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

NPS News Release

The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting public input on a proposal to construct a new fuel facility at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and is releasing an environmental assessment (EA) for a 30-day review period from April 19 to May 19, 2024. The EA has been prepared to meet both the project implementation requirements of the state and federal government in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act, and analyzes the environmental impacts of a no action alternative and the proposed action alternative.
The proposed facility would be located east of Staff Row and the Damien Loop intersection.…

CTOM Seeking Parent Input to Build Program

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

Hokulani CTOM News Release

Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM) is thrilled to announce an array of exciting summer performing arts opportunities for the youth of our community. With grant funding at our disposal, we’re gearing up to offer enriching experiences that combine creativity, literacy education, and community building through the magic of performing arts.
Parent input and guidance is needed to make sure that CTOM’s performing arts program is meeting the children and teenagers needs in an exciting way. We are the new kid on the block and urgently need to know when and what your children are interested in learning and sacrificing for.…

Celebrate Ho’omau 2024

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

 

Pūnana Leo o Molokai News Release

E launa pū kākou! Hui Makua Pūnana Leo o Molokai Presents Ho’omau 2024 on May 11, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center. Booths and activities include local crafts and vendors, ‘ono food, keiki corner, demonstrations, lucky number, silent auction, and free entertainment. This event will benefit the keiki of Pūnana Leo o Molokai. E ola ka ʻŌlelo Hawaii.…

State Budget Bill Includes Kalaupapa Positions

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

Hawaii State Legislature News Release

On April 23, Senate and House conferees approved a final version of the State’s Supplemental Budget This measure includes operating, capital
improvement projects, and grants-in-aid monies for fiscal year 2024-25.
The bill includes an operating budget of $10,395,945,997 in general funds.
While a variety of budget lines will influence Molokai residents, for Molokai specifically, the Dept. of Health was designated $122,556 for two positions at Kalaupapa.
“The budget bill that we passed today balances the ongoing needs of Maui, while also preparing our state for future disasters and working to diversify our economy and workforce to keep our keiki in Hawaii,” said Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.…

Mahiʻai Moa Seeks Aspiring Farmers

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

Mahiʻai Moa Seeks Aspiring Farmers

Sustʻainable Molokai Press Release

Sustʻainable Molokai is excited to announce the opening of applications for the Mahiʻai Moa 2024 Session 2 cohort, marking the second year of this impactful initiative. Following the success of the inaugural year, where participants gained hands-on experience in broiler bird production, we are thrilled to offer another opportunity for aspiring farmers and ranchers.

With the aim of increasing local poultry production, boosting our island’s economy, and supporting the agricultural sector, the Mahiʻai Moa project is a five-month educational program specifically designed for beginning farmers and ranchers on Molokai. The project incorporates a unique blend of in-person and Zoom classes to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences.…

Proposal Would Change Ocean Monument to Sanctuary

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing a change for the already existing Papahanaumokuakea National Monument to a national marine sanctuary.

The two are created under different federal laws, and have differences in management. National marine sanctuaries are designated under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, while marine national monuments are established under the Antiquities Act, according to NOAA.

National marine sanctuaries are managed by NOAA through its Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and in some cases, in partnership with state governments and local communities.
Monuments are managed by multiple government agencies, which may include NOAA, the Department of the Interior, and other federal and state partners.…