Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Future Fest 2024

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Molokai High School News Release

Molokai High School is excited to present Future Fest 2024, an event for students to explore college and career opportunities. Future Fest will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. This year, Future Fest will include one and two hour workshops along with the college and career fair. The goals of each workshop are to provide students hands-on opportunities to further explore their career interest and assist students in making a plan to make their post-high school dreams and journeys a reality. Special thanks to Hawaii P20, Molokai High School Academies, and University of Hawaii Maui College for sponsoring this event.…

Mary Louise Charlotte Gorospe

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Mary Louise “Marylou” Charlotte Gorospe, 86, of Kualapu’u passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. She was born on March 14, 1937 in Wailuku, Maui. She is preceded in death by her husband Jaime Tabelen Gorospe. Her children are Esabell (Herbert) Kamoku, Edwardo (Susan) Gorospe, Elpidio (Annette) Gorospe, Erlinda (Eugene) Santiago, and Estrellita (Cresente) Gumanas. She had 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 at St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Church, with visitation at 8:30 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held for her on Maui at Hale Nanea in Kahului at 69 Amala Place, Kahului, HI 96732, on Saturday, April 13.…

Bill Proposed for Chartered Healthcare Flights

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Hawaii House of Representatives News Release
Molokai residents often experience unreliable air transportation services, including frequent last-minute schedule changes and cancellations. While this is highly inconvenient for many, it can be devastating for those depending on air transportation for necessary medical services on Maui or Oahu.
HB2544, introduced this session by State Representative Mahina Poepoe (District 13, Pa’ia, Haʻiku, Nahiku, Hana, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Molokini, Kahoʻolawe, Lanai, Molokai) provides dependable non-emergency medical transportation for residents of medically underserved rural communities by offering chartered flights to seat patients, as well as healthcare providers.
“Delays and flight changes mean patients miss long-awaited appointments and medical care, including chemotherapy, surgical procedures, and dental treatments.…

New Managing Attorney for Molokai Office

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii News Release

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is pleased to announce the hiring of K. U’ilani
Goods as the new managing attorney for its Maui County office. This appointment comes at a
crucial time, following the recent Maui fires, where legal assistance is imperative for affected
families.

In this role, Ms. Goods will lead a dedicated team in offices across Maui, Lanai and Molokai to
provide direct legal services, community engagement, outreach and education, and statewide
legal services initiatives. As an attorney, Ms. Goods will be hands-on representing Legal Aid
clients in the areas of family law, public assistance benefits, housing and consumer protection,
and senior legal services.…

Fire Destroys Ho’olehua Home

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Fire Destroys Ho’olehua Home

A home in Ho’olehua burned to the ground early in the morning on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The owner of the home, a 77-year-old woman, was able to escape without injury.

When fire crews arrived at 3:30 a.m., the 2,054 square foot family home was “fully involved,” according to reports from the Maui Fire Dept. Crews used hose lines to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the dwelling.

The fire destroyed the house, valued at over $130,000, along with damage to all contents within and two vehicles.

According to the Maui Fire Dept., the victim was put in touch with the American Red Cross for relief assistance.…

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

This past weekend, the Molokai High School (MHS) Wrestling Team and Coach Randy Manley headed over to Lahainaluna High School for the MIL championship tournament. The Farmers secured multiple podium finishes, with Kayce Dudoit and Angel Kealoha taking first place in their weight classes. Ultimately, eight girls and two boys from MHS qualified for the state tournament. For the girls, Kayce Dudoit, Angel Kealoha, Masin Borden-Phillips, Tiale Tancayo, Skye Caparida, Kendra Kaulili, Kindy Sproat and Stephanie Gandeza earned state tournament berths. For the boys, Jona Dudoit and Reyn Raguidin will be heading to states as well. The state tournament will be held Feb.…

Residents Take Lead in Island’s Tourism Plan

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

“Educate the visitor about our lifestyle,” said Molokai resident Kilia Purdy-Avelino. “The best way to help with that process is education through information.”

That’s the approach Molokai community members are taking in the development of a new brochure about the island geared towards visitors.

A new Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP) is set to be developed this year by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Over the past several weeks, members from the Molokai DMAP task force held community meetings throughout the island to share some of their updated work, especially regarding a new brochure aimed at visitors. These meetings were not organized through the HTA, but rather funded and sponsored by the local organization, Molokai ‘Ohana.…

Aka’ula’s Big Night

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Aka’ula’s Big Night

On a windy Saturday night in Kaunakakai, Aka’ula School hosted their Ku Ka Lau Lama fundraiser for the first time since 2019 at the Molokai Community Health Center. Well-dressed students transformed into waiters and entertainers for the night for their families and community supporters as artwork, coolers, crossbows and more were auctioned off to the crowd.

Proceeds from the event went to support the financial aid program for the fifth through 12th grade private school, according to Victoria Newberry, an administrator at the school.

In addition to the general fundraiser, attendees could contribute specific “giving tree” gifts to students. These included art supplies, school materials, ceramics classes, water polo clinics and more.…

Norman Henry DeCosta

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Norman Henry DeCosta

Norman Henry DeCosta passed away on Jan. 10, 2024. Born July 30, 1945, he is survived by his wife, Doreen Hokunani DeCosta, two sons, Norman Henry DeCosta, Jr., and Michael Louis DeCosta, 10 grandchildren, eight brothers and sister.

Norman served his country in Vietnam, returning to Hawaii as a Combat Wounded Purple Heart Veteran.

Upon his return to Hawaii he picked up his guitar and learned to play Hawaiian Mele and slack key guitar from the kupunas at Kaneohe Kupuna Program — all in the “old style.” He was dedicated to preserving everything that the kupunas taught him.

Norman played at various events in Honolulu often with his hula dancer, Hokunani.…

Caroline Elizabeth Kawano

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Caroline Elizabeth Kawano

Caroline “Carol” Elizabeth Kawano, 88, of Kaunakakai, Molokai died on Oct. 22, 2023. Carol passed away at Kuakini Hospital on Oahu with her family by her side. Carol was born to the late Carlos Galinato Benedito and Takino Fujita on Jan. 11, 1935 on Molokai. She was married to the late Richard Tadao “Dao” Kawano. Preceding her death was her daughter Dale Kawano, brother Phillip Benedito (Emilia) and sister Jeanette Arellano. She is survived by daughter Richelle “Chelle” Kawano, hanai daughter Rietta Kaupu Tollefsen (Harry), brothers Carlos Roy Benedito (June), Leocadio Richard Benedito (Marilyn), sisters Rosalina Omalsa (William Dec.), Lourdes Fujimoto (Masao Dec.),…