Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

2025 Molokai Holokai

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

Better safety, improved organization and pristine ocean conditions marked the Maui to Molokai Challenge, the opening event of the 2025 Molokai Holokai Ho‘olaule‘a — two days of ocean races, community gathering, cultural workshops and environmental education.

“Our big focus was safety this year. We had everyone with (GPS) trackers, and we had a really good system setup,” Clare Albino said. “The conditions were really nice; it was beautiful out there on the ocean.”

The 27-mile race over the Pailolo Channel — considered the windiest of all Hawaiian channels — kicked off on Maui’s Fleming Beach July 18 at 9:30 a.m.,…

Posted in Community, Sports

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Aloha ‘Oe, Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

For the last eight years, Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill was a picture-perfect venue for locals and visitors to relax to live music, have a pau hana drink with friends, enjoy a family dinner, take someone on a date, host special events or simply just have some good food.

“I’m feeling emotional in a sense, because the support of our people has been astounding,” Cameron Hiro said on the last day the restaurant opened its doors. He co-owned the beachfront bar and restaurant along with his brother, Raymond Hiro, and their friend John Pele.

On July 17, a special dinner buffet and poolside entertainment marked the final day Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill served its customers.…

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Molokai Mud Bog Returns After Decades

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

As the drivers lined up on the twin mud tracks, revving their engines to the tune of deafening noises, the sizable crowd waited quietly. On each start, the crowd erupted in cheers and mud boggers would send rocks flying through a cloud of red dirt before plunging into the mud pit, hoping to keep a straight line and finish first — and in one piece.

The Molokai Mud Bog 2025 attracted about 2,000 people to the new mud tracks in Ho‘oluehua July 19. Forty drivers battled each other with their mud boggers — modified mud-racing vehicles — and kept the crowd alongside the racetracks entertained all day.…

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Spencer is the July Ace Winner

Thursday, July 17th, 2025

By Rick Schonely / Community contributed

David Spencer is the July Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club.

Spencer, an avid golfer for many years on Molokai and recently retired Molokai High School security guard and all-around great guy, shot 43-48 for a gross total of 91 and with his 25 handicap his 66-net got him the victory. Congratulations, Big Dave.

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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Hospice Maui Molokai Offering Free Education/Grief Support Group

Thursday, July 17th, 2025

HMM News Release
Did someone you love die? Hospice Maui Molokai is offering a closed educational/grief support group to everyone in the Molokai Community who has experienced the death of a loved one. When a person experiences a death, their life is forever changed.
A 12-week (once a week) closed group means after one week, the group is closed to new participants and the group creates a bond and trust as they learn together and support each other,
An educational/grief support group is:
Educational material giving language to understand grief and to not be alone in your thoughts.
Introduce others who have had similar experiences, thoughts and feelings.…