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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Farmer Focus Amid Shipping Rate Concerns

Thursday, October 31st, 2024

Farmer Focus Amid Shipping Rate Concerns

Young Brothers, the only interisland shipping company in the state, is proposing a substantial rate increase starting summer 2025.

If passed by the state Public Utilities Commission, shipping costs would increase an average of 20 percent, with pallet cargo rates soaring to 30 percent for dry cargo and 40 percent for refrigerated.

Molokai farmers are already at a disadvantage when selling products off-island because of this “extra-leg” shipping cost from Molokai to bigger markets, explained Jennifer Hawkins, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) extension agent for Molokai.

Eyeing that farming landscape, longtime Molokai farmer Bobby Alcain explained that he’s concerned about the health of Molokai agriculture.…

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3rd Annual Molokai Youth Summit

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Community Contributed
By Ric Ornellas

The third annual M.Y. Molokai Youth Summit kicks off this Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Molokai High School (MHS) cafeteria from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Six to eight student panelists venturing beyond their comfort zones will present, question and discuss their concerns: Molokai unemployment, homelessness in Hawaii, athlete resources, cultural comprehension, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s reproductive healthcare. These are not topics adults would normally consider to have teens talk about.

The overall summit theme is “Hua” – who are you? These students are exploring the theme as they simultaneously tackle thorny issues which could affect their adult lives.…

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Hokulani Children’s Theatre Makes History

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Hokulani Children’s Theatre Makes History

Community Contributed
By Vicki Boswell

In a landmark moment for the Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM), 21 excited students, accompanied by six dedicated chaperones and staff, embarked on a memorable journey to Lanai over the weekend of Oct. 11 to 13. The occasion was a joint performing arts camp in collaboration with the Lanai Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA), which culminated in CTOM’s first-ever off-island performance of “Jane and the Giant Peach” at the Lanai Intermediate High School Gym.
The adventure began as students boarded boats from Molokai to Lanai, embarking on a weekend filled with learning, fun, and new friendships.…

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Halloween Is Coming

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Halloween Is Coming

Molokai History Project News Release

The Molokai History Project is ready for ghosts and goblins to stop by on their way to Ranch Camp on Halloween night. We have fun treats for everyone. It’s a worthwhile stop as the history project has good stuff to fill your bag on your way to a busy exciting evening. But wait, there’s more! The history project has plans for three events you won’t want to miss. Our keiki are honored on Halloween night but November brings treats for all ages. We’re looking forward to three events full of nostalgia, good laughs and sharing of knowledge.…

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$10,000 Donation to MHS AND MMS

Friday, October 25th, 2024

$10,000 Donation to MHS AND MMS

Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools Foundation

Established in 1952, the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) is a non-profit organization committed to perpetuating the rich heritage of Hawaiian canoe racing.

OHCRA is the organizer of Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe canoe races across the Ka’iwi Channel from Molokai to Oahu. Both events are regarded as among the most famous and challenging outrigger canoe events in the world. More than 2,000 canoe paddlers from around the globe come to Molokai to compete in the annual 41-mile event from Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai to Waikiki Beach on Oahu.…

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Girls Volleyball Reaches Semi-Finals

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Girls Volleyball Reaches Semi-Finals

Last weekend, Molokai High School played host for the 2024 Maui Interscholastic League DII Girls Volleyball tournament. Teams from across Maui County made the trip to the Barn to take on the best of the best.

The Lady Farmers started out strong with a 3-0 victory over Kulanihakoi High School with scores of 25-10, 25-18 and 25-4. Advancing to the semi-finals, the Lady Farmers took on Seabury Hall. Seabury ultimately took a close 3-1 win over Molokai, with scores of 25-17, 25-19, 23-25 and 25-14.

In the finals, number one seeded Maui Prep continued their dominant season in a back-and-forth match which ended in a 3-2 set victory over Seabury.…

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Young Brothers Proposes Major Rate Increase

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Young Brothers News Release

Young Brothers, LLC has filed a rate case with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), requesting approval of a $26.3 million increase in revenue – or an average 20 percent increase in rates for the majority of cargo – to cover significant increases in the cost of service, support critical investments to upgrade equipment and infrastructure, and sustain the vital interisland shipping service that connects the state’s island communities.
If approved by the PUC, rates for the majority of the cargo Young Brothers ships to Neighbor Island ports will increase by an average of approximately 20 percent, which is equivalent to approximately 3.7 percent average increase per year since its last rate increase — slightly lower than overall inflation during that same period.…

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Seeding for Success

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Seeding for Success

While Molokai is home of the Molokai High Farmers, many agricultural farmers here continue to navigate challenges with small-scale food production from access to equipment to the cost of shipping.

“I don’t think [farming] is easy,” said Jorgen Busby, a Molokai kalo farmer and member of Molokai’s chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union United (HFUU). “I think it’s a hard thing, but maybe we can get more people passionate about doing it.”

After retiring as a firefighter, Busby turned to small scale agriculture on his family’s lands.

“Instead of buying it, grow it yourself,” Busby encouraged. “It’s doable.”

To celebrate and support its farmers, Molokai’s chapter of the HFUU made the trip over to Maui for a special conference in honor of National Farmers Day.…

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Ferry Talks Continue 

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Ferry Talks Continue 

Molokai residents had a final chance to voice ideas and feedback on bringing back the Molokai ferry. The Maui County Ferry Feasibility Study began over the summer, with the idea of creating a publicly run ferry system for Maui County like the MEO bus. The Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which helps plan transportation projects for Maui County, will put forward the proposal to the county council early next year.

Following a community meeting and survey back in July, the Maui MPO was back on Molokai to share results and attain feedback on potential proposals. 

“What we heard is that ferry service is vital,” said Kaunoe Batangan, executive director of Maui MPO.…

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Welcoming Back the Molokai Hoe

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Welcoming Back the Molokai Hoe

Early on Sunday, Oct. 13, Molokai residents gathered at Hale O Lono to witness the start of the Molokai Hoe for the first time since 2019. Seventy-five crews from Hawaii, Tahiti, Japan, California and more, turned their wa’a west, dug in their paddles, and embarked on a 41-mile journey across the Ka’iwi Channel. This year, representing Molokai was a crew from Wa’akapaemua Canoe Club, along with Molokai athletes also paddling with Waikiki Surf Club and Wailea Canoe Club.

“This race is special,” said Wa’akapaemua’s Kamakou Mariano, who sits in the stroke seat. On the eve of his seventh channel crossing, Mariano took a moment to reflect on the paddling season, which culminates with the Molokai Hoe.…

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