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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

MEO Welcomes New CFO, HR Director

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

MEO News Release

Jared Appleby and Melissa Magonigle joined the Maui Economic Opportunity executive leadership team in April as Chief Fiscal Officer and Human Resources Director, respectively.

“We are pleased to have such experienced and qualified individuals filling pivotal roles at MEO,” Executive Director Maggie Batangan said. “Jared and Melissa will enable MEO to continue to assist thousands of Maui County residents in need as we have for the last six decades.”

As one of the largest nonprofits in Maui County, MEO offers an assortment of assistance and services on Maui, including East Maui, Molokai and Lanaʻi. The more than 250 staff members run more than 30 programs, ranging from Maui Bus paratransit to Head Start preschool, and assisted nearly 31,000 individuals and families in the 2024-25 fiscal year.…

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Practitioners Gather at Keawanui Fishpond

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Practitioners Gather at Keawanui Fishpond

ʻĀina Momona News Release

Fishpond practitioners and organizations from throughout Hawaiʻi gathered on Molokai this month.

ʻĀina Momona hosted this amazing hui to talk about the history of our loko iʻa and the need to take care of the entire ahupuaʻa, including the uplands, in order for our fishponds to survive. 

Practitioners were able to see our solutions and learn more about how utilizing the ahupuaʻa system can protect our ponds and keep them healthy and productive. 

We are honored to be able to share what we have learned with other groups doing this important work.…

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Honolulu Brass Quintet at St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Church

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Honolulu Brass Quintet at St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Church

MAC News Release

The Honolulu Brass Quintet presented by Chamber Music Hawai‘i will be performing at a free event at St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Church on Monday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Since its inception in 1976, the Honolulu Brass Quintet has performed throughout Honolulu and the state of Hawai‘i. As one of three resident ensembles regularly presented by Chamber Music Hawai‘i, HBQ offers full-length brass performances in premier venues across its home island of O‘ahu, performing regularly at the Doris Duke Theatre and Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu, as well as the Palikū Theatre on the Windward side of O‘ahu. …

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Seumalo, from Maunaloa to the NFL

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Seumalo, from Maunaloa to the NFL

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

A Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai High schools graduate has made it into the National Football League for the next season. As if it weren’t good enough, he will play for the current Super Bowl champions.

“We want to give a big shout out to Vaai Jericho Uso Seumalo,” Rick Schonely said at his Molokai Sports Report at Akaku TV last week. “After the four rounds of the NFL Draft, he was signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks.”

Schonely said Seumalo was recently at home on Molokai, and visited his former school in Maunaloa. …

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Promoting Literacy on Molokai

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Promoting Literacy on Molokai

By Léo Azambuja

The great 19th century French writer and poet Victor Hugo, author of Les Miserables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and other novels, once said, “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” 

The nonprofit organization Hawaiʻi Literacy just set the stage for a huge fire on the Friendly Isle — its Adult Literacy Program has just expanded to Molokai. Program manager Celeste Oshiro Wong came from O‘ahu to teach the first-ever free tutor training session at Molokai Public Library April 25. 

“There are many ways people come to Adult Literacy for support, but our interest as an organization and as a program, it’s really to provide support when an adult is ready,” she said.…

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Library Honors Kalaupapa’s Religious Leaders

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Library Honors Kalaupapa’s Religious Leaders

By Léo Azambuja

A few community members attended the E Ho‘omana‘o program at Molokai Public Library last week to celebrate, honor and learn more about three illustrious Kalaupapa residents who were pivotal in improving the lives of Hansen’s disease patients banned to the peninsula in the late 19th century.

“We are so fortunate to have people sharing with us about our ali‘i. Today we have some of our historical figures from Kalaupapa,” branch manager Mia Langer Ritte said during the opening of the program April 28.

April’s edition of E Ho‘omana‘o — the program is held every third Tuesday of the month — highlighted Saint Damien De Veuster, Brother Joseph Dutton and Saint Marianne Cope.…

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The Enchanted Forest; Hōkūlani’s First Original Musical Shines

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

The Enchanted Forest; Hōkūlani’s First Original Musical Shines

By Léo Azambuja

The forest was dying and the magic was fading. Prince Aldric, Seraphina, Rigoletta and the Jester sought help from a witch who had been banned to the swamp years ago. She revealed a powerful curse by a villainous queen imposter, causing the king to forget his love and the princess to believe the real queen died bringing her into this world. 

“You think you know me, little girl, but you don’t. You think you know your kingdom, but you don’t. You think you know your own story, but you don’t,” the witch told Seraphina. 

The Enchanted Forest, an original musical production of the Hōkūlani Children’s Theatre of Molokai, had a nearly full house on all three performances at Home Pumehana April 23-25. …

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COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Closes May 27

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Maui County News Release

The Maui Homeowner Assistance Fund Program, which has provided financial assistance to homeowner-households on Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, will close on May 27, 2026, according to the County of Maui Department of Housing.

After addressing the community needs over the last two years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will begin a structured 45-day closure period to ensure current and eligible participants receive assistance to the greatest extent possible. The program will stop accepting applications on May 27, 2026.

“We are very pleased by the number of County homeowner-households the Department of Housing was able to assist through the Maui Homeowner Assistance Fund Program and the impact that assistance has made,” County Department of Housing Director Richard E.…

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Homeowners May Qualify for Kona Low Storm Relief 

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

State of Hawai‘i News Release

Gov. Josh Green issued a state of Hawai‘i emergency proclamation due to the imminent threat of the first of two Kona Low weather systems. Following the widespread flooding and damage caused by the storms, President Donald Trump on April 8, 2026, issued a federal major disaster declaration for the state of Hawaiʻi, unlocking a range of critical resources and mortgage relief protections for affected homeowners.

With the presidential disaster declaration in effect, the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) advises that certain federal mortgage relief provisions are now triggered, which may include foreclosure moratoriums, forbearance options and the waiver of late fees.…

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Micro Fund Launched for Native Hawaiian Farmers

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

OHA News Release

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched the Mahiʻai Micro Fund Program, an initiative providing direct, flexible financial support to Native Hawaiian farmers across Hawaiʻi to help offset rising operational costs and strengthen agricultural enterprises.

The program offers two tiers of funding to meet varying needs across the state’s farming community. Farmers impacted by the recent Kona Low weather events may be eligible for awards of up to $5,000, while other eligible farmers may receive awards of up to $3,000 to support ongoing operational costs. This approach ensures that immediate recovery needs are addressed, while continuing to support the broader stability and sustainability of Native Hawaiian farming operations statewide.…

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