• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    March 13, 2025

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    March 14, 2025

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    March 12, 2025

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Meet the Artists: Nan Walters

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: Nan Walters

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.

What is your name and connection to Molokai?

My name is Nan Walters. I came to Molokai and the Yamashita family as a young wife and new mom in 1978.  I had my second child here and then ended up as a single mom.  Thinking about raising two boys on Molokai versus the mainland, there was no question, so we stayed. …

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Molokai Monk Seal Shot Dead

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021

A young female seal known as “L11” found dead on Molokai on Sept. 19 is confirmed to have died from a gunshot wound to the head. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the results of its postmortem analyses Tuesday.

“Specifically, we found a bullet fragment in association with evidence of severe, lethal trauma,” NOAA stated. “We are waiting on test results to see if L11 had any diseases, but we do not expect the results to change these conclusions.”

The seal’s death marks the third confirmed intentional killing of a monk seal on Molokai in 2021, with several other seal deaths investigated on the island this year. …

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

More Bovine TB Found on Molokai – UPDATED MEETING INFO

Monday, December 6th, 2021

Bovine tuberculosis has again been detected on Molokai after cases were confirmed earlier this year – this time in pigs in West Molokai, according to the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture (HDOA) on Sunday, Dec. 5.

In June, Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was found in a herd of cattle in central Molokai in June. The infected cow was originally from a beef cattle herd in Ho`olehua and was temporarily pastured in Mapulehu on the east end because of the ongoing drought, the HDOA previously stated. The herd was depopulated with federal indemnity, which compensates farmers for this type of loss.

Subsequently, bTB was detected in two additional cattle herds in the Ho’olehua area that were adjacent and in close contact with the first infected herd, according to the HDOA.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

New ‘Ukulele Lending Program

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

Molokai Public Library News Release

Attend a free online event on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. with ‘ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro in launching a new ‘ukulele lending collection at the Molokai Public Library! 

The event will include live performances with guest musicians Jon Yamasato, Herb Ohta, Jr., and Molokai’s own Jeremiah Kahuakai Kaholoaa.  In addition, Alice Kaahanui, Executive Director of the Molokai Arts Center, will speak about her organization and the programs offered for all ages. 

The ‘ukulele instruments for library check-out are provided and supported by the Music for Life Foundation and Jake Shimabukuro, co-director of the ‘ukulele sponsorship.  

For more information, call 808-553-1765.  Please enjoy the show and support our library by watching. …

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Woman Still Missing on Molokai

Tuesday, August 17th, 2021

Woman Still Missing on Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Nearly two months after her disappearance at the Pala’au State Park in Kalae on June 24, Gianina Reid is still missing. The 25-year-old woman is described by police as Caucasian, 5-foot-8, weighing about 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes and a tattoo of a crescent moon shape on her forehead.

Molokai Police Detective Kyle “Ikaika” Bishaw-Juario said police have conducted multiple searches for her in the Kalae area with no results.

A $500 reward has been posted for information leading to her whereabouts.

Moments before her disappearance on June 24, her speeding vehicle hit Pala’au Park caretaker Jerry Rich, who was working near the side of the road.…

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Woman Disappears at Pala’au Park

Tuesday, July 20th, 2021

Woman Disappears at Pala’au Park

By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Editor

On June 24, after hitting the park caretaker with her vehicle in Kalae, 25-year-old Gianina Leilani Reid abandoned her car and other possessions at the Kalaupapa lookout, fled into the woods on foot, and hasn’t been seen since.

Described by family and friends as smart, artistic and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Reid is originally from Pennsylvania and has lived on Molokai for about three years.

A missing person report released by the Maui Police Dept. on July 9 describes Reid as Caucasian, 5-foot-8, weighing about 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has a tattoo of a crescent moon shape on her forehead.…

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

12 Positive Cases in Molokai Cluster So Far

Friday, May 14th, 2021

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available

There are 12 confirmed active COVID-19 cases on island as of May 14. The cluster originated from Maui construction contractors who were working in a non-clinical, closed area of Molokai General Hospital and tested positive after their arrival, while working alongside Molokai workers. Here’s what we know so far.

“On Tuesday afternoon, MGH was notified that one of the contractors who had been on Molokai the previous week tested positive for COVID-19 on Maui,” said MGH President Janice Kalanihuia. “We immediately shut down the job and tested the12 people who were on-site at that time.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

19-Person Plane Starting Service This Fall

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

19-Person Plane Starting Service This Fall

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Come this fall, a larger plane will once again be servicing Molokai travelers. Mokulele’s parent company, Southern Airways, will be bringing in a 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900 aircraft to offer two roundtrips to Honolulu from Molokai and Lanai most weekdays initially, the airline announced.

Tickets will be available starting this summer to begin service in the fall, pending the approval of the Dept. of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration.

The pressurized, twin-engine turboprop aircraft will allow kupuna and those with limited mobility greater ease in boarding and moving in the cabin, said Mokulele Chief Marketing Officer Keith Sisson.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Energy Coop Seeks Local Contractors

Thursday, April 29th, 2021

Ho’ahu Energy News Release

Hoʻahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a new local entity formed to support community-owned energy projects, seeks interest from individuals and companies based on Molokai with qualifications relevant to energy development.

As a locally-led cooperative of Molokai residents, we are committed to supporting local people and economic development on Molokai. Our energy development partners, Shake Energy Collaborative and Mana Pacific, are equally committed to hiring locally and we collectively put out this call for interest.

We are looking for Molokai people interested in participating in the design, construction and operation of energy projects at this time for several upcoming projects.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

National Guard Assists on Molokai

Monday, April 20th, 2020

National Guard Assists on Molokai

Last week, seven members of the Hawaii National Guard arrived on Molokai to perform thermal screenings at the airport and assist the Maui Police Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guardsmen are unarmed and “all local boys just trying to serve their community,” said Staff Sgt. Laurence Kimoha’e Puailihau, Jr., who is from Molokai and now lives on Oahu with his family.

Puailihau joined Councilwoman and Molokai High classmate Keani Rawlins-Fernandez in a virtual talk story last weekend to answer questions and clear up “the uncertainty and anxiety that people feel when they hear the National Guard is coming,” said Rawlins-Fernandez.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment