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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Promising Signs for Native Species Recovery in Mokio

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Promising Signs for Native Species Recovery in Mokio

Wedged between ‘Ilio Point and Mo’omomi, the Mokio Preserve has been a focal point for native species rehabilitation for years. Now, with the completion of a state-of-the-art predator proof fence, the preserve is poised to support a resurgence of native plants and birds.

Construction of the 5,600-foot-long conservation fence began back in August 2020 as a joint project between the Molokai Land Trust and American Bird Conservancy (ABC).

“We’ve already begun seeing benefits from the newly installed fence, including Wedge-tailed Shearwater (‘Ua’u Kani) chicks this year, compared to previous years when all chicks were lost to mongoose predation,” explained Bard Keitt, oceans and islands director at ABC.…

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June Golf Ace

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

June Golf Ace

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Ponciano Raguindin is the June Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club.
Raguindin, a veteran PE teacher at Molokai High School and Molokai’s FIL-AM pro golfer, shot 36–39 for a gross total of 75 and with his 11 handicap his 64 net got him the victory. Congratulations Poncie!

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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No-Cost and Low-Cost Bargains

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

No-Cost and Low-Cost Bargains

Saving Grace Episcopal Church News Release

Shopping on Molokai is more affordable with the launch of the “Blessings,” a free merchandise room at Saving Grace Episcopal Church thrift store in Kualapuu. Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the U.S., and bargains help stretch a budget. In 2014, Saving Grace Episcopal congregation, led by Father Jim Loughren, started the thrift store in the church property’s fellowship hall. The store sells gently used items such as housewares, small and large appliances, clothing for all ages, books, music and much more at bargain prices. Recently, a family was shopping, and the family’s young child saw a toy and clutched the toy to his heart and said, “my truck,” and looked at his mother.…

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Naiwa Homesteaders Meeting

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Naiwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance News Release

There will be a Naiwa homeowner and builder meeting on Monday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the OHA conference room. Come and meet and greet with Hawaiian Community Lending, Hawaiian Community Assets, and explore the offerings and opportunities that are in motion and on the horizon for the Naiwa Agricultural Subdivision Homesteaders. If you have questions, simply email Naiwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance (NASA) at mkk.nas.alliance@gmail.com…

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Apply for Department of Agriculture Grants

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Maui County News Release

Specific grants for Molokai agriculture are now available for application. Part of a larger series of grants administered by the County of Maui Department of Agriculture, nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the Maui County agriculture sector, and qualified groups, are encouraged to apply until 4:30 p.m. on June 30.

Grants will be awarded in the following categories: agriculture operations, infrastructure, education, recovery, livestock, non-food agriculture, Lanai agriculture, and Molokai agriculture.

Applications and general requirements for applicants are available online at mauicounty.gov/2726/Agriculture-Grants. A request can also be made to have an application emailed by calling (808) 270-8276 or emailing Aggrants@co.maui.hi.us.…

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Coastal Homestead Community Resilience Plan Begins

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Coastal Homestead Community Resilience Plan Begins

Molokai community members are taking another important step in addressing sea level rise and climate change.
Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) residents of Kalamaula, Kapa‘akea, and Kamiloloa One Ali‘i are encouraged to attend the second beneficiary meeting to discuss the Molokai Coastal Homestead Community Resilience Plan (MCH-CRP). This meeting is a critical step toward ensuring the sustainability and resilience of Molokai’s coastal communities.

The primary goal of this session is to identify key issues and hazards affecting each ahupua‘a, including flooding, erosion, deforestation, and wildfires. This meeting marks the initial step in developing solutions and initiating relevant projects to address these challenges.…

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Kamaka Air Temporarily Halted

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

A lifeline cargo carrier to Molokai temporarily and suddenly stopped service last week. On Wednesday, June 5, news began to circulate that Kamaka Air, Molokai’s predominant air cargo service, had stopped flying.

Concern spread quickly, especially amongst Molokai businesses.

Kim Svetin, President of Molokai Drugs, explained that the drug store relies on three to four shipments from Kamaka Air every week – especially for high value drugs that need to be refrigerated.

“I can’t manufacture COVID-19 vaccines on-island,” said Svetin.

State restrictions on shipping hazardous materials, like certain medicines and vaccines, means that medical providers like Molokai Drugs and Molokai General Hospital can’t use passenger airlines like Mokulele to ship medicine.…

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Telecom Provider Stops Service

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) says that phone and internet services will stop by the end of the first week of June, despite orders from Governor Josh Green and the state Public Utilities Commission.

SIC had been the exclusive supplier of telecommunications for Hawaiian Home Lands for nearly 30 years, explained Albert Hee, founder and former president of SIC. He calls the ceasing of service “strictly a financial decision.”

“We will not be serving beyond the end of this week,” Hee told the Dispatch. On June 5, SIC customers received notice that as of June 8, all phone and internet service would be disconnected.…

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The King’s Gala

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

The King’s Gala

Molokai celebrated King Kamehameha I Day early this year with the King’s Gala. On Friday June 7, Molokai community members gathered at Hiro’s Ohana Grill to commemorate the third annual King’s Gala, organized by nonprofit Ho’omohala O Molokai.

Kamehameha Day has been celebrated since 1872, when King Kamehameha V established it in honor of his grandfather, Kamehameha I. This year’s celebration included a fashion show by Kalae Tangonan’s Kupu A’e Molokai, amongst musical and hula performances.

To the backdrop of Keaka Kaiama’s singing, Molokai wahine modeled Tangonan’s batik and silk screen designs.

“Every piece is original. You can’t duplicate it,” said Tangonan.…

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Clift Cairncross Cullen

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Clift Cairncross Cullen


Clift Cairncross Cullen, known as Cairn, age 84, of Clovis, California passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Although he was born in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 1939 to Herbert Francis Cullen and Gretchen Heilborn Cullen (Bierbach), Cairn was raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii and always considered it home. Cairn was a Punahou School and University of Southern California graduate, and a teacher at CSU Fresno for 42 years. He is predeceased by his girlfriend of 51 years, Barbara Bradberry.
Cairn loved challenging projects of all sizes and he took on one of his largest in 2013 when he purchased an abandoned parcel of land on Molokai.…

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