Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

New Artist in Residence

Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

New Artist in Residence

Molokai Arts Center News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) offers several opportunities for artist residencies each year. Molokai provides a perfect backdrop to create, explore and experience a unique culture. The purpose of the MAC Artist in Residence program is to provide guest artists with a respite from daily responsibilities, to enable them to create and concentrate on their work. This month, the MAC welcomed artist in residence Alice Banks from Ottawa, Canada. Banks completed her Bachelor of Design degree at OCAD University in Tkaronto/Toronto, Ontario with a major in material art and design. Upon graduating in 2011, she launched a fashion line using her one-of-a-kind textiles that sold in boutiques across Canada and the USA.…

Affirming Foundations at the Ohalahala Fishpond

Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

Affirming Foundations at the Ohalahala Fishpond

“It’s like a combination of Tetris plus Jenga,” explained Hanohano Naehu, head kia’i loko, or fishpond guardian, for Hui O Kuapa.

Beset by storms, waves and currents, the walls of the ancient fishpond have come apart in the estimated 800 years since its construction. Now, the rocks are scattered across the shallow shores of Kumimi Beach and must be carefully stacked to rebuild the walls. On Saturday, Oct. 5, instructors from Hui O Kuapa led over 100 volunteers in restoration work and interactive workshops to help caretake the special space.

“We went all out,” explained Maile Naehu, director of Hui O Kuapa.…

Record Breaking Ka’iwi Channel Swim

Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

Record Breaking Ka’iwi Channel Swim

Outrigger canoes aren’t the only method of crossing the Ka’iwi Channel between Molokai and Oahu, as German Olympic swimmer Andreas Waschburger proved on Oct 6. The 37-year-old smashed the current record of 12 hours and 2 minutes with his channel crossing time of 9 hours and 55 minutes.

The nearly 28 mile swim was the longest that Waschburger had ever attempted. Having set a world record crossing the English Channel last year though, Waschburger was confident going into the unknown.

“My training before I arrived [on Molokai] was good,” said Waschburger. “Here, I relax, I swim less, I swim easy, and I try to eat many carbs.”…

Festivals of Aloha Kicks Off the Molokai Hoe

Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

Festivals of Aloha Kicks Off the Molokai Hoe

This past weekend, the action continued in what has been a busy few weeks here on Molokai. Festivals of Aloha, operating out of a new location at the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC), punctuated the return of the Molokai Hoe with a ho’olaule’a last Friday night. Featuring tons of Molokai venders, food and award-winning music, the festival offered the opportunity for paddlers and Molokai residents to mingle before the big race on Sunday.

With the new format at MCHC came novel activities for the festival. After the presentation of the royal court and a performance from Moana’s Hula Halau, guests participated in a series of contests from best poke to aloha wear to top motorcycles and trucks.…

Additional Molokai Artist at Exhibition

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Lisa Welch’s intricate and stunning ceramic piece, “Octopus O’tel” was also juried into the 2024 Hawaii Craftsmen Annual State Exhibition. This makes it a total of nine artists from Molokai whose works were juried into the show.
Of the 85 artists statewide who were juried into the exhibit, Molokai represents over ten percent of that 85. Congratulations to Lisa Welch!…

Na Kupuna o Moana o Molokai Win Hula Contest

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Na Kupuna o Moana o Molokai Win Hula Contest

Community Contributed

By Kim Markham 

Celebrate Molokai!  Na Kupuna o Moana are the overall winners of the 38th annual Kona Kupuna Hula Contest held Sept. 11-12. This contest is the sister competition of the Merrie Monarch, the world championships of hula. Both contests were founded by Kumu Hula George Na’ope. The latter is for hula dancers under age 55 and the former for dancers over age 55.

The senior division of Moana’s Hula Halau was founded by Kumu Hula Moana Dudoit and Raquel Dudoit. When they began over 25 years ago, the dancers were in their 50s and 60s.  Kumu Hula Kanani Brighter led the kupuna until his passing in the year 2000.…

Little Fire Ants Pest Alert

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

MoMISC News Release

October is “stop the ant month.”
Wasmannia auropunctata, commonly known as the Little Fire Ant (LFA), are tiny, measuring 1/16 inch in length, orange colored, slow moving ants that pack a powerful sting. They are native to Central and South America.

Since the discovery of LFA on Hawaii Island in 1999, LFA have made it to all major islands except Molokai and one instance on Lanai.

MoMISC staff has been surveying for LFA since 2010. LFA has not yet been detected on Molokai. They are nearly impossible to exterminate once introduced and established at a new site.

For photos and more information on LFA, go online to Hawaii Ant Lab at littlefireants.com…

County Surveys CDBG Grant-Funded Projects

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Maui County News Release

Maui, Molokai and Lanai resident feedback on grant needs is sought by the County of Maui Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Office. By completing an online survey about grant priorities, resident input will help drive grant-funded projects and activities over the next five years.

The County CDBG Program Office asks that Maui County residents complete a survey on community grant needs by Oct. 31. To participate, visit forms.gle/HyfUW5dw5vixWHJ2A.

By participating, Maui, Molokai and Lanai residents will help shape CDBG funding in the 2025-29 Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan identifies community needs and provides a five-year strategy for how CDBG grants will be used to develop community resources that meet those needs.…

USDA Meal Program

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Head Start is a sponsor organization in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and participates in the free and reduced-price meal program.
Meals will be made available to enrolled children at no separate charge without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, and/or disability. All enrolled MEO Head Start children financially qualify for free and reduced-price meal costs. This status is used to determine the USDA reimbursement rate to the program.
For Molokai, meals will be provided at MEO Head Start sites at Kaunakakai, 380 Kolapa St.,…

MGH Named A Top 20 Critical Access Hospital Nationwide

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

The Queen’s Health Systems News Release

Molokai General Hospital (MGH) was recently named one of the top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for quality in the country. This is the third year in a row that MGH has received such distinction.
The top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for quality scored best among other facilities around the country as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. MGH achieved success in best practice for quality, which is a rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across rural-relevant process of care measures.
There are more than 1,300 Critical Access Hospitals around the country.…