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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Moli Checks Out Molokai

Thursday, February 24th, 2022

Moli Checks Out Molokai

Last month, Molokai Land Trust’s Anapuka site had a special visitor: a Moli, or Layson Albatross, that landed several times in the area. It’s the first documented landing of the species at the Molokai site since 2017 – and it’s viewed as an auspicious sign that the Moli may be making a home at Anapuka in the next few years.

The Moli landed at the organization’s “social attraction site,” which features decoy Moli in an effort to attract the real birds to the area. The decoys have now showed success, along with Molokai Land Trust’s work to restore the Anapuka dune ecosystem, remove invasive species, repopulate native plants and install predator-proof fencing to create a safe haven for Moli and other ground-nesting seabirds, according to MLT Executive Director Butch Haase.…

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Larger Planes Still Coming to Mokulele

Thursday, February 24th, 2022

Larger Planes Still Coming to Mokulele

Mokulele’s promised larger aircraft are still on their way to Molokai, just later than planned. The first of two twin turboprop aircraft is currently being repainted by an aircraft maintenance company, said Richard Schuman, executive vice president of Mokulele Hawaii. The 30-seat Saab 340 planes – brought on board by the company specifically to serve Molokai – will more easily accommodate wheelchair-bound residents and passengers of size.

The aircraft’s arrival has been delayed from the originally announced estimate of last fall. More recently, Mokulele said it was coming in January. Now, Schuman estimates it will be flying before the summer but doesn’t want to disappoint again.…

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Meet the Artists: Patti Golebieski

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: Patti Golebieski

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 art form?

My mother wanted to call me Mona Lisa, but my father would not agree. I was christened Patricia Golebieski, but most people know me as Patti. I am a polyartist.

What is a polyartist?

The phrase was coined around 1970 to mean a person who creates in two or more non-adjacent arts. …

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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. …

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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. …

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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.…

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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. …

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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.…

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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.…

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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.…

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