Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

MHS Robotics Fundraising for Speedway Event

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

MHS Robotics Team News Release

The Molokai High School Robotics Team has been invited to compete at the 2024 VEX Robotics Speedway Event, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, taking place on Nov. 22 and 23. This event is a world championship-qualifying tournament, with over 100 teams nationally and internationally attending. Our students will not only have the opportunity to compete with their robots, but also work hands-on with real Indy 500 cars, operate race car driving simulators, and tour the Indianapolis Speedway Museum!
We plan on traveling from Nov. 19-24, 2024, with a fundraising goal of $25,000 to cover our inter-island airfare, continental airfare, transportation, room and board, meals, registration fees, and incidentals.…

OED Accepting New Grant Applications

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Maui County News Release

The Office of Economic Development (OED) will accept new grant applications for programs, projects and events that promote and nurture economic development in Maui County. Approximately $868,000 in funding is available. The application process opens Sept. 16 and runs until Nov. 1, 2024. The county is seeking proposals that are consistent with community needs and priorities, while supporting local businesses and nonprofits.

Funding is available for initiatives in Cultural and Arts Programs, $48,000, for cultural and art events, workshops, festivals and other opportunities in Maui County; Small Business Promotion, $30,000, for promotion of Maui’s small towns and businesses and support of small business events, trade shows, workshops and other economic development activities that support small businesses county-wide; Business Technology, $555,000, for new technology-based economic development for Maui County; Workforce Development, $180,000, for locally and nationally recognized education-to-workforce initiatives; Molokai and Lanai youth, $35,000, for student travel.…

Molokai Artists Selected for State Exhibition

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Hawaii Craftsmen is thrilled to announce that eight exceptional artists from Molokai have been selected to have their artwork juried into the prestigious Hawaii Craftsmen 2024 Annual State Exhibition. This esteemed showcase is one of Hawaii’s premier juried exhibitions. Held annually since 1967, it highlights both traditional and contemporary craft from across the state.
From a staggering 522 entries submitted by 277 artists statewide, only 101 pieces were chosen by this year’s juror, Suzanne Isken. We are incredibly proud that eight artists from Molokai are among the 85 artists represented in this highly competitive show.

Congratulations to the following Molokai artists for their outstanding contributions: Arabella Ark for “Temple,” Daniel Bennett for “I Grew Up in an Orange Grove,” Jason Elder for “Na ho’omaka hou,” Patricia Golebieski for “Sacred Moloka’i,” Koko Johnson for “Golden Pot,” Kim Markham for “Marielito,” Mathayus Scherling for “Water Reflections,” and Paula Scott for “Geisha” and “The Natives.”…

New Novel Tells the Story of Hawaii’s 442

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

“Uninvited Valor – The Forsaken Soldiers of WWII” by John C. Kiyonaga, tells the story of Hawaii’s famous 442nd regimental combat team in a new form – the novel. The story follows the path of Joe Horiuchi, a Nisei boy from Molokai who somewhat reluctantly joins the 442nd after witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor. Less heroic than duty-bound, Horiuchi makes it through training at Camp Shelby, and goes on to face heavy combat in Italy and France where his fate teeters on every page. Informed by the stories his father, who grew up in Kamalo, told him about serving as an officer in the 442nd, Kiyonaga creates the portrait of an honest young man – conflicted in his responsibility and yet resolute in his service to the very nation which has forsaken him.…

Celebrating One Year

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Celebrating One Year

Molokai History Project News Release

One short year ago, a group of Molokai folks came together to help celebrate the opening day of the Molokai History Project. With the help of Jimmy Duvauchelle and Donna Paoa, we opened our doors on Oct. 6, a wonderful day for Molokai. Very quickly many volunteered to be greeters and help keep the doors open six days a week. Folks came in, loved the exhibits, found their photo on our 1976 calendar, learned facts they might have forgotten, and quickly began to bring in their own memorabilia to share with their fellow classmates, friends, family and visitors alike.…

MHS Sports Update

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

MHS Sports Update

The Molokai High School Farmers were in action over on Maui this past weekend. After a bye week, the Lady Farmers girls volleyball team with Coach Mahealani Leialoha Rawlins took on Haleakala Waldorf. The 4-2 Farmers took a dominant three set win over Haleakala Waldorf on Friday, before repeating the performance with another three-set sweep on Saturday to improve to 6-2.

The Farmers football team continued their historic 11-man season with a game against Kamehameha Maui on Sept. 21. The Farmers ultimately lost to Kamehameha Maui by a score of 57-0, falling to 0-4 on the year. They will look to regroup as they take on King Kekaulike High School at home Saturday, Sept.…

Fiber Link Project Seeks Feedback

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Fiber Link Project Seeks Feedback

Hawaii’s internet will be receiving an upgrade in the coming years. The Hawaiian Island Fiber Link’s Connect Kakou program aims at increasing reliable internet access for Hawaii’s residents.

The project will be installed by Ocean Networks and focuses on the “middle mile” of internet service, which is the physical fiberoptic system needed to interface with the internet and is typically delivered via undersea cables. Hawaii currently has three such undersea cable systems, with the oldest being 34 years old. According to representatives from the Hawaiian Island Fiber Link project, these internet cables only have a lifespan of about 20 years.

“The state got nervous and started looking down the path,” said Cliff Miyake, chief strategy officer for Ocean Networks at a community meeting Sept.…

Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Merge, Will Molokai Benefit?

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Merge, Will Molokai Benefit?

Alaska Airlines completed the purchase of Hawaiian Airlines with a $1.9 billion deal on Sept. 18. The merger was proposed last December and approved by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation on Sept. 17 with certain stipulations including continued neighbor island flights and support for Essential Air Service (EAS). While the deal will affect many travel options in and out of Hawaii, it will not change the transportation reality for Molokai.

Incoming CEO of Hawaiian, Joe Sprague, explained in an interview with the Dispatch that he is “feeling the heavy responsibility associated with bringing these two companies together…and is hopeful about the future.”…

Fishpond Restoration with Ka Honua Momona

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Fishpond Restoration with Ka Honua Momona

Every third Saturday of the month is a community workday at Ka Honua Momona (KHM), a local nonprofit that caretakes the Ali’i fishpond on Molokai’s south shore. This past Saturday, volunteers slipped on their tabis and patrolled the perimeter of the fishpond wall, or kuapa, to repair spots where rocks have fallen.

Home to an entire ecosystem of fish, eels, rays, turtles and more in and around the ponds, the fishpond walls are built without cement, so the ocean tides and waves naturally displace them over time, explained Tiani Kawaauhau-Cook, now in her third year as executive director of KHM.

The community workdays attract all different kinds of volunteers, from local families to scientific researchers to visitors hoping to have an authentic experience.…

James Kamakea Han Jr.

Thursday, September 19th, 2024

James Kamakea Han Jr.

James Kamakea Han Jr. of Molokai died peacefully at home in Ho’olehua on Aug. 28, 2024, at 77 years of age.
He was born at home on June 29, 1947, in Ho’olehua to James Kamakea Poksu Han, Sr, and Tilden Kalamaku (Makaiwi) Han. He attended Molokai High School and then graduated from Kaimuki High School, where he played football. After graduating, he was drafted into the army, served in Vietnam, and is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army.

James was a marathon runner, canoe paddler, fisherman, taro farmer, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was married to Jean (Motas) Han.…