• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    April 30, 2026

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    May 1, 2026

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    April 29, 2026

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

Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Pickleball Popularity

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Pickleball Popularity

The pickleball phenomenon is a well-documented national fervor, becoming America’s fastest growing sport for three straight years, according to 2023 reports. Molokai, likewise, has recently sprouted a pickleball fandom of its own, with enthusiasts embracing the unique pickleball terms and phrases that define the game’s culture.

Adrian Canencia has over 30 years of tennis teaching experience. Now he’s channeling that knowledge into pickleball, leading classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the tennis courts in Kaunakakai.

“Pickleball is a sport where anybody can play, any age can be compatible,” said Canencia. “It’s fun for everybody.”

Currently, Canencia teaches a kupuna class on Mondays and a junior class on Wednesdays.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Youth in Aviation

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Youth in Aviation

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Twelve Molokai youth recently had a chance to begin their journey towards a career in aviation. Molokai’s own Hikili’i Chow, a commercial pilot, led the charge leading a Youth in Aviation program last weekend through the Aloft nonprofit.

“The main goal is to introduce kids to many different aviation jobs,” said Chow. During the three-day camp, kids had flight lessons, met air traffic controllers, firefighters, mechanics, pilots and more.

“When you look at these aviation jobs, not many of them are filled by Molokai people,” explained Chow.

Chow, a 2017 graduate from Molokai High School (MHS), has flown for Lanai Air for four years after a year and a half with Mokulele.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Fifty percent of Molokai attendees at a recent community event for suicide prevention and mental health awareness said that suicide has directly affected them in the past five years. The professionals from Nootropicology educate the community on how to fight mental health issues and how supplements help their brains perform well.

“Suicide, it knows no prejudice,” said Dr. Kimo Alameda.

Alameda and a panel of representatives from the State Senate, Dept. of Health, behavioral health clinics and more met at the Lanikeha Center on Dec. 4, to address a Molokai community grappling with concerns over mental health and suicide.…

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Battle of the Badges

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Battle of the Badges

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

 

The annual athletic standoff between the Fire and Police departments took place last Saturday, Dec. 9. This year’s basketball tournament featured men’s teams from Molokai, as well as a police team from Maui and a women’s championship.

 

The contests were punctuated by tough rebounds, smooth jump shots and competitive play. Da Hui claimed the title for the men’s tournament, with a win over the Maui Police. For the women, Queen B’s held on for the win in what was the closest match of the night.

 

In the main event, the police jumped out to a quick lead, but were unable to hold on.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

Thursday, June 8th, 2023

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Editor

When she was a freshman at Molokai High School in 2017, Mallory Go set her sights on the stars and proposed astronomy research that would become groundbreaking. She captured the first look at magnetic fields within the iconic and beautiful Horsehead Nebula. Six years later, a paper she co-authored has been published in an astronomy journal.

“[A nebula is] a big cloud of dust and the Horsehead Nebula is a very cold cloud of dust,” explained Go.

At the time, not much research existed on the Horsehead Nebula, which has a district and identifiable shape as its name describes.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

MHS Senior Earns Questbridge Scholarship

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

Of the many scholarships awarded to Molokai High School (MHS) students this year, one MHS senior, Mele Kaneali’i, was uniquely honored with a Questbridge Scholarship, which will fully fund her college education.

Questbridge Scholarships are intended to connect “the nation’s brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities,” according to the Questbridge website.

This is only the third Questbridge Scholarship to be awarded to an MHS student, according to Marge Bento of the MHS counseling department.

The scholarship will fully pay for four years of college education. For Kaneali’i, that means the scholarship will cover her expenses at Hamilton College, a value of about $315,000.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

March for Kawakiu Access

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

March for Kawakiu Access

By Catherine Cluett Pactol and Jack Kiyonaga

At 7 a.m. last Saturday, more than 100 Molokai residents stood at the gated entrance to Kawakiu, an area of west Molokai owned by Molokai Properties Limited, also known as Molokai Ranch. For those gathered, Kawakiu represents not only a cultural and historic site, but also generational subsistence grounds.

“We’re walking for our young people so they can go hunting and fishing here… it’s a constant battle to keep your rights alive,” said activist Walter Ritte to the gathered crowd waiting to march the dirt road that is currently blocked to the beach. “Kawakiu is a historic site, there are burials over there, house sites over there, heiau over there.”…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Mulan Comes to Molokai

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

Mulan Comes to Molokai

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

This Friday and Saturday, Molokai residents will be treated to the first ever performance by Hokulani Children’s Theatre. The show will be a production of The Legend of Mulan — and a manifestation of the children, parents and volunteers who have worked to make it happen.

Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai was established to meet the needs of the community, truly spanning Molokai’s schools and communities in its approach. Without grant funding, it is built upon the investment and work of community members. 

This communal effort has been “the magic of what we’re doing,” explained Vicki Boswell, founder of Hokulani Children’s Theatre.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

The Legacy of Dr. Aluli

Sunday, December 11th, 2022

The Legacy of Dr. Aluli

Molokai mourns the loss of a beloved doctor, Native Hawaiian healthcare advocate and activist who will be remembered for his infectious smile, kindness and generosity. Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli died on Nov. 30 at the age of 78.

Born on Oahu in 1944, Aluli was one of the first graduating class from University of Hawaii’s medical school in 1975, and chose to complete his residency on Molokai.

“I wanted to come here to learn from the people, learn from the patients, on how to deliver state of the art health,” said Aluli of his arrival to the island in 1975. “The health of this island, the health of the land, the health of the ocean, the health of the resources, is the health of her people.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Obituary: Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Obituary: Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams

As the sunset slowly into the sea on August 20, 2022 Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams took his final breath. Like the flash of green seen just as the sun makes its final descent he left his earthly presence to join his kūpuna.

Surrounded by his wife Mayumi Momilani Takeda-Adams, his mother, Sylvia AuHoy Adams, his children; Kealaokamaileawakea, Kawehihuneokawailani, Kamahinakalae, Kaulupamakealahou, Kamakahoominoaka and his sister Roxanne.

He is also survived by his brother Cole, his nieces; Malia and Eliana, his beautiful grandson Leimana and his many Uncles, Aunties, cousins and friends from across this pae ʻāina and the
entire honua.

Kaʻuhane was born to Walter Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams and Sylvia Ann Mililani Sun How AuHoy Adams on May 23, 1967.…

Posted in commentsAdd your comment