Author Archives: Colleen Uechi

Veterans Corner

Friday, July 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha all my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Every American knows what the date July 4, 1776 signifies:  Independence Day, the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Why did the 13 colonies want to break away from Great Britain? Perhaps part of the answer can be found in the Declaration of Independence. The second paragraph of the declaration is excerpted, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.…

Na Wahine O Ke Kai Receives OHA Ahahui Grant

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Na Wahine O Ke Kai News Release

The Na Wahine O Ke Kai Race Committee,  producers of the 2015 Hawaiian Airlines Na Wahine O Ke Kai Molokai to Oahu Canoe Race, announced today that it will receive $6,000 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Ahahui Community grant.

This race is considered the world championship of outrigger canoe racing which unites paddlers from all walks of life and brings them together as one. The participants, of which 70 percent are Native Hawaiian and 80 percent are from the state of Hawaii, will come together to strengthen their identity, to preserve, practice and perpetuate their culture, on Sunday, Sept.…

Pacific Century Fellows Program

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Pacific Century News Release

The Fund for the Pacific Century, a charitable, nonprofit organization, is accepting applications for its 15th class of Pacific Century Fellows.  The program, modeled after the White House Fellows Program, is designed to recognize and encourage Hawaii’s future leaders.

The nine-month program will include approximately 30 of Hawaii’s most promising individuals from all segments of our community who are in their mid-20s to early 40s.  The fellows will be selected by an 18-member committee of prominent citizens based on their demonstrated ability to set and achieve goals and on having exhibited leadership qualities in their current professional, volunteer, and civic activities.…

Molokai Fitness: Community Power

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

First, I want to say Happy 30th Birthday to The Molokai Dispatch! I’m honored and grateful that my articles are a part of it.

This week, I want to talk about the power of a community.

Do you know what’s easier: to change your environment, or to change your mind? Can you change your family or your career easily? I don’t think so. But we can change our minds, and our perception.

I like Wayne Dyer’s book title “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.” I know it’s not easy to do, but it’s not impossible either.…

Molokai Dispatch Celebrates 30 Years

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Thirty years ago, the first issues of The Molokai Dispatch were pasted together with rubber cement, hand delivered to off-island printers, and, granted the weather was good, delivered each Wednesday to Molokai readers.

Over time, operations moved between three locations, five owners, countless writers and interns and three taglines (remember ‘The Coconut Wireless of Molokai?’). Amidst the changes, the Dispatch has emerged as the longest standing—and currently only—newspaper on the island.

Each week, The Molokai Dispatch brings news to the island while upholding a set of values and guidelines aimed toward community empowerment and healthy dialogue through responsible journalism. The Dispatch has developed a focus on youth, culture, history, politics and the environment to best serve the interests of the entire Molokai community.…

2nd Math Competition Encourages ‘Mathletes’

Friday, June 26th, 2015

2nd Math Competition Encourages ‘Mathletes’

Community Contributed 

By Erik Svetin, MHS Student and Mathlete

A year ago, I started a new annual math competition for Molokai elementary school students. I wanted to share my love and enthusiasm of mathematics with other younger students on island. My goal was to encourage other students to pursue an interest in math and to help them gain confidence with the skills needed to be successful mathematicians at Molokai High School and Molokai Middle School.

I just completed organizing and proctoring the entire competition on May 27. More than 90 students in the fifth and sixth grades from Kaunakakai, Kilohana, Kualapu`u and Maunaloa schools participated in Phase I of the competition.…

Distance Education

Friday, June 26th, 2015

UHMCM News Release

Earn a certificate, bachelors and even a Master’s degree right here on Molokai!  Courses are available through Distance Education.  Visit the online link hawaii.edu/dl/programs to learn more about Distance Learning Programs offered throughout the University of Hawaii.

Distance learning in many cases provides students greater flexibility.  Distance learning allows you to study around work, family, and social commitments.  If you are interested in building skills, enhancing your career prospects, and obtaining a valuable certificate or degree then distance learning may be the right fit for you.

For questions regarding distance learning through the University of Hawaii, contact Theresa Tamanaha at (808) 553-4490 option 5.…

Sarah Jenkins Named 2015 Ambassador of Aloha

Friday, June 26th, 2015

Sarah Jenkins Named 2015 Ambassador of Aloha

Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation News Release

A collection of Hawaii’s most talented scholar athletes gathered today at Outrigger Canoe Club to accept scholarship funds from the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation. The nonprofit awarded a total of $178,250 to 29 grantees and 44 scholarships to student athletes from 34 different high schools across six Hawaiian Islands.

Each year, the Foundation awards a $10,000 Ambassador of Aloha Scholarship to one individual that exemplifies outstanding skill and leadership in the classroom, in their chosen sport and in the community.

Sarah `Alohilani Jenkins was named the 2015 Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Ambassador of Aloha. With a GPA exceeding 4.0, Sarah graduated from Molokai High School’s class of 2015 and will be attending Duke University this fall.…

MMS Transition Day

Friday, June 26th, 2015

MMS Transition Day

Community Contributed

By Laura Peterson

All of the sixth graders on the island converged in the Molokai Middle School (MMS) cafeteria for a fun day of activities created and led by the MMS student government on May 28.  It was the second and last transition day for sixth graders, designed to introduce the students from different elementary schools to each other and to middle school life.

The student government of MMS showed true leadership skills and planned a day of fun activities, a tour of the school, and introductions to people such as Principal Dawn Mains and Aunty Tikka, the cafeteria manager, who provided everyone with ono cinnamon rolls! …

Widow/Widower Grief Support Group

Friday, June 26th, 2015

Hospice Hawaii Molokai News Release

When a person experiences the death of a spouse their life is forever changed and the journey can be an emotional roller coaster.  Knowledge about grief can help a person understand the emotions and know what is normal grief and mourning.  The group is for anyone in the Molokai community who has experienced the loss of a spouse.  The new closed support group begins Wednesday July 1, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and every Wednesday for 12 weeks at the Hospice Hawaii Office (next to Dave’s ice cream).  A support group is not therapy; it is support.…