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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

MHS Robot Takes the Spotlight

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

MHS Robot Takes the Spotlight

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The Molokai High School robotics team has built a masterpiece over the past several months – and they’re gearing up to compete with it this week at 2023 FIRST Robotics Hawaii Regional on Oahu, where they will be facing off against other teams from Hawaii, the continental U.S. as well as China, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. Between March 23-25, the team will be showcasing their robot’s abilities to complete tasks like moving and placing cones and cubes, as well as the months of work they’ve put into designing, building, programming, practicing and overcoming obstacles with creativity and limited resources.…

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‘Molokai Bound’ Film’s Story ‘Close to Home’

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

An independent film currently in production has sparked attention on Molokai over its name. “Molokai Bound,” written, directed and produced in Hawaii, explores challenging topics of personal struggle and reconnection with family and Hawaiian heritage. 

A short film by the same name released in 2019 was well-received and became funded for a feature-length version.

Recent social media posts on Molokai expressed concerns over the film’s intentions and connection to the island. 

“With a name like that, everybody was like, ‘What’s this?!’ But I think it’s a great story and great people are involved,” affirmed Molokai’s Miki’ala Pescaia, who, among others in the community, has been working closely with the film’s director. …

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Wins For Baseball and Softball

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

Wins For Baseball and Softball

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

The Molokai Farmers took on rivals Lanai Pinelads in a baseball double-header last weekend in Kaunakakai. 

Friday afternoon’s game saw the Farmers post a 14-4 victory, which ended in the fourth inning due to Maui Interscholastic League’s 10-run rule. 

Led by a strong pitching performance from Solomon Kikukawa-Teriong, which included three scoreless innings, the Farmers took a six-run lead in the first inning and never let up. While the Lanai Pinelads closed the gap to four runs, Molokai was able to put up an additional six runs, securing the win. 

Molokai’s offense was bolstered by strong performances from Hokuau Arce and Miken Loo, both of whom hit triples.…

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New Sentence in 2013 Molokai Murder Case

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

On March 14, a judge sentenced Marlin Lavoie, of Molokai, to a 40-year prison term during a re-trial for the fatal shooting of Malia Kahalewai in 2013. 

Eight years ago, Lavoie was initially sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus 20 years, following his jury conviction of second-degree murder and three firearms charges in 2015. However, Lavoie appealed the convictions, and the state Supreme Court sent the case for re-trial, with the court’s ruling that testimony regarding five previous domestic violence acts by Lavoie shouldn’t have been permitted at the trial, according to The Maui News.  …

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Grant Solicitations to Support Native Hawaiians

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

OHA News Release  

More than $9 million in grant solicitations to help Native Hawaiians are now available through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Solicitations include community grants to strengthen ʻohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻaina (land) connections, and grants to support education, health, housing, economic stability, homestead communities, and iwi kupuna repatriation and reinternment. Two new granting categories are being launched to support Native Hawaiians with disaster recovery and provide technical assistance to organizations serving Native Hawaiians (Kakoʻo Support Grants). 

Molokai nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply.

With a legacy of supporting more than a decade of community events, OHA’s ʻAhahui Grant Program is making more than $300,000 available for community events scheduled from June to December 2023.…

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Long-Sleeved Shirts for Farmworkers

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

MEO News Release 

New or lightly used long-sleeved shirts are being collected for farmworkers from March 24 to 31 by Maui Economic Opportunity’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP).

The Nat’l Long Sleeve Shirt Drive, organized nationally by the Association of Farmworker Opportunities Programs, coincides with Farmworker Awareness Week, which brings attention to farmworkers and honors their work.

Long-sleeved shirts provide protection from pesticide exposure and heat-related illnesses. Donations, which will be given to farmworkers, need to be light colored, natural fabric and long sleeved.

They may be dropped off at MEO Molokai, 380 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai.

MEO is Hawaii’s NFJP operator, the nonprofit agency’s only statewide program.…

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Soup R Bowl Thanks

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

The Molokai Arts Center held its 13th annual Soup ‘R Bowl on March 11.  Over 300 residents and visitors indulged in visual, culinary and performing arts. We are grateful for the many hands and hearts that graciously gave of their time and talent to make this event a success.  

Mahalo to our bowl makers who handcrafted over 450 soup bowls and mugs to choose from: Ames Chow, Ashley Ingram, Maricel Kanemitsu, Lil Macmillan, April Maddela, Judith Palmeri, Bianca West and Madison Zeller. Bowl makers Dan Bennett, Kim Markham, Emillia Noordhoek and Dawn Simpson also donated exquisite pieces for our art sale, along with Arabella Ark, Miliopuna Davis, Debbie Delatour, Allyson Durkin, Dewitt Jones, Cynthia Kalfas Cox, Barbie Levy, Joanne Pryor and Paula Scott.…

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Soup ‘R Bowl Saturday

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Soup ‘R Bowl Saturday

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Hundreds of bowls filled the tables at Lanikeha Community Center last Saturday. Guests lined up out the door, tickets clenched, pondering the big decisions for the night: what will their new bowl look like, and what kind of soup will fill it? 

Now in its 13th year, the Soup ‘R Bowl is a soup themed fundraiser for the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) at which participants choose a type of soup and hand-made ceramic bowl to take home, amongst other artisanal gifts. The sold-out event featured a range of artwork from ceramics to music and dance performances. 

This year, attendees were able to choose between four types of soup: Portuguese bean soup, donated by the Kanemitsu family, chicken tinola, also donated by the Kanemitsu family, sea food chowder, donated by Mike Holm, and caldo verde, donated by Carol Rocha. …

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Goodbye Gorilla Ogo

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Goodbye Gorilla Ogo

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Armed with rakes, buckets and heavy-duty trash bags, volunteers took to Molokai’s south shore with a target in mind: the invasive gorilla ogo. 

Gorilla ogo is a type of algae likely introduced to Hawaii’s ecosystem in the early 1970s by Filipino shipping vessels. Prone to creating fast-growing clumps around reefs, gorilla ogo can strangle native coral and dominate reef ecosystems. 

To combat this algae threat, Molokai nonprofits Sust’ainable Molokai and ‘Aina Momona have partnered to lead community cleanups. The most recent cleanup occurred last Friday at Kaunakakai Wharf.  

Raked from the exposed shoreline, mounds of spiny red and brown ogo ran the length of the beach.…

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Teams Launch Spring Sports

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Teams Launch Spring Sports

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai High School athletes kicked off their spring sports seasons, with Boys Volleyball, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball and Track and Field competing last weekend. 

The season’s first track meet was held at Kamehameha Maui, with Molokai athletes logging strong results. Top finishers were freshman Khloe Bicoy, who earned first place in discuss and third in shotput. Runner John Quintua-Salavea sprinted 400 meters, finishing first in his heat and placing fourth overall. Other Molokai competitors included Nakoa Orlando, Chazen Bush and Chevy Bush. 

The Baseball team played Hana High in Lahaina, winning both their games. Friday’s game closed with a score of Molokai 14, Hana 2, and Saturday was Molokai 9, Hana 2.…

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