Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Kalaupapa Fuel Facility Project

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

National Park Service News Release

The National Park Service is proposing to construct a new fuel facility at Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  The purpose is to provide a reliable fuel facility that is safe, easily serviceable, complies with federal regulations, and is outside of the tsunami inundation zone.  The work will include the installation of five 5,000-gallon modular, above ground, double-walled fuel storage tanks, a fuel dispensing and monitoring system, site clearing and grubbing, a concrete pad to support the fuel tanks and appurtenances, road improvements to safely fuel vehicles and deliver fuel to tanks, and an extension of telecommunications and electrical service to the site to control the dispensing system.…

Aloha Kupunas

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Aloha Kupunas

Molokai History Project News Release

We’re making progress.  The Molokai History Project is opening on Friday, Oct. 6, to display and care for Molokai’s history.  It is the beginning of a museum for our island and our wonderful fascinating history.  Now, we need docents to help keep the doors open with a two-hour shift.  We will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  We would love to have your help.  If you have an extra two hours one day a week, please give us a call.  It will be fun to chat with those who stop in to see what it is all about, to share your memories of Molokai, and to answer visitors’ questions on what to do while on Molokai.…

Molokai Farmers Football vs Lanai Pine Lads

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Molokai Farmers Football vs Lanai Pine Lads

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

On Sept. 9, the Molokai Farmers Football Team, with Head Coach Mike Kahale, traveled to Lanai City for a matchup against the Pine Lads. 

The Molokai Farmers improved their record to 2-0 with a 35-6 win over the Pine Lads. Tonka Kalilikane and Keith Gloor-Suafoa each scored two touchdowns with the addition of Kestan Tamanaha also scoring a touchdown reception for the Farmers.  

Kalilikane had scoring runs of 77 and 72 yards while Gloor-Suafoa threw TD passes of 27 and 18 yards. Kobra Cariaga-Abafo, the starting quarterback for the Farmers, delivered the initial touchdown pass before unfortunately succumbing to an ankle injury.…

Temporary Suspension of Services

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Venture Physical Therapy News Release 

It is with heavy hearts we must share some news regarding our in-home physical therapy services on Molokai. Effective immediately, we find ourselves in the difficult position of temporarily suspending these PT services. We want to express just how meaningful our time treating the incredible individuals of Molokai since 2020 has been, and how deeply we will miss serving this community.

This decision has not been taken lightly and is a direct consequence of various logistical challenges, which have made it increasingly impractical to uphold the high standards of care we have always strived to provide.…

John K Nakahara

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

John K Nakahara, 72, of Molokai died Friday, Aug. 18 on Oahu. Molokai High Class of 69’ graduate and an honorable discharge from the US Navy, John was never married and had no children. John is the son of John KK Waipa Sr. (predeceased), Dorothy L Pa (predeceased) and David K Pa III (predeceased). His siblings are Joan P. Yamashiro (predeceased), Maureen Fredrickson, Johnette Kaai, Bill PaGrimes, John Waipa, Thomas Waipa (predeceased), Davelynn Han, Davidette Pa-Kala, George Nakahara, Randy Aurio, Guy Aurio, Mel Aurio, Charlene Nakahara, and Alison Kupau. Memorial services will be held at the Molokai Veterans Cemetery Friday, Sept.…

Molokai on My Mind

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

It has been a week since I left Molokai, and the two-week residency I attended through Molokai Arts Center. Slowly, I have weaned myself off streaming Hawaiian 105 KINE. I am back to wearing sweaters and jeans and long-sleeved shirts to warm me against the Bay Area’s fog and chill. But as nice as it is to be in the comfort of my own home again, I feel that a part of myself did not leave Molokai.

Growing up, my mother and I spent two weeks of every summer visiting family on Oahu. I am Kanaka Maoli and Chinese, and ever since I was a child, I’ve felt most like myself when going back to the islands.…

You’ll Be There In The Garden

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

You’ve left your body behind.
You’re gone now.
We cry not.
You’re everywhere,
from the songs we sing,
to the smiles we wear.
You’ll be there
in our actions
as we care so, so much
about nature
and about animals
and about people
and such.
We’ll be seeing you
when we look at humanity
and in every star
in the midnight sky
and in all the bees
and in the butterflies,
and you’ll be there
as the birds fly by
and as children question,
why, why, why…
You’ll be there
in the beauty
and in the fragrance
of the flowers
and in the roots
and in the branches
and the leaves on every tree
and in every deer
and chicken
that’s running by
and every breaching whale
and swimming turtle
and monk seal basking
by the sea.…

MHS WIN Writers Start to Rock and Roll

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Ric Ornellas 

At Molokai High School (MHS) the new WIN periods are pushing students beyond their comfort zones. WIN means What I Need and take place only Thursdays for 70 minutes and last one academic quarter, or 10 weeks. Throughout the year, each student will have four quarters, 4 WIN periods, to explore, question, research, and decide which skills they will need for their future. The idea for the new WIN periods came from Ka’u Elementary and High School on Hawaii Island when a group of MHS teachers visited last year. They saw how the WIN periods at Ka’u helped students focus on the daunting task of planning for post-high school life.…

What is the Science of Reading and How Does it Help Students?

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Alestra Menéndez

Molokai teachers, please join us on Monday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the Molokai Education Center for a discussion about the science of reading and how you can leverage it in your classroom. 

Please join us as we dive into the latest educational and neuroscience research on how students learn to read in any alphabetic language, including Hawaiian and English. We will explore how to support all students to build meaningful background knowledge as they develop essential literacy skills. 

In this interactive session, we will explore classroom practices based on science. As a community of learners, we will reflect on how to implement science-based practices at your school to support your students’ learning and growth. …

Author’s Visit Ignites Conversation

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Author’s Visit Ignites Conversation

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

As the new school year swings into action, award winning author Ryan La Sala visited Molokai High School (MHS). La Sala was welcomed by many; however, his talk also evoked a strong response from some members of the Molokai community, who believed La Sala’s identity as LBGTQ+ and focus on LGBTQ+ stories sent messages to their children that they weren’t comfortable with.  

MHS librarian Diane Mokuau used her 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award, sponsored by Scholastic, to invite La Sala to speak at MHS.

Mokuau believed La Sala’s visit contributed to MHS’s focus on college and career pathways through the newly established academy model.…