Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Subsistence Survey Update

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Get a coupon for free poi or kalo pa’a when you complete the 2023 Molokai subsistence study update survey. Only available to the next 100 people who complete the survey as a coupon for Sustʻainable Molokaiʻs Mobile Market. All English-speaking Molokai residents aged 18 or older can take the survey one time. 

Why participate? It has been 30 years since we have had updated, island-wide information on subsistence practices like hunting, fishing, gathering, and farming on Molokai. The 2023 Molokai Subsistence Study Update is our chance to update our Molokai-specific data on subsistence practices and food security.…

American Idol Auditions

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

American Idol News Release 

“Idol Across America” visits Hawaii and Molokai via Zoom on Aug. 14. Hopefuls will audition with an American Idol producer in search for the next superstar. 

During this season’s first round of “American Idol,” hopefuls can sign up to audition face-to-face in front of producers and receive real-time feedback for a chance at making Idol history and being crowned the next “American Idol” as we enter season seven on ABC. For the fourth year in a row, “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, features auditions days for all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.,…

Guardianships

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

By Eileen M.S. Nims, J.D.

There are two ways in which a person can receive guardianship over an incapacitated individual: Power of Attorney and Guardianship Petition. 

Medical Power of Attorneys allow you to designate ahead of time, who is going to be able to speak for you when you no longer can. For many Molokai adults, this is an easy possibility to ensure you have an advocate who can talk to your doctor, your insurance company, a care-home etc. when you no longer can. It avoids confusion and provides clear instructions as to who you have chosen and directed that person to do on your behalf.…

Obon Festival Returns

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Obon Festival Returns

By Jack Kiyonaga | Reporter 

Beneath tanzaku adorned with the names of the dead and set to the staccato of taiko drums, Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission celebrated the Obon Festival for the first time since 2019. 

Obon Festival, or Bon, is a Japanese holiday marking the return of deceased ancestors’ spirits to the land of the living. Bon dances became popular statewide as Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii around the turn of the 20th century. Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission was founded in 1927 and is one of only nine Soto Missions in Hawaii. 

Saturday’s celebration was preceded by Buddhist services at Kapa’akea cemetery and the temple itself.…

Last of the Librarians? Let’s Hope Not

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Last of the Librarians? Let’s Hope Not

By Jack Kiyonaga | Reporter 

Five years ago, a group of Molokai librarians representing school, private and public libraries came together to address a growing drift on Molokai. Part of a statewide trend, Molokai had shed full-time, certified librarians from most of its schools.  With no bookstores on-island, Molokai’s librarians have had the task of inspiring and supplying the next generation of readers. This responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of a select few. They call themselves the Molokai Library Services Cadre (MLSC). 

Diane Mokuau is the librarian at Molokai High School, winner of the 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award, and president of the MLSC. …

Kamakani Farms: Salt, Chickens, Tomatoes—and Wind

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Kamakani Farms: Salt, Chickens, Tomatoes—and Wind

by Paul Hanley | Community Reporter 

“I didn’t want to do conventional farming,” says Cameron Hiro, who operates Kamakani Farms in Hoolehua with his wife Jacqueline and their ohana. A fourth-generation homesteader, Hiro resides on agriculture lands where his mother Janice and her late husband, Cameron’s stepfather Joseph Pele, and other family members once grew vegetables.

Though Cameron didn’t want to farm he stayed in the food industry. After high school, he studied restaurant, culinary and catering management, which led to a 35-year career in cooking, catering, and event management. In 2017, he and his brothers Raymond Hiro and John Pele became owners of Hiro’s Ohana Grill at Hotel Molokai.…

Free Mobile Market Delivery for EBT/SNAP Customers

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Sustʻāinable Molokai News Release

Sustʻāinable Molokai’s Mobile Market is proud to announce free mobile delivery for EBT/SNAP customers as part of the Da Bux Program. With no minimum purchase required, this new service aims to make healthy and fresh produce more accessible to the Molokai community. 

Customers can order online and receive their groceries at their doorstep, with free delivery available for EBT/SNAP recipients. Visit MolokaiMobileMarket.com to purchase fresh, locally-grown, and produced food. Our online store opens weekly from Sunday at 3 p.m. to Tuesday at 12 p.m. Order pickups are on Thursday and deliveries are every Friday.

The Da Bux Program is designed to support Molokai’s local food system by increasing access to healthy food options for all members of the community.…

A Whale of an Opportunity

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

A Whale of an Opportunity

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

A life-sized inflatable humpback whale named Kamakai visited Molokai last weekend through NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The kohola, or humpback whale, offered keiki the opportunity to explore the species’ biology, along with participating in educational activities, marine arts and crafts and movie showings of “Humpback Whale.”…

School Science Education Grants Available

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Bayer Fund News Release

Applications for the 2023 Bayer Fund – Hawaii Science Education Grant are now available to eligible public schools interested in obtaining a grant to support their science curricula.

Since 2005, this Bayer Fund grant program has awarded over $357,000 to public schools in Hawaii for programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance their students’ science education. All public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai are eligible to apply.

To be considered for the next grant period, completed applications plus supporting documentation must be received by Friday, Sept.…

Molokai First Aid Class

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Maui County Red Cross News Release

A handful of Molokai residents and Red Cross volunteers got certified or recertified to practice adult and child CPR and first aid during a class held last Thursday. The class was taught on Molokai by Gordon Gillis of Maui, owner of Safety Services Hawaii, a company that provides community and workplace health training and consulting. 

Participants of the classes became certified in the most recent Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques as well as how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), basic emergency first aid, and Naloxone administration. The certification is good for two years, and four Red Cross Molokai volunteers became recertified.…