Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Citrus Yellow Dragon Disease

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR Molokai 

Citrus Greening disease, a bacteria, is one of the greatest threats to citrus worldwide and it has been spreading in the U.S. First reported in Florida in 2005, over 60 percent of the citrus crop has been impacted with over 7000 jobs and $4 billion in revenues lost. Since then, it has spread to Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, California, Texas, and Georgia. In 2015, the disease was found in Guam, and it’s just a matter of time before it reaches Hawaii. It’s important to keep this disease off of Molokai.…

Golf Ace

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Golf Ace

Community Contributed

By Rick Schonely

Kawai Spencer, fire fighter and bus driver and all around nice guy, is the June Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Spencer shot a gross 88 and with his 27 handicap his net 61 got him the victory. The Hui O Kukui golf club would like to think the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

Rachel Kaleiokalani Keffer

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Rachel Kaleiokalani Keffer

We rejoice through our sadness as we announce the passing of Rachel Kaleiokalani Keffer (Calunod) on April 29, 2023. Youngest of four siblings, Rachel and her twin Raquel were born on June 3, 1971 to Peter and Shirley Calunod. Throughout Rachel’s grueling battle with colon cancer, she lived every day with unwavering faith. In the end, Rachel received the ultimate healing as she was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven in the warm embrace of God and the love of her life, Albert Napahi Dizon III.

Rachel is survived by her mother Shirley, older sister Yvette Erece, older brother Peter Jr, and twin sister Raquel Cabalar.…

Robert Goro Uemura

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Robert Goro Uemura

Robert Goro Uemura, age 99, of Kualapu’u, Molokai, HI, passed away at home on Feb. 21, 2023.  He was born on Aug. 16, 1923 in Waialua, Oahu.  He was a U.S. Army WWII veteran of the 442nd RCT, Headquarters Company.  

He is survived by wife, Pearl M. Uemura; and sons Alan, Carl, and Tracy.  

A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Ho’olehua, Molokai on June 17, 2023 at 2 p.m.  Army honor guard and inurnment will take place at Punchbowl Cemetary of the Pacific, in Honolulu on June 22, 2023 at 2 p.m.  Casual attire, no flowers please.…

Molokai Energy Planning Up for Review

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Molokai Energy Planning Up for Review

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The first phase of a revolutionary Molokai community renewable energy planning process is wrapping up. The Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan, facilitated by Sust’ainable Molokai’s Clean Energy Hui, began taking shape in January 2022 and over the past year and a half, its community-driven goals have garnered immense input and support, creating a road map for the island’s energy future. 

“Our vision is to develop a portfolio of clean energy projects that achieve 100 percent renewable energy for Molokai that are technically feasible and economically feasible… in line with our community’s values, our lifestyle, our goals, and are supported by the community,” said Leilani Chow, coordinator of the Molokai Clean Energy Hui.…

May Day Memories

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

May Day Memories

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Throughout the month of May, schools across Molokai celebrated Lei Day. Students participated in the royal court, draped in lei representative of each island’s colors. Each grade performed special songs or hula for their families and schools, as the community celebrated this cultural tradition and the aloha spirit.…

Molokai General Named Among Top Critical Access Hospitals

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Queen’s Health System News Release 

The top 20 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) nationwide, including Molokai General Hospital, scored best among CAHs as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health for Best Practice in Quality. The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). An awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Mo. 

The top 20 CAHs have achieved success in overall performance based on a composite rating from eight indices of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and finance. This group was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2022 top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year.…

Free Meals at Summer PALS

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui is providing free meals at its Summer PALS sites on Maui and Molokai, in an effort to ensure that no children go hungry while school is out of session this summer.

The Summer Food Service Program is a federal program made available in eligible areas to ensure that children receive nutritious meals. All youth 18 years old or younger are eligible to receive a free meal through this program.

Many children in Maui County receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but countless numbers of these children do not get enough to eat when school is out.…

Submit Art to Juried Exhibit

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

HI Craftsmen News Release 

Held annually since 1967, the Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition features the finest traditional and contemporary craft from across the state of Hawaii. This year, the juror will be Beth C. McLaughlin, Artistic Director and Chief Curator at Fuller Craft Museum. The juror will be visiting each island to make public presentations and to select the very best work to be included in the exhibition. 

Online registration runs from Aug. 1-31 and Molokai intake and public presentation will be on Sept. 6. Notice of acceptance will be on Sept. 14. 

This year, HC expects over $11,000 in awards to be designated by our juror.…

Summer Meals at Public Schools

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

HIDOE News Release

Eighty-six public schools, including two on Molokai, will serve meals free of charge over the summer to children ages 18 years and younger. The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced the meals will be provided regardless of public school enrollment status, through its summer food service program. 

Beginning in early June, the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program will serve meals at select public school locations on Mondays through Fridays, with the exception of June 12 (King Kamehameha Day) and July 4 (Independence Day). The SSO is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer.…