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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor

On Saturday, May 20, the Molokai community gathered at the Molokai High School (MHS) gym to honor the graduating class of 2023. 

The fact that this was the first graduation held inside the gym since 2019 spoke to the unusual high school experiences of the class. 

COVID “hit us all and caused confusion, frustration,” said MHS Principal Katina Soares in her address. 

“[The class of 2023] kept going,” said Soares, explaining that “I saw them develop grit.” 

This grit, which Soares defined as a “passionate perseverance towards long-term goals,” was evident in the many recognitions awarded to the class.…

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New Medical Clinic

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Reporter 

With the May 15 opening of the Molokai Family and Urgent Care Clinic, Molokai residents have a much-needed, new option for medical care. Led by Dr. Kaohimanu Dang Akiona, the clinic is located in the same location as the late Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli’s Molokai Family Health Center, and is supported by Aluli’s clinical staff. 

“The focus for us has always been access to care. Not just primary care, but good care,” said Dang Akiona. 

Dang Akiona, owner of the Kohala Coast Urgent Clinic, explained that heath care shouldn’t be reliant on zip code. 

“[Molokai residents] don’t actually have what we would consider reasonable standards of care anymore,” said Akiona.…

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Rallying for Nathaniel

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Rallying for Nathaniel

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Family, friends and community members came out in the hundreds in a rally for justice for Nathaniel Naki on May 14. From Mana’e to Kaunakakai, a line of cars stretching several miles long crossed the island in a motorcade, honking and holding signs. Stopping in the parking lot near the police station, they gathered in peaceful demonstration to sing a hymn, as well as “Happy Birthday.” 

The day marked what would have been Naki’s 41st birthday.  

“Our son, he didn’t turn, huli! He didn’t run, holo! He didn’t hide; he stood, and took those shots,” Naki’s father, Leimana Naki, told those gathered. …

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Micro-Grants for Food Security

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

HDOA News Release 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting applications for the popular Micro-Grant for Food Security Program (MGFSP). This is the third year of the grant program which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food insecure communities. A total of $2 million is available for this year’s program which was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill.

This year’s program is open to individuals, including backyard farmers, for up to $5,000. Applicants must be a Hawaii resident, at least 18 years old and head of the household.…

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Music on the Lawn

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Music on the Lawn

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Residents enjoyed an evening concert on the lawn of the Molokai Public Library as musicians of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME) shared their learning from the year. Taught by Bob Underwood, the program is offered free to elementary students during the school year, with instruments provided, as well as adult learners. The program is sponsored by the Molokai Arts Center and the performance featured students from Kualapu’u and Kaunakakai schools.…

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Fund Mental Health Professionals

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

He needed a hug, not a death sentence.

To practice law in Maui County takes at least seven years. To practice medicine takes a decade or more. To become a police officer takes six months of combined academy and on-the-job training.

Police aren’t required to have even an Associate’s degree in psychology, conflict resolution or even criminal justice. The only requirement to enter the academy is a high school diploma. At the academy they’re trained to enforce, violently if necessary, man-made laws. Police training manuals aren’t written with mental health in mind. They’re certainly not written with Molokai in mind. The officers should have let Nathaniel Naki keep walking away. …

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Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp

Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp, age 66, passed peacefully on May 18, 2023 on Molokai, Hawaii surrounded by family and friends.  Karen was born on Jan. 25, 1957 in Ft. Worth, Texas and grew up in the greater Houston, Texas area. She graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science (1979) and a master’s degree in political science (1987). Her career in journalism and public relations included positions as a reporter and education editor for the Waco Tribune-Herald, as communications director for the Woman’s Missionary Union, and as the director of governmental relations at Baylor University.

Karen became an ordained minister at the Church of Illumination in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. …

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The Rock and the Class of 1973

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

The Rock and the Class of 1973

Community Contributed

By Kau’i Kapuni Manera and the MHS Class of ‘73

Back in 1973, a gallon of gas cost 39 cents and minimum wage was $1.60. A summer job meant working in the pineapple fields with no porta potty or mercy from your luna. 

Some cinematic greats were “American Graffiti,” “The Exorcist,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Marvin Gaye swooned us with “Let’s Get It On”, while the Allman Bros belted “Ramblin’ Man.” Watergate hearings began in the U.S. when then President Richard Nixon exclaimed, “I am not a crook!” The U.S. Supreme Court overturned state law bans on abortion in the landmark decision Roe vs Wade. …

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A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

In teaching first grade at Kilohana School, I choose a guiding these for my class each year, based on my intentions for the year and reflection on the first few weeks with my new students. This year, our guiding theme was “KU.” KU is to be proud, to stand tall. Throughout the year, we referred to this theme almost daily reflecting on our daily practices.  Win or lose, right or wrong, classwork or social behavior — are we proud?  Proud of our achievements, proud of our efforts, proud of our words and actions. Whatever we do or did, do it standing tall.  …

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The Daring Duo

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Community Contributed

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The young man approached the manager of Duffy’s Circus and asked for a job as a lion tamer. So the manager took him to the lion’s cage where the lion tamer, a lovely young woman, was preparing for a rehearsal with the lion. The young man watched with fascination as the woman stepped into the cage, removed her cape with a flourish, displaying a gorgeous costume and figure. Then she spoke a command to the lion. Immediately, the lion crept toward her, rolled over twice, sat on its hind legs and begged for a treat.…

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