Community

General news which affects the Molokai community in one way or another.

Marvelee Melba Nahalaomapuana Heu Puaa

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Marvelee Melba Nahalaomapuana Heu Puaa

Marvelee Melba Nahalaomapuana Heu Puaa

With deep love and fond memories, we announce the passing of our beloved Marvelee H. Puaa, who was born on February 19, 1934, and peacefully entered into eternal rest on June 20, 2025, at her home on Molokai, surrounded by her lovely ‘ohana. Marvelee lived a long and full life, filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished moments with family and friends. She is now reunited with her late husband, Nelson Puaa. Marvelee is survived by her three daughters, Willa Loa, Rina Bobiles, and Nelma Place. Her legacy continues through her 10 grandchildren, each a beautiful reminder of her love and strength.…

Lepo and Roots STEAM Workshop Fosters Learning, Creativity

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Lepo and Roots STEAM Workshop Fosters Learning, Creativity

UH CTAHR Farm to School News Release

On June 3, five dedicated educators from Molokai gathered at the Molokai Cooperative Extension Office (CTAHR) to take part in the Lepo and Roots STEAM Workshop — a hands-on, garden-based professional development experience that blended science, art, and culture in creative and meaningful ways.

The workshop introduced teachers to the vibrant possibilities of integrating gardening with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. Participants explored natural dye-making techniques using locally sourced plants, including ʻolena (turmeric), beets, and ukiuki berries. They also learned how to make “lepo” paint, connecting them to the cultural and environmental significance of lepo (soil).…

Community Health Center Expands Dental Services

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center is excited to announce a significant expansion of its dental services, aimed at addressing the growing oral health needs of our community. This initiative underscores our commitment to delivering accessible dental care for all Molokai families.

The expansion includes the addition of three new operatories, doubling patient access to dental services, state-of-the-art dental equipment, and an extended range of services to include advanced restorative care and pediatric dentistry. These upgrades will enable our team to serve more patients and reduce patient waiting times.

To support this growth, six dental professionals were added to the dental team. Several…

Mele Kanealii Named to Hamilton College Dean’s List

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Hamilton College News Release

Mele Kanealii, of Kaunakakai, has been named to the Dean’s List at Hamilton College for the spring 2025 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must be a current member of the Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027, have carried a course load of four or more graded credits throughout the semester, and earned an average GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Kanealii, a rising junior majoring in public policy, is a graduate of Molokai High School.

Hamilton College, a leading liberal arts institution located in Clinton, New York, is where exceptional students explore passions through an open curriculum and robust research, internship, and off-campus study opportunities. …

Aloha Ahiahi Makeke, New Night Market Friday

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Aloha Ahiahi Makeke News Release

This Friday, July 25 will be the first “Aloha Ahiahi Makeke.” 

This will be an ongoing evening market on the lawn behind The Storehouse Building and Hoʻala Cafe with crafts, homemade goodies, food vendors and live music featuring Molokai musicians and local talent.

Makeke begins at 5 p.m. For more info and the vendor application to reserve a spot please call 808 213-4691. Join us for an evening of food, music and fun.…

Keiki Bring Art to Life with Visiting Caricature Artist

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Keiki Bring Art to Life with Visiting Caricature Artist

CTOM News Release

Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM), in proud partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Molokai Education Center, welcomed 21 young artists to a three-day Drawing and Digital Art Camp July 14–16. 

The camp featured caricature artist Jake Bright, visiting from the Houston, Texas area, who brought dynamic hands-on instruction and a passion for empowering youth through visual storytelling.

Students ranging from ages 9 to 18 dove into the foundations of artistic expression — learning how to use shapes to bring characters to life, sketch caricatures, and even explore the natural world through drawing. They also explored color theory to convey mood and message.…

AYSO Registration Is Now Open

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

AYSO News Release

AYSO registration for the next soccer season is now open for children born in the years 2012-2017. The registration period will close Aug. 9. 

As a result of a generous donation, this year’s application fee is $55 for the first 160 players. 

Due to the limited number of coaches, registered players will be placed on a waitlist. Once a coach is available, the players will be chosen in the order they were registered.

Do you want to volunteer to be a coach or a referee? AYSO is a volunteer-run organization, and we rely on parent and community volunteers to coach and referee. …

2025 Molokai Holokai

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

2025 Molokai Holokai

By Léo Azambuja

Better safety, improved organization and pristine ocean conditions marked the Maui to Molokai Challenge, the opening event of the 2025 Molokai Holokai Ho‘olaule‘a — two days of ocean races, community gathering, cultural workshops and environmental education.

“Our big focus was safety this year. We had everyone with (GPS) trackers, and we had a really good system setup,” Clare Albino said. “The conditions were really nice; it was beautiful out there on the ocean.”

The 27-mile race over the Pailolo Channel — considered the windiest of all Hawaiian channels — kicked off on Maui’s Fleming Beach July 18 at 9:30 a.m.,…

Aloha ‘Oe, Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Aloha ‘Oe, Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill

By Léo Azambuja

For the last eight years, Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill was a picture-perfect venue for locals and visitors to relax to live music, have a pau hana drink with friends, enjoy a family dinner, take someone on a date, host special events or simply just have some good food. 

“I’m feeling emotional in a sense, because the support of our people has been astounding,” Cameron Hiro said on the last day the restaurant opened its doors. He co-owned the beachfront bar and restaurant along with his brother, Raymond Hiro, and their friend John Pele. 

On July 17, a special dinner buffet and poolside entertainment marked the final day Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill served its customers.…

Molokai Mud Bog Returns After Decades

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Molokai Mud Bog Returns After Decades

By Léo Azambuja

As the drivers lined up on the twin mud tracks, revving their engines to the tune of deafening noises, the sizable crowd waited quietly. On each start, the crowd erupted in cheers and mud boggers would send rocks flying through a cloud of red dirt before plunging into the mud pit, hoping to keep a straight line and finish first — and in one piece.

The Molokai Mud Bog 2025 attracted about 2,000 people to the new mud tracks in Ho‘oluehua July 19. Forty drivers battled each other with their mud boggers — modified mud-racing vehicles — and kept the crowd alongside the racetracks entertained all day.…