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Community

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

Wayne Tadashi Yamamoto

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Wayne Tadashi Yamamoto, 70, of Kahului, Maui, passed away on March 5, 2026 at his residence. He was born on February 2, 1956, in Molokai, Hawaii.

He graduated from Molokai High School in 1974. After graduation, he enlisted in the army and traveled the world. Upon his return home to Maui, he attended Maui Community College, obtained his Associates of Arts Degree and his Surveying and Mapping Certificate. He worked for Akamai Land Surveying for a short time and then the County of Maui, Department of Water Supply where he retired in 2004.

Wayne was a man of few words, with a generous heart.…

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Island Energy Services Ends Partnership with Rawlins Service

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Island Energy News Release

Island Energy Services announced the conclusion of its fuel supply partnership with Rawlins Service in Kaunakakai, Molokai effective April 9, 2026. The transition follows Rawlins Enterprises Inc.’s recent announcement that founding matriarch Aunty Shirley Rawlins will step back from day-to-day operations after 67 years of family stewardship, a milestone that IES recognizes with deep respect and admiration.

For more than 50 years, IES has been honored to serve as the fuel supplier for Rawlins Service, one of Molokaʻi’s most enduring and beloved businesses. That partnership has been grounded in shared values: dependable service, integrity, and genuine commitment to the people of Molokai.…

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Green Authorizes Relief for Storm-Impacted Taxpayers

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

DOTAX News Release

Gov. Josh Green has authorized the state Department of Taxation to provide relief to eligible impacted local residents and businesses from the filing and payment deadline for state income taxes to July 20, 2026 from April 20, 2026.

“People’s lives were turned upside down and activity at businesses in some cases came to a screeching halt with the recent Kona Low storms,” Green said. “For many local residents and business owners, there is no doubt that paperwork vital to filing state tax returns would have been badly damaged or destroyed. It will take our local people and impacted businesses time to gather the information needed to complete their tax filings.…

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Green Secures IRS Extension for Storm-Affected Residents, Businesses

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

DOTAX News Release

Resulting from a request for disaster relief by Governor Josh Green, the Internal Revenue Service has announced federal tax relief for individuals and businesses in Hawaiʻi affected by the severe storms, flooding and mudslides during the recent state-declared Kona-Low disaster that began on March 10, 2026. 

Residents and owners of businesses in the federally declared Hawaiʻi severe storms disaster area, which includes the counties of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui, now have until July 8, 2026, to file federal tax returns and make tax payments that were originally due on or after March 10, 2026.

“I am pleased and grateful that our request for a federal disaster declaration could also bring relief to Hawaiʻi taxpayers,” Green said.…

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Residents Address Tokuda in Townhall Meeting

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Residents Address Tokuda in Townhall Meeting

By Léo Azambuja

Despite being stuck on Oahu because of flight cancellations due to bad weather, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda attended a townhall meeting remotely via Zoom last weekend. A couple dozen residents came to Mitchell Pauole Center to voice issues affecting the community.

Residents highlighted the need for an evacuation center, better waterway management to mitigate storm-related flooding and better emergency access routes. They also asked for updates on the war with Iran and on the first coconut rhinoceros beetles found on Molokai.

“We had three different flights trying to get to Molokai. Two planes were turned around in the air.…

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Promoting Literacy on Molokai

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Promoting Literacy on Molokai

By Léo Azambuja

A literacy tutoring program that has been around for more than half-century is expanding to Molokai for the first time. An upcoming training session at Molokai Public Library will certify residents to provide free tutoring lessons to the community. 

“Are you looking to gain new skills or give back to your neighbors? Hawaii literacy is coming to Molokai, and we need you,” Hawaii Literacy tutor Charlotte Preiss said.

The Molokai Library will host the Adult Literacy Program’s free tutor training offered by Hawaii Literacy April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided. Besides attending the four-hour tutor training course, aspiring volunteers must have a high-school diploma and be willing to commit to meet once or twice a week with a learner for at least six months.…

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CRB Detected on Molokai 2 Beetles Found in Different Locations

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

CRB Detected on Molokai 2 Beetles Found in Different Locations

By Léo Azambuja

Less than seven months after the state government approved an interim rule to protect Molokai from a voracious pest that could devastate the island’s coconut trees — and go after an array of other crops — the measure just wasn’t enough. Two coconut rhinoceros beetles were captured in two traps 12 miles apart last week. 

“We found a large scarab insect in a trap near Malama Park in Kaunakakai,” Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee coordinator Lori Buchanan said of the first beetle found April 7.

The park is at the entrance of Kaunakakai Wharf. The beetle was found dead inside a trap fitted with pheromones.…

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First Friday Lights Up Kaunakakai

Friday, April 10th, 2026

First Friday Lights Up Kaunakakai

By Léo Azambuja

A small barter-and-trade event has recently evolved into a much larger affair, bringing a bustling vibe with live music, food vendors and several cultural activities to the heart of Kaunakakai once a month. 

“This event is called First Friday,” event organizer Mercy Ritte said. “We’re continuing our Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai event, now held on the first Friday. We’ve expanded the event from our barter-and-trade table.” 

For more than a year, Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai (those of the uplands share their crops, those of the seaside share their catch), served as a hub for residents to trade and share produce on the lawn fronting Molokai Public Library once or twice a month in the middle of the week. …

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County Restricts Public Access at Kapaʻakea Cemetery

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Maui County News Release

The County of Maui Department of Public Works is restricting general public access to Kapaʻakea Cemetery in Kaunakakai following significant impacts from the March 2026 Kona low storms.

“Kapaʻakea Cemetery is an important place for Molokai families,” Mayor Richard Bissen said. “We are focused on addressing the damage and supporting families as work moves forward. Mahalo to our Molokai community for its patience and understanding during this time.”

Recent heavy rains caused substantial ground settlement across many burial plots at Kapaʻakea Cemetery. While some settling can occur during periods of rainfall, the severity of these impacts is greater than previously experienced.…

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County Office of Recovery Leading Storm Recovery 

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Maui County News Release

The County of Maui Office of Recovery, established by Mayor Richard Bissen in the wake of the 2023 Maui wildfires, is taking on long-term recovery efforts from subsequent emergencies and natural disasters, such as the recent Kona storms.

“Expanding the County of Maui Office of Recovery’s focus to oversee long-term recovery for all disasters ensures that our community isn’t just reacting in the moment, but staying committed to rebuilding for the future,” Bissen said. “It creates the focus and continuity needed for the county to truly see recovery efforts through.”

The website www.mauirecovers.org, focused on resources and planning efforts relating to recovery and wildfire rebuilding information, will launch a new Kona storm recovery section this weekend including information from Kona low events and any other disaster that will require long-term recovery.…

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