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Community

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

Herbert Iopa Paleka Jr.

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Herbert Iopa Paleka Jr.

Herbert Iopa Paleka Jr. passed away on March 23 at Kona Community Hospital with his family by his side.

He was born on Nov. 30, 1945 on Molokai to Herbert Sr. and Eliza (Enos) Paleka. He would often share stories of being raised on Molokai, feeding the pigs and working in the kalo patches.

Herbert attended school on Molokai and in 1964 graduated from Molokai High School. He married Hinano Hapai on April 10, 1971 and raised his family on Oahu. He was a truck driver for Gaspro and a member of the Hawaii Teamsters Local 996 for over 35 years.…

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Statement on the Need for an Active Burial Council 

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Community Contributed 

By Keomailani Hanapi Hirata

The protection of iwi kupuna and burial sites is a sacred kuleana that must be upheld with the highest level of cultural care, local oversight, and community authority. For remote islands like Molokai, Lanai, and others with limited state agency presence, the absence of an active burial council leaves our most sacred sites vulnerable to desecration, neglect, and irreversible harm. Our kupuna and their final resting places deserve better. 

There are four main reasons why an active burial council is critical for Molokai and remote islands. One, is the geographic and cultural necessity of the council.…

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Celebrate Mother’s Day with “Malama Your Mama” Fundraiser

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Aka’ula School News Release
Join Aka’ula School ‘ohana in honoring mothers, community and education at “Malama Your Mama,” a heartfelt Mother’s Day fundraiser on Sunday, May 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Molokai Community Health Center.
This special event will feature a delicious brunch, an exciting silent auction with locally sourced treasures, and a live performance by the incomparable Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, whose voice and presence will make this a Mother’s Day to remember.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Molokai’s south shore, the “Malama Your Mama” celebration is more than an event, it’s a commitment to nurturing the next generation.…

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Students Receive No Cost Dental Services

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Students Receive No Cost Dental Services

University of Hawaii News Release
For the first time, the Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn Program offered free dental services to Molokai students.
On April 8, a team of nine Oahu and Maui-based dentists, dental hygienists, assistants and nurses traveled to Maunaloa Elementary, Kilohana Elementary, Kaunakakai Elementary and Kualapuʻu School to host dental sealant events. Three Molokai-based Hawaii Keiki health technicians provided additional on-the-ground support.
About 110 Molokai students were seen, receiving dental screenings, oral health education, hygiene kits and, where needed, dental sealants—a protective treatment that helps prevent cavities.
“This is the first time Hawaii Keiki has come to do dental sealants and we’re looking forward to next year,” said Kualapu’u School Principal Lydia Trinidad.…

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Car Accident Stalls School Week

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Car Accident Stalls School Week

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 2, a car sped through the stop sign on Farrington Ave. and ran into the wall of Aka’ula School. The car tore off the bottom half of the middle school classroom, splintering the wooden wall but somehow leaving the windows undamaged.

The driver was reportedly unharmed, but school was cancelled for the rest of the week. Head of Aka’ula School, Dara Lukonen, explained that school parents immediately stepped up to repair the damage.

“There are so many things for which we are grateful,” said Lukonen, “but the most important thing is that no one was hurt.…

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Getting Ready for MILs

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Getting Ready for MILs

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Several Molokai High School (MHS) sports teams wrapped up their regular seasons this past weekend and are now preparing to take on the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) tournaments.

In their first season, MHS girls flag football put together a successful regular season campaign, finishing with a 3-4 record – earning them the five seed and a berth to the MIL tournament.

“We made it,” said coach Kimo Orlando in a social media posting.

The girls played King Kekaulike in a tight match last Saturday, but Kekaulike came away with the 29-28 win. The MHS girls were back for more later in the day, taking on Lanai.…

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New UH President Visits Molokai

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

New UH President Visits Molokai

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

A statewide tour of the University of Hawaii’s 10 campuses concluded with a stop on Molokai for newly appointed UH President Wendy Hensel. Hensel, who was officially named to the job on Jan. 1, spent the day touring Molokai educational spaces and talking with students and community members.

Having Hensel come to Molokai was “a huge deal,” said Molokai Education Center College Coordinator Kelly Dudoit. “I don’t know if folks realize what an opportunity it is… It’s a huge opportunity for our community to share what their experience has been like with UH.”

Hensel spent her inaugural visit to Molokai checking out academy models at the high school, meeting with students and faculty at the Molokai Education Center, as well as speaking with community members.…

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Celebrating 35 Years of Hawaiian Language Education

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Celebrating 35 Years of Hawaiian Language Education

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On April 5, Kualapu’u School’s Hawaiian language immersion students took center stage, honoring the efforts of those who had come before. This year’s annual Hana Keaka Hawaiian theater performance had a special significance, as it celebrated 35 years of Hawaiian language education on Molokai.

“This year we honor our treasured voices, our manaleo, Native Hawaiian speakers of Molokai who were the guiding forces behind the founding of both the Punana Leo Hawaiian language preschool in 1991 and subsequently our Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu and ʻO Hina i ka Malama, elementary and secondary Hawaiian languages schools on island,” explained Ka’ala Fay Camara, current vice principal at Kualapu’u School and next year’s principal.…

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Charles “Chuck” Everhart

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Charles “Chuck” Everhart

Charles “Chuck” Everhart, 82, of Molokai, Hawaii, passed away at home on Feb. 12, 2025. Born on Dec. 15, 1942, in Pasadena, California, to Leon and Barbara Everhart, Chuck led a life filled with Bible-based faith, diverse accomplishments and creativity.
Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne, whom he met at Santa Cruz Bible Camp in California. He leaves behind three children, Chantelle, Robyn and Aaron, two step-daughters, Michael-Ann and Kimberly, as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A man of many talents, Chuck held multiple master’s degrees in science, engineering, business and education. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue various careers including furniture making, farming, land development, financial planning, patent brokering and education.…

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Hawaiian Monk Seal Peak Pupping Season

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Dept. of Land and Natural Resources News Release

The number of endangered Hawaiian monk seals born in the main Hawaiian Islands is growing. So too, are the chances of pups and their mothers interacting with people.

Thirty-four pups were born in the main Hawaiian Islands in 2024, and three pups have already been born this year.

After giving birth, monk seal mothers will nurse and take care of their pups for five to seven weeks. During this time, nursing moms can be very protective and may react aggressively to anyone who gets too close. When seals are born at highly visible and popular beaches the chances of someone getting hurt increase dramatically.…

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