Announcements

Seeking Next Editor of The Molokai Dispatch

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

The Molokai Dispatch is a weekly, locally-owned newspaper that’s been in print for 40 years. We’re seeking a new editor to lead community-centered journalism and guide the paper’s content. This person would ideally already be a Molokai resident, with a commitment to amplifying local voices, fostering the island’s cultural legacy, upholding the highest standards of journalism, and ability to separate personal viewpoints from the professional responsibilities to provide inclusive and trustworthy news coverage of Molokai’s issues and events. We’re looking for someone with a love for Molokai and passion for storytelling and community journalism. 

Join The Molokai Dispatch ‘ohana in our mission to keep Molokai’s stories alive and make a positive community impact through responsible journalism, adding to a strong legacy of preserving our island’s history for future generations. …

40 Years Brings a Transition to The Molokai Dispatch

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

By The Molokai Dispatch Board of Directors

In 1985, The Molokai Dispatch first took shape on Myrle Florea’s dining table, printed on a typewriter and cut and pasted using X-Acto knives and rubber cement.

Forty years later, the weekly publication is still in print — now using the latest technology — serving Molokai as the island’s only remaining newspaper. We’ve come a long way, but much has remained the same – most of all, our commitment to informing and strengthening our community through locally produced, responsible journalism.

Now, the newspaper is on the brink of a big transition.

To ensure both the financial sustainability and community stewardship of the newspaper, The Molokai Dispatch is shifting to a nonprofit model.…

Molokai Man Found Guilty in 2022 Murder

Friday, July 19th, 2024

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Mariano Garces, 61, of Molokai, was found guilty in the 2022 death of 43-year-old Aime Kaholoa‘a in November 2022 at his house in Kaunakakai.
It took a jury about five hours on July 3 to issue the verdict of murder in the second degree.
Court records showed a history of domestic violence in their relationship. About a year before her death, Kaholoa‘a had filed a petition for a temporary restraining order against Garces for domestic abuse.
Garces faces life in prison with the possibility of parole at his sentencing, scheduled for Sept. 26.…

Kamaka Air Temporarily Halted

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

A lifeline cargo carrier to Molokai temporarily and suddenly stopped service last week. On Wednesday, June 5, news began to circulate that Kamaka Air, Molokai’s predominant air cargo service, had stopped flying.

Concern spread quickly, especially amongst Molokai businesses.

Kim Svetin, President of Molokai Drugs, explained that the drug store relies on three to four shipments from Kamaka Air every week – especially for high value drugs that need to be refrigerated.

“I can’t manufacture COVID-19 vaccines on-island,” said Svetin.

State restrictions on shipping hazardous materials, like certain medicines and vaccines, means that medical providers like Molokai Drugs and Molokai General Hospital can’t use passenger airlines like Mokulele to ship medicine.…

Telecom Provider Stops Service

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) says that phone and internet services will stop by the end of the first week of June, despite orders from Governor Josh Green and the state Public Utilities Commission.

SIC had been the exclusive supplier of telecommunications for Hawaiian Home Lands for nearly 30 years, explained Albert Hee, founder and former president of SIC. He calls the ceasing of service “strictly a financial decision.”

“We will not be serving beyond the end of this week,” Hee told the Dispatch. On June 5, SIC customers received notice that as of June 8, all phone and internet service would be disconnected.…

OHA Trustees Visit the Molokai History Project

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

When the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) conducted their annual board of trustees meeting on Molokai last Wednesday, they took the opportunity to visit a new Molokai institution dedicated to preserving old ways: the Molokai History Project. Founded in October 2023, the Molokai History Project museum has grown to encompass rotating exhibits and visitors from across the world, but the OHA trustees were a first.

“This is the largest group that we’ve had,” explained Judy Mertens, a founder of the Molokai History Project. OHA “contacted us and said that they’d heard about the museum and would like a tour.”

The full board of trustees, including staff, along with kupuna from Alu Like, gathered in the courtyard behind the museum to honor the occasion.…