Announcements

Body Found in Kaunakakai

Thursday, April 11th, 2024

Molokai residents have more questions than answers since the discovery of human remains at a Kaunakakai residence on March 22.

“There is no confirmation on the identity or cause of death,” explained Molokai Police Captain Jamie Winfrey. “We are still waiting on testing results which could take several weeks.”

Captain Winfrey confirmed that a female was arrested on theft charges in connection to the investigation. However, the woman was released pending further investigation.

“We understand there may be concerns about this discovery and we’ll continue to work diligently to gather all the facts,” said Winfrey. “More information will be provided once we have updates.”…

Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Won’t Solve Molokai Flight Issues

Thursday, April 11th, 2024

Molokai residents who were hoping the proposed Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merger could help the flight crisis on Molokai, will unfortunately be disappointed. Representatives from Alaska Airlines were clear that they will not be flying to Molokai, officially partnering with Mokulele or bringing in an additional Molokai airline.

“We knew this was going to be a little bit of an unusual visit…We knew we didn’t have a solution,” explained Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines regional president of Hawaii, at a meeting with representatives from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, the U.S. Congress and Molokai community members on March 28.

Airline representatives sighted “significant airport limitations” of the Ho’olehua airport for their current decision.…

Water Conservation Request From Kawela to Kaunakakai

Friday, April 5th, 2024

Maui Water Dept. News Release

The Department of Water Supply requests residents and tourists of Molokai from Kawela to Kaunakakai to conserve water until further notice. The request is due to an inoperable well pump.…

Unreliable Flights Causing Medical Access ‘Crisis’

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024

Unreliable Flights Causing Medical Access ‘Crisis’

Molokai residents are continuing to struggle with unreliable flights on the island’s only air carrier, and many say they have missed critical medical appointments off island because of delays. Several options are being explored to address the issues, but will they solve the problem?
“It’s sad, because if we get delayed or canceled, we just not going to make our appointment,” said resident Andrea Dudoit, who is battling breast cancer. “And that’s putting lives at risk. It’s just not fair. I don’t think it’s right.”
Dudoit said she has missed two chemotherapy treatments on Oahu because of delays or cancellations on Mokulele Airlines, the sole airline currently serving Molokai.…

David Joseph Kiyonaga

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

David Joseph Kiyonaga

David Joseph Kiyonaga, 74, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, died on February 11 from complications arising from pneumonia. He was born January 11, 1950, in Washington, DC, to Joseph Yoshio Kiyonaga, a covert CIA operative from Molokai, Hawaii, and Bina Cady Kiyonaga, from Baltimore, MD. He was the grandson of Junzo and Mary Kiyonaga of Kaunakakai. David is survived by his wife of 49 years, Deirdre (Dede) Kiyonaga; his son, Davis Kiyonaga; his daughters, Katelyn (Andrés) Carrillo, Deirdre (Darren) Johnson, and Grace Kiyonaga; his four grandchildren, Bradley, Antonio, Caroline, and David; and four siblings, Mary, John, Ann, and Paul. 

David grew up in Chevy Chase, Japan, El Salvador, and Brazil.…

Fiber Internet Service Available for 95% of Molokai

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Hawaiian Telcom News Release

Hawaiian Telcom expanded availability of its fast, reliable fiber internet service Fioptics to four of Molokai’s five zip codes, which equates to more than 95 percent of the island. Many Molokai residents may qualify for free service from the HI Connect Broadband Project.

Nearly 4,500 residents and businesses of Ho‘olehua, Kaunakakai, Kualapu‘u, and Maunaloa can access Hawaiian Telcom’s Fioptics internet service that delivers the fastest upload speed in the state of 500 megabits per second and 1 gigabit per second download, which is among the fastest speeds in Hawaii.

“We are grateful for Hawaiian Telcom’s investment to provide the high-speed connectivity that families and businesses need to thrive,” said Senator Lynn DeCoite who represents Molokai, Lanai, East and Upcountry Maui.…

Tornado Warning Rattles Residents

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Tornado Warning Rattles Residents

As high winds and rain battered Molokai the evening of Jan. 8, forecasters for the National Weather Service (NWS) saw a troubling image on the radar. A powerful thunderstorm over Kepuhi Bay in west Molokai was exhibiting rotation and deemed capable of producing a tornado.

A tornado warning was issued at 7:45 p.m., with residents advised to take immediate cover. Although no tornado materialized, many residents were left with concerns over a lack of preparedness for such an event.

“We’re not used to doing tornado warnings, and that’s one of the really short fuse events where you have to take action right away,” explained John Bravender, a warning coordination meteorologist for NWS.…

Questions Remain for Hawaii Pacific Teleport Project

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Questions Remain for Hawaii Pacific Teleport Project

Nine satellite earth station antennas representing the Hawaii Pacific Teleport (HPT) project have been installed in Ho’olehua at the Goodfellow Brothers’ quarry. These white orbs are currently the subject of inquiry as they face a decision by the Molokai Planning Commission on Jan. 24.

The goal of the project is to expand Wi-Fi and cell phone coverage across Molokai and the surrounding ocean without the need for fiber cables, explained Haloa Dudoit, director of community outreach for the project.

“The antennas will allow residents to access reliable internet and Wi-Fi calling even in remote areas of Molokai and on the ocean,” said Dudoit.…

Molokai Firefighter Honored as Lahaina Hero

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Molokai Firefighter Honored as Lahaina Hero

At a ceremony on Jan. 12, Molokai’s Tanner Mosher was honored by the Maui County Council for “his exceptional heroism during the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires.” A social media post from the Maui County Fire Dept. explained that “Firefighter Mosher was the driving force behind the rescue of nine MFD personnel who were entrapped during the fire.”

In a November interview with 60 Minutes, Mosher explained the nightmarish situation that faced Engines 1 and 6 the night of Aug. 8.

With their trucks trapped by downed power lines, the firefighters were subjected to hellish heat and smoke.

“We could see metal melting in front of our eyes.”…

Cruise Line Reps Explore Molokai

Wednesday, January 10th, 2024

The past 20-plus years have seen repeated protests, and even blockades, aimed at cruise lines wanting to visit Molokai. Now, a new cruise company contemplates testing the waters.

Representatives from American Cruise Lines journeyed to Molokai in early December at the behest of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and Sen. Lynn DeCoite, according to company President and CEO Charlie Robertson.

“We didn’t want to catch anyone off guard,” said Robertson. “This was very much an exploratory trip, and we were honored to be invited to come out to Molokai…It was really just a trip to ask questions and hear what Molokai and other communities in Hawaii would expect from a ship like ours.”…