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Community

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

Molokai Kōnane Tournament

Friday, January 16th, 2026

Molokai Kōnane Tournament

By Léo Azambuja

There was a lot at stake at the Molokai Kōnane Tournament at Keawanui Fishpond last Saturday: paid travel expenses and accommodations for the top-two players to attend a kōnane tournament in Honolulu next month, plus the prospect of playing the final match on an ancient board that hasn’t been played on for well over a century.

After an entire morning of rounds to reach the finals, Hanohano Naehu beat Kenny Adachi in a hard-fought grand final match that lasted almost an hour. 

The board game is unique to Hawaii, and its origins date back hundreds of years. Kapena Baptista, a kōnane player and enthusiast who came to Molokai from Oahu to help organize the tournament, believes it is one the greatest abstract games of humanity.…

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Seattle Artist Teaches Metal-Forging on Molokai

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

Seattle Artist Teaches Metal-Forging on Molokai

By Léo Azambuja

A Seattle-based blacksmith recently visited the island to meet local artists, talk about her journey and teach Hawaii Craftsmen’s ʻAha Hana Lima hands-on metalsmithing workshop in a private studio in Kalaʻe.

Guest artist Lisa Geertsen gathered a small crowd of about 20 people at the Molokai Arts Center in Hoʻolehua on the evening of Nov. 21 to share her creative and professional background, showed pictures of her work, and disclose details about the two-day workshop starting on the following day. 

“I wanted to try to design a workshop that was accessible to folks that might not have power hammers and big gas forges,” she said, adding Hawaii Craftsmen president Hugh Jenkins designed a couple gas forges that can be made by anyone.…

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Coast Guard Rescues 2 Men Offshore Molokai

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

Coast Guard Rescues 2 Men Offshore Molokai

By The Molokai Dispatch staff

Two fishermen were rescued by the United States Coast Guard after their fishing vessel began taking on water a couple miles offshore Molokai last week. Officials praised the men for quickly activating an emergency beacon that allowed the Coast Guard for a rapid, precise response.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point, Oahu located the men in a life raft, safely hoisted them, and brought them ashore to the air station in Kapolei, Oahu on Dec. 17, according to a Coast Guard news release.

A video published on the Coast Guard’s website shows the two men being lifted on a basket to the helicopter, one at a time, while a rescuer assists them from the water.…

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Malo ʻUlu Lei Workshop in Hoʻolehua

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

Malo ʻUlu Lei Workshop in Hoʻolehua

By Léo Azambuja

Breadfruit, or ʻulu, is known for being a rich source of carbohydrates, fiber and protein. Well adapted to grow in the tropical belt, ʻulu is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But did you know you could also make lei with ʻulu?

“Today, we’re learning the hilo-style lei for the malo ʻulu,” cultural practitioner Pōmaikaʻi Ah Mook Sang said on the first day of a two-day lei-making workshop using malo ‘ulu offered by the Molokai Arts Center’s Hawaiian Arts Program at the Hoʻolehua Homestead Makeke Nov. 22.

Malo ʻulu is the protective sheath that covers the growing ‘ulu leaf.…

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Makaiwi Takes Ace of Aces Title

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Makaiwi Takes Ace of Aces Title

Community Contributed

By Rick Schonely

The Hui O Kukui Golf club held its Ace of Aces Club Championship on December 6th at Iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course and this year’s champion and the Ace of Aces and the club president for 2026 is Jennie Makaiwi. 

Makaiwi, a long-time supporter and member of the club and a beautiful person who makes awesome desserts, shot 52–52 for a gross total of 104 and with her 36 handicap her 68 net got her the victory. She will now get her name on the Carl Puhi Perpetual Award for the Club Champion of the year.…

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Molokai Robotics Wins Valley Isle VEX Tournament

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Molokai Robotics Wins Valley Isle VEX Tournament

Community Contributed. By Edwin Mendija

Molokai Robotics opened its 2025-2026 season with a decisive win at the Maui High School Valley Isle VEX Tournament, overcoming a major pre-event crisis to secure multiple top awards and end a six-year championship drought.

Just hours before the event, the team’s robots were delayed during interisland transport and failed to arrive with the team. The machines reached Maui only on the morning of the tournament, forcing an urgent scramble to assemble, calibrate and prepare them minutes before the opening match.

Competing in this year’s game, VEX Push Back, Molokai fielded three teams: high school groups 1037C and 1037X, and the new middle school team, 1037M.…

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Deadline Approaching for Home Exemption Applications

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

 Maui County News Release

Eligible homeowners are reminded to apply for the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit or Home Exemption before the end of this year, the County of Maui Department of Finance Real Property Tax Assessment Division said. The County Real Property Assessment Division applications are due by Dec. 31, 2025.

Applications for the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit and the Home Exemption may be found on the County Real Property Tax website, www.mauipropertytax.com, by clicking the “Forms” link.

The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is available to taxpayers who apply by the deadline and meet criteria, including:

Own and occupy their property as their principal residence with a home exemption Real property taxes exceed 2% of their adjusted gross income

The Home Exemption is available to taxpayers who apply by the deadline and meet criteria, including:

Own and occupy their property as their principal residence Filed a State of Hawaiʻi resident income tax return with a reported address in the County prior to Jan.…
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 Portion of Ala Malama During Water Service Thursday

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

The Molokai Dispatch Staff 

The Maui County administration announced it will conduct a scheduled night work in Kaunakakai this Thursday, impacting water service to a few properties and closing a portion of Ala Malama Avenue.

The work will be conducted on Ala Malama Avenue between the intersections of Makaena Place and Kamehameha V Highway, starting Thursday, Dec. 18 at approximately 7 p.m. The work is expected to last until approximately 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, according to county officials. 

The roadway in the affected area will be closed while work is underway. A water outage will affect six properties, according to the county.…

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Kukui Holiday Bazaar

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Kukui Holiday Bazaar

By Léo Azambuja

The Molokai Education Center, an outreach site of the University of Hawaii Maui College, offers higher education, career and lifelong training. But providing a little fun — actually, a lot of fun — during Christmas can’t hurt.

The Kukui Holiday Bazaar, held at the center’s kukui grove and parking lot, had live music, local crafts and clothing vendors, food booths, plants for sale, keiki activities and a lot of free stuff on the evening of Dec. 12.

“This is our second year doing it, and it was a way for us to showcase mainly our students’ work and to engage our community and to give back to them during the holidays,” said Theresa Tamanaha, event organizer and UHMC instructional and student support services.…

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Five Nurses Graduate in Historic Class

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Five Nurses Graduate in Historic Class

By Léo Azambuja

Five Molokai women became the first graduates of the University of Hawaii Maui College’s Practical Nurse program based on the island. The pinning ceremony brought approximately 100 people to the college’s Education Center in Kaunakakai to congratulate the historic Class of 2025 Saturday morning.

The graduates, Diane Pascual, Harriet Mokiao, Lahilahi Manaba, Lorna Keliipuleole and Summer Jenks-Puaa, held candles while reading Florence Nightingales’ pledge — a traditional oath for nurses — under the guidance of UHMC nursing professor Mary Farmer. 

“Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge to adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession,” they all said.…

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