Community

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

The Legacy of Dr. Aluli

Sunday, December 11th, 2022

The Legacy of Dr. Aluli

Molokai mourns the loss of a beloved doctor, Native Hawaiian healthcare advocate and activist who will be remembered for his infectious smile, kindness and generosity. Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli died on Nov. 30 at the age of 78.

Born on Oahu in 1944, Aluli was one of the first graduating class from University of Hawaii’s medical school in 1975, and chose to complete his residency on Molokai.

“I wanted to come here to learn from the people, learn from the patients, on how to deliver state of the art health,” said Aluli of his arrival to the island in 1975. “The health of this island, the health of the land, the health of the ocean, the health of the resources, is the health of her people.…

Lighting Up the Christmas Season

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Lighting Up the Christmas Season

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Hundreds of community members lined Kaunakakai’s main street last Saturday evening for the Molokai Christmas Light Parade, as brightly lit fire trucks, tractors, floats, marchers and even a robot ushered in holiday cheer. Keiki rushed into the street to catch goodies, while local organizations and businesses showed off their creativity and imagination with themed displays, colorful lights and all-out decorations. Goodfellow Brothers, Misaki’s, Bayer, Aka’ula School, Molokai Hunting Club, Island Refuse and Molokai High School Robotics were just a few. 

After the parade, the community gathered at Kaunakakai Ball Park for a ho’olaulea with food, craft vendors and entertainment.…

Naʻau Healing Center Opens in Kaunakakai

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Naʻau Healing Center Opens in Kaunakakai

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Residents have a new space to address their mental health needs thanks to Molokai’s own Keshia Adolpho. 

Right off the main road in Kaunakakai behind All Things Molokai, the Na’au Healing Center is open and ready for business. Adolpho’s new office is comfortable and inviting, adorned with board games, new furniture and a TV playing Christmas music. 

Born on Oahu and raised in Ho’olehua, Adolpho graduated with her master’s in social work in 2014 but wasn’t sure yet what she wanted to do with it. It was only in coming back home to Molokai that the idea of becoming a licensed clinical social worker took shape.  …

Healthy Soil, Healthy Life Poster Contest

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Healthy Soil, Healthy Life Poster Contest

Community Contributed

By Kumu Loke Han

Ke aloha nui e ka poʻe heluhelu i kēia ʻatikala nei! Eia nō kēia hoʻolaha mai ka Papa 6 ma ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu ma ke Kula o Kualapuʻu Public Conversion Charter.

I kēlā mahina aku nei, ua komo kekahi o nā haumāna ma ka Papa 6 i ka hoʻokūkū kahakiʻi pelaha no ka Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts/Molokai-Lanai Soil & Water Conservation District. ʻO ka poʻomanaʻo no ia hoʻokūkū ʻo “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.”  Ua aʻo nā keiki he aha ia mea ʻo ka Lepo Momona, ʻo ke Ola Pono a pehea kākou e mālama i ka ʻaina i loaʻa ka meaʻai kūpono! …

Winter Sports Kick Off

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

The Farmers are starting the 2022-2023 season of winter sports, with some teams having already started competition, while others are gearing up for their first games. Boys and girls basketball, wrestling, canoe paddling, soccer, swimming and the basketball cheerleaders are all looking forward to an active season. 

Boys basketball has already had an eventful pre-season. The past weeks they have traveled to the outer islands to gather some experience and get ready for the MIL season. Boys Basketball headed to Maui for a tournament against Maui High, Seabury and Kapaa. Then they traveled to Oahu to play against Kahuku and Castle.…

Battle of the Badges

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Battle of the Badges

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

The Battle of the Badges games heated up with basketball competition from the Fire Department, Police Department, and community this past Saturday – all for a good cause. From 4 to 10 pm. the Barn was filled with food, prizes and basketball entertainment. 

“Battle of the Badges brings a little bit of friendly competition between fire and police and also brings community out to support the [Molokai High School] athletics department,” said Officer Kauanoe Mossman. 

The event was started by Maui Police Department’s Jonathan Aquino back in 2017 and since then, the event has become a yearly occurrence.…

Free Deer Meat Drive

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Molokai Hunting Club News Release 

In honor of King Kamehameha V, Lota Kapuāiwa Kalanimakua Aliʻiōlani Kalanikupuapaʻīkalaninui, who introduced the axis deer to Molokai and who’s lā hānau (birthday) is on Dec. 11, 1830, Molokai Hunting Club will host another free deer meat drive to our Molokai families. We honor our fifth reigning Monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, as axis deer continues to be a prime food source for our Molokai community. Onipa’a Kakou!

The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Troy Tancayo’s hale (1 Likelike Ave). Kupuna only between 9 and 10 a.m., and open to community from 10 a.m.…

Farmers Union United Molokai Chapter Grows

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

HFUU Molokai News Release

Hawaii Farmers Union United (HFUU) is a statewide organization of farm owners, foodies, ranchers, gardeners, perma-culturalists, cultural practitioners, landscapers, suppliers, businesses, and policy advocates that are all part of the local food chain. HFUU is a partner of the National Farmers Union. HFUU asserts that a multitude of smallholder diversified family farms that implement regenerative ecological techniques in growing and raising our food will create a resilient, vital, and productive agricultural system to better feed the people of Hawaii. HFUU represents 15-regional chapters across six Hawaiian islands, including Molokai.

Our Molokai Chapter began on Dec. 17, 2021 initiated by a 10-person group of Hoʻolehua homesteaders after visiting Maui HFUU farms and members.…

Diane Fumie Akina

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Diane Fumie Akina

Diane Fumie Akina (Tokuoka), 76, passed away on Nov. 16, 2022 in Seattle, WA.

Diane was born and raised in Molokai, HI. She moved to the mainland to begin her new journey and made Seattle her home. She worked very hard and retired early from Safeway Company. 

She was an excellent crafter and loved to use her hands to work. She crocheted, sewed, baked and had a green thumb for plants. She was very independent, strong and extremely organized. She was fun and up for anything.  Everyone who met her, loved her.  But most of all, she love, love, loved her family very much. …

Julie Marie Pierson Place

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Julie Marie Pierson Place

Julie Marie Pierson Place, age 66, passed away on Oct. 24, 2022 at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu surrounded by loved ones. She was born Nov. 8, 1955 to Lorel and Frances (Schuler) Pierson in Nampa, Idaho, who have both since passed. She is also predeceased by her husband Rhinehardt K. Place of Ualapue, Molokai. 

Julie graduated from Nampa High School in 1972.  She moved to Molokai in 1984. She worked a while with Hotel Molokai, Molokai Ranch and Molokai Realty. Julie worked for the State of Hawaii until her retirement in December 2021, dedicating 30 years to the Department of Human Services, Child Protection Division where she helped to provide services for foster children.…