Community

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

Kulaia Lights Up Kaunakakai

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

Kulaia Lights Up Kaunakakai

Last Friday, the typically quiet streets of Kaunakakai transformed into a bustling festival. Celebrating Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe canoe races, the Kulaia festival likewise returned to Molokai for the first time since 2019.

Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello, event organizer for the festival, explained that originally the plan for this year was just to focus on getting the channel races started again, and not have the festival. However, after interest from the Molokai community and race organizers, the decision was made to put on Kulaia with only three months lead in time.

“It’s been pretty crazy,” said Rawlins-Crivello.

Shutting down the street from Rawlins Service Station to Fish and Dive, the festival brought in 30 Molokai vendors and an estimated more than 3,000 attendees over five hours.…

Kalaupapa Informational Briefing

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Dept. of Health News Release

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Park Service (NPS), is hosting a Kalaupapa Informational Briefing on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at Kaunakakai Elementary School on Molokai. Members of the public with an interest in Kalaupapa are encouraged to attend.

The agencies recognize that there are questions about the complex history and jurisdiction of Kalaupapa and what management tasks are overseen by each agency. At this meeting, representatives from DOH, DHHL, DLNR, DOT and NPS will share their current roles and responsibilities in Kalaupapa and Kalawao County and how they are working together to support the patients and steward this special place.…

September Golf Ace

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

September Golf Ace

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Kaleo Len Wai is the September Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Len Wai, Mr. One Putt and longtime Molokai professional golfer, shot 43-45 for a gross total of 88. With his 20 handicap, his 68 net score got him into a playoff with Scott Hemenway. Len Wai then prevailed on the first playoff hole for the victory. Congratulations Kaleo!

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

Nuestro Futuro Supports Kaohi Program

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Nuestro Futuro Foundation News Release

The Hawaii-based Nuestro Futuro Foundation has provided two grants this year to support the Maui Economic Opportunity Kaohi program that works to prevent substance abuse, bullying and suicide among middle and high school youth on Molokai.
The Nuestro Futuro Foundation’s initial grant in 2022 helped start the program on Molokai that year. MEO had identified substance abuse and suicide among youth on the island as issues needing to be addressed. Bringing MEO Youth Services’ tobacco, vaping, alcohol, drug, bullying, and suicide prevention programs to Molokai was a perfect fit.
Under the direction of coordinator Mela Tancayo and her staff, Kaohi offers programs in school, after school and during fall, winter, spring and summer breaks.…

Community Budget Meetings for Fiscal Year 2026

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Maui County News Release

Mayor Richard Bissen and his administration will host community budget meetings throughout Maui County starting next week for residents to share their priorities and provide input on the budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1, 2025.

“Many of our county services, programs and projects touch the everyday lives of our residents; therefore, getting input from our community is vital. As each of our departments begin to shape next fiscal year’s budget that begins in July 2025, hearing from our residents on their priorities and needs is both helpful and valuable,” said Mayor Bissen. “I encourage residents to attend a budget community meeting or utilize online options to send their input.…

MHS Robotics Fundraising for Speedway Event

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

MHS Robotics Team News Release

The Molokai High School Robotics Team has been invited to compete at the 2024 VEX Robotics Speedway Event, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, taking place on Nov. 22 and 23. This event is a world championship-qualifying tournament, with over 100 teams nationally and internationally attending. Our students will not only have the opportunity to compete with their robots, but also work hands-on with real Indy 500 cars, operate race car driving simulators, and tour the Indianapolis Speedway Museum!
We plan on traveling from Nov. 19-24, 2024, with a fundraising goal of $25,000 to cover our inter-island airfare, continental airfare, transportation, room and board, meals, registration fees, and incidentals.…

OED Accepting New Grant Applications

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Maui County News Release

The Office of Economic Development (OED) will accept new grant applications for programs, projects and events that promote and nurture economic development in Maui County. Approximately $868,000 in funding is available. The application process opens Sept. 16 and runs until Nov. 1, 2024. The county is seeking proposals that are consistent with community needs and priorities, while supporting local businesses and nonprofits.

Funding is available for initiatives in Cultural and Arts Programs, $48,000, for cultural and art events, workshops, festivals and other opportunities in Maui County; Small Business Promotion, $30,000, for promotion of Maui’s small towns and businesses and support of small business events, trade shows, workshops and other economic development activities that support small businesses county-wide; Business Technology, $555,000, for new technology-based economic development for Maui County; Workforce Development, $180,000, for locally and nationally recognized education-to-workforce initiatives; Molokai and Lanai youth, $35,000, for student travel.…

Molokai Artists Selected for State Exhibition

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Hawaii Craftsmen is thrilled to announce that eight exceptional artists from Molokai have been selected to have their artwork juried into the prestigious Hawaii Craftsmen 2024 Annual State Exhibition. This esteemed showcase is one of Hawaii’s premier juried exhibitions. Held annually since 1967, it highlights both traditional and contemporary craft from across the state.
From a staggering 522 entries submitted by 277 artists statewide, only 101 pieces were chosen by this year’s juror, Suzanne Isken. We are incredibly proud that eight artists from Molokai are among the 85 artists represented in this highly competitive show.

Congratulations to the following Molokai artists for their outstanding contributions: Arabella Ark for “Temple,” Daniel Bennett for “I Grew Up in an Orange Grove,” Jason Elder for “Na ho’omaka hou,” Patricia Golebieski for “Sacred Moloka’i,” Koko Johnson for “Golden Pot,” Kim Markham for “Marielito,” Mathayus Scherling for “Water Reflections,” and Paula Scott for “Geisha” and “The Natives.”…

New Novel Tells the Story of Hawaii’s 442

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

“Uninvited Valor – The Forsaken Soldiers of WWII” by John C. Kiyonaga, tells the story of Hawaii’s famous 442nd regimental combat team in a new form – the novel. The story follows the path of Joe Horiuchi, a Nisei boy from Molokai who somewhat reluctantly joins the 442nd after witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor. Less heroic than duty-bound, Horiuchi makes it through training at Camp Shelby, and goes on to face heavy combat in Italy and France where his fate teeters on every page. Informed by the stories his father, who grew up in Kamalo, told him about serving as an officer in the 442nd, Kiyonaga creates the portrait of an honest young man – conflicted in his responsibility and yet resolute in his service to the very nation which has forsaken him.…

Celebrating One Year

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Celebrating One Year

Molokai History Project News Release

One short year ago, a group of Molokai folks came together to help celebrate the opening day of the Molokai History Project. With the help of Jimmy Duvauchelle and Donna Paoa, we opened our doors on Oct. 6, a wonderful day for Molokai. Very quickly many volunteered to be greeters and help keep the doors open six days a week. Folks came in, loved the exhibits, found their photo on our 1976 calendar, learned facts they might have forgotten, and quickly began to bring in their own memorabilia to share with their fellow classmates, friends, family and visitors alike.…