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Community

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

Welcome Back Festivals of Aloha

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Welcome Back Festivals of Aloha

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Last Saturday, Festivals of Aloha returned to Molokai for the first time since 2019. Beneath a rising moon, the Molokai community shared in the momentous event.  

True to Festivals of Aloha’s mission to “honor Native Hawaiian culture and traditions from generation to generation, as well as share them with visitors and people from the community,” all residents came out in force to enjoy the night at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center. From keiki to kupuna, attendees gathered to eat shave ice, musubi, poke, teriyaki chicken and other local favorites, as well as watch entertainment, hula and royal traditions of the past and present. …

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Molokai Mele Album Wins Na Hoku Hanohano

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Molokai Mele Album Wins Na Hoku Hanohano

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

When University of Hawaii music professor Dr. Keola Donaghy arrived on Molokai in 2019 to teach a first-ever two-year Academic Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Music to Molokai students, only four participants had registered for the class. He said he almost decided to cancel the trip. But when he walked into the classroom at the UH Maui College, Molokai campus, 12 individuals greeted him. 

“I asked them, ‘Why didn’t you folks sign up for the class? We almost didn’t come.’” 

One of the students, a Hawaiian woman who turned out to be Molokai’s Kau’i Kapuni Manera, bluntly replied, “We didn’t think you would actually come.…

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Celebrating Seniors and Farmer Pride

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Celebrating Seniors and Farmer Pride

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Last Saturday, Farmer fans and family parked their cars overlooking the football field at Molokai High School to cheer on Molokai High’s football and cheerleading seniors who have worked their way to the senior game. 

According to Head Football Coach Mike Kahale, in his senior celebration introduction, this year is Farmer Football’s largest group of seniors. These 18 student-athletes took the field for their last home game, challenging against Seabury Spartans in a game that closed with a landslide Molokai win of 57-7. 

Senior Dion Augustiro started the game off strong in the first quarter with a 27 yard touchdown and then a 86 yard touchdown in the third quarter.…

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Cross Country Finish

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Cross Country Finish

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai High runner Kailani Bicoy was the only Farmers representative at last weekend’s Cross Country meet at Baldwin. She finished sixth, with a time of 24:17.9.…

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Colleen Sumitra Mahealani (Hiro) Colipano

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Colleen Sumitra Mahealani (Hiro) Colipano

Colleen Sumitra Mahealani (Hiro) Colipano, 53, of Maunaloa, Molokai, passed away on August 18, 2022 in Honolulu.  Born in Honolulu, HI on March 24, 1969, she was the wife of Nelson Colipano, daughter of Atilano Tamba Hiro (deceased) and Janice Pele. She was an accountant/bookkeeper/administrator, enjoyed cooking, loved to sing, dance and music of all kinds, was able to make people comfortable and had a spirit of giving and serving. 

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the Maunaloa Community Center in Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii. Visitation (time to visit with the Ohana) will be at 9am-10:30am and Services/Program will begin at 10:30am-11:30am with lunch to follow.…

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Mary Grace Kekalia

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Mary Grace Kekalia

Beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Mary Grace Kekalia passed away peacefully on Sept. 19, 2022 at the age of 81 in Kaunakakai, Molokai. Born Mary Grace Adams, she is survived by her three children, Deanie Sparks, Nathan Sparks and Helen Kekalia Wescoatt, along with five grandchildren, Emily Polis, Elle Sparks, Emily Sparks, Luka Kekalia Emhof and Heron Kekalia Wescoatt. Mary grew up on Oahu and was a graduate of Roosevelt High, before moving to her forever home on Molokai where she worked at Molokai General Hospital for many years before retiring and becoming an avid community volunteer. 

Celebration of Life will be held at Home Pumehana Community Hall in Kaunakakai, Molokai on Oct.…

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Wrestling Club is Ready to Rumble

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Wrestling Club is Ready to Rumble

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

A determined group of young Molokai athletes have been invited to take their wrestling skills to a bigger mat. After proving themselves during this summer’s wrestling tournaments on Oahu and Maui, the Molokai Wrestling club has set its sights on upcoming tournaments in Utah and Las Vegas.  

Founded just this past May, the team has grown impressively in size and stature. From its original group of five girls, it has expanded to encompass more than 30 girls and boys ages 5 and up. Led by Coach Justin Luafalemana, the team prides itself on the hard work of its members and supporters. …

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Construction Begins on Veterans and Homestead Center

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor The new Ho’olehua Veterans and Homestead Residents Center, located behind Lanikeha Community Center, begins construction this week. You could look here for the bobcat rental and other equipment that they will probably be using. The $4 million project, which is planned as a joint use facility by DHHL homesteaders and Molokai veterans, is scheduled to be completed in one year. According to a 2019 building plan, the 6,342 square foot building is slated to include four office spaces, a classroom, meeting room, kitchen, covered outdoor area, storage rooms, indoor and outdoor restrooms and a parking lot.…

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New Store at Hotel Molokai

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

New Store at Hotel Molokai

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

A new store located at Hotel Molokai, operated by local excursion business Molokai Outdoors,  offers inventory for visitors and residents alike. Along with renting cars and running tours the business is now able to promote Molokai entrepreneurs with a wide range of products in the shop, open Mondays through Saturdays at 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

“Our main business philosophy is to create jobs and opportunities for our Molokai residents so having a store next to our activity desk made the most perfect sense,” said Molokai Outdoors owner Clare Albino.  

Albino said they are working on their own product line and meanwhile, offer a variety of essentials, snacks, gifts and locally-made items.…

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Teen Donates Children’s Books to Molokai Head Start Keiki

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Teen Donates Children’s Books to Molokai Head Start Keiki

MEO News Release

A West Virginia high school senior reached across the mainland and the Pacific to Kaunakakai to hand 20 Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Head Start children the classic book “If You Give a Mouse A Cookie” on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The books were given to all 20 students in the Head Start program by Rania Zuri of Morgantown and her Fifty Nifty Head Start book donation project, part of the LiTEArary Society, her nonprofit whose mission is to end book deserts for children in Head Start programs nationwide.

Also, early childhood education plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s development, making programs like Head Start and daycare centers essential in laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.…

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