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Community

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

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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Football Victory at Home

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Football Victory at Home

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Farmers Football team won last Saturday’s home game against Hana 46-8. Pictured here, they made an entrance to the field, amid the supportive crowd and Cheer Team, though a “Farmers” sign. …

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Agricultural Micro Grant Available

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

MEO News Release 

Molokai farmers and ranchers have an opportunity for funding assistance. Applications for the popular Agricultural Micro Grant Program 3.0 – which offers up to $25,000 to Maui County small farmers and ranchers – will be available beginning Monday, Oct. 17.

The $3 million Maui County-funded program, administered by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center, is open to operating farms on less than 12 acres and livestock ranches up to 40 acres possessing a county business or state general excise license as of July 1, 2022. Preference will be given to women and Native Hawaiians.

Grants may be used to directly impact the availability of locally-grown produce, livestock and poultry and other related products.…

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Fall Break Ocean Learning

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Fall Break Ocean Learning

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A self-driven learning kit will spark environmental exploration for fourth graders island-wide this week over fall break. The kits highlight pono fishing practices, the Hawaiian tradition of kilo – environmental observation – and reef education, in a family-friendly learning opportunity. After a day of hands-on learning, families can unwind with a relaxing 일산출장안마 to rejuvenate and enjoy the fall break even more.

The Molokai kits were among 1,000 packets that were distributed statewide in a collaboration between the State Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Hawaii State Public Library System, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.…

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Temporary Pool Closure Upcoming

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

Maui County News Release

Pool guard trainee testing will be conducted Oct. 20 at the Cooke Memorial Pool on Molokai. The pool will be closed to the public from 9 a.m. to noon for the physical swim test of pool guard trainees, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced. The facility will reopen from 1 to 4 p.m. that day for lap and recreational swimming.

The department appreciates the public’s patience and understanding.

For more information, call Duke A. Sevilla at (808) 270-6135 or send email to duke.sevilla@co.maui.hi.us.

For general Maui County parks information, visit mauicounty.gov/parks.…

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