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Community

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

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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MAC Saturday Market Has It All for Christmas Shopping

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

MAC Saturday Market Has It All for Christmas Shopping

By Léo Azambuja

The Holiday Season is in full swing on Molokai. With several Christmas bazaars and markets spread throughout the island, a particular market stands out with a wide selection of last-minute gifts; the MAC Saturday Market at the Molokai Community Health Center.

“We’re all so happy to be here, because for me this isn’t a business. This is my fun Saturday job that keeps me connected to the community,” photographer Betts Cruz said. “You can sit underneath the tree, listen to music, shop, run into people you haven’t seen in a while. It’s great. It really is great.”

The Mac Saturday Market opened in July 2024 to fill a void left by the original Saturday Farmers Market held in Kaunakakai for many years.…

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Earline Lucy Luukia Peelua Johnston

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Earline Lucy Luukia Peelua Johnston

It is with great love and humility we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Earline Lucy Luukia Peelua Johnston of Kapaʻakea, Molokai.

Born on Oct. 16, 1940, the “Matriarch” of our family and a woman of unwavering faith, strength and promise, on Sept. 6, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones in California, she entered eternal rest. Earline was 84.

Born and raised on the island of Molokaʻi, Earline worked many years as a cook and baker at the Hotel Molokai, “Old Pau Hana Inn” and past establishments like Hele on and Kane’s Bar. She was known for her sweet yet “feisty” personality and the aunty that you could have “good fun” around.…

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Speaker on Hawaii’s Historic Role in World Affairs

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Molokai Bahá’í Community News Release

The Hawaiian Kingdom played an important role in global affairs in the 19th century. Dr. Ron Williams, a historian specializing in Hawaiian history and Native language resources, will make a presentation on this theme at the Molokai Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m., as part of the Global Citizenship Speaker Series.

In the illustrated presentation, titled Hawaiʻinuiākea: The 19th-century Hawaiian Kingdom as Global Citizen, kumu Ron Williams will explain how the Native-led government of Hawaii, a remote group of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, managed to become a core member of the family of nations that dominated 19th century international politics.…

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Free Workshop on How to Start a Food Truck

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

YWCA News Release

YWCA Maui Women’s Business Center and UH Maui College’s Food Innovation Center Launch “From Dream to Drive: How to Launch Your Maui Food Truck” Workshop

YWCA Maui Women’s Business Center (MWBC), in partnership with the UH Maui College Food Innovation Center (MFIC), is excited to announce “From Dream to Drive: How to Launch Your Maui Food Truck,” an interactive workshop designed for aspiring food truck owners across Maui County. The event will be held on Dec. 11 from 12 to 2 p.m., offered both online and in-person at UHMC’s MFIC.

This hands-on workshop will walk participants through the essential steps of planning, launching, and running a profitable food truck business on Maui.…

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Santa Visits Molokai Library

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Santa Visits Molokai Library

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai Public Library had quite a special guest last week, Santa Claus. He is also known as Matt Brown, District Administrator within the Hawaii State Public Library System overseeing operations at 24 branch libraries across Oahu and Hawaii Island. 

Santa read stories and sang songs with about 60 children and parents at the library Dec. 3. After his visit, we made ornaments, played on the lawn and enjoyed hot cocoa. 

In the last couple years, the Molokai Public Library, under the leadership of Mia Langer Ritte, along with the Friends of Molokai Public Library and other members of the community, has promoted programs that collectively have helped to bring more people to the library.…

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Misaki’s Wins Bed Race in Kaunakakai

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Misaki’s Wins Bed Race in Kaunakakai

By Léo Azambuja

If there is something better than having breakfast in bed, it must be winning a race in bed. Misaki’s Groceries and Dry Goods team beat the Grinch Gang in an exciting final heat of the fun Bed Race last weekend.

The first half of the Bed Race’s final heat was pretty even, but Misaki’s completed a task much quicker than the Grinch Gang at the race’s turning point, and got back on the course ahead of their rivals. 

With the win in the Bed Race’s final heat, the five-person Misaki’s team bested four other teams, including the Friendly Market in another exciting heat, to snatch the number one spot in the event along Ala Malama Avenue in Kaunakakai Saturday at 5 p.m. …

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Planting the Seeds of Sustainability

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Planting the Seeds of Sustainability

By Léo Azambuja

Four high-school students recently discussed challenges in Molokai’s food system at an informal meeting at Molokai Public Library. They stressed the importance of local food production, self-sufficiency and educational programs. 

Kilohana Meyer emphasized sustainable farming practices. Max Sakamoto highlighted entrepreneurial efforts using local produce. Mark Ragonton discussed culinary initiatives. Leila Pereira talked about farming entrepreneurship and waste diversion from the landfill.

They also noted the need for grants, mentorship and community support to foster young farmers and entrepreneurs at the forum hosted by the Molokai Baháʻí Community in collaboration with the library Nov. 19.

“I’d like to see Molokai completely independent (from off-island food suppliers),” Pereira said.…

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‘All is Bright’ Christmas Light Parade & Hoʻolauleʻa

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

‘All is Bright’ Christmas Light Parade & Hoʻolauleʻa

By Léo Azambuja

The Christmas spirit is officially far and wide on Molokai. Several hundred people crowded the sidewalks of Ala Malama Avenue in Kaunakakai to watch the traditional Christmas parade last Saturday.

“Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for our fire department,” one of the emcees for the 2025 Molokai Christmas Light Parade said as Engine 4 and Tanker 4 opened the parade. “A big mahalo to them for all that they do for our community.”

This year’s parade organizers called for big and small floats to be decorated with lights to fit the “All Is Bright” theme of the event.…

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