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Community

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

Floating Lantern Ceremony Returns

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Floating Lantern Ceremony Returns

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter

Last Saturday, Molokai residents gathered at the Community Health Center to commemorate loss. Under the sprawling banyan tree, community members created and decorated their own lanterns in remembrance of those who have died. 

After songs, taiko drums, hula and food, people took to the shores with their lanterns. Wading into the thick silt, they placed the lanterns in the water and watched them float into the sunset. Special lanterns were made to commemorate Dr. Gregory LaGoy, long-term CEO of Hospice Maui, Dr. William Thomas of Molokai General Hospital, Aloha Island Air Flight 1712, victims of COVID, suicide, violence, and natural disasters as well as service members. …

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Golf Ace

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Golf Ace

Community Contributed

By Rick Schonely

On Saturday, Nov. 5 the Hui O Kukui Golf club held their monthly Ace championship. The November Ace has two winners, one for November and one for December as the club gets ready for its Ace of Aces championship on Saturday, Dec. 3. 

The November winner is none other than Sir Mike Prewitt. Uncle Micky shot 48–46 for a gross total of 94 and with his 29 handicap his net 65 got him the November championship. The December winner is our leader of Farmer Nation and Molokai High School Athletic Director Lee DeRouin. Coach D shot 46–40 a gross total of 86 and with his 13 handicap his net 73 got him the December Ace.…

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Stop DHHL Construction

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

At the 2018 annual Molokai Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) meeting, a $4 million proposed Veterans Center development was on DHHL’s agenda. It was intended to be a fast-tracked political deal because the State of Hawaii had federal funds to spend it or lose it. Our Molokai homestead community testified with the typical pros and cons. DHHL wanted to build a veterans center on our only community open field/park in Ho’olehua. Homesteaders also addressed the safety issues of veterans’ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as three schools located within 100 yards of the proposed location. Also, the recently built VA center in Kaunakakai has nominal membership.…

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Master Fun Race

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Master Fun Race

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A smaller version of the iconic annual Master Blaster paddling race was held last month, dubbed the Molokai Canoe Club Master Fun Race. Unlike previous events that often featured more than 30 crews, most of which came from off island, the Fun Race had just five crews, all from Molokai, said organizer Liko Wallace of Molokai Canoe Club. 

“[Master Blaster] is normally our one and only annual fundraiser but because of the situation with the airlines, there are not enough flights to share with off island residents,” said Wallace. “We had taken a stand to consider our community more important than these events [large annual canoe races]… I spoke on behalf of not having the races this year for that reason so I honored that same commitment here.”…

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Ualapu’e Homestead Project Proposed

Friday, November 4th, 2022

Ualapu’e Homestead Project Proposed

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Molokai residents on the Department of Hawaiian Home Land’s (DHHL)’s decades-long waitlist have hope in a proposed new homestead development on Molokai’s East end. However, some feel the suggested Ualapu’e Kuleana Homestead Project poses many challenges that might not be worth the wait. 

The Oct. 20 meeting at the Kilohana Rec Center was the third community meeting for the project and first since April 2022. It was an opportunity for DHHL to share results from a land and resource evaluation analysis. For Molokai residents, it was a chance to voice their mana’o on the project. 

The Kuleana Homestead Program is an “alternative to traditional DHHL homestead, whereby beneficiaries are given the opportunity to lease un-improved, off-grid homestead lots,” per the DHHL website for the project. …

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How to Vote and What Happens After That

Friday, November 4th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The deadline to vote in the general election is quickly approaching next Tuesday, Nov. 8. There are several ways you can make your voice count in this important opportunity to choose candidates who carry your vision for the future. There are four Molokai candidates on the ballot. 

If you’re already registered to vote and you received a ballot in the mail, you can return it by U.S. Postal Service up until Nov. 8. This is a departure from what the Dispatch previously reported, but Kathy Kaohu, county clerk whose office handles elections processing in Maui County, said an agreement with the Postal Service allows ballots mailed between now and Election Day to be processed separately from the rest of the mail. …

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Robotics Coach Gets Statewide Award

Friday, November 4th, 2022

Robotics Coach Gets Statewide Award

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Molokai’s Edwin Mendija recently received the Hawaii Society of Technology in Education Making IT Happen award. He was one of two winners statewide who were honored as educators committed to teaching students innovation and creating digital learning opportunities using technology. 

“It’s an honor seeing my name amongst all of the successful and prestigious educators that have received this award in the past and that I was chosen out of eight other well-deserving nominees, including my sixth grade teacher, David [Kawika] Gonzales,” said Mendija. “Mr. Gonzales was one of the teachers who introduced educational competition robotics to Molokai and I am glad that I have also been able to inspire Molokai youth to pursue STEM careers.”…

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Billion Dollar Budget Discussions

Friday, November 4th, 2022

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

For the first time, Maui County’s fiscal year budget will run over $1 billion. What does this mean for Molokai? 

For the 2023 fiscal year, which goes into effect July 1, 2022, key investments are slated for Molokai’s community and infrastructure. The Puko’o fire station, Molokai Rural Health Community Association and Molokai High School Robotics Club are highlighted as areas of specific investment. 

However, hopes for relocating the Molokai Police Station, which is currently located in an aging building in a flood zone, have yet to be realized. 

The police department has looked at a couple sites and plans to “talk with the county to see what is feasible,” according to Molokai Police Captain Jamie Winfrey.  …

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Students Help Restore Dryland Forest

Friday, November 4th, 2022

Students Help Restore Dryland Forest

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

High school students are working with local nonprofit Molokai Land Trust to replant dryland forests on the island’s northwest side. Molokai High School’s Natural Resource class has been volunteering since September, and their work isn’t done. They have committed to volunteer every month till December to help reach the goal of reintroducing over 8,000 native Hawaiian dryland forest plants into their natural environment.  

The Kawakiu Watershed Restoration Project is 7.25 acres based at the Mokio Preserve. The first 2.25-acre plot was built in 2010 and planted from 2011 to 2015. It has 95 percent Native Hawaiian plants and is fenced to keep deer and cattle out.…

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$35K in AlohaCare Scholarships

Friday, November 4th, 2022

$35K in AlohaCare Scholarships

AlohaCare News Release

AlohaCare awarded seven $5,000 academic scholarships to Hawaii students from four islands — three from Maui, two from Oahu and one each from Molokai and Lanai. 

“Our annual AlohaCare Scholarship’s mission is to encourage workforce development and support students seeking careers in healthcare,” said AlohaCare CEO Francoise Culley-Trotman. “Our team is grateful that we are able to help students follow their educational dreams.” 

AlohaCare scholarships are granted to members or their dependents who are pursuing health-related post-secondary degrees or programs. The Molokai recipient is Michael Arce, who has been dedicated to the field of social work for 15 years.…

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