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Community

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

Hoku Dudoit named MEO Driver of the Year

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Hoku Dudoit named MEO Driver of the Year

MEO News Release

Zandra “Hoku” Dudoit has been named Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) 2025 Driver of the Year for “exemplifying what it means to be a dedicated and safe driver.”
Dudoit, a paratransit driver since June 2013, was honored at MEO’s staff awards on Feb. 25 in MEO’s Wailuku classrooms. Carol Davis of Atlas Insurance, MEO’s insurance agent, presented the plaque and cash award to Dudoit.
“Clients have expressed confidence in this driver’s ability to deliver them safely to and from their destinations, and this reputation for reliability is well earned,” said Davis, whose company has sponsored the award for many years.…

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‘Aha Opio O Molokai Showcases Student Creativity

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

‘Aha Opio O Molokai Showcases Student Creativity

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

In its ninth iteration, the ‘Aha ‘Opio O Molokai offered plenty of opportunities to demonstrate the creativity of Molokai students and their connection to cultural history. Held annually, this year’s showcase was held at Kilohana School on Saturday Feb. 22.

Student work lined the rooms of Kilohana School, with projects ranging from the ahapua’a system to water conservation and more.

“It turned out to be a really, really nice day,” explained Molokai High School librarian Diane Mokuau, a member of the leadership cadre for the showcase. “It’s an opportunity to see what our students can produce.”…

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Culinary Club Discontinued

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Culinary Club Discontinued

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Following three years of cook offs, kitchen skills, restaurant visits and community galas, Molokai High School’s (MHS) popular Culinary Club will no longer be in operation at the high school starting next year.

“The Culinary Club will be discontinued at the end of the current school year,” explained a March 5 letter from MHS Principal Katina Soares to parents. “We are committed to providing culinary experiences and career opportunities for our students. These opportunities will be integrated into the regular in-school culinary class curriculum moving forward.”

The decision to shelve the club was due to fundraising worries and an administrative desire for stronger adherence to MHS’s Academy Model, explained Soares in an interview with the Dispatch.…

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PACI Begins Charters, Eyes Commuter Service

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

PACI Begins Charters, Eyes Commuter Service

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On March 3, Pacific Air Charters Incorporated (PACI) announced that they have been approved for on-demand charter service in Hawaii, including for Molokai.

“Our mission at PACI is to offer customizable charter flights designed to meet the unique needs of our clients,” said CEO Marshall Ashley.

For these flights, customers can charter the entire plane for approximately $4,500 each way, explained Katherine Kalei, base manager for PACI. The company can’t, however, sell individual seats yet for commuter service.

“On-demand is far more expensive than if you’re working with the Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts [in commuter service] where you have a subsidy that will help keep the prices down,” said Kalei.…

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Soup ‘R Bowl Celebrates 15 Years

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Soup ‘R Bowl Celebrates 15 Years

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

One of Molokai’s biggest fundraisers for the arts, the Soup ‘R Bowl, celebrated its 15th anniversary on Saturday, March 8. At the event, Molokai community members supported the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) by choosing from over 400 locally made ceramic bowls and mugs, along with a soup dinner of either Portuguese bean soup, chicken papaya, seafood chowder, coconut curry, or broccoli and cheese.

MAC and the Soup ‘R Bowl have walked hand in hand since they were both launched in 2010. The Soup ‘R Bowl is MAC’s largest fundraiser of the year, and contributes to the nonprofit’s overall operational costs, explained MAC Executive Director Alice Ka’ahanui.…

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Call for Art Entries

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Hawaii Craftsmen is pleased to announce the open call to artists for our 59th consecutive Annual Statewide Exhibition. This exhibition will be juried by Sarah Darro, Curator and Exhibitions Director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and is open to residents of Hawaii for artworks in the categories of clay, fiber, glass, wood, metal, stone, and mixed media. Online registration will be open Aug. 1-31.

Hawaii’s premier statewide juried exhibition – held annually since 1967 – features traditional and contemporary craft from across the state of Hawaii. Juror Sarah Darro will visit each island to make public presentations and select work to be included in the exhibition.…

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Mele Kanealii Named to Hamilton College Dean’s List

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

Hamilton College News Release
Mele Kanealii, of Kaunakakai, has been named to the Dean’s List at Hamilton College for the fall 2024 semester.
To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must be a member of the Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027 and have carried a course load of four or more graded credits throughout the semester and earned an average GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Kanealii, a sophomore, is a graduate of Molokai High School.
Hamilton College, a leading liberal arts institution located in Clinton, New York, is where exceptional students explore passions through an open curriculum and robust research, internship, and off-campus study opportunities.…

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MHS Receives Grant for Literacy Program

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

Hawaii State Teachers Association Molokai Chapter News Release
The National Educational Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Events Grants Program is thrilled to announce a partial award of $5,000 to the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) Molokai Chapter, Molokai High School for their exceptional literacy initiative. The committee was particularly impressed with HSTA’s innovative approach, which focuses on fostering a love of reading and writing through intergenerational engagement and cultural connection.
The grant will support a dynamic program centered on Molokai, Lanai and Hana high school student reading buddies and a collaborative effort with University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) staff to provide valuable career and college opportunities.…

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Channel Race Discussions

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

Channel Race Discussions

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Molokai has long been home to some of the most challenging and exciting channel crossing races in the world. From the Molokai Hoe to Na Wahine O Ke Kai to the Pailolo Challenge and Molokai 2 Oahu, athletes from around the globe come to Molokai to compete in these storied contests. And while the races bring excitement to much of Molokai, there are also concerns over the number of competitors and escort boats coming to Molokai, as well as impacts on flight availability.

For the first time, representatives from all of the channel races that start or end on Molokai came together to field questions, concerns and ideas from the Molokai community.…

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Naval Band Visits Molokai

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

Naval Band Visits Molokai

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Last week, Molokai residents were treated to a series of performances by the U.S. Navy’s woodwind quintet. The group of musicians was on a mission to celebrate the Navy’s 250th birthday and spread awareness of the whole host of careers and experiences that the Navy offers, explained Lieutenant Matt Tremel, assistant band master for the Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

“We’re highlighting how the Navy is present across the world keeping Americans safe,” said Tremel. “The state of Hawaii is obviously very important to the Navy, and we’re here to connect with residents who don’t see sailors in uniform very often.”…

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