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Community

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

Hokule’a License Plate Designed by Molokai Resident

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Hokule’a License Plate Designed by Molokai Resident

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Hawaii residents have a new license plate option that supports and honors the Hokule’a voyaging canoe and the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The plate was designed by Molokai’s Todd Yamashita, an artist and graphic designer who worked for the Polynesian Voyaging Society for five years during the Worldwide Voyage and also served as a crewmember during one of the journey’s legs, along with other Molokai crewmembers.  

The plate features a depiction of Hokule’a at the Hakipu’u area on Oahu, a place important to Polynesian voyagers for more than a thousand years, according to Yamashita. 

“In 2017, just after Hokule’a had returned from her historic worldwide voyage, I sailed with a small crew from Magic Island to Hakipu’u and spent the night onboard doing anchor watch.…

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The Weekend in Sports

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

The Weekend in Sports

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Last weekend, five Molokai High sports teams competed, with some losses and some wins. 

On the mat, Molokai’s wrestling team raked in more top finishes. On the girls’ side, Kailani Bicoy finished third in the 107-pound division, Barbara Simon placed second at 112 pounds and Carly Dudoit earned third at 138. For the boys, Austin Kaalekahi placed second in the 106-pound division, Reyn Raguindin came in third in 113B, Johnson Harris finished third in 132A, Hezekiah Horner placed second at 152, Clarence Horner finished third at 160, in the 195-pound division Heno Kaiama and Elisha Horner placed first and second respectively, and Leo Kalipi came in third at 220. …

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Meet the Artists: Victor Lopez Orozco

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Victor Lopez Orozco

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.  

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Victor Lopez Orozco. I am from Mexico, and I have been on Molokai almost 26 years.

What brought you to Molokai?

I came to build fences for Molokai Ranch. I worked there for about three years and after then the crew moved to Honolulu or Big Island, but I decided I like Molokai.…

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Celebrating Kalaupapa Month

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Community Contributed

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

You may have noticed that I’ve been AWOL from these pages for the past several weeks. The reason is that my computer died a sudden and unexpected death several weeks ago, perhaps as a result of the acidity of my writings. So, last week, I spent several hours in Honolulu (make that several days) under the tutelage of our man, Bill Pimental, learning computer. Power to the Portuguese! Bill gave me a crash course on how to use my new computer as well as my new Apple smart phone. He was very patient with me, seeing that I am not the brightest bulb in the room.…

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Ka’ahele a Lono

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Ka’ahele a Lono

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Lonoikamakahiki! Lonoikamakahiki! The chant rang out through every ahupua’a on Molokai last week as a Ka’ahele crew walked more than 50 miles from Halawa to Hale O Lono carrying Lonomakua in the 40th annual Ka Molokai Makahiki. Bearing the lei-draped white banner fluttering in the wind, the group of marchers stopped at every school and community on the island, accepting more than 100 ho’okupu over the course of the week-long journey. 

“The Ka’ahele was traditionally a time for the island to assess the status of the ‘aina and kai,” said Miki’ala Pescaia, cultural practitioner and one of the event’s organizers.…

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Wrestling and Basketball

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Wrestling and Basketball

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai High wrestlers competed on the mat for the first time since the pandemic last weekend at Maui High, with many top results. 

“We had a good first tournament of the season and the first in almost two years,” said Head Coach Randy Manley. “Fourteen of the 16 that wrestled had at least one win. Our standouts were Chloe Manaba, Johnson Harris and Heno Kaiama.”

On the girls’ side in the top three finishers, Chloe Manaba took first place in the 102-pound category, Barbara Simon third place at 117 pounds, Carly Dudoit and Kuulei Simon second and third place respectively at 132 pounds, and Stephanie Gandeza second place at 155.…

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Hawaiian Electric to Issue $2M in Kokua Fund

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric will apply $2 million in bill credits for customers who have struggled to pay their electric bill during the COVID-19 pandemic on Molokai and other islands. The Kokua Fund Bill Credit Program will automatically provide a one-time credit of $90 to past-due balances for about 22,000 residential and business customers by Jan. 31. 

“Our priority during the pandemic has been to keep customers connected,” said Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura. “Many people have been affected by the pandemic and we have designed this program to reach as many as we can, especially those for whom this credit will be the most meaningful.…

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More Internet Options for Homesteaders

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

DHHL News Release

Hawaiian homesteaders on Molokai will soon have more options for internet and telecommunications services. Recent Federal law, coupled with expanded service options, will now allow service users on the homelands to obtain telecommunications services from a provider of their choice under the lifting of a former exclusivity clause that allowed only one provider to issue telecommunication products. 

For many years, Sandwich Isle Communications, Inc. (SIC) was the exclusive provider of broadband telecommunications services under Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) License No. 372 (License 372) which was issued to SIC’s parent company, Waimana Enterprises, Inc. on May 9, 1995. …

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Meet the Artists: PF Bentley

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: PF Bentley

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.  

PF Bentley grew up in Waikiki in the 60s and 70s and first came to Molokai in 1971 while a student at UH Manoa.  He graduated UH in 1975 with a B.Ed degree while working his first photography job at Sunbums Hawaii shooting music concerts for the publication.  In 1976, Bentley moved to San Francisco and later to New York for photojournalism opportunities, eventually returning home to Hawaii. …

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Meet the Artists: U’i Kahue-Cabanting

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: U’i Kahue-Cabanting

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist. 

What is your name and connection to Molokai?

My name Is U’i Kahue-Cabanting. My ohana is now five generations DHHL beneficiaries in Ho’olehua.  I am a cultural practitioner/kumu, community activist and political candidate. 

Describe your art.  

‘Ulana Niu is the art of weaving with coconut.  Most people equate ‘Ulana Niu with woven bowls or a hat and not much else, as it is considered a novelty or a souvenir, even a lost art. …

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