Community

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

Storm Brings Heavy Rain, No Severe Damages for Molokai

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Storm Brings Heavy Rain, No Severe Damages for Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Torrential rains last Sunday night into Monday caused flash flooding, cancellation of Molokai public schools on Monday, flight cancellations and delays, and roadways to be dangerous due to flooding. The “Kona low” weather conditions across the state brought overnight power outages to Honolulu, downed trees, home damages and dangerous flooding, and Gov. Ige declared a state of emergency for Hawaii. However Molokai only experienced brief power outages and moderate flooding but no severe damages. 

A cargo container blew into two Mokulele planes while they were tied down for the night in Honolulu, causing delays in addition to those caused by poor weather conditions.…

Monsanto Pleads Guilty to Illegal Pesticide Use

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, Monsanto company agreed to plead guilty for previous charges including illegal pesticide storage on Molokai and using banned pesticides on Maui, along with new charges of knowingly using pesticides inconsistent with its labeling on Oahu, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Court documents filed last Thursday in United States District Court in Honolulu include a deferred prosecution agreement related to a felony count of unlawfully storing an acute hazardous waste at its Molokai facility in 2013-2014. Monsanto will pay more than $22 million in fines. 

Monsanto admitted to spraying a glufosinate product sold under the brand name Forfeit 28 in 2020 in Haleiwa “a manner inconsistent with its labeling,” according to court documents.…

Girls Soccer Makes a Goal

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Girls Soccer Makes a Goal

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After 10 years, Girls Soccer is back as an official sport at Molokai High School, and the team has their first and only games of the season against Seabury Hall on Maui Dec. 17-18. Head Coach Matt Yamashita said bringing back the program has been a goal years in the making. 

This year’s team has 18 players who will be competing at the junior varsity level, with the plan to play as varsity next year, according to Yamashita. 

“It took many years of building up the program from AYSO [American Youth Soccer Organization], to Molokai Middle School after school programs, to hybrid MHS programs and summer workshops,” said Yamashita.…

Meet the Artists: Kim Markham

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Meet the Artists: Kim Markham

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 connection to Molokai?

My name is Kim Markham. I live in Kaluaaha with my husband Richard, two cats and one dog. We retired here in 2005. In 2010, Dan Bennett and I, together with many friends, created the nonprofit Molokai Arts Center where I volunteer and make my art.

What is your art form and the inspiration behind it? 

Girls Volleyball Heads to States

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

After playing four matches in four days on Maui last weekend at the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Championships, the Molokai High Girls Volleyball team earned their place at the State Championships this week. 

The third-seeded Lady Farmers started the MIL tournament with a three-set win over number six St. Anthony, winning 25-20, 25-7 and 25-6. They then had to face the number two seed Hana Dragons in the semi-finals and won in four sets 25-15, 25-21, 20-25 and 25-7. That set up a chance to win the tournament on Friday night against MIL DII GVB powerhouse and number one seed, Seabury Hall.…

MMS Honor Roll

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

1st Quarter Principal‘s List

7th Grade

Jazlyn Boswell, Ayden-Chevy Dudoit, Puakea’laha’ole Gamiao, William-Wyeth Len-Wai, Hokuanokamalama Lima-Maioho, Riley Nakayama, Jessa Marie Ramos, Jhaeziree Rillon, Eshen Jayze Rosqueta

8th Grade

Cheyah-Raylia Joao, Logan Oshiro, Mark Angelo Ragonton

 

1st Quarter Honor Roll

7th Grade

Kayson-Blaine Bettencourt-Borden, Luka Emhof, Kaizen Len Wai-McGuire, Hine Naki, Leila Pereira, Braeden Cabael-Kaahanui, Liliana Cuello, Brennan DeMello, Laule’a Kalima-Ledesma, Yesmine Kiroloss, Keawaiki Madela, Kai Padilla Silva, Kindy Sproat, Tiale Tancayo

8th Grade

Tyra Coelho-Kelekolio, Reilly Fukuoka, Maya Ignacio, Kendra Kaulili, La’ikū Landford, Timika McLaurin, Tamara Kai Yamazaki-Gray, Kally Adachi, Hiram Kahele III, Dream Kekoa, Papulo LaVoie, Kilohana Meyer, Kaleiola Paleka, Lyric Sumang, SyLee Rose Traxler…

Art-Filled New Year

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

MAC News Release

These past 20 months have been quite subdued at the Molokai Arts Center, but we’re looking forward to an exciting, art-filled 2022!

Our Artist in Residence program will be back on track with our first artist arriving in January. The MAC AIR program offers artists the perfect backdrop to create, explore, and experience a unique culture. 2022 will bring an established movie/TV scriptwriter, an Oceanic wood sculptor, a world-renown conductor/concert pianist, and a Kanaka Maoli musician.

The Performing Arts component will grow in 2022, beginning with ukulele classes and theatre workshops in addition to presentations by our AIR musicians.…

College Scholarship

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

Jerman Foundation News Release

Josh Jerman of Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers is once again offering the Josh and Souk Jerman Foundation Scholarship to encourage college-bound students to use their education to benefit Maui County.

Now in its 19th consecutive year, the Josh and Souk Jerman Foundation Scholarship (formerly the Josh Jerman Maui Nui Scholarship) program provides scholarships to students who will attend an accredited four-year college or university. To date, the program has awarded more than $55,000 in scholarships to Maui, Molokai and Lanai high school seniors who have displayed a passion for returning to Maui County after college to contribute to the community.…

Omicron Variant in HI, County Restrictions Ease

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, the Dept. of Health confirmed the presence of the COVID-19 variant known as Omicron in Hawaii. The State Laboratories Division performed whole genome sequencing on the specimen to confirm the variant, which was detected in an Oahu resident with no history of travel, showing a case of community spread. The person had previously been infected with COVID-19 but was not vaccinated. As of Dec. 3, the DOH was awaiting genome sequencing results of three other COVID cases that may also be Omicron variant. 

The Omicron variant has been detected in at least 23 countries and at least two other states so far.…

Instrumental Concert

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

MAC News Release 

Molokai Instrumental Music Education (MIME) program presents A Winter Concert by its Molokai Strings Septet under the direction of Bob Underwood. The concert will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. at Saint Damien of Molokai Catholic Church in Kaunakakai. 

The MIME musicians were featured on Jake Shimabukuro’s Live Molokai Library ‘Ukulele Lending Program Launch, recorded on Jake’s YouTube channel. The young Molokai musicians received kudos during the Live. You won’t want to miss this special event. Bring a friend!

This is a free concert, open to the public. Mask is required and hand sanitizers will be placed at the entrance.…