Community

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

MHS Principal’s Honors List & Honor Roll

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Principal’s Honors List

The Principal’s Honors List are students who have earned Mark Point Averages of 4.000* or above while enrolled in four or more courses, two or more of which are solid courses.  For the second quarter of the 2021-22 school year, they are:

Grade: 12 Grik-Lani Malia 4.33Grade: 12 Kaili Dianthe 4.33Grade: 11 Duvauchelle Olapaholunape 4.25Grade: 12 Hamakua-Felix Kauionalani 4.00Grade: 12 Helm Kaualea 4.00Grade: 12 Macalalad Xavier Bayani 4.00Grade: 12 Movick Alyssa 4.00Grade: 12 Simon Barbara 4.00Grade: 11 Akutagawa Tenley 4.00Grade: 11 Bicoy Kailani 4.00Grade: 11 Bright Wilhelm Mahealani 4.00Grade: 11 Bumatay Joanne Nicole 4.00Grade: 11 Kanealii Mele 4.00Grade: 11 Kikukawa-Teriong Solomon 4.00Grade: 11 Len Wai-McGuire Kiera 4.00Grade: 11 Luuloa Khyren 4.00Grade: 11 Sahagun Jonah 4.00Grade: 11 Sasada Kyden 4.00Grade: 11 Yamashita Sage-Marie 4.00Grade: 11 Yamazaki-Gray Kira Kai 4.00Grade: 10 Han Sonni 4.00Grade: 10 Kanemitsu Aiko 4.00Grade: 10 Rogers Jayden 4.00Grade: 09 Cockett Rose Marie 4.00Grade: 09 Tancayo Chloe 4.00

*Note:  Students with a 4.0 enrolled in less than four or more courses, and less than two solid courses are not eligible for principal’s honor roll.…

Winter Reading Challenge

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Public Library News Release

Until Jan. 31, the Molokai Public Library invites residents to join the Virtual Winter Reading Challenge, part of a statewide challenge held by the Hawaii State Public Library System.  This year’s theme is “Read for a Better World.” It is a time to read books that explore diversity, empathy, and action through literature. This year’s program offers unlimited access to more ebook titles through Lerner Publishing, one of the national sponsors for this program.  

It’s easy to join! Molokai readers can sign up or log in at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack App on your mobile device. Once you are signed up, simply use Beanstack to log reading minutes, and participate in activities and challenges.  For…

Funding Assistance for Restaurants and Bars

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Maui County News Release

The Maui County Small Business Grant Program for Restaurants, Bars and Gyms was launched last week through a partnership with Maui Federal Credit Union, Mayor Michael Victorino announced. The grant uses American Rescue Plan funding to help businesses struggling in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications will be available online at mauinuistrong.info/maui-county-small-business-grant. Applications will only be accepted online and will not be available at the credit unions. A form 1099 is required upon application. Consult your tax preparer.

Grants are being offered, not business expense reimbursements.

“I encourage operators of qualifying restaurants, bars and gyms to take advantage of this opportunity to get a $5,000 grant to help them weather this pandemic,” Victorino said.…

Feral Animal Control Program Application

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns is soliciting grant proposals for feral animal control program funds available for Molokai and Lanai in FY2022. The deadline for submissions is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31. 

Grant applications may be submitted by all qualified private nonprofit and for-profit organizations providing or planning to provide island specific services and programs for the control of feral animals within Molokai and Lanai.

Application forms and instructions can be found on the department’s Grants Management Division website at mauicounty.gov/252/Grants-Management-Division. For more information, call (808) 270-7807.…

Contribute to Arts Education Funding

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

MAC News Release 

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) is honored to once again participate in the annual “Aloha for Hawaii Charities” fundraising opportunity, in conjunction with the Sony Open PGA Tour tournament. These funds help keep MAC’s youth and senior arts classes at an affordable rate and allow the MAC to provide workshops in ceramics, mixed media, Hawaiian arts, and performing arts throughout 2022.

Here’s how it works. Donations to the MAC through friendsofhawaii.org will trigger a bonus boost (up to 40 percent) from funds raised at the Sony Open by Friends of Hawaii Charities! Donations made to Friends of Hawaii Charities are tax-deductible because it is a nonprofit tax-exempt charitable organization.…

Deciding Molokai’s Energy Future

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Sust’aina ble Molokai News Release

Are you interested in learning about clean energy solutions designed by and for the Molokai community? If so, please join us with your ʻohana on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for the third Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (Molokai CERAP) meeting via Zoom. Join us for a Molokai ‘ohana style meeting — community-led, pilina focused, culturally centered — to share your manaʻo on what Molokaiʻs energy future should look like.

Today, Molokai electricity remains dependent on burning thousands of gallons of expensive and environmentally damaging fossil fuels a day. While Molokai residents are the lowest electrical consumers in Hawaii, Molokai continues to have the highest electrical costs in the country.…

Adopt-A-Highway Recognizes Molokai Teachers

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

HIDOT Highways Division News Release 

For more than two decades, members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association’s Molokai Chapter have helped protect their island by removing unsightly and environmentally damaging trash along Maunaloa Highway. Their sustained dedication has earned HSTA Molokai Chapter the Adopt-A-Highway No Ka Oi Highway Hui Award from the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation (HIDOT) Highways Division – Maui District (HWY-M).

“HSTA Molokai’s adopted section of highway runs near Kaunakakai Harbor, and if you’ve ever enjoyed how naturally beautiful that area is, Molokai’s teachers certainly deserve credit for helping to keep it that way,” said Ty Fukuroku, program manager, Environmental Management, HWY-M.…

253 New Cases in Past 2 Weeks

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

253 New Cases in Past 2 Weeks

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai hit a pandemic record high daily case count two days in a row for the island last week with 33 new cases on Jan. 3 and 39 cases the following day. 

As of last Sunday’s Dept. of Health data, the island had 526 cases since the pandemic began, 253 of which have been recorded in the last two weeks, between Dec. 24 and Jan. 7. 

For those experiencing any symptoms, testing sites on Molokai include Lanikeha Community Center (make an appointment at alohaclear.com), Molokai Community Health Center, Molokai General Hospital and Molokai Drugs.

Booster shot eligibility has expanded to include a single Pfizer booster for everyone ages 12 to 17 who had their primary vaccination series at least five months ago, and for children ages 5 to 11 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, the Dept.…

Remember Kalaupapa This Month

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Remember Kalaupapa This Month

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

On Jan. 6, 156 years ago, 12 people were sent to Kalaupapa as the first of an estimated 8,000 exiled there because of the government’s policies for those diagnosed with Hansen’s disease. The nine men and three women, along with those who followed, were forcibly taken from their family members, many of whom they would never again be able to see. 

Last June, Gov. Ige signed into law a bill that designates January as Kalaupapa Month in Hawaii, serving as “an annual reminder of the importance of Kalaupapa and the significant sacrifices and contributions of its residents throughout the history of Hawaii,” the bill reads.…

Boys Basketball Hosts Season Opener

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Boys Basketball Hosts Season Opener

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai Boys Basketball hosted Lanai for the first game of the season last weekend – with a last minute rule change that excluded spectators. Though Molokai lost both games, players and coaches were happy to be on the court. 

“COVID has been hard for everyone but I believe especially tough on the youth,” said Kalae Adolpho, in her first year as head coach for Molokai High’s boys basketball team. “We are so grateful and excited to have a game in The Barn after almost two years of no sports. With maybe five total practices with everyone due to COVID, we are stoked just to be out there competing!” …