Community

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

Gianina Reid Search Continues

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Aloha kakou! Mahalo to the Molokai community and those who came out to search for Gianina Reid, who has been missing since June, on Labor Day weekend. We have not stopped looking for her, although we have had many setbacks and challenges along the way. 

I have been spearheading this search and rescue on Molokai since August. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing our Molokai community has been throughout this process! It has been a bittersweet journey but one in which we all feel the emotions of this situation.

Our continued search for Gianina in Kalae will be happening on Thanksgiving Day.…

A Mother’s Thoughts

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Gianina Reid went missing on Molokai in June. The below was a message that was texted to me by her mom, Lenia Rexrode, on Gianina’s birthday, Oct 26. I asked permission to share it with our community, especially at this time of Thanksgiving. May we all remember who and what is so very dear to our hearts and to forever cherish the love we have for each other.

“Another birthday has gone by, far too short a life. But an impactful one. We each leave our mark on this earth in some way. My heart is thankful to you all, deeply because you’ve all been soldiers looking for her.…

Molokai Football Gets Historic Win

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Molokai Football Gets Historic Win

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

The Molokai Farmers Football team traveled to Maui last Friday for a controlled scrimmage with the Na Ali’i of King Kekaulike High School. Head Coach Mike Kahale and his staff and players made history by winning 22-8 and got their first 11-man football victory in the school’s history. Molokai won the Maui Interscholastic League’s eight-man championship title for five straight years before having no league football for the past two years because of the pandemic.

The MIL eight-man season was set to move forward this year but after Hana and Lani football teams cancelled their teams this season due to COVID restrictions, Kahale secured this one and only game and road trip for his team.…

Award-Winning ‘Mock Chicken’

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Award-Winning ‘Mock Chicken’

 

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

This work of art, crafted by Molokai artist Misty Mollena, is titled “Mock Chicken” and created from chicken feathers and cotton fabric. It won Best in Show during the Molokai Art Center’s annual Member Show, earning Mollena a $300 prize. Show juror Kat Kazlauskas praised the piece for its “incredible attention to detail in its execution as well as an innovative approach to cultural references.” To read more about this piece and other award-winning entries in the Member Show, click here.

 …

MAC Art Show Winners

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

MAC News Release 

Kudos to all the Molokai artists who entered the 10th annual Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Member Show. Due to gathering restrictions, awards were announced via Zoom. The Member Show is online and can be found on the MAC website molokaiartscenter.org/2021-member-show/.

While all the art work was exceptional, not all submissions were juried in. Our juror, artist Kat Kazlauskas, graciously shared thoughts about each piece juried in on the MAC blog molokaiartscenter.org/2021/10/03/some-notes-from-our-juror-kat-kazlauskas/. Read her notes alongside the photos. Some of the works are offered for sale where a price is listed. Otherwise, you will see NFS=Not for Sale.

Congratulations to this year’s prize winners. Best in 2-D ($100) “ʻIʻiwi Bird” was won by Nan Walters.…

Emergency Proclamation to Help with Drought Funding

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

In the second year of a severe drought that has dealt a blow to local farmers and ranchers, many on Molokai can attest to the damage that hungry deer have wrecked on their gardens, homesteads, pastures and crops. The governor just signed a second emergency proclamation that will help with funding to cover damages, said Sen. Lynn DeCoite of Molokai, who pushed for a renewal of a drought proclamation issued in January of this year, which expired after 60 days. 

“This proclamation helps open pathways for a swift response by all levels of government — County, State and Federal — along with private land owners to address the dire deer situation that has continued to be a public health and safety concern across Maui County,” wrote Sen.…

Girls Cross Country Runs on Maui

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Girls Cross Country Runs on Maui

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

The Molokai High Girls Cross Country team traveled to Upcountry Maui Saturday for an MIL race at Kamehameha Maui. 

Junior Kailani Bicoy received another top 10 ribbon with her ninth place finish and a time of 24:31.3. Junior Tenley Akutagawa finished 41st with a time of 29:25.09.

Head Coach Kabbie Bicoy-Juario was proud of her runners. 

“These girls have been working very hard and running practices in the mornings before school has paid off,” she said. “They both beat their best times in this race and have improved a lot. Now it’s time to put all what they have learned together and get two weeks of good practice before the MIL Championships at Baldwin on Saturday, Nov.…

Thanksgiving Lunch

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Molokai Topside Churches News Release

Thanksgiving is a time to share. Molokai Topside Churches invite you to share a Thanksgiving meal at our fifth annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 25. This year’s event will be a drive thru at Kalaiakamanu Hou Church starting at 11 a.m. Three hundred plates will be distributed. 

This is a free community event sponsored by Topside UCC Churches Council of Ho’olehua, Waialua, Kalua’aha and Kalaiakamanu Hou Congregational Churches. …

Property Tax Office Closed Temporarily

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

County of Maui News Release

The Molokai Real Property Assessment office located at the Mitchell Pauole Center is closed temporarily due to staffing shortage through Nov. 23. The office will reopen on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Regular service hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For real property tax payments and circuit breaker tax relief program questions, please call 1-800-272-0117 and ask to be connected to the Real Property Collection Office or call the direct line at (808) 270-7697.

For all other real property questions, call 1-800-272-0117 and ask to be connected to the Real Property Assessment Office or call the direct line at (808) 270-7297.  For…

Keiki Vaccines Offered on Molokai

Thursday, November 11th, 2021

Keiki Vaccines Offered on Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, health care providers on Molokai began administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11 following recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last Tuesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children.

“The CDC reviewed the clinical data and determined the vaccine is safe,” said state Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “The Pfizer vaccine is effective in preventing severe illness and death. The vaccine will provide another important layer of protection in keeping our children and the entire community safe.”

On Friday, 10-year-old Link put on a brave face as he received one of Molokai General Hospital’s first keiki COVID vaccine doses.…