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Community

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

Ka’iwi Solo

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

Ka’iwi Solo

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On Saturday, May 10, intrepid paddlers from around the world headed to Kepuhi Beach to participate in the 2025 Ka’iwi Solo. The race is a single-man canoe challenge run annually since 2008 by the Paddling Athletes Association. Athletes battle 32 miles across winds, swell and fatigue, proving their skills in the canoe. For Molokai, Ekolu Kalama was the top finisher taking 44th place overall. A young Kahikikala Helm, all of 16, took a solid 77th place as the only other Molokai representative in the race. Tahiti’s Kevin Ceran-Jerusalemy won the race with a time of 3:26:57.

The next races will be the Molokai Challenge on May 25 followed by the Molokai Holokai on July 18 and 19.…

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Honoring St. Damien’s Legacy

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

Honoring St. Damien’s Legacy

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On May 10, 1873, Damien De Veuster, better known as St. Damien, arrived at Kalawao to minister to those suffering from Hansen’s disease. He would serve in the exiled settlement until he succumbed to Hansen’s disease himself in 1889. To honor his arrival on Molokai, May 10 is the feast day of St. Damien in the Catholic Church, and a day on which his legacy of charity is remembered. Last week on Molokai, one man continued this celebration of St. Damien with a unique project.

The plan, explained Mark Jechura who is organizing the Tree of Hope Tour project, was to begin a pilgrimage of relics of St.…

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Scholarships Support Molokai Students

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

Scholarships Support Molokai Students

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Every year, a conglomeration of Molokai businesses, nonprofits, alumni and more present the graduating class from Molokai High School (MHS) with scholarships to encourage their post-high school aspirations.

“This support empowers these deserving students to pursue their dreams without financial barriers,” explained MHS Principal Katina Soares to family and friends gathered at the MHS library on May 8. “These exceptional recipients excel academically, but also embody the spirit of determination and service.”

This year, 19 different awards were given out to 24 MHS seniors, totally over $88,000 in scholarship money. Awards were given out for a range of skills and future plans from nursing to early childhood education to workforce trades.…

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Seeking Next Editor of The Molokai Dispatch

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

The Molokai Dispatch is a weekly, locally-owned newspaper that’s been in print for 40 years. We’re seeking a new editor to lead community-centered journalism and guide the paper’s content. This person would ideally already be a Molokai resident, with a commitment to amplifying local voices, fostering the island’s cultural legacy, upholding the highest standards of journalism, and ability to separate personal viewpoints from the professional responsibilities to provide inclusive and trustworthy news coverage of Molokai’s issues and events. We’re looking for someone with a love for Molokai and passion for storytelling and community journalism. 

Join The Molokai Dispatch ‘ohana in our mission to keep Molokai’s stories alive and make a positive community impact through responsible journalism, adding to a strong legacy of preserving our island’s history for future generations. …

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Mahiki Lankford 

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Mahiki Lankford 

Mahiki Lankford was born in Ho’olehua, Molokai. She is preceded in death by her husband Adolphus Lankford, parents William and Annie Kaiahua Aki, and siblings.

She is survived by her children Lu Ann Mahiki (Kenneth), Donna, Kuulei, Micheal (Ronnette), Yvonne, Kaanohi, and Mahikili’ili’i, 26 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

We will celebrate her homecoming luau Friday, June 20, at 4:30 p.m. at the Maunaloa Recreation Center.  …

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May is Wildfire Preparedness Month

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Community Contributed
By Erin Peyton, HWMO Community Wildfire Ambassador

Choosing to work together to prepare rather than repair preserves precious resources.

There are simple things you can do to protect your homes from ember intrusion. Clearing ignitable materials such as dry leaves in the zero to five foot area from your home is one example.

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) has partnered with Molokai Public Library during the month of May to provide information on what you can do to be prepared. We invite you to visit the library for more ways to protect your homes – just look for the little red house.…

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May Golf Ace

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

May Golf Ace

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Zachary Helm is the May Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Helm, a Molokai golf professional and Molokai musician extraordinaire, is now retired with 34 years of service with the County of Maui Parks and Recreations Department. Big Z shot 42-36 for a gross total of 80. With his 17 handicap, his 63 net got him the victory. Congratulations Big Z.

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of Iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

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Campaign to Protect Medicaid Continues

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

AlohaCare News Release

Molokai Medicaid beneficiaries can help support the healthcare program by sharing stories of the importance of Medicaid with lawmakers.
During Medicaid Awareness Month, AlohaCare highlights the crucial role of Medicaid to Hawaii’s residents. Known as QUEST locally, the federal and state funded program provides health insurance for over 400,000 of our neighbors, friends, and family. As a nonprofit health plan, AlohaCare will raise awareness, show appreciation and continue to advocate on behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries. AlohaCare invites the public to join the celebration by thanking their healthcare provider and sharing a positive story of how Medicaid may have helped an individual or family through their health journey.…

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Axis Deer Control

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Axis Deer Control

DLNR News Release
Axis deer continue to negatively impact Maui Nui forested watersheds, agricultural land and population centers. To combat these problems, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is inviting eligible private landowners and lessees to apply to the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) to achieve appropriate, sustainable population levels.
This program aims to incentivize landowners on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai to increase the number of axis deer removed from their properties and enhance protection efforts for the state’s threatened natural and agricultural resources. Applicants awarded a contract will be eligible to receive up to $50 for each qualifying deer tail presented.…

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Preschool Educators Hold Unique Retreat

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Preschool Educators Hold Unique Retreat

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Last weekend, early childhood educators on Molokai took to Pu’u O Hoku Ranch for two days of professional development and networking amongst activities like hiking and coconut basket weaving. Organized by Na Kamali’i Hoaloha preschool, the retreat fulfilled licensure requirements as well as offered a much needed end-of-year respite for educators – especially as worries around federal funding for some programs have mounted in the past weeks.

Sarah Ching, director of Na Kamali’i, explained that the retreat was an exceptional experience for Molokai’s early childhood educators.

“This is the first time something like this has happened for our island,” she said.…

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