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Community

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

New Digital Hub Opens in Hoʻolehua

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

New Digital Hub Opens in Hoʻolehua

By Léo Azambuja

A new space for Molokai residents to access high-speed Internet, print documents, learn how to use computers and even attend remote healthcare appointments opened last week.

“The Molokai Digital Hub has been a dream over the last several years,” said Rosie Davis, executive director of the Maui County Area Health Education Center on Molokai.

The grand opening of the facility at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho‘olehua was Sept. 25, during a ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and state Sen. Lynn DeCoite. On Oct. 1, Molokai’s first digital hub opened to the public. 

The facility was created to help close a digital gap on Molokai by providing residents with tools for online connectivity, learning and development, according to Davis.…

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MAC Artist in Residence Duncan Berry Returns

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

MAC News Release

Molokai Arts Center’s Artist in Residence Duncan Berry (bylandbyseabyair.com) returns this month to install his “Molokai Plants Over Time” mural at the Molokai Public Library. 

Berry, a gyotaku artist who makes direct impressions from the bodies of creatures of the land, sea and air as an “active form of reverence,” created and taught the art of gyotaku during his residency in April 2025. He finished his residency with a MAC Talk at the Library where he shared his preliminary work and his vision for the final mural.

While on Molokai, Berry and his wife Melany taught gyotaku and nature printing workshops at the MAC Saturday Market at MCHC, Earth Day, Molokai Land Trust, MAC Studio (Keiki Class, Kanu O Ka Aina & Kualapuʻu School 21st Century students), and Art Bar at Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill. …

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Ellen Kay Sugawara

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

Ellen Kay Sugawara

With heartfelt sorrow, we announce the passing of Ellen Kay Sugawara, cherished wife of Jack Spruance. Ellen passed away peacefully at home on the east side of Molokai on June 18, 2025. Born July 26, 1947, in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, her roots spanned to Japan, New Orleans, and Molokai. Surrounded by her loving four legged friends Oli, Koa, Polu, and Lulu, Ellen’s heart overflowed with love, and her life was rooted in the land. She touched us through her vibrant gardens and homemade meals. Her bright smile, full of warmth, kindness, and happiness, will be deeply missed.

Survived by her husband, Jack Spruance; sisters Joy (Stewart) and Kathy; brother David; nieces Beth, Sara, Anne, and Lisa; nephew Danny; and many grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.…

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Tour Offers Unique View of Kalaupapa

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

Tour Offers Unique View of Kalaupapa

By Léo Azambuja

It is nearly impossible for the general population to understand the suffering, the joys, the daily lives of those diagnosed with Hansen’s disease — also known as leprosy — and sent on a one-way ticket to Kalaupapa, one of the most geographically isolated communities in Hawaii.

But now, people can at least have a glimpse of the last 150 years there. The Kalaupapa Saints Tour opened in September, offering an intimate experience for eight guests at a time, led by a tour guide vetted by one of the last living patients in Kalaupapa. 

“People, when they come down, respect and listen what the tour guide gonna say, explain to them what is all about here in Kalaupapa,” 90-year-old Meli Watanuki said.…

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Molokai Hoe Returns for 73rd Crossing of Kaiwi Channel

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

OHCRA News Release

The Oahu Canoe Racing Association announces the 73rd crossing of the Kaiwi Channel, where more than 110 crews will battle in the Molokai Hoe World Championship canoe races, presented by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, on Oct. 12.

“The Molokai Hoe represents the pinnacle of our sport, drawing paddlers from across the Pacific and beyond to test themselves in one of the most demanding challenges,” OHCRA treasurer Ikaika Rogerson said. “Each crew that takes on the Kaiwi Channel carries forward a rich tradition of excellence and Hawaiian cultural pride that defines outrigger canoe racing.”

This championship race builds on the momentum of the recently completed Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai, celebrated in honor of the legacy of Hannie Anderson, with unprecedented participation.…

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Making Molokai Even More Beautiful

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

Making Molokai Even More Beautiful

By Léo Azambuja

A Molokai artist shared her passion for using art to make her home island even more beautiful during the Global Citizenship Speaker series at Molokai Public Library last month.

About 30 people attended Kalaʻe Tangonan’s good-humored presentation Sept. 17 about her endeavors in the art world, underlining Molokai, Kuʻu One Hānau, or Molokai, My Beloved Birthplace, a recently finished series of murals at Molokai High School. The large artwork involved other artists, students and multiple community volunteers. 

“Going through this process, I told myself, ‘It would be nicer if we could kind of spread around our island and create more mana‘o (ideas),’” Tangonan said.…

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Molokai History Project Transfers to Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

MHP News Release

The Molokai History Project and Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center jointly announce the formal transfer of MHP operations, collections and programming to Ka Ipu Makani, marking a new phase in the continued care and sharing of Molokai’s history.

Since its founding, the Molokai History Project has served as a community space for historical exhibits and narratives of life on Molokai. This transition ensures that that work continues — now strengthened by Ka Ipu Makani’s Native Hawaiian-led approach to cultural stewardship, heritage preservation, and culture- and ʻāina-based education. 

“Molokai’s history belongs to its people — not just in the past, but in how we carry it forward,” said Dr.…

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Master Blacksmith to Lead Forging Workshop

Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

Master Blacksmith to Lead Forging Workshop

MAC New Release
Hawaii Craftsmen, in partnership with the Molokai Arts Center, is proud to announce a two-day blacksmithing workshop titled “Small-Scale Non-Ferrous Forging: Form and Function.”
Led by acclaimed Seattle-based artist Lisa Geertsen, this hands-on workshop will teach participants how to forge functional and artistic items from copper, such as dinnerware, cuffs, and hairpins.
The workshop will be held at a private residence in Kalae Saturday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Geertsen will also give a public lecture on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Molokai Arts Center at 5-7 p.m. Registration begins Oct.…

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OHCRA World Championships Celebrate Legacy of Hawaiian Canoe Racing

Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

OHCRA News Release
The Oahu Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) announces a record-breaking year for the Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe World Championship canoe races, presented by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, with participation numbers reaching an all-time high.
Seventy-three female crews competed in the Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai, shattering the previous record of 71 crews and marking both the largest field in the race’s 46-year history and the most female crews ever registered for the world championship.
“We’re continuing the incredible momentum started last year with the return of these world championship races,” said Ikaika Rogerson, Treasurer of OHCRA.…

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Tahitians Win Na Wahine O Ke Kai

Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

Tahitians Win Na Wahine O Ke Kai

By Léo Azambuja

In 1975, two Hawaiian crews of 18 women each made history by completing the first unofficial crossing of the Kaiwi Channel during the traditional Molokai-to-Oahu canoe race. They proved that women could also participate in the race that had been an all-male affair since its first year in 1952. 

Exactly 50 years later, the 10-woman crew of the As Ihilani Vaʻa also made history last Sunday by being the first Tahitian team to win the Na Wahine O Ke Kai, a 41.9-mile race that had been dominated by Hawaiian teams for the last 20 years. They took first place overall and first place in the Glass: Women Open division.…

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