Community

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

Graduation Mahalo

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

The Molokai High School Class of 2021 graduates and advisors would like to thank everyone who gave their time and resources to make this unprecedented Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony a great success and a special event for the Class of 2021. Once again the Molokai community has demonstrated their aloha and commitment to be there for the ’Opio of Molokai.
There were so many people who helped put this event together with their time and resources.

Thank you to Anoi Lima English, Bahar Yaghoubi and Perry Buchalter for helping with the class of 2021 legacy project. Thank you to the MPD for painting the lines in the MHS student parking lot and keeping the ceremony safe — Capt.Tom,…

Bayer Makes Molokai Food Donation

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Bayer News Release

In support of World Hunger Day, Bayer Hawaii donated more than 2,700 pounds of food to the Institute for Human Services (IHS), Maui Food Bank and Molokai Salvation Army on Thursday, May 27.

“Making a positive impact by giving back to our island communities has always been a priority for Bayer Hawaii. And with so many of our neighbors currently struggling in the wake of the pandemic, the need to improve Hawaii’s food sustainability has never been greater,” said Alan Takemoto, community affairs lead at Bayer Hawaii “Mahalo to our employees across Oahu, Maui and Molokai for their generous contributions.”…

2 MHS Seniors Receive Memorial Scholarship

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

FMHMSF News Release

Two Molokai High School graduates have been awarded $2,000 each, a laptop and a Da Kine backpack by the Kukui Malamalama Scholarship program in memory of Kekuhaupio Likua. The scholarship award is administered by the Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools Foundation (FMHMSF). The Kukui Malamalama Scholarships are funded by local residents that are interested in seeing more of our students continue their education after high school.

This year’s recipients are Ashawna-Leah Bicoy and Hulu Kekahuna Ah Van.

Ashawna-Leah plans to attend Arizona State University and major in social work.

Hulu Ah Van will be attending Bethany College in Kansas majoring in athletic training.…

And The Shama Thrush Sings To Me

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

By Robyn Labrador

 

Between innocence and waking

Spirits of the ancient ones tell the trees

The songbird is here with joyful calling

We go on creating with our seeds

 

My senses are alive now in my bed

A smile on my lips to hear the shama

Beautifully bring in the day ahead

They sing of joy and Island mana

 

A chorus erupts, all want to be heard

All energy and chatter

Little creatures with purpose

Nature’s garden, with open theater

 

Life’s necessities of survival and connections

The balance we strive to keep

Nature’s perfection can teach us trust

In the Shama’s range of verses

 

We make friends in the garden

I dig and plant, and turn the soil

While the Shama is near

Then comes close to gain from my toil

 

All through the day, I spy the black tail

Or hear the mates calling across the yard

Their song does then regail

Life’s grand and majestic ballad

 

Dusk light is falling

The garden becomes still

Nests are made cozy and all settle in

Then out of the silence a melodious trill

 

The Shama’s last song

Another day is ending

The ancient trees rustle and bend

And the pueo are ready to take their watch…

Elizabeth Puaoi Dawson

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Elizabeth Puaoi Dawson

The epitome of hookipa and aloha, Pua or Juju Puaoi Dawson opened her heart and her hale to so many. A Hawaiian culture enthusiast, Pua was a paddler, farmer, teacher, kiai of cultural sites, lomilomi practitioner and akamai with laau lapaau. Blessing and helping ohana and community were her passions on Molokai and in Waimanalo.

She was born on June 18, 1956 to parents John Benjamin Puaoi Sr. and Loraine Puanani Kaimikaua in Honolulu, where she graduated from Kailua High School with the class of 1974.

Juju drifted to heaven on March 19, 2020 in Koolaupoko, Oahu, peacefully joining her parents, sister Kalei and all her angels.…

Energy Coop Tech Review Continues

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Ho’ahu Energy Coop News Release

Hoʻahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a new local entity formed to support community-owned energy projects, invites you to join us for our next virtual workshop on Saturday, June 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

This workshop will be Tech Review Day, Part 2! In May, we learned about some of our options for different solar panel modules to install for our projects. This week we will learn about battery storage technologies and then we will discuss our priorities in selecting which equipment we would install.

The workshop continues the Coop’s work to design solar and battery storage projects for Maui Electric’s upcoming Community Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) Request for Proposals (RFP).…

Summer Meals for Youth

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Do you have children and want to take advantage of free meals over the summer? Do you have a student who relies on school meals to stay fed? Even though school is out of session for the summer, free grab and go meals will be available at four school locations across the island, for all Molokai youth aged 1 to 18, regardless of school enrollment status.

The meals will be provided by Kualapu’u School from June 7 to July 16. Meal pick up sites and times are Kilohana Elementary School between 11:45 and 12 noon, Kaunakakai Elementary School between 11:15 and 11:45 a.m.,…

Travel Restrictions to Decrease

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After a few weeks of cluster cases that skyrocketed the island’s COVID-19 numbers, Molokai had no new cases recorded by the Dept. of Health last week. As of Sunday, the island remained at 79 total cases since the pandemic began. For travelers seeking safe and secluded accommodations amidst this peaceful backdrop, contact Prime Campers. Also, for those planning their trips, considering a Rental car Tirana Airport could provide the freedom and convenience needed to adapt to changing circumstances. Explore Minneapolis, and don’t forget to visit Matts is the home of the Jucy Lucy Burger, which is a must-try.…

County Council Urges Permanent Online Meetings

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Maui County Council News Release

The National Association of Counties will honor Maui County with an Achievement Award for “Enhancing Civic Engagement Through Online Legislative Meetings” at the NACo Annual Con-ference in Prince George’s County, Maryland, on July 11.

On March 16, 2020, Governor David Y. Ige issued his first COVID-19 emergency proclamation, which partially suspended public meetings statute, known as the Sunshine Law, to authorize online meetings.

Meetings held during the emergency weren’t required to be open to the public. “Boards” subject to the Sunshine Law, including the Maui County Council and its committees, were merely asked to “consider reasonable measures to allow public participation.”…

Mallory Go Awarded Top Scholarship

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Mallory Go Awarded Top Scholarship

HLTA News Release

Two Maui County seniors were recently named the top statewide Scholars in the Citizen-Scholars award program through the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) while another was named the top scholar for Maui County. Mallory H. Go of Molokai High School, who was selected as the top female scholar, will attend Brown University in the fall where she intends to study Public Health and Japanese.

Hana High and Intermediate School’s Owali Moea‘i was chosen as the top male scholar and will attend Brigham Young University – Hawaii where he will major in Computer Science and Hawaiian Language. King Kekaulike High School Senior Aleth Sabugo was announced as the top scholar for Maui County and will attend the University of Hawaii – Maui.…