• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    October 16, 2025

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    October 17, 2025

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    October 22, 2025

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Community

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

40 Years Brings a Transition to The Molokai Dispatch

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

40 Years Brings a Transition to The Molokai Dispatch

By The Molokai Dispatch Board of Directors

In 1985, The Molokai Dispatch first took shape on Myrle Florea’s dining table, printed on a typewriter and cut and pasted using X-Acto knives and rubber cement.

Forty years later, the weekly publication is still in print — now using the latest technology — serving Molokai as the island’s only remaining newspaper. We’ve come a long way, but much has remained the same – most of all, our commitment to informing and strengthening our community through locally produced, responsible journalism.

Now, the newspaper is on the brink of a big transition.

To ensure both the financial sustainability and community stewardship of the newspaper, The Molokai Dispatch is shifting to a nonprofit model.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Queen’s Gala Celebrates Student Chefs

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Queen’s Gala Celebrates Student Chefs

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

For the third year, the Queen’s Gala brought the Molokai community together to celebrate the work of young, aspiring chefs. The evening featured a five-course meal with specialty dishes and drinks designed and executed by members of the Culinary Club. From kalo chowder to maki sushi rolls, to meringue pavlova, the student chefs did not disappoint.

The requirements for this year’s menu were that the dishes contain at least one locally sourced ingredient along with the added challenge of being gluten-free, explained Tiare Hubbard, program director of the Culinary Club.

The young chefs spend months preparing for the end of the year gala.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Share Your Manaʻo for Molokai’s Economic Future

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Solutions Pacific News Release

Molokai residents, business owners, and nonprofit leaders are invited to participate in a survey that will look deeper into the business landscape today and explore community-driven economic opportunities for the future. The survey aims to identify and learn from businesses on Molokai, gather insights from community members, and get input into how economic development and growth on Molokai can align with the values and aspirations of her people. The survey project is funded by the County of Maui and will provide decision-makers, including business and nonprofit leaders on Molokai, with important insights and information. Your survey responses can empower actions that improve well-being for all of Molokai.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Cybersecurity Camp for Students and Teachers

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

University of Hawaii News Release

The University of Hawaii is calling on students and teachers across the state to register for the highly anticipated 2025 GenCyber camps. These camps provide exciting, hands-on opportunities to develop valuable cybersecurity skills. Space is limited.
GenCyber is a program funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation that offers free cybersecurity camps for students and teachers nationwide. Since 2015, UH has hosted 44 student camps engaging more than 1,000 middle and high school students, and more than 25 teacher camps training more than 750 educators across the state.
“GenCyber camps are an excellent way for students to learn about exciting skills and careers they can pursue in college, and teachers learn techniques and content they can teach students in the classroom or in after-school programs,” said Jodi Ito, UH chief information security officer.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

April Police Summary

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Molokai Police Department News Release

During the month of April, the Molokai Police Department responded to 415 calls for service. Top three calls for service were for abuse of a family household member, disorderly conduct, and harassment. Officers also generated 246 cases, issued 108 traffic citations, and arrested 26 individuals for a total of 48 charges. Some of the most notable cases included a motor vehicle theft on the west end and burglary on the east end.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Pescaia Receives Lifetime Education Achievement Award, Part Two

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Pescaia Receives Lifetime Education Achievement Award, Part Two

Aka’ula School News Release

Miki’ala Pescaia is the recipient of Aka’ula School’s 2025 Lifetime Education Achievement Award. Below is an interview with Pescaia discussing her education, influences and beliefs. This is part two of the interview. Part one ran in last week’s issue of The Molokai Dispatch.
Aka`ula School (AS): Was there a school teacher who through his/her philosophy showed you that education does not have to be four walls and textbooks? A favorite saying of that teacher?
Miki`ala Pescaia (MP): Kumu Moke Kim was my 7th grade kumu that became a hanai dad to me. He didn’t do anything by the book.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Free Wifi Now Offered at Molokai Airport

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Hawaii Department of Transportation News Release

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) recently announced that free Wi-Fi is now available at Molokai Airport (MKK). Service through Hawaiian Telcom began April 17 and is available throughout the terminal.
The fiber optic network infrastructure was installed through HDOT’s HI Connect pilot project, which improved broadband infrastructure along roads in Kalihi, Puna, Ka‘u, Nanakuli, Wai‘anae, Makaha and Kapa‘a. The Hawaiian Telcom 1G fiber network can accommodate video streaming and downloads by multiple users.
“Air travel is a necessity for Molokai residents to access medical care and other resources,” said Senator Lynn DeCoite. “Access to free internet while waiting for flights can help make these essential trips more efficient and comfortable.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Keiki Fest Combines Education with Entertainment

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Keiki Fest Combines Education with Entertainment

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

This year’s annual Keiki Fest was a successful mix of entertaining activities and critical information for Molokai families. Organized by the Molokai Community Action Team, the event focused on ‘ohana well-being, explained Titi Hernandez, lead organizer of Keiki Fest.

“It’s for the keiki and their families,” said Hernandez. “We wanted to celebrate the keiki a little bit more as well as have a place for families to hang out.”

With over 1,200 Molokai community members in attendance at the Molokai Community Health Center on April 26, Hernandez and the Molokai Community Action Team were busy ushering kids and families between information booths, games, prizes, music performances and more.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Local Hui to Organize Flights for Medical Appointments 

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

After years of airport anxiety, Molokai residents on their way to doctors appointments should be able to breathe a little easier. A locally run healthcare hui, Pulama Ka Heke, recently received a Department of Health award specifically to transport residents and providers for medical care. 

 

“We want to close healthcare gaps,” explained Lani Ozaki, executive director of Pulama Ka Heke. To this end, Pulama Ka Heke will be chartering flights for those with medical appointments off-island, as well as offering flights to Molokai for medical specialists. 

 

The nearly $2 million award will cover two years of the Essential Rural Medical Air Transport (ERMAT) Pilot Program for both Molokai and Lanai.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

MHS Sports Update

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

MHS Sports Update

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

This past weekend, the Molokai High School (MHS) Farmers took on competition from around the state in several high stakes matches. After coming in second in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II tournament the previous week, the MHS softball team was back in action in a decisive play-in game for the state tournament. The Lady Farmers traveled to Maui to take on Waimea High School from Kauai. Natalia Pastrana took to the mound, however, the Lady Farmers couldn’t keep up with Waimea’s offense. A big second inning from Waimea put them up 11-1, and Waimea’s offense continued to fire.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment