Community

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

William Robert Keating

Friday, June 28th, 2024

William Robert Keating

William Robert Keating was born Oct. 16, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio and passed away April 25, 2024, in Honoka’a, Hawaii. He is predeceased by his parents Robert A Keating, MD., and Harriet Steele Keating. He is survived by his sister Karen Keating Moody Bierly, nieces Merry Troper, Molly Moody, Megan Moody Dininger, and nephew Scott Moody. William was a graduate of Worthington HS and Ohio State University, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Billy ran The Jerome Wheelers Public House in Aspen for many years. He loved Aspen and his companion wolf/husky, Tugboat. Billy took up bull riding in local rodeos – never managing a winning eight seconds, but plenty of time in the hospital.…

New Deputy Superintendent for Kalaupapa

Friday, June 28th, 2024

New Deputy Superintendent for Kalaupapa

National Park Service News Release

Please join us in welcoming Linh Anh Cat as Kalaupapa’s new deputy superintendent. We are looking forward to exercising her skills to enhance the park’s management capacity at this critical time.
Linh Anh Cat started in her new role as deputy superintendent at Kalaupapa National Historical Park earlier this month. She was the integrated resources management lead at Cabrillo National Monument before joining Kalaupapa National Historical Park as the natural resource management division lead in July 2022. Within the National Park Service, Linh Anh has worked on furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at park, network, regional, and service wide levels.…

Preserving the Stories of Molokai

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Hokulani CTOM News Release

The Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai (CTOM) invites kupuna to share their stories in the ‘Preserving the Stories of Molokai’ children’s book project.
This unique initiative seeks to bring together the wisdom of Molokai’s kupuna, or elders, with the creativity of our keiki, or children, to create a timeless collection of stories that celebrate our rich heritage and impart valuable life lessons.
We are calling upon our beloved kupuna to participate in this special project by sharing stories from their childhood that taught them important life lessons. These stories will be retold by our keiki, who, working with kupuna, will also illustrate them — capturing the essence and spirit of Molokai’s traditions for future generations.…

Kaluakoi Brush Fire

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Kaluakoi Brush Fire

On June 20, around 1 p.m. Molokai fire crews arrived to find a brush fire partially in a gulch and being spread by the windy conditions in the area of 40 Maunaloa rd. Access to portions of the fire was difficult due to the steep terrain of the gulch, according to the Maui Fire Dept. Using tankers, heavy equipment and helicopters, fire crews were able to eventually contain the fire and stop it from crossing the highway. Public works heavy equipment were able to assist in cutting lines around the perimeter of the fire. By 7 p.m. on June 20, the estimated 50 acre fire was declared under control, but not fully extinguished.…

Kaunakakai Saturday Market Revival

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Residents and visitors fondly recall the vibrant Saturday morning outdoor market that was held in Kaunakakai, where vendors sold a variety of goods including fresh produce, art, jewelry, baked goods, and local delicacies like musubi, mochi and kulolo. This bustling market fostered a sense of community with impromptu reunions and shared connections. The COVID pandemic halted this weekly celebration of local products, and subsequent changes to Ala Malama’s sidewalks have made it impractical for the market to return there.

To revive this cherished tradition, the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) and the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) are teaming up. Moving the market from its current location in front of Grace Church in Ho’olehua to the large, grassy field at MCHC will make it more central for residents on the island, along with offering ample parking, restroom access and tent coverage.…

Mo’olelo Exploration at the Library

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Mo’olelo Exploration at the Library

As Molokai residents settle into summer, the Molokai Public Library continues to offer compelling programming for kids and adults alike. Last Wednesday, June 19, the world-famous Taiko Center of the Pacific made the trip over to Molokai for a special performance.

The taiko performers explored the art of storytelling through drumming. In front of a crowd of 120 Molokai community members, which included the Kaunakakai Summer Pals program, the drummers enacted stories of snowy days, horseback arrow attacks and samurai invasions.

Made possible by the University of Hawaii’s statewide cultural expansion program and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, the taiko drummers are just one part of the many experiences to be hosted by the library in conjunction with this year’s summer reading challenge.…

Young Paniolo on to Nationals

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Young Paniolo on to Nationals

Cousins Bailey Sproat and Buzzy Sproat-Augustiro, both Molokai High School juniors, qualified last weekend for the National High School Rodeo Finals after a strong performance at the state finals. The duo placed third in the team roping event, earning a spot in the upcoming national tournament.

Even though Bailey is a defending champion in the event, she and Buzzy weren’t certain they would qualify, having not been able to compete in several rodeos leading up to the state finals.

“My teammate Buzzy and I missed our first two rodeos at the start of the season, and we were still able to place third in the state,” shared Bailey in a social media post.…

Summer’s First Regatta

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Summer’s First Regatta

Hundreds of Molokai residents cheered from the wharf as they watched the first home regatta of the paddling season last Saturday. Molokai athletes from keiki to kupuna from the island’s canoe clubs lined up against each other in quarter and half-mile races. Calm winds and quiet waters made for competitive racing across the field. The next regattas will be held on July 6 and July 20 in the lead up to the state championships, which will be held Aug. 3 in Ke’ehi, Oahu and will be hosted by the Molokai Canoe Racing Association this year.   …

2025 County Budget Includes Funds for Puko’o Fire Station

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Maui County News Release

Alongside Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee and Council Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Mayor Richard Bissen signed into law an approximately $1.263 billion fiscal year 2025 budget that boosts housing for residents, especially those who were displaced after the 2023 August wildfires, supports wildfire recovery and resiliency, bolsters social service programs and delivers core County of Maui services.
For Molokai specifically, the budget included $2.25 million in funding for the Puko’o fire station.
The budget was signed into law a week after it was unanimously passed by the Maui County Council on June 5.…

Kamaka Air Resumes Flights

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Kamaka Air News Release

Kamaka Air, Hawaii’s premier inter-island air cargo company, is proud to announce it has resumed full flight operations servicing all islands in the state once again. Due to recent personnel transitions, Kamaka temporarily halted its flights on June 5 but ensured continued deliveries through a partnership with a third-party airline.
“At Kamaka Air, we understand the essential role our services play in delivering products, medications, and mail to residents across every Hawaiian island. We deeply regret any disruption caused by the events of last week,” said David Hinderland, CEO of Kamaka Air. “Today, our planes are flying again, our teams are excited to be in the air, servicing our great Kamaka Air customers who depend on our deliveries for their everyday needs.…