Community

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

Queen’s Gala Highlights Student Chef Successes

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

Queen’s Gala Highlights Student Chef Successes

Molokai’s high school chefs had a chance to shine at last weekend’s Queen’s Gala.

A celebration and fundraiser for the Molokai High School Culinary Club, the Queen’s Gala showcased the high schoolers’ culinary prowess. Now in its second year, the Culinary Club is thriving, offering high school seniors education and job opportunities right out of high school.

“If the community sees the success at the end of the rainbow, then they’re more bound to support in the future,” explained club moderator and Molokai High School teacher Tiare Hubbard. “This is a student focused, student created and student driven event.”

The MHS chefs created and served a five-course meal, working alongside mentor chefs from UH Maui College, the Four Seasons Maui and Fairmont Kea Lani.…

Opunui Appointed to Omidyar Fellows Program

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Hawaii Leadership Forum News Release

Landon Opunui, executive director and medical director of Na Puʻuwai, was one of 16 local leaders in Hawaii welcomed into the ninth cohort of the Hawaii Leadership Forum’s Omidyar Fellows program. The program seeks to cultivate the conditions in which Hawaii thrives by equipping leaders with the skills and cross-sector relationships necessary to affect societal change.

Following a rigorous application process, these individuals were selected from the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors based on their accomplishments, innovative skills, ability to collaborate with other leaders, and motivation to make a positive difference.

“We are excited to bring back this unique opportunity for emerging leaders to engage in impactful discussions, learn from one another, and help make Hawaii even better,” said AJ Halagao, president of Hawaii Leadership Forum.…

Broadband Infrastructure Program Will Begin on Molokai

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Oceanit News Release

Oceanit recently announced that their team will lead an initiative to implement accessible broadband infrastructure across Hawaiian Home Lands. Oceanit’s work is a collaborative effort with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and is a significant step toward addressing digital equality for Native Hawaiians, while also boosting the state’s economic diversity. Oceanit’s work is a vital part of a broader, nationwide endeavor to extend high-speed broadband access for all.

Oceanit is commencing work in 2024 with Molokai as an initial focus for implementation. The collaborative initiative will benefit both current and future Native Hawaiian residents by enhancing reliable broadband access and providing digital literacy training through community anchor institutions.…

Continuing to Thrive

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Molokai History Project News Release

This history project continues to thrive and grow thanks to our wonderful community and your support. Thank you to Misaki’s and to Molokai Drugs who allowed us to place huge posters guiding the community to the library. Thank you to the staff at the library where we have been allowed to install our Paniolo Exhibit, with a nod to many of our Molokai cowboys with saddles and lots of facts and photos. Thank you to the staff at the airport as our beautiful display case, built locally, is placed right in the center of the departure lounge allowing you to walk all the way around to see the beautiful display for the history project and the Molokai Arts Center.…

Scholarships for MHS Students

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Scholarships for MHS Students

Tens of thousands of dollars were awarded to Molokai High School (MHS) students for post-high school studies at the annual scholarship award ceremony last week. The scholarships are funded through a combination of local businesses, MHS alumni, and more.

“Remember who you are and where you come from,” said Keo Hirata, in the presentation of a scholarship from KAPA Curious to a MHS senior.

Many of the scholarship presenters were MHS alumni themselves. Ruth Dean, Class of 1961, introduced a new $5,000 award. Dean, whose mother was born in Kalaupapa, explained that she wanted to give an award for a student intending on attending a vocational school.…

Ho’omau Celebrates Olelo Hawaii

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Ho’omau Celebrates Olelo Hawaii

In the 29th annual Ho’omau celebration on Molokai, residents from across the island gathered to commemorate the study of ‘olelo Hawaii. The event was a fundraiser for the preschoolers of Punana Leo o Molokai, a Hawaiian language immersion preschool.

“This whole movement is a revitalization starting with our keiki so ‘olelo Hawaii can live on throughout the whole family,” explained Pueo Akina-Sumarnap, a teacher at Punana Leo o Molokai. “This program, this movement, is so important because it’s who we are.”

Last Saturday’s Ho’omau included vendors, food and entertainment. Proceeds help fund school supplies, programming and tuition for the students and families of Punana Leo.…

Kaiwi Channel Races Up and Running

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Kaiwi Channel Races Up and Running

The Pa’a Hawaii Kaiwi Solo was held on May 4 in the daunting waters of the Kaiwi Channel.
The demanding solo between Molokai and Oahu looms large in the world of competitive paddling.

“If a [single-man canoe] paddler was allowed just one accolade to define their lifetime of paddling, many of the world’s best would argue that a Kaiwi Solo win would be it,” explains the Pa’a Hawaii website.

118 paddlers from across the world journeyed to Molokai to compete in this year’s race, prepared to subsist for hours on just the rhythm of the waves and the strength of their own will.…

New Ho’olehua Center Caught in Leadership Quagmire

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

New Ho’olehua Center Caught in Leadership Quagmire

 

A split in leadership within the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) has caused delays with the opening of the new Ho’olehua Veterans and Homestead Residents’ Center. The building is nearly complete, however the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), which owns the land, has instituted a two month deferment period following community meetings in late April.

Initially, DHHL was ready to recommend that MVCV have sole management of the new building, according to DHHL reports from a March 25 beneficiary consultation meeting on Molokai. While MVCV would manage the building, the facility would be jointly used by the Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association.…

OHA Trustees Visit the Molokai History Project

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

OHA Trustees Visit the Molokai History Project

When the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) conducted their annual board of trustees meeting on Molokai last Wednesday, they took the opportunity to visit a new Molokai institution dedicated to preserving old ways: the Molokai History Project. Founded in October 2023, the Molokai History Project museum has grown to encompass rotating exhibits and visitors from across the world, but the OHA trustees were a first.

“This is the largest group that we’ve had,” explained Judy Mertens, a founder of the Molokai History Project. OHA “contacted us and said that they’d heard about the museum and would like a tour.”

The full board of trustees, including staff, along with kupuna from Alu Like, gathered in the courtyard behind the museum to honor the occasion.…

Richard Wilson Stevens, Jr.

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

Richard Wilson Stevens, Jr. Devoted educator, loving father and grand-papa, patient, kind and generous servant to all his life touched, Richard Wilson Stevens, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his children Filita Napoleon, Naomi Patterson, Sa Stephens (Kawika), Tina DeMarco, Tausali Hiro (Nick), hanai Lynn Manuel (Kana), son Iosua, 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Richard was born Oct. 15, 1950 in California to Richard and Jeri Stevens, the oldest, and wisest, of six siblings, also surviving him; Charles, David, Robert, John and Laura. Mr. Stevens led an adventurous life and experienced many professions, traveling all over the U.S.,…