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Community

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

Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

KES News Release

On Friday, Dec. 12, Kaunakakai Elementary School (KES) held its annual Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child event.  This event is held on campus in the evening and is an opportunity for Kaunakakai School students to come and experience a night of fun and holiday cheer while their parents have free time to enjoy themselves and strengthen their relationships!

We had more than 115 children participate in the event this year where they made Recycled-Paper pencil holders to give as Christmas gifts to their parents, created Origami star Christmas decorations, decorated delicious holiday-themed cupcakes, ate dinner and watched a movie.…

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Arrest Made for May Murder

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

A Molokai man has been indicted for murder following the death of 20-year-old Molokai resident Koshari Waits in May, according to police. Jeffery Kalani Davis, 39, was arrested two weeks ago on charges of second-degree murder and several firearm violations, following a grand jury indictment.

On the morning of May 20, Waits’ body was found lying on a dirt road along Kamehameha Highway in Mapulehu, spotted by a moped driver. Police reported a suspicious head injury, later saying he suffered a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.

On May 23, Davis was arrested in connection with the murder investigation, but was released the following day.…

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Hunters Discuss Safety Concerns

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

When the Dispatch published a story earlier this month about a bullet being shot through a west end home, Molokai kupuna and hunter Yama Kaholoaa was concerned for the safety of Molokai residents and called the island’s hunters together.

“[This] is not to make rules and regulations… but to be responsible and teach our children and grandchildren about safety,” Kaholoaa told the group that responded to his request to meet.

The west end homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Dispatch a bullet had been shot at night through his house at the north end of Papohaku Beach. Being a hunter himself, he said while the incident left him and his wife shaken up, he did not want to press charges but instead hoped the dangerous mishap would raise awareness of hunting safety.…

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Molokai’s Miss Congeniality

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

Molokai’s Miss Congeniality

This year’s Miss Hawaii Rodeo, Cheyanne Keliihoomalu, made history as the first contestant from Molokai to compete in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant earlier this month. She came home with what she called “an amazingly fun experience” and an award – being named Miss Congeniality, bringing with it a $1000 scholarship.

“It was a very tough week and so far out of my comfort zone,” wrote Keliihoomalu in a letter to the Dispatch. “However, it was an amazingly fun experience and I got to experience it with a phenomenal group of women from all over the country, who I can now call my friends.”…

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Ingenuity on Display in Holiday Expo

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Ingenuity on Display in Holiday Expo

Trix cereal treats, ceramic fish and studies on legumes in soil—all of it came from the minds and hands of Molokai High students at the school’s Holiday Exhibition last Wednesday. A collaboration between the Fine Arts department and Career and Technical Education (CTE), the exhibition gave the public a glimpse of the projects students are creating to meet needs and solve real-life problems on Molokai.

As part of hypothetical businesses created in class, students offered samples of food, haircut services, jewelry and other products to potential customers passing through the exhibition in the school’s cafeteria. Aliana Eustaquio and Ida Pongmulee invented a business called Molokai Upcycling, taking used clothes and transforming them into newly designed jean shorts, skirts and bow ties.…

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Library of Local Talent

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Library of Local Talent

Molokai artists ushered in the holidays last week, gathering to share their work at the Public Library in the third annual art show of Molokai Arts Center (MAC) members.

“To me, it’s a chance for the organization to thank individual artists and for them to get some exposure – and to see themselves as professional artists,” said potter Dan Bennett, MAC Treasurer and founding member. “We have to push some to enter because they don’t think their art is good enough, which to me is absurd.”

Art in all colors, shapes and sizes – ranging from the useful to the whimsical – made an appearance at the show, representing at least 30 member artists, Bennett said.…

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Fishing Tensions Headed to Court

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

A confrontation between Oahu divers and Molokai fishermen is headed to court. The incident, in which four Molokai men are being accused of illegally boarding a vessel in state waters, came as a culmination of rising tensions between off-island fishermen known to load up on Molokai catch and island residents who depend on those resources to feed their families.

In May, the four men allegedly threatened a group of Oahu divers fishing off Molokai and were recently arrested on felony charges. Robin Dudoit, 57, Floyd Kapuni, 31, Kaiula English, 28, and Albert Dudoit Jr., 27, were arrested by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the Maui Police Department on Nov.…

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12 Days Adrift: The Story of Ron Ingraham

Monday, December 15th, 2014

12 Days Adrift: The Story of Ron Ingraham

What began as a routine fishing trip to Lanai on Thanksgiving Day turned into a 12-day battle of survival at sea for Molokai’s Ron Ingraham. While his friends planned his funeral and authorities gave up the search, Ingraham lived on fish he caught, bailed all night while 20-foot waves crashed over his boat, and — having nearly given up all hope — “jerry-rigged” his water-sodden radio for one final signal for help that led to his rescue and a reunion with his estranged son.

Sixty-seven-year-old Ingraham wasn’t expecting a mishap at sea, but his lifestyle prepared him for it. He’s a fisherman who lives on his 25-foot sailboat, tied at a slip at Kaunakakai Harbor.…

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Glowing Good Cheer

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

Glowing Good Cheer

When night fell last Saturday, Kaunakakai came alive. Residents welcomed in the holidays with a dazzling array of lights and entertainment in the island’s Annual Christmas Light Parade and Ho`olaule`a.

“We just do this for the community, for the kids,” said Kelvin Keanini, who marched with the Frozen-themed float created by the Molokai Latter-day Saints Youth. “… Everybody stepped up their production with the floats.”

According to organizers, 25 groups participated in the parade. County Mayor Alan Arakawa traveled from Maui to serve as the grand marshal. The glittering floats included a Hawaiian style “12 Days of Christmas” display, a gingerbread house, light-adorned boats and Santa Claus.…

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New DOE Position for MHS Grad

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

New DOE Position for MHS Grad

A Molokai High graduate has been named to a new position for Oahu’s Castle-Kahuku Complex Area schools. Gisele Wong, a long-time educator raised on Molokai, is now working as the Title 1 linker to ensure that the 16-school complex meets federal requirements.

Title 1 is part of the federal government’s commitment to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and other students by providing school funding based on high numbers of students from low-income families.

Daughter of Mark Ortogero and the late Linda Adachi Kahookano, Wong was born on Oahu and moved to Molokai when she was 15; most of her extended family still lives on the Friendly Isle

“I owe a lot of where I am as an educator and a lifelong learner to a handful of MHIS teachers, who believed that anything is possible,” said Wong, a mother of five.…

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