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Community

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

Residents Take Lead in Island’s Tourism Plan

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

“Educate the visitor about our lifestyle,” said Molokai resident Kilia Purdy-Avelino. “The best way to help with that process is education through information.”

That’s the approach Molokai community members are taking in the development of a new brochure about the island geared towards visitors.

A new Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP) is set to be developed this year by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Over the past several weeks, members from the Molokai DMAP task force held community meetings throughout the island to share some of their updated work, especially regarding a new brochure aimed at visitors. These meetings were not organized through the HTA, but rather funded and sponsored by the local organization, Molokai ‘Ohana.…

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Aka’ula’s Big Night

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Aka’ula’s Big Night

On a windy Saturday night in Kaunakakai, Aka’ula School hosted their Ku Ka Lau Lama fundraiser for the first time since 2019 at the Molokai Community Health Center. Well-dressed students transformed into waiters and entertainers for the night for their families and community supporters as artwork, coolers, crossbows and more were auctioned off to the crowd.

Proceeds from the event went to support the financial aid program for the fifth through 12th grade private school, according to Victoria Newberry, an administrator at the school.

In addition to the general fundraiser, attendees could contribute specific “giving tree” gifts to students. These included art supplies, school materials, ceramics classes, water polo clinics and more.…

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Norman Henry DeCosta

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Norman Henry DeCosta

Norman Henry DeCosta passed away on Jan. 10, 2024. Born July 30, 1945, he is survived by his wife, Doreen Hokunani DeCosta, two sons, Norman Henry DeCosta, Jr., and Michael Louis DeCosta, 10 grandchildren, eight brothers and sister.

Norman served his country in Vietnam, returning to Hawaii as a Combat Wounded Purple Heart Veteran.

Upon his return to Hawaii he picked up his guitar and learned to play Hawaiian Mele and slack key guitar from the kupunas at Kaneohe Kupuna Program — all in the “old style.” He was dedicated to preserving everything that the kupunas taught him.

Norman played at various events in Honolulu often with his hula dancer, Hokunani.…

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Caroline Elizabeth Kawano

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Caroline Elizabeth Kawano

Caroline “Carol” Elizabeth Kawano, 88, of Kaunakakai, Molokai died on Oct. 22, 2023. Carol passed away at Kuakini Hospital on Oahu with her family by her side. Carol was born to the late Carlos Galinato Benedito and Takino Fujita on Jan. 11, 1935 on Molokai. She was married to the late Richard Tadao “Dao” Kawano. Preceding her death was her daughter Dale Kawano, brother Phillip Benedito (Emilia) and sister Jeanette Arellano. She is survived by daughter Richelle “Chelle” Kawano, hanai daughter Rietta Kaupu Tollefsen (Harry), brothers Carlos Roy Benedito (June), Leocadio Richard Benedito (Marilyn), sisters Rosalina Omalsa (William Dec.), Lourdes Fujimoto (Masao Dec.),…

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Shannon Kalani Ali’iloa Crivello

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Shannon Kalani Ali’iloa Crivello

 

Shannon Kalani Ali’iloa Crivello of Ho’olehua, Molokai, was born on Feb. 27, 1967. He was called home to rest in peace and love with our Heavenly Father on Oct. 25, 2023.
Shannon is predeceased by his dad, Harvey Ali’iloa Crivello, and is survived by his mom, Stacy Helm Crivello, his brothers, David “Kawika” (Lori-Lei), Warren Kaleo and Lindsey (TinaMarie) Crivello and his nephews, nieces, grandnephew and his faithful furry companion, Puaʻa. Shannon also leaves his love and aloha with his many cousins, uncles, aunts and longtime friends.

A 1985 graduate of Mid-Pacific Institute, Shannon also attended Molokai High School with the Class of 1985.…

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Charles Henry Murray, Jr.

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Charles Henry Murray, Jr.

Charles Henry Murray, Jr., fondly known as Chuck by those who knew him best, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2024, at the age of 79 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was born on Oct. 4, 1944, to the late Charles H. Murray, Sr. and Zelie L. Lima Anderson. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Lillian “Kaea” Nuhi Costa and Maryjane “Ala” Nelson, his two sons, Lenny H. Murray and Charles A. Murray, his wife, Paula Murray, and companion Batman.
He is survived by his four children, Gwendell Murray-Cannon of Alabama, Paul Murray of Kauai, Maile Murray of Kauai, and Rico Murray of Oahu, his six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, siblings Dianne Rodrigues, Sven Anderson, Jon-Paul Anderson all of Oahu, and step-brother Butch Murray of South Carolina, along with numerous extended ohana.…

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Happy Birthday, St. Marianne

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Community Contributed
By Fr. Pat Killilea ss.cc., St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa
Glory be to God, Mokulele Flight 999 touched down and taxied to a stop at Kalaupapa Airport only a few minutes behind schedule. We had neglected to lay down the red carpet, but who needs that when there is a warm welcome awaiting. Down the steps came Msgr. Robert Sarno, his golden dome glowing in the morning light. He was accompanied by Dr. Maria DeVera, Sisters Joan Souza, Davilyn Chick and Margaret Burnett, James Jackson, and Fathers Andrew Baranski and Paul Houlis. They received a standing ovation on arrival at Terminal 1.…

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New UH-Hilo Pharmacy Dean Visits Molokai

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

New UH-Hilo Pharmacy Dean Visits Molokai

Molokai Drugs, Inc. News Release
For 16 years, Molokai Drugs has been a preceptor site for interns from the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICOP) at the University of Hawaii-Hilo. As you can imagine, it was an honor to host Dr. Rae Matsumoto, the new dean at DKICOP, and Dr. Jarred Prudencio, the professor in charge of internships and experiences, on their first ever trip to Molokai. They were hosted by Molokai Drugs’ staff and were able to see first-hand the benefits and challenges of managing a rural, community pharmacy on an island with 7,000 residents.
Pictured left to right: Nooeree Samdani, year four intern, DKICOP; Dean Matsumoto; Dr.…

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Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

With their first season in over 20 years coming to a close, the Molokai High School (MHS) Boys Soccer team took on Kihei Charter. The re-match also coincided with senior day for the boys.

In Friday’s game, Matthew McGuire found the back of the net early, notching a 1-0 lead for Molokai, which they would hold through the second half, securing the first win of the season. The victory was the first for the MHS Boys Soccer team since 1999, according to reports on social media.

In Saturday’s game. Molokai emerged victorious with a final score of 4-1. The game’s scoring action began in the first half with Braeden Cabael-Kaahanui finding the net, giving Molokai an early lead of 1-0.…

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Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

For the Scherlings, music is foremost a family affair.

Alena, 19, and Mattayus Scherling, 15, were introduced to violin and cello back in 2017 after their mom saw an ad for free music classes in The Molokai Dispatch.

Now, Alena and Mattayus are the first Molokai kids to be invited to play with the Hawaii Youth Symphony. They will be performing with the youth symphony’s top orchestra, Youth Symphony I, on Feb. 19 at Maui’s Castle Theater.

The Scherlings started their music careers on borrowed instruments at Kaunakakai Elementary School under the tutelage of Bob Underwood. Now, they’ve continued to learn with the Molokai Community Strings Class, and from each other.…

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