Community

CRB Detected on Molokai 2 Beetles Found in Different Locations

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

Less than seven months after the state government approved an interim rule to protect Molokai from a voracious pest that could devastate the island’s coconut trees — and go after an array of other crops — the measure just wasn’t enough. Two coconut rhinoceros beetles were captured in two traps 12 miles apart last week. 

“We found a large scarab insect in a trap near Malama Park in Kaunakakai,” Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee coordinator Lori Buchanan said of the first beetle found April 7.

The park is at the entrance of Kaunakakai Wharf. The beetle was found dead inside a trap fitted with pheromones.…

First Friday Lights Up Kaunakakai

Friday, April 10th, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

A small barter-and-trade event has recently evolved into a much larger affair, bringing a bustling vibe with live music, food vendors and several cultural activities to the heart of Kaunakakai once a month. 

“This event is called First Friday,” event organizer Mercy Ritte said. “We’re continuing our Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai event, now held on the first Friday. We’ve expanded the event from our barter-and-trade table.”  For organizations looking to support or scale community and promotional events, resources like backwoodspromo.com can be helpful in connecting with experienced event staffing and promotional support services.

For more than a year, Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai (those of the uplands share their crops, those of the seaside share their catch), served as a hub for residents to trade and share produce on the lawn fronting Molokai Public Library once or twice a month in the middle of the week. …

We All Live in a Yellow Airplane

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

In the town where you were born, visited a woman who flew the skies. And she told you of her life in the land of airplanes. So they flew on to the sun ‘til they found the sky of blue. And they lived above the clouds in their yellow airplane.

“What this event is really about is the Young Eagles program. We were hoping to get flights up today. The weather did not agree with us, but we introduced kids to flight,” Little Yellow Plane owner Tessa Coulter said of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Molokai Fly-In 2026 at Hoʻolehua Airport March 28. …

ʻNo Dictators’ Stand Up for Democracy

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

About three dozen Molokai residents protested simultaneously with millions of protesters in thousands of No Kings protests across the nation last weekend criticizing President Donald Trump’s actions and policies. 

“I’m a Veteran. I’m the son of a veteran, brother of a veteran, grandson of a veteran, great-grandson of a veteran, going all the way back to the Revolutionary War,” protester Greg O’Shea said. “What we fought for was for the rights, that I understand, freedom of speech, freedom to practice religion, all of these things that I think we should be able to stand up for each other, and not have one person dictate to us what we’ve got to do and how we’ve got to do it.”…

Easter Egg Hunt in Kaunakakai

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

The Easter bunny almost stole the scene, even if unintentionally, by bringing thousands of Easter eggs filled with candy to town. After all, who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? But it was Jesus’ day. So, just like in the last 20 centuries, the day was all about Jesus’ sacrifices and all-welcoming love. 

 “The whole reason to celebrate Easter is Jesus,” King’s Chapel Molokai pastor Robert Sahagun told a crowd of about 500 people, among keiki and their families, at the 2026 Community Easter Egg Hunt at Kaunakakai Elementary School field March 28. 

“We do celebrate with eggs,” he said.…