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Community

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

Join Kulāia Celebration, Molokai Canoe Festivals 

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Join Kulāia Celebration, Molokai Canoe Festivals 

Kulaia Molokai News Release

Mark your calendars for the Kulāia Celebration — Molokai Canoe Festivals in downtown Kaunakakai, between Bank of Hawaii and Fish & Dive Sept. 26 from 5 to 10 p.m.

This free community event celebrates the spirit of Molokai and the Nā Wāhine o Ke Kai, bringing together paddlers, visitors, and locals for an evening filled with live Hawaiian music, ono food, Molokai artisans, cultural demonstrations, and free lomilomi.

Visit kulaia.wix.com/kulaiamolokai for more information.…

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Badges and Buckets for Special Olympics Athletes

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Badges and Buckets for Special Olympics Athletes

By Léo Azambuja

Several volunteers, sports coaches, athletes and off-duty law enforcement officers spent three days last week in front of Molokai Public Library battling the Kaunakakai heat while raising awareness and funds for the island’s Special Olympics athletes.

“This is a great event. This is a great partnership between the (police) department and Special Olympics,” Maui County communications police officer Emmanuel Bello said of Badges and Buckets, the largest annual grassroots fundraiser event held by police departments across Hawaii. 

“We are offering $15 donations,” he said on the last day of the fundraiser. “With a $15 donation, you can choose from either a hat or a shirt.”…

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It’s OK to Ask for Help

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

It’s OK to Ask for Help

By Léo Azambuja

Several advocates for suicide prevention took time off from their schedules and held signs in Kaunakakai last week, spreading messages of love and courage, and letting people know that even in the darkest hours, there is hope. Always.

“It’s never too late to call 988,” said Uʻilani Kiaha, Molokai representative for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “It’s a number that people can call or text, and you can even go online and put this in, and you can chat with somebody.”

More than a dozen residents, including Kiaha, held signs of support in front of the Molokai Public Library Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m.…

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Molokai ‘Ulu Fest 

Friday, September 19th, 2025

Molokai ‘Ulu Fest 

By Léo Azambuja

The Molokai ‘Ulu Fest last week celebrated the versatility of this highly productive, climate-resilient starchy fruit that grows on trees and is considered one of the most productive crops on Earth.

“The intention behind the event is to celebrate all things ʻulu,” ʻĀina Momona event coordinator Mercy Ritte said.

A couple hundred people came to Molokai Community Health Center Saturday morning to the event highlighting ‘ulu, also known as breadfruit. Just like in past events hosted by ʻĀina Momona, the focus is on food security, food sovereignty and food independence, always highlighting traditional and locally grown foods, Ritte said.…

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Make Molokai Beautiful

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Make Molokai Beautiful

Molokai Bahá’í Community News Release
The Global Citizenship Speaker series resumes at the Molokai Public Library Sept.17 at 5:30 p.m. The first presentation features Molokai artist Kalaʻe Tangonan, who will share her passion for using the visual arts to make Molokai even more beautiful.
The program will feature moʻolelo behind the mammoth re-muraling project at Molokai High School and how multimedia arts can help make Molokai “the most beautiful island our hearts know is possible.”
Tangonan is a multi-media artist, a graduate of University of Hawaii, Hilo’s arts program, mother of nine children, and community arts activist, providing everything from face painting at keiki fairs to hair and makeup for proms, from decorating for parties to lei making for funerals.…

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Molokai Boy is the Prince at the Aloha Festivals’ Royal Court

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Hawaii Tourism Authority News Release

A Molokai boy is now the prince for the Royal Court for this year’s Aloha Festivals, the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S. The 2025 Royal Court began their reign Sept. 6 during the Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony in Honolulu.

The Royal Court, which consists of Mō‘ī Kāne (king), Mō‘ī Wahine (queen), Kamāli‘i Kāne (prince), Kamāli‘i Wahine (princess) and various court attendants, is an integral part of the festival’s perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and is a visual reminder of the royal legacy of the Hawaiian people.

Sean Kaleohano Kekahuna Jr., of Hoʻolehua, Molokai, is the 2025 Kamāli‘i Kāne.…

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Vaccine Available Next Week as Flu Season Looms

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Vaccine Available Next Week as Flu Season Looms

By Léo Azambuja

The flu season is knocking on our doors, and even the healthiest people may not be immune to the flu, a common illness that sometimes can escalate to a severe condition and cause life-threatening complications. 

“An annual flu vaccine is a great way to insure against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine each year,” Molokai Drugs pharmacist-in-charge Kelly Go said, adding the vaccine is designed to protect against the three flu viruses most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season, which runs from October to May.…

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Ho‘āhu Program Graduates Six Clean Energy Technicians

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Ho‘āhu Program Graduates Six Clean Energy Technicians

By Léo Azambuja
A literally electrifying program at a Molokai nonprofit organization has produced in the last few years dozens of clean energy technicians ready to put their skills toward cheaper energy and improved quality of life for island residents.
“We are able to now have people who are skilled and knowledgeable in the field of renewable energy. So, as the demand continues on the island, the goal is for the local residents to be able to secure those positions with employers, but also to explore into the entrepreneurship realm,” said Liliana Napoleon, training and workforce developer at Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokai.…

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County Teaches Grant Writing Workshop

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

County Teaches Grant Writing Workshop

By Léo Azambuja
What are the right steps that could help nonprofit organizations to successfully seek, apply for, receive and manage grants? Through a comprehensive workshop, Maui County staff members tried to demystify the grant writing process and open new avenues for grant funding on Molokai.
“Our vision is to create an army of grant writers throughout the county to gather partnerships and funding resources for our needs, not necessarily coming from county dollars,” Maui County Chief of Staff Cynthia Lallo said at a public meeting at Mitchell Pauole Center Aug. 25, seeking participants for a grant writing workshop on the same location the following day.…

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Planting Pilina: Maunaloa Students Connect to Culture through Kalo

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Planting Pilina: Maunaloa Students Connect to Culture through Kalo

Communiy contributed
By ʻIolani Kuoha, Maunaloa Elementary School Temporary Vice Principal

At Maunaloa Elementary School, the foundation of learning is rooted not only in books and lessons, but also in ʻāina. On a recent morning filled with mana and mud, every student had the opportunity to plant their own kalo, participating in a powerful cultural and educational experience made possible through the generosity of our community.
Thanks to the support of local kalo farmer Josh Pastrana, students were introduced to a variety of kalo; moi, ʻeleʻele naioea and kapaʻaloa. Students also learned about the deeper meaning of Haloa — the first child of Wākea and Hoʻohōkūkalani in the Kumulipo — and the spiritual elder sibling to kanaka.…

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