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Community

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

Hole-in-One

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

Hole-in-One

Community Contributed

By Rick Schonely 

Ronald “Naka” Nakagawa recorded the sixth hole-in-one of his lifetime on Sunday, Sept. 17 at iconic Ironwood Hills golf course. Naka, a retired US postal employee and one of Molokai’s professional golfers and all-around great guy, used a seven iron from 125 yards at the white tees on the back nine of his round on Sunday. It is the number one hole but on the back nine it is number 10. This hole-in-one will add to the four others that he has at Ironwood Hills along with one that he recorded at Kaluakoi golf course. Six total aces in his 62 year golf career, which is awesome.…

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Out of Darkness Walk

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Out of Darkness Walk

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

“You’re not alone,” said Dr. Deb Goebert, co-chair of the Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force. “Hope moves us forward.”

Goebert is one of many who have been impacted by the effects of suicide. She, along with over 80 attendees, met at the Molokai Canoe Club last Saturday for the Out of Darkness Walk in the hopes of raising awareness for suicide prevention. 

According to Goebert, events like the Out of Darkness Walk make a big difference, especially on neighbor islands where mental health resources are scarce. 

Communities like Molokai have higher rates of suicide, explained Goebert, but they also have more of the strengths that people struggling with mental health can use – like community and family connection. …

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Victories for MHS Sports

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Victories for MHS Sports

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

This past Saturday, the Molokai High School (MHS) Cross Country Team competed at King Kekaulike, featuring both the Boys and Girls divisions.

As a team, the Molokai boys placed fifth with a score of 143. Top finishers for Molokai included Jericho Adolpho placing 18th with a time of 20:02.8 and Sonny Dunham placing 22nd with a time of 20:55.5.

For the Girls Cross Country Team, top finishers included Kaia Yamashita placing 19th with a time of 26:15.2, Sonni Han with a time of 32:43.1 at 39th, and Ara Puaa with a time of 33:05.1 at 40th. …

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Family Sues County Over Fatal Shooting in April

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Members of Naki ‘ohana have sued the County of Maui and police officers involved in the April 30 shooting of 39-year-old Nathaniel Naki. In the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court last week, his family claims officers on the scene used “unlawful deadly force when they discharged their weapons at Nathaniel without provocation.”

The suit is based on seven counts that include malicious, willful, and wanton conduct by police, emotional distress and suffering to Naki prior to his death, intentional infliction of emotional distress to his family, and wrongful death. For those seeking justice in similar cases, consulting a skilled wrongful death attorney Racine can provide crucial legal support.…

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Country Fair

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

St. Damien Parish News Release 

Please join us for this free community event on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Damien of Molokai Parish Country Fair is in its 20th year.  The event offers something for everyone including, a country store, a plant sale, a silent auction, entertainment, keiki games, a prayer table, baked goods, Filipino food, popcorn and drinks, and our specialty food items.  This year we are again selling our marinated uncooked chicken and cooked shrimp plate by pre-sale tickets.  You can purchase both at the Damien Center office 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday or after mass at any of our parish churches. …

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Big Changes Coming for Mobile Market

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Sustʻainable Molokai is pleased to announce exciting changes to our Mobile Market schedule, aimed at better serving our valued customers across the island. These changes are set to roll out during the first week of October.

We are thrilled to be adding a new pick-up location, making it easier than ever for our Manaʻe community to access fresh, locally-sourced produce. Starting Oct. 1, you can find us at Kilohana Elementary School every Thursday from 2:30-3:30 p.m., to pick up your orders, right after the buses leave. 

For our Kaunakakai and Hoʻolehua customers, we have expanded our pick-up time windows to offer greater flexibility.…

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Know Your Place

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Community Contributed

Li’ula Busby, MHS Grade 12 

Kalo is happiest when it is growing where it belongs. When I was five, my mom asked me what I want to be when I grow up. I said I want to be happy. I’m happiest when I have a sense of belonging. Belonging means to fit in. It means being in the right place with the right people. Knowing your place is challenging sometimes because your place shifts when you’re with different people and when you’re in different places. To truly know your place, you need to know who you are. Next, figure out your viewpoint on what’s right and wrong.…

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Art and Health Go Hand in Hand at MGH

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Art and Health Go Hand in Hand at MGH

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

“What do you want the art to say?” asked Dewitt Jones, longtime photographer and Molokai resident. 

He gestured along the walls of Molokai General Hospital, adorned with huge canvases capturing May Days, Makahiki, rodeos: Molokai people and Molokai days gone by. These are just some of the estimated 120 photos decorating the hospital. 

“When the nurses go away, it’s just the walls,” said Jones. “You feel very alone.” 

Jones’ hope is that pictures of local people, places and scenes help those who enter and work at the hospital to feel more at peace. 

“You come to a hospital.…

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Badges and Buckets Fundraiser

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Badges and Buckets Fundraiser

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Badges and Buckets, the three-day fundraiser for Special Olympics formerly known as Cop on Top, took place outside the Molokai Public Library from Wednesday to Friday last week. Off-duty police officers climbed the 10-foot scaffold over a dunk tank to create excitement around the event. Residents supported local Special Olympics athletes for a shot at dunking an officer. 

As of Friday morning, the fundraiser had reached over $7,000 of its $10,000 goal, according to  Rita Kalahiki, the area director for Special Olympics Molokai. 

Kalahiki has been involved with Special Olympics Molokai since 1989. Now she coordinates events and games for the group.…

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Molokai Farmers Football vs Lanai Pine Lads

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Molokai Farmers Football vs Lanai Pine Lads

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

On Sept. 9, the Molokai Farmers Football Team, with Head Coach Mike Kahale, traveled to Lanai City for a matchup against the Pine Lads. 

The Molokai Farmers improved their record to 2-0 with a 35-6 win over the Pine Lads. Tonka Kalilikane and Keith Gloor-Suafoa each scored two touchdowns with the addition of Kestan Tamanaha also scoring a touchdown reception for the Farmers.  

Kalilikane had scoring runs of 77 and 72 yards while Gloor-Suafoa threw TD passes of 27 and 18 yards. Kobra Cariaga-Abafo, the starting quarterback for the Farmers, delivered the initial touchdown pass before unfortunately succumbing to an ankle injury.…

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