Community

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

Molokai Author Celebrates 5th Book

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Molokai Author Celebrates 5th Book

Leap Day, Feb. 29, featured a special event at Pacific Eatery in Kaunakakai. Molokai-based artist Arabella Arc held a book signing, celebrating her fifth completed novel, “The Life She Didn’t Live, and the One She Did.”

Arc started writing back in 1999, but didn’t finish her first book, “Pants on Fire,” until 2013. Now, she has finished three books in the last couple of years. The California native spent more than 30 years living in Waianae, before moving to Hana and then Molokai, to be near family. Arc explained the pace of life on Molokai has afforded her more time to write.…

Soup ‘R Bowl 2024

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Soup ‘R Bowl 2024

Molokai Arts Center News Release

The 14th Annual Soup ‘R Bowl will be held on Saturday, March 9, and brings us back to the Molokai Community Health Center, under the banyan tree with an oceanside backdrop. Doors will open at 6 p.m.This year also sees the return of the VIP Early Entry for our patrons to select bowls and/or find seats first. If you didn’t get your ticket in the mail, we’ll have your name at the VIP entry to the right of the main entrance.
Every year, Molokai waits for the opportunity to select a bowl handcrafted primarily at the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) by Molokai artisans.…

Wrestling Competes at State Championship

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Wrestling Competes at State Championship

In a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, the 2024 State Wrestling Championships unfolded with gripping matches and standout performances. Head Coach Randy Manley offered a comprehensive recap of the event, highlighting the triumphs and challenges faced by the team.

“We had a promising start at States, with four wrestlers reaching the consolation quarterfinals on day two, and two wrestlers advancing to the championship semifinals,” said Manely. “However, day two proved to be more challenging, resulting in the early elimination of four wrestlers. In the end, we celebrated two wrestlers making it to the podium: Jona Dudoit (4-2) securing fourth place and Ohia Borden-Phillips (4-2) earning fifth place.”…

Talk Story: The Mid Nite Inn

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Talk Story: The Mid Nite Inn

Opened in 1935, the Mid Nite Inn was synonymous with Molokai, akule and good times. Last Saturday, Feb. 24, John and Phillip Kikukawa sat down with a packed house at the Molokai History Project to reminisce on three generations of running the Mid Nite Inn. The following is an edited version of the two-hour-plus dialogue from Saturday’s event.

John Kikukawa (JK): “We were born into the restaurant business. We came from parents who were really different. Dad (Art) was a local boy. Mom (Cecily) was a new haole teacher…We lived half a mile away from the restaurant, next to the Seaside Inn…That area was all Molokai Ranch rentals.”…

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Three Molokai legends came to life last Wednesday, Feb. 28, performed by students from the Kualapuu School’s Hawaiian immersion program. The memorable performance of Hana Keaka theater was held at the Molokai Community Health Center.

The kindergarten through sixth graders tested their drama skills in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 300 Molokai community members. The keiki actors performed the stories of the giant Ha’eha’eku, the wise Kuapakaa, and the famous Kaohele.

Kalae Tangonan, a parent volunteer who created the costumes and set design for the performance, explained that Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u has been performing Hana Keaka annually for more than 10 years.…

Future Fest 2024

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Molokai High School News Release

Molokai High School is excited to present Future Fest 2024, an event for students to explore college and career opportunities. Future Fest will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. This year, Future Fest will include one and two hour workshops along with the college and career fair. The goals of each workshop are to provide students hands-on opportunities to further explore their career interest and assist students in making a plan to make their post-high school dreams and journeys a reality. Special thanks to Hawaii P20, Molokai High School Academies, and University of Hawaii Maui College for sponsoring this event.…

Mary Louise Charlotte Gorospe

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Mary Louise “Marylou” Charlotte Gorospe, 86, of Kualapu’u passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. She was born on March 14, 1937 in Wailuku, Maui. She is preceded in death by her husband Jaime Tabelen Gorospe. Her children are Esabell (Herbert) Kamoku, Edwardo (Susan) Gorospe, Elpidio (Annette) Gorospe, Erlinda (Eugene) Santiago, and Estrellita (Cresente) Gumanas. She had 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 at St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Church, with visitation at 8:30 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held for her on Maui at Hale Nanea in Kahului at 69 Amala Place, Kahului, HI 96732, on Saturday, April 13.…

Bill Proposed for Chartered Healthcare Flights

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Hawaii House of Representatives News Release
Molokai residents often experience unreliable air transportation services, including frequent last-minute schedule changes and cancellations. While this is highly inconvenient for many, it can be devastating for those depending on air transportation for necessary medical services on Maui or Oahu.
HB2544, introduced this session by State Representative Mahina Poepoe (District 13, Pa’ia, Haʻiku, Nahiku, Hana, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Molokini, Kahoʻolawe, Lanai, Molokai) provides dependable non-emergency medical transportation for residents of medically underserved rural communities by offering chartered flights to seat patients, as well as healthcare providers.
“Delays and flight changes mean patients miss long-awaited appointments and medical care, including chemotherapy, surgical procedures, and dental treatments.…

New Managing Attorney for Molokai Office

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii News Release

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is pleased to announce the hiring of K. U’ilani
Goods as the new managing attorney for its Maui County office. This appointment comes at a
crucial time, following the recent Maui fires, where legal assistance is imperative for affected
families.

In this role, Ms. Goods will lead a dedicated team in offices across Maui, Lanai and Molokai to
provide direct legal services, community engagement, outreach and education, and statewide
legal services initiatives. As an attorney, Ms. Goods will be hands-on representing Legal Aid
clients in the areas of family law, public assistance benefits, housing and consumer protection,
and senior legal services.…

Fire Destroys Ho’olehua Home

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Fire Destroys Ho’olehua Home

A home in Ho’olehua burned to the ground early in the morning on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The owner of the home, a 77-year-old woman, was able to escape without injury.

When fire crews arrived at 3:30 a.m., the 2,054 square foot family home was “fully involved,” according to reports from the Maui Fire Dept. Crews used hose lines to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the dwelling.

The fire destroyed the house, valued at over $130,000, along with damage to all contents within and two vehicles.

According to the Maui Fire Dept., the victim was put in touch with the American Red Cross for relief assistance.…