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Community

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

Music on the Lawn

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Music on the Lawn

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Residents enjoyed an evening concert on the lawn of the Molokai Public Library as musicians of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME) shared their learning from the year. Taught by Bob Underwood, the program is offered free to elementary students during the school year, with instruments provided, as well as adult learners. The program is sponsored by the Molokai Arts Center and the performance featured students from Kualapu’u and Kaunakakai schools.…

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Fund Mental Health Professionals

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

He needed a hug, not a death sentence.

To practice law in Maui County takes at least seven years. To practice medicine takes a decade or more. To become a police officer takes six months of combined academy and on-the-job training.

Police aren’t required to have even an Associate’s degree in psychology, conflict resolution or even criminal justice. The only requirement to enter the academy is a high school diploma. At the academy they’re trained to enforce, violently if necessary, man-made laws. Police training manuals aren’t written with mental health in mind. They’re certainly not written with Molokai in mind. The officers should have let Nathaniel Naki keep walking away. …

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Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp

Karen Elizabeth (Wigger) Crisp, age 66, passed peacefully on May 18, 2023 on Molokai, Hawaii surrounded by family and friends.  Karen was born on Jan. 25, 1957 in Ft. Worth, Texas and grew up in the greater Houston, Texas area. She graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science (1979) and a master’s degree in political science (1987). Her career in journalism and public relations included positions as a reporter and education editor for the Waco Tribune-Herald, as communications director for the Woman’s Missionary Union, and as the director of governmental relations at Baylor University.

Karen became an ordained minister at the Church of Illumination in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. …

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The Rock and the Class of 1973

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

The Rock and the Class of 1973

Community Contributed

By Kau’i Kapuni Manera and the MHS Class of ‘73

Back in 1973, a gallon of gas cost 39 cents and minimum wage was $1.60. A summer job meant working in the pineapple fields with no porta potty or mercy from your luna. 

Some cinematic greats were “American Graffiti,” “The Exorcist,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Marvin Gaye swooned us with “Let’s Get It On”, while the Allman Bros belted “Ramblin’ Man.” Watergate hearings began in the U.S. when then President Richard Nixon exclaimed, “I am not a crook!” The U.S. Supreme Court overturned state law bans on abortion in the landmark decision Roe vs Wade. …

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A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

In teaching first grade at Kilohana School, I choose a guiding these for my class each year, based on my intentions for the year and reflection on the first few weeks with my new students. This year, our guiding theme was “KU.” KU is to be proud, to stand tall. Throughout the year, we referred to this theme almost daily reflecting on our daily practices.  Win or lose, right or wrong, classwork or social behavior — are we proud?  Proud of our achievements, proud of our efforts, proud of our words and actions. Whatever we do or did, do it standing tall.  …

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The Daring Duo

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Community Contributed

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The young man approached the manager of Duffy’s Circus and asked for a job as a lion tamer. So the manager took him to the lion’s cage where the lion tamer, a lovely young woman, was preparing for a rehearsal with the lion. The young man watched with fascination as the woman stepped into the cage, removed her cape with a flourish, displaying a gorgeous costume and figure. Then she spoke a command to the lion. Immediately, the lion crept toward her, rolled over twice, sat on its hind legs and begged for a treat.…

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MHS Scholarship Award Ceremony

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

MHS Scholarship Award Ceremony

By Dr. Caryl Hitchcock, Project Ho’oku’i and Associate Professor, UH Manoa

It was a beautiful sunny day in Ho‘olehua when students and families gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the MHS scholarship awardees from the graduating class of 2023. It was the first in-person meeting for a while and everyone was happy to see students, family and community members together again in the high school library. Ms. Sonni Han and Ms. Ku’ulei Simon (Mistresses of Ceremonies) skillfully facilitated the list of presenters for 2023’s scholarships from generous donors. The love and support from the community for the students was evident in the mana (spirit) in the room.…

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Hawaiian Homeland Homes

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Eileen M.S. Nims, Esq.

Question: I live on Hawaiian Homestead lands, so I don’t own any property, right?

Answer: Actually, that is not correct! It is true that you don’t own the land you are leasing from Hawaiian Homelands, but if you built a house or bought Rockford Iowa real estate, then the value of the house is yours!

When it comes to dividing up your interest in property to your children after your passing, it is important to realize that the homes that have been built on homestead lands have a value to your children. So, if your children meet the qualifications to live on the property after you are gone, they actually inherit also the value of your house.…

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MHS Senior Earns Questbridge Scholarship

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

Of the many scholarships awarded to Molokai High School (MHS) students this year, one MHS senior, Mele Kaneali’i, was uniquely honored with a Questbridge Scholarship, which will fully fund her college education.

Questbridge Scholarships are intended to connect “the nation’s brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities,” according to the Questbridge website.

This is only the third Questbridge Scholarship to be awarded to an MHS student, according to Marge Bento of the MHS counseling department.

The scholarship will fully pay for four years of college education. For Kaneali’i, that means the scholarship will cover her expenses at Hamilton College, a value of about $315,000.…

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Preschool Visits Mokulele

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

Preschool Visits Mokulele

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Last week, 15 excited keiki from Molokai’s Kamehameha Preschool got to test out the pilot’s seat. The preschoolers went on a field trip with Mokulele Airlines at the Molokai Airport, where Executive Vice President Richard Schuman and new regional manager for Mokulele, John Filler, made the trip over to Molokai to visit with them. 

As part of the field trip, the 4-and 5-year-olds learned about different parts of the plane and all got a chance to sit in the cockpit. After the tour, the class was treated to ice cream sundaes and model airplanes by Mokulele Manager Donna Tangonan. …

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