Community

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

Art of Life

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Art of life is everyday of our life. Art of love, kindness, compassion, care, respect. Art of our everyday imagination, creativity, have a happy fun day, do good, beautiful things with our life, for the good of all life. Art of all human race to recognize our purpose, responsibility, mission for life, for the good of all life. Art is whatever we created with our own everyday life, that’s valuable to us, that makes us happy with a wonderful, beautiful smile of our new day, that doesn’t need anybody to approve or disapprove. We are all artists of life everyday. Enjoy the conversation. …

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

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

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

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

First graders at Kilohana School used the prompt, “This is not a day you have already had. It is a day that you dream to have. My very best day starts with…” to write about their best day. …

Kawakiu Archaeological Findings

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Leihiwahiwa Ritte

Kawakiu is a subsistence fishing area that many depend on to feed their ʻohana. Gathering paʻakai, fishing, throwing net, diving, or harvesting ʻopihi along its pristine shoreline are common practices of subsistence in the area. However, beyond its beauty and the abundance it provides, Kawakiu is also a historical site with significant archaeological findings.

Several structures can still be seen today. Archaeologist Marshall Weisler published a study identifying house sites, fishing shrines, stone mounds, stone walls, and grinding slabs. Near the center of the point, south of Kawakiu Bay, there is a rock-walled structure. Weisler refers to it as “the most substantial structure in the Kawakiu Nui area.”…

Golf Ace

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Golf Ace

Community Contributed

By Rick Schonely

Kamoana Spencer, firefighter, professional bus driver and all-around good guy, is the May Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Spencer shot 46-47 for a gross total of 93 and with his 27 handicap his 66 net got him the victory. Congratulations Kamo! The Hui O Kukui GC would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.

Artist in the School

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

MAC News Release

The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) Artists in the Schools (AITS) provides grants to schools to bring in qualified, trained teaching artists from the Artistic Teaching Partners (ATP) Roster. The residency is designed to provide engaging, creative, and fun learning experiences based on the Fine Arts standards for all grade levels. Many of these teaching artists integrate their art form with other core curriculum areas, such as language arts, math, social studies, science, meeting both fine arts and other core standards.

This year, Kualapu’u Conversion Charter School was privileged to have poet Laurel Nakanishi work with 5, and Papa 6 classes. Laurel…

Ho’olehua Brushfire

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

Ho’olehua Brushfire

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Fire personnel continued to battle a fire in wooded areas of Ho’olehua last week after it was first reported on Sunday, April 16. The small fire was located about two to three miles north of the Ho’olehua Cemetery, according to Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro of the Maui Fire Department. 

The fire was in an area inaccessible by vehicle, so the department utilized air support to make water drops by helicopter. Initial efforts contained the fire but there were many spots that continued smoldering, said Yatsushiro.  

“Because much of the smoldering spots were located under the ironwood canopy, we airlifted crews to the scene where they were able to conduct much needed mop-up operations,” he said. …

MHS Graduation

Thursday, May 4th, 2023

MHS News Release 

The Molokai High School Class of 2023 will be honored through a traditional ceremony on Saturday, May 20 at 4 p.m. in the MHS gymnasium. The community will be invited to join in-person or via livestream online on Akaku, channel 54, the Akaku app called “Maui Stream,” akaku.org, as well as the Maui/Molokai Akaku Facebook pages.

At the gymnasium, the doors will open at 3 p.m. and close at 3:55 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes for the graduate processional. Please be inside and seated prior to 3:55 p.m.

There are no COVID-19 restrictions, however there are no signs, tubes, balloons or air horns allowed in the gym.…

Teoraroa Molokai Showcases Tahitian Dance

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Teoraroa Molokai Showcases Tahitian Dance

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Color, sound and movement filled Lanikeha Center last Saturday night. To the quickening beat of the drums, Tahitian dancers and musicians of Teoraroa Molokai put on a memorable show. 

“My goal is to be able to boost the confidence of our kids,” said Teoraroa Molokai Ra’atira, or Director, Chelsea Tanaka. 

“A lot of [the kids] are shy,” said Tanaka. “They’re back there nervous, but they’re building each other up.” 

Founded in 2018, but shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic the following year, the group was back in full force Saturday night with more than 40 dancers and musicians participating. …

Restoring Molokai Wetlands

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

An alliance of local, state and federal organizations have teamed up to form the Molokai Wetlands Partnership (MWP). Established in 2020, the MWP recently completed a pilot program to study 11 Molokai wetland sites. 

Pulama Lima, a Molokai resident and partner with MWP, explained that this study was meant to start a community conversation around wetlands and restoration. 

In conjunction with the MWP slogan of “re-imagining Molokai wetlands,” Lima explained that “we haven’t defined restoration. We feel that’s something for the community to decide how those spaces should be restored and to what degree.” 

The MWP pilot study examined 11 sites on Molokai’s southern shore, gathering information on vegetation, soil, hydrology, native plants and birds, sea level rise and more. …

Fresh Veggies a Hit with Molokai Students

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Fresh Veggies a Hit with Molokai Students

By Paul Hanley, Community Reporter

A small group of fifth and sixth grade students assemble outside the gate of the school garden in Maunaloa. They chant an oli written specifically for the ahupua’a of Kaluako’i. Their kumu, Wendy Espaniola, responds, inviting them to enter.

The students, each holding a clip board, scatter around the garden and sit down to begin their kilo. Taking their time, sitting in silence, they look up, down, and around and record their observations. They then assemble to share often subtle reflections, about cloud patterns, the color of the sea, the movement of insects, and the need to weed the garden.…