Community

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

Junior Lifeguard Program

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Maui County News Release 

Registration is now open for the 2023 Junior Lifeguard Program, the County of Maui Department of Public Safety – Ocean Safety Bureau announced. The one-week Ocean Junior Lifeguard program was designed to train boys and girls ages 8 to 17 in lifesaving water skills and to develop an awareness of beach hazards and ocean conditions.

Participants will become familiar with First Aid and CPR techniques, while improving their health and fitness. Beach programs will be offered on Maui, Lanai and Molokai.

The Molokai program for ages 13 to 17 will take place June 5-8 from 9 a.m.…

Congresswoman Holds Town Hall

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Rep. Tokuda News Release

U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda will hold additional town hall meetings across Hawaii’s Second Congressional District to hear from constituents. Tokuda previously held town hall meetings in Hilo, Oahu and Maui.

Rep. Tokuda will also hold Farm Bill listening sessions with farmers, workers, and agriculture producers.

The Molokai event will be held on Thursday, May 4 from 5 to 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center.   

For more info and to RSVP, community members should visit tokuda.house.gov/town-halls.…

Summer College Classes

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

UHMCM News Release

Have you picked up our most recent course schedule for UH Maui College, Molokai? If you haven’t gotten your hands on one, call us and ask about our free summer courses. We are offering MATH100 Survey of Math and MAIN160 Small Equipment Repair tuition-free! 

If interested in any of these, contact amandaos@hawaii.edu for more information. We are also offering free sheltered classes for high school students in CARP 121 Framing and Exterior Finish along with BIOL 124 Environment and Ecology. Contact msterner@hawaii.edu for more information.…

Peter Dean Gonzalez

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

Peter Dean Gonzalez, 66, of Kaunakakai, Molokai, died at home on March 18, 2023. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He is survived by his wife Valerie; sons Neil (Emily) and Guy; daughters Cherie Gonzalez (Nathanael) and Lian Chong- Kalima (Joseph); father Jose H. Gonzalez; brother Jose S. Gonzalez (Arlene); and nine grandchildren.

Peter enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was once an active CB operator as well as a HAM radio operator. He was also an advocate for mental health.

Services will be held on May 13, 2023 at Molokai Church of God in Kalamaula across from Coconut Grove. Family from 8 to 9 a.m.,…

Keiki and Teen Fests

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Keiki and Teen Fests

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

The fifth annual Keiki Fest and second annual Teen Fest took place Saturday, April 15 at Mitchell Pauole Center. Hosted by the Molokai Community Action Team, both events featured free food, music, games and resources for hundreds of keiki and teens and their families. 

Tylor Tanaka, part of the Molokai Community Action Team, explained that the events fall in April to signify National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness month. 

“This month we recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Sexual assault prevention services and supports developed by this collaboration can help to protect children and strengthen families,” explained the Molokai Community Action Team in a Facebook post. …

Molokai Monk Seal Transported for Treatment

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Molokai Monk Seal Transported for Treatment

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

An ailing, 4-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal from Molokai got a lift to the animal hospital and is receiving treatment after suffering significant weight loss this month. 

A Molokai community member reported the seal, known as RL68, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on April 10. The observer noted alarming weight loss and the seal becoming less and less energetic over several weeks. NOAA officials gathered more information in partnership with Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) personnel on Molokai.

“NOAA Fisheries decided that medical assessment and treatment were in RL68’s best interest, given her unusually thin body condition and notable behavior change,” said Diana Kramer, regional stranding coordinator at NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office. …

Molokai Youth Wins 2nd in Recycled Fashion Show

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Molokai Youth Wins 2nd in Recycled Fashion Show

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Eleven-year-old Molokai resident Rose Elder earned second place in a county-wide fashion show highlighting recycled materials. Her “Warrior Against Pollution” costume, made with marine debris she and her dad collected on Molokai beaches, won her high praise alongside adult first and third place winners from Maui in the annual Trashion Show presented by nonprofit Malama Maui Nui last weekend. 

Rose said she sketched her design based on the materials she found. 

“I wanted it to be a warrior who’s wearing pollution like a shield,” she explained. “We like to go to the beach a lot, me and my dad, and gather trash at Mo’omomi.…

STEM Support

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

STEM Support

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Molokai STEM programs received a boost last Friday thanks to the Molokai Island Foundation’s annual fundraiser. The concert and dinner event at the Molokai Community Health Center went to fund robotics programs at local schools through the Malama Education Fund. 

STEM, standing for science, technology, engineering and math, covers a wide range of educational programs on island. To know more of STEM education, you can check out Google’s Kamau Bobb.

One of the highlights of the event were the robotics displays put on by Kaunakakai and Maunaloa Schools, and Molokai Middle and High Schools. Lines of  crane-like machines operated with computer coding.…

Miss Hawaii Visits Children’s Theater

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Miss Hawaii Visits Children’s Theater

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter | Editor

In the week leading up to their first performance of The Legend of Mulan, keiki performers of the Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (Hokulani CTOM) got a visit from a special guest. Miss Hawaii 2022, Lauren Teruya, shared her own passion for theater, and also spoke with students at Kaunakakai School during her visit to Molokai last Wednesday. 

Leading Hokulani’s keiki actors through a series of exercises and warmups, Teruya spoke to the role that theater had played in her own life. 

The 24-year-old Oahu native explained that theater “gave me the confidence to want to be on stage.” …

Torch Run for Special Olympics

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

MPD Press Release 

The 38th Annual Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run  for Maui County, hosted by the Maui Police Dept., will begin on Friday, April 21 between 4 to 6 p.m. on Molokai at the Kalaiakamanu Hou Church across from Coconut Grove.  

This year’s event will continue on Lanai and conclude on Maui on Friday, April 28. 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 in Kansas and is the largest grassroots fundraising movement for Special Olympics. Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions and Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. …