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Molokai Writer Places in National Poetry Contest

Friday, July 19th, 2024

For those who enjoy literature about Molokai, the name Kirby Wright might be familiar. The Punahou grad spent his summers with his grandmother, Brownie Gilman, at her property on Molokai’s east end called Hale Kawaikapu. Wright has written several novels set on Molokai including “Molokai Nui Ahina” and “The Queen of Molokai.”

Now, Wright has been awarded second place out of over 500 entries in the 2024 Foley Prize competition, sponsored by America Magazine, for his poem titled “Gaza.”

“I was inspired by my need to do something to call attention to the Gaza genocide,” Wright said.

Wright’s poetry has been recognized previously, including by the San Francisco Browning Society for his monologue to Queen Lili‘uokalani.…

Saturday Market Returns to Kaunakakai

Friday, July 19th, 2024

For many years, the Saturday Market in Kaunakakai was a gathering place for the community. Vendors sold produce, food, clothing, art, crafts and much more – until the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to the market in early 2020. It might have taken four years for the market to return to town, but it has officially kicked off last Saturday.
“This is very exciting,” ceramic artist Kim Markham said. “After COVID, we stopped going to people’s houses, we stopped doing a lot of things, so coming to the Saturday Market every week I get to meet a lot of people, and I get to see a lot of people I haven’t seen a long time.…

Learn the Art of ‘Nothing’ with Zazen Meditation

Friday, July 12th, 2024

“Just sitting” or “sitting Zen” is the English translation of the word “Zazen.” Zazen meditation comes from the Buddhist tradition and allows for the transformation of the mind in a simple, seated posture.

Molokai residents have an opportunity to experience Zazen meditation at weekly classes by Koko Kawauchi Johnson and monthly instruction from Flint Sparks at the Guzeiji Soto Mission in Kaunakakai.

“The temple is a pu’uhonua,” explained Johnson, who is from Japan, and introduced weekly classes to a small but growing group of participants back in January. “Anybody can come and we’ll be open for everybody.”

The primary principle of this Japanese meditation technique is establishing a comfortability and eventual fulfillment with nothingness, according to longtime Zazen teacher Sparks.…