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Community

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

Obon Festival Mahalo

Wednesday, August 16th, 2023

After a three-year hiatus, Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai recently held its Obon festivities on their temple grounds in Kaunakakai.  Many people came to remember and honor their ancestors as they ate chicken hekka and danced the night away!  We would like to thank all who participated and made Obon 2023 a huge success:  Rev. Shuji Komagata, GSMM members and their families, Somei Taiko, Hawaii Matsuri Taiko, Derrick Iwata and dancers, Royce Villa, Shirley Rawlins, Jean Ribao, Charlene and Bull Dela Cruz, Tracey Apoliona, Bright and Dio Youngstrom, Puni Ignacio, Sherman Napoleon and Jonathan Jefts.  We are very grateful and appreciative of your continued generosity and kindness. …

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Darkness

Wednesday, August 16th, 2023

There are countless stars
up above tonight
like the bright
beautiful Milky Way
in the southern sky
but, as I look to the east
from Kaunakakai
sitting here in silence
on our lanai
I cry
at the sight on the horizon
just as black
as the ink from this pen
I dwell on why
and I wonder when
this darkest of darkness
is going to end

Jayson Mizula 

 …

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M2O Brings Racers, Competition, Controversy

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

M2O Brings Racers, Competition, Controversy

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

More than 200 athletes representing over 20 countries pushed off the sandy shores of Kepuhi Beach last Sunday to compete in the Molokai 2 Oahu (M2O) paddle board world championships. Competing on standup paddles, prone boards, hydrofoils and more, the athletes were joined by escort boats on their 32-mile journey across the notorious Ka’iwi Channel. As the last of the boats disappeared into the blue horizon, many Molokai residents were left with questions, concerns, and, in some cases, trash to contend with. 

The return of the 24th annual M2O after a three-year pandemic break caught many Molokai residents by surprise. …

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Podcast Highlights Sustainability on Molokai

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor  

Hawaii Public Radio (HPR) launched a new podcast last month called “O ko makou Hawaii keia: This Is Our Hawaii.” It is HPR’s premiere “digital-first” podcast.

Episode four in the series is called, “On Molokai, sovereignty starts with food” and examines Molokai’s efforts to establish local food and resource sustainability. The episode features interviews with Molokai’s own Todd Yamashita and Malia Akutagawa. 

“Molokai’s story is a vital piece of this podcast because of how the tight-knit community has come together to focus on food sustainability and resource sovereignty — efforts that can be an example to the rest of the state of how Hawaiians and locals can have more of a say in the future of our ʻaina,” said Russell Subiono, host of “This Is Our Hawaii.” …

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Kupuna ‘Ai Program

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Help us continue to provide fresh, locally grown foods to our island’s kupuna!

We’re thrilled to announce the ongoing pursuit of our Kupuna ‘Ai program, which allows community members to purchase fresh, locally grown food boxes and donate them for delivery to local kupuna in need. We’re collaborating with organizations such as the Molokai Rural Health Community Association, which has active kupuna programs, to deliver weekly community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes containing locally grown foods like kalo pa’a, bananas, papaya, and eggs via the Sustʻainable Molokai Mobile Market completely free of charge to our island’s kupuna. 

The Kupuna ‘Ai program was launched in March and is a way for us to give back to the community and support our kupuna, who have played such a vital role in shaping our island’s culture and history.…

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Reflections from a Dispatch Board Member

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Reflections from a Dispatch Board Member

The history of newspapers on Molokai is a colorful one. Often times it revolves around the individuals behind the scenes who keep the tenets of journalism alive in our far off-the-grid community.  

I don’t think Catherine Cluett Pactol of New Hampshire, fresh out of college in 2008, had any idea that she would become one of these central figures. Or that she would go on to elevate Molokai further by expanding coverage of Maui County through a job she envisioned for herself at Hawaii Public Radio.

 Fifteen years ago, the responsibilities of editor, publisher and layout artist were burning me out.…

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Molokai History Project

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Following the passing of Dr. Aluli late last year, there was a groundswell of support to establish a place on Molokai to share our collective histories and cultural objects. Over the past few months, a group of 15 plus individuals have met to brainstorm ways to make this possible. Most recently, our group met with Pulama Lima, the executive director of Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center, a local nonprofit already doing heritage preservation work on Molokai. As a curator, Lima emphasized the importance of keeping and preserving our history on island, and the need for these artifacts to be cared for as required by conservation standards.…

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Sheila Loretta Polena Awai

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Sheila Loretta Polena Awai

Sheila Loretta Polena Awai, a cherished kupuna, passed victoriously at age 86. Aunty Sheila exemplified her belief of unconditionally loving her Molokai island community. She was a beloved preschool teacher, an advocate towards foster care, education, mental health, and sexual and drug abuse services. She dedicated her life to God and was a faithful member of the Molokai Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 

Our mom passed away peacefully with God’s grace on July 3, 2023, at her home in Kalamaula, Molokai, surrounded by her ‘ohana. She was born on Feb. 26, 1937, in Kalihi, Oahu. She is survived by her four children Candace W.…

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Guardianships

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

By Eileen M.S. Nims, J.D.

There are two ways in which a person can receive guardianship over an incapacitated individual: Power of Attorney and Guardianship Petition. 

Medical Power of Attorneys allow you to designate ahead of time, who is going to be able to speak for you when you no longer can. For many Molokai adults, this is an easy possibility to ensure you have an advocate who can talk to your doctor, your insurance company, a care-home etc. when you no longer can. It avoids confusion and provides clear instructions as to who you have chosen and directed that person to do on your behalf.…

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Obon Festival Returns

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Obon Festival Returns

By Jack Kiyonaga | Reporter 

Beneath tanzaku adorned with the names of the dead and set to the staccato of taiko drums, Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission celebrated the Obon Festival for the first time since 2019. 

Obon Festival, or Bon, is a Japanese holiday marking the return of deceased ancestors’ spirits to the land of the living. Bon dances became popular statewide as Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii around the turn of the 20th century. Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission was founded in 1927 and is one of only nine Soto Missions in Hawaii. 

Saturday’s celebration was preceded by Buddhist services at Kapa’akea cemetery and the temple itself.…

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