Culture & Art

He Ēwe Molokaʻi: Carrying the Spirit of Molokai to the Cook Islands – Part 1

Thursday, August 21st, 2025

Community Contributed

By Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center

This summer, students from the He Ēwe Molokaʻi Youth Cultural Ambassadors Program embarked on an unforgettable journey to the Cook Islands, visiting the islands of Rarotonga and Atiu. From July 18-28, the trip marked the culmination of a year of preparation and fundraising, bringing to life months of anticipation and hard work.

He Ēwe Molokaʻi is led by Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center in partnership with the Molokai Digital Bus, and the trip was made possible through the generosity of our Cook Islands hosts, Kōrero o te ʻŌrau. The program is rooted in the belief that our youth carry the knowledge, traditions, and aloha that will guide Molokai’s future, and it nurtures this responsibility by instilling pride, connection, and kuleana to sustain our culture and community for generations to come.…

Honoring St. Damien’s Legacy

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On May 10, 1873, Damien De Veuster, better known as St. Damien, arrived at Kalawao to minister to those suffering from Hansen’s disease. He would serve in the exiled settlement until he succumbed to Hansen’s disease himself in 1889. To honor his arrival on Molokai, May 10 is the feast day of St. Damien in the Catholic Church, and a day on which his legacy of charity is remembered. Last week on Molokai, one man continued this celebration of St. Damien with a unique project.

The plan, explained Mark Jechura who is organizing the Tree of Hope Tour project, was to begin a pilgrimage of relics of St.…

A Living Legacy

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On March 22, Ho’olehua-Pala’au residents celebrated a century of homesteading, along with the birthday of their champion, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole.

“This is land that was passed down for four generations,” explained Charlie Kaahanui, president of the Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association. “If it wasn’t for Kuhio, this wouldn’t have happened…We wouldn’t have our lands.”

Kalama’ula was the first ever Hawaiian homestead lands in the state, started in 1922. Ho’olehua-Pala’au was the third such homestead project in Hawaii.

This year, Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association decided to host a celebration to put a festive mark on their centennial birthday. Held at the Kualapu’u Recreation Center, it featured food and crafts booths, along with music, dance and displays showing the history of the original Ho’olehua pioneers.…

Moana’s Hula Halau Presents a Stunning Show

Thursday, March 6th, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Moana’s Hula Halau’s annual fundraiser show did not disappoint. Held at the Molokai Community Health Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, the stage was filled with thousands of flowers, elaborate set designs, and, of course, talented performers from Moana’s and a Maui kane group.

For over 60 years, Moana’s Hula Halau has taught all ages of Molokai residents for free and taken them across the world to perform.

The goal is “to bring the world a very special kind of aloha,” explained Zhan Dudoit-Lindo, who emceed the fundraiser. “It’s the family connections, the understanding and the wisdom that we have to share.”…