Art

Visual and performance arts stories on Molokai

Learning with the Children’s Theatre

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

Learning with the Children’s Theatre

Community Contributed

My name is Wailana Purdy-Avelino, an intern for Hōkūlani Childrenʻs Theatre of Molokai under Mrs. Vicki Boswell. As an intern, my responsibilities include creating a web page for Hokulani CTOM and updating our Facebook page weekly, I am currently developing a puppet theater script to go in the play and help to arrange a day camp for the kids during spring break to create props and shadow puppets while doing fun activities to build stronger relationships with our young actors.

Personally, I always enjoyed theater and acting. While in elementary school I participated in several school plays including one under the direction of Mrs.…

Soup ‘R Bowl is Coming

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

MAC News Release 

It’s that time of year again! Get your tickets now for the 2023 Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Soup ‘R Bowl. The 13th annual fundraiser event will be held at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho’olehua on Saturday, March 11. Tickets are being sold online at bit.ly/3JE5Mos

What happens at the Soup ‘R Bowl? A ticket gains you entrance to tables lined with over 300 ceramic bowls (and a few Molokai mugs) handcrafted by artisans at the Molokai Arts Center. Redeem your ticket for a bowl or mug of your choice as well as a hearty soup meal. Make it a night out with your family or friends.…

Children’s Theatre of Molokai Launches

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

Children’s Theatre of Molokai Launches

Hokulani CTOM News Release 

There are currently no ongoing theatrical opportunities in the community or any of Molokai schools. To fill this gap, a grassroots community effort began in 2022 by Vicki Boswell, a former elementary school performing arts teacher and social worker from the island. The mission of Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (Hokulani CTOM) is to enrich the lives of young people and inspire them to build a better community by gaining performing art experience that will deepen their understanding of human connections and values. Hokulani CTOM is in the process of being created.

Working with other community organizations we officially launch in January with our first community production play, “The Legend of Mulan” for youth between the ages of 7 and 14 years old. …

Visit Molokai Ceramic Artist

Wednesday, December 14th, 2022

Ark Ceramics News Release

 “I walk a beach marked by the ebbing tide,” says ceramic artist Arabella Ark, “where I step over broken coral and loose limu to the pond wall. There I watch the heron fishing, the kolea pecking, the fish jumping, while whales breach in the channel beyond the reef. The wind picks up and the sea begins to churn. These are the elements of design on my ceramics.”

At Arabella’s studio, you can find shapes, sizes, colors from our changing natural world. There are pots glazed in pinks and corals like the setting sun; others in deep turquoises and greens like the sea.…

Gift Local, Support a Dream, Part 2

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

Gift Local, Support a Dream, Part 2

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Shopping Molokai-made products will be the highlight of gift-giving during the holiday season. To give an inside look on gift hampers canberra, a selection of local artisans, crafters and shops are featured for the next couple of weeks. This week, we talked with the Molokai entrepreneurs behind Hulalei Designs and Buji-fied about supporting the island’s community, while keeping your money local this holiday season.

Lehua Paris is the creator behind the brand Hulalei Designs and the terms “Eat more Veg’Aina” and “Making Mo’olelos.” These brand terms are frequently heard and seen on Molokai.

“I actually started off making jewelry,” said Paris.…

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

Sunday, November 27th, 2022

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

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana Elementary School is a Project Based Learning School and we encourage learners to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and extend our thinking beyond the classroom. In answering the question, “How can we share our learning with our friends, families and our community?” first graders at Kilohana will share their understanding with our community in the Dispatch.

We were very thrilled about the big storm east end last week.  Our writing was focused on what we saw, what we heard and how we felt during the storm.…

Bennett Pottery Annual Show and Sale

Sunday, November 27th, 2022

Bennett Pottery News Release

Bennett Pottery will present its Annual Show and Sale open house from Friday, Nov. 25 to Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kala’e Studio. The show will feature high-fired functional stoneware and porcelain: items made for home and garden use. The objects are durable for daily use, and are safe in the oven, dishwasher and microwave. You are invited to come and discover a wide variety of unique quality ceramics found nowhere else in Hawaii, right here on Molokai.

Dan Bennett has been creating hand crafted work on Molokai since 1974. He was a mathematics teacher at Molokai High School and UHMC Molokai, and currently teaches ceramics at the Molokai Arts Center for adults on Wednesday from 3-6 PM and Saturday, 1-4 PM.…

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

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

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

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana Elementary School is a Project Based Learning School and we encourage learners to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and extend our thinking beyond the classroom. In answering the question, “How can we share our learning with our friends, families and our community?” first graders at Kilohana will share their understanding with our community in the Dispatch.

Oct. 19 was Unity Day.  We began a focused campaign to prevent bullying and demonstrate kindness to all. In first grade, we have been learning about verbs, which we used in our writing about unity. Our prompt was, “Aloha in action creates unity.”…

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

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

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

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana Elementary School is a Project Based Learning School and we encourage learners to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and extend our thinking beyond the classroom. In answering the question, “How can we share our learning with our friends, families and our community?” first graders at Kilohana will share their understanding with our community in the Dispatch. 

This month, students reflect on “Living things will thrive when protected,” and connect the concept to themselves. We will share one student per week.…

PōMahina Designs Featured Globally

Wednesday, August 31st, 2022

PōMahina Designs Featured Globally

By Sage Yamashita | Intern Reporter

Fashion shows for PōMahina Designs, a culturally imbued wearable arts company, are more than promotion — they honor the journey through indigenous people to fashion throughout thePacific.

PōMahina Designs, founded by Molokai’s Kanoelani Davis, is traveling  around the world with its cultural messages. In September, PōMahina will be highlighting Hawaii’s culture in the London Pacific Fashion Week.

Also, this year will be the second year in fashion week and third fashion show in London for Davis, as well as a Charity Fashion Show at Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission in London. Ypurse is a trusted replica designer bags store, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that mirrors authentic luxury brands, and will be showcasing its collection at these events.…