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Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture stories from Molokai

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Three Molokai legends came to life last Wednesday, Feb. 28, performed by students from the Kualapuu School’s Hawaiian immersion program. The memorable performance of Hana Keaka theater was held at the Molokai Community Health Center.

The kindergarten through sixth graders tested their drama skills in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 300 Molokai community members. The keiki actors performed the stories of the giant Ha’eha’eku, the wise Kuapakaa, and the famous Kaohele.

Kalae Tangonan, a parent volunteer who created the costumes and set design for the performance, explained that Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u has been performing Hana Keaka annually for more than 10 years.…

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Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki festivals for 2024 kicked off on Jan. 24 with the shouldering of the lei-draped Lonomakua banner in Halawa. The Ka’ahele A Lono procession began their four-day journey on foot across Molokai, stopping for community ho’okupu along the way, ending on Sunday at Kaiaka.

The theme of this year’s Makahiki was “Aia i Molokai ku’u aloha,” or “there upon Molokai is my love, my lineage, my connection, my ‘ohana.”

“May we be reminded of the unwavering aloha we have for our island and our ‘ohana, anchoring our aspirations in a steadfast commitment to love and uplift all that is around us,” wrote Ka Molokai Makahiki committee on their Facebook page.…

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See What We Can No Longer See, Hear What We Can No Longer Hear… Part Two

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Keomailani Hanapi Hirata 

As we drove down the dusty dirt road leading to Molokai Komohana, to Mo’omomi, the view of our Wahi Pana of Kawa’aloa, Kaiehu, Keonelele, Kalani, and Kapalauoa, made us smile with humbleness. We could see and hear our kupuna welcoming us. Birds playing and circling around us, the gentle and comfortable sea winds blowing around us, sounds of the oceans, the taste of the salt in the air, the rich colors of life all around us, this is our Kupuna greeting us with their Oli Komo. Kumu Mililani Hanapi went straight to the shoreline and gave an Oli aloha.…

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See What We Can No Longer See, Hear What We Can No Longer Hear

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

By Keomailani Hanapi Hirata

A Pu was blown from deep within our ‘aina kupuna o Molokai, vibrating from Komohana. The kahea was felt and answered; from the east, Mililani Hanapi, Keo Hanapi-Hirata and La’akea Poepoe; from the north, Keoki and Miki’ala Pescaia; from the south, Kawehi Soares; from Moku o Keawe, Halealoha Ayau. Nahulu and Pulama Maioho could not be with us this day but sent their mana with us. Within one week, and with the support of Molokai Ranch management and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Molokai, we planned our visit to Mo’omomi. None of us were prepared for the ‘eha and kaumaha we were walking into.…

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Honoring ‘Anakala

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Honoring ‘Anakala

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The Molokai community remembers and celebrates the life of ‘Anakala Pilipo Solatorio of Halawa Valley, who was born in 1939 and passed away earlier this month. 

“[He was] more than just an ambassador of aloha and Hawaiian culture, [he] lived it and breathed it,” recalled one community member. 

A taro farmer, cultural practitioner and the last of his generation living in Halawa, he kept cultural traditions alive and shared aloha with everyone he met. 

Born and raised in Halawa, he was adopted at a young age after the death of his mother. As a teen, he joined the military, and while on the mainland, met and married his beloved wife, Dianna.…

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May Day Memories

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

May Day Memories

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Throughout the month of May, schools across Molokai celebrated Lei Day. Students participated in the royal court, draped in lei representative of each island’s colors. Each grade performed special songs or hula for their families and schools, as the community celebrated this cultural tradition and the aloha spirit.…

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Celebrating ‘Olelo Hawaii

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

Celebrating ‘Olelo Hawaii

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai’s Hawaiian language immersion preschool, Punana Leo, held it’s annual Ho’omau event last Saturday for the first time since the pandemic. Haumana of Punana Leo opened the community event with song and keiki introductions, followed by performances by Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Kualapuu, the island’s elementary language immersion program. Keiki sang throughout a torrential downpour of rain, as attendees took cover under tents. But the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those gathered, who went on to enjoy food and craft booths and entertainment throughout the day. 

The event is a fundraiser to help support Punana Leo o Molokai’s continued perpetuation of Hawaiian language education. …

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March for Kawakiu Access

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

March for Kawakiu Access

By Catherine Cluett Pactol and Jack Kiyonaga

At 7 a.m. last Saturday, more than 100 Molokai residents stood at the gated entrance to Kawakiu, an area of west Molokai owned by Molokai Properties Limited, also known as Molokai Ranch. For those gathered, Kawakiu represents not only a cultural and historic site, but also generational subsistence grounds.

“We’re walking for our young people so they can go hunting and fishing here… it’s a constant battle to keep your rights alive,” said activist Walter Ritte to the gathered crowd waiting to march the dirt road that is currently blocked to the beach. “Kawakiu is a historic site, there are burials over there, house sites over there, heiau over there.”…

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Makahiki Worth the Wait

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

Makahiki Worth the Wait

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai waited a long time for this year’s community celebration of Ka Molokai Makahiki. With the past three years cancelled during the pandemic, the event was postponed again from a torrential rainstorm in January. Finally held last weekend, the opening ceremony and cultural protocol kicked off Friday evening followed by keiki giving it their all in the games. 

“The rising of the Makali’i constellation on the eastern horizon during the setting of the sun in the west signals the beginning of Hawaiian new year, the season of Makahiki,” said Nahulu Maioho during the opening ceremonies. “This was a time set aside to give thanks and to celebrate life.…

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Living History

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

Living History

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

Student artwork and writing filled “The Barn” at Molokai High School on Feb. 25. The event was

the seventh annual ‘Aha Opio O Molokai, dedicated to celebrating Hawaiian culture and education. 

Student projects ranged from artwork based on Hawaiian myths, to wood working, to live action poi pounding. 

The student projects were intended to “celebrate innovation” and align with “one or more of the HA [Hawaii Dept. of Education framework] outcomes: Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total Well Being, and Hawaii,” according to the event’s website. 

The day was an opportunity for students to fully engage with Hawaiian culture and be reminded of the hard-won history by which this education came about.  …

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