Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture stories from Molokai

Honoring Queen Lili’uokalani

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

Community Contributed 

By Alaonalani Puailihau

Editor’s note: This is the English translation of a Hawaiian language article that was printed in the Sept. 15 issue, written by a Hawaiian immersion student at Molokai High School. 

On Sept. 2, 1838 Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha was born in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. The daughter of Analea “Annie” Keohokalole and Caesar Kaluaiku Kamakaʻehukai Kahana Keola Kapaʻakea, and the hānai daughter of Abner Kuhoʻoheiheipahu Paki and Laura Kanaholo Konia. In the year of 1842, when she was 4 years old, she started attending the Royal Elementary School. While attending the Royal Elementary School she learned how to speak fluent English and received musical training. …

Lā Hoʻohanohano

Thursday, September 16th, 2021

Lā Hoʻohanohano

Na Alaonalani Puailihau

Editor’s note: This article, written by a Hawaiian language immersion student at Molokai High School, honors Queen Lili’uokalani. 

Ma ka lā 2 o Kepakemapa makahiki 1838 ua hānau ʻia ʻo Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha ma Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Ke keiki a Analea “Annie” Keohokālole lāua o Caesar Kaluaiku Kamakaʻehukai Kahana Keola Kapaʻakea, a ke keiki hānai a Abner Kuhoʻoheiheipahu Pākī lāua o Laura Kanaholo Kōnia. I ka makahiki 1842, i kona makahiki he ʻehā, ua hoʻomaka ʻoia i kona aʻo ʻana ma ke Kula Kamāliʻi o nā Aliʻi. I kona wā i aʻo ai ma ia kula ua aʻo ʻia ʻoia pehea e ʻōlelo paheʻe i ka ʻōlelo Pelakānia a loaʻa mai i nā papa mele.…

Blood Quantum Change ‘Nail in the Coffin’

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

In response to your excellent reporting “Congressman Kahele Visits Molokai” in the Aug. 25 issue. 

The need for changes of our Abbott and Costello government begins with a restitution that releases the “native Hawaiians” from our longtime policy as wards of this crooked state!

There is no such law, at both levels, which promotes the “rehabilitation” nor advocates “the betterment of the conditions” on behalf of the 1/32 blood quantum Hawaiian.

The introduction in the changing of the blood quantum requirement in order to inherit Hawaiian Homes Land falls in line with Hawaii’s latest scam, Act 80, which reduces the successorship qualification of a lease’s spouse, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, etc.,…

Molokai Holokai Goes Virtual

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

Molokai Holokai Goes Virtual

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Like every other sporting event last year, COVID-19 cancelled the annual 2020 Molokai Holokai, a paddling competition of friendly fun for locals as well as acclaimed paddlers and stand up paddlers of all ages. The pandemic also cancelled this summer’s event due to state rules and restrictions, said organizer Clare Albino. But then she decided to try something different – a virtual competition.

“Participants can make their own course in any place, anywhere in the world to make their distances and even break it down in stages and or days,” said Albino, explaining participants upload pictures and times to a virtual leader board, allowing the event to continue during a window that’s open right now.…

OHA Awards Nonprofit Grants

Wednesday, May 26th, 2021

OHA News Release

A Molokai program is among 14 nonprofit organizations statewide that received grant awards from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs totaling $1.25 million that will support the Native Hawaiian community through its new ‘Ohana and Community Program Grants. The funding is intended to help reinforce and strengthen Native Hawaiians’ ‘ohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻaina (land and water).

On Molokai, Maui Family Support Services, Inc., is awarded $41,199 for their “Ho‘owaiwai Kaiaulu Project – Molokai” to provide a continuum of programs to strengthen the physical and mental wellbeing of Native Hawaiian ‘ohana and keiki, to increase their social and emotional competence, and improve ‘ohana strengths and resilience.…

Molokai Taro Field Day Going Virtual

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

UH CTAHR Molokai Extension News Release

Despite the pandemic and all its restrictions to keep us safe, the annual Molokai Taro Field Day will take place, just in a virtual way. The virtual Taro Field Day will be held on Thursday, April 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is now open online at eventbrite.com/e/molokai-virtual-taro-field-day-tickets-149113571707. Once registered, you will receive a link to the event.

This year’s event will include mo’olelo, along with spotlighting of several taro varieties. There will be an update on the Lunar Response in Kalo Project, and for those for who have questions about what’s happening at the UHMC/UH Applied Research and Demonstration Farm, we will provide an update on that as well.…

New Hawaiian Language Program

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

Ka Hale Hoaka News Release

Ka Hale Hoaka, an online Hawaiian school co-founded by Molokai’s Maile Naehu, is pleased to announce its new ‘Olelo Hawaii program, designed for adults who are interested in learning beginner-level Hawaiian language from the comfort of their home.

The ‘Olelo Hawaii program is taught by “Kumu Maile” Naehu. She is a Native Hawaiian educator, performer, artist, and community organizer from the island of Molokai. Naehu has taught in Hawaiian immersion, for Kamehameha Schools, and is currently a resource teacher for the Hawaii Department of Education.

“After growing up not completely connected to my Hawaiian culture, I had a strong pull to build an understanding of my cultural identity right after high school,” explained Naehu.…

Makahiki March

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Makahiki March

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As with everything else over the last year, 2021 Ka Molokai Makahiki looked different. There were no traditional games played or roaring crowds to cheer on favorite competitors in hukihuki, kukini, uma or haka moa. Instead, a small group of dedicated and masked Hawaiians carried the banner of Lono on foot from one end of the island to the other, starting on Jan. 25.

“For the first time in 39 years, due to the pandemic, the Ka Molokai Makahiki Games were canceled… the Lono banner was carried for five days from east Molokai at Halawa to west Molokai at Hale o Lono in celebration of the closing of the season of peace,” wrote one of the event’s organizers, Walter Ritte, on social media.…

Molokai Kumu Develops Online Keiki Program

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Ka Hale Hoaka News Release

Ka Hale Hoaka, an online Hawaiian learning school, is pleased to announce its Keiki Program.

The 16-module program is targeted to students ages 5-11 and teaches Hawaiian language, music, chant, hula, arts, and crafts. The Keiki Program is designed to be implemented into the existing distance learning curriculum of elementary schools statewide.

The Keiki Program is taught by co-founder Maile “Kumu Maile” Naehu, a Kumu, Native Hawaiian educator, performer, artist, and community organizer from the island of Molokai. Naehu has taught Hawaiian immersion for Kamehameha Schools and is a resource teacher for the DOE.

“We founded Ka Hale Hoaka as a creative way to connect keiki to the rich, timeless teachings of Hawaii, especially as schools transitioned to online curriculum,” said Naehu.…

Krazy for Kolea Kontest Winners

Wednesday, October 28th, 2020

Nene O Molokai News Release

In the 23rd annual Krazy for Kolea Kontest, the Haase family takes first, second and third place for spotting this year’s kolea returnees with Butch number one, Evelyn number two, and Joyce number three. All three birds each observed hours apart at different locations in Kaunakakai on
Aug. 7. Butch will receive a Kolea research T-shirt and all three Haase members a free scoop of ice cream.

The kolea or Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva) is a swift flying shorebird and has been recorded migrating at 118 mph, although an average of 56 to 60 miles mph is more typical.…