Culture & Art

Welcome Back Festivals of Aloha

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Welcome Back Festivals of Aloha

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Last Saturday, Festivals of Aloha returned to Molokai for the first time since 2019. Beneath a rising moon, the Molokai community shared in the momentous event.  

True to Festivals of Aloha’s mission to “honor Native Hawaiian culture and traditions from generation to generation, as well as share them with visitors and people from the community,” all residents came out in force to enjoy the night at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center. From keiki to kupuna, attendees gathered to eat shave ice, musubi, poke, teriyaki chicken and other local favorites, as well as watch entertainment, hula and royal traditions of the past and present. …

Molokai Mele Album Wins Na Hoku Hanohano

Thursday, October 13th, 2022

Molokai Mele Album Wins Na Hoku Hanohano

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

When University of Hawaii music professor Dr. Keola Donaghy arrived on Molokai in 2019 to teach a first-ever two-year Academic Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Music to Molokai students, only four participants had registered for the class. He said he almost decided to cancel the trip. But when he walked into the classroom at the UH Maui College, Molokai campus, 12 individuals greeted him. 

“I asked them, ‘Why didn’t you folks sign up for the class? We almost didn’t come.’” 

One of the students, a Hawaiian woman who turned out to be Molokai’s Kau’i Kapuni Manera, bluntly replied, “We didn’t think you would actually come.…

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.…

A Plan for Malama Park

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

A Plan for Malama Park

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

For years, homesteaders and other community members, planners and others have been discussing the best approach to bring life to an important and currently neglected area of Kaunakakai – Malama Cultural Park. In 2011, the Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands acquired a portion of the lands comprising the park from the State of Hawaii, and just released a Special Area Plan for its management.

“The Malama Cultural Park is a treasured wahi pana (ancestral land), not only for the people of Kaunakakai, but also for residents throughout the island of Molokai,” states the plan. “The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) seeks to preserve this wahi pana and to support the continuing practice of ocean recreational use in a manner that protects and respects the historical legacy of this place.…

MAC at the Library

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

MAC at the Library

MAC News Release 

MAC at the Library is back! Molokai Arts Center returns to the Molokai Public Library with Artist in Residence Rafael Lamas (all the way from Spain!) conducting the Molokai Instrumental Music Education (MIME) Septet. The event, which will be held on the lawn behind the library on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m., will give Lamas an opportunity to teach conducting and share his journey on Molokai. Bring your hali‘i or lawn chair and experience culture and the arts on Molokai.

Lamas is an orchestra conductor, a concert pianist, a creative writer, and Professor of Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies at Fordham University at Lincoln Center of New York.…

Watercolor in Halawa

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

MAC News Release 

The Molokai Arts Center returns to Halawa Valley for an afternoon of watercolors and fresh smoothies inspired by Molokai’s natural bounty. Come learn Landscape/Floral Watercolor Painting. This class will be offered every third Sunday of the month and the next class will be on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local artist Kalani Pruet, who prefers on-location nature observation and color mixing, will teach a three-hour class right in his backyard. The class includes a smoothie and a painting demonstration. Kalani will share fundamental watercolor techniques such as landscape sketching, silhouette and outline drawing, watercolor tiling and blending or layering methods. Cost is $30 non-member, $24 annual member/affiliate. All painting materials are provided and each participant will take their piece of art home with them.…

Classical Summer Concert

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

Classical Summer Concert

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai residents got a free concert by cellist Daniel Scoggins and violinist Jordan Watt last Thursday at St. Damien Catholic Church. The musicians are teaching fellows at the Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Pacific Music Institute. Not only did the public enjoy a concert but students of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME), founded by Bob Underwood, received a teaching session from Scoggins and Watt. Both musicians traveled to Hawaii this summer for the Pacific Music Institute’s annual summer camp, which connects students with acclaimed soloists and educators from leading music schools.…

Cash Prizes Available in Art Exhibit

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Wow! Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibit has more than $11,000 in prizes consisting of 19 different awards, which will be available to artists who enter, including those from Molokai. The awards will be designated by the juror, Neida Bangerter and will be announced during the opening reception and awards ceremony. 

Registration for the exhibit opens Aug. 1 and closes Aug. 15. 

The Molokai intake will be held on Thursday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at  Kupu A’e Molokai at Holomua Junction. Jurying will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. The juror’s public presentation will follow from 2 to 3 p.m.…

Hawaii Youth Symphony Concert

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Hawaii Youth Symphony News Release

The public is invited to a free evening of music featuring the talents of cellist Daniel Scoggins and violinist Jordan Watt in a concert on Molokai presented by Hawaii Youth Symphony and its Pacific Music Institute (PMI). Through Hawaii Youth Symphony’s partnership with the National Orchestral Institute and Festival, both Scoggins and Watt have travelled to Hawaii as Teaching Fellows for this year’s PMI, an annual summer music camp connecting students with acclaimed soloists, players from major symphony orchestras, and educators from leading music institutions.

Free one-hour public concert on Thursday, July 21 at Saint Damien Catholic Church starts at 6 p.m. 

A recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music and Oberlin Conservatory with a degree in Cello Performance, Daniel Scoggins is Teaching Artist at Bronx Arts Ensemble. Jordan Watt is finishing…