Culture & Art

Molokai Artists Showcased at Honolulu Exhibit

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Downtown Art Center News Release

Downtown Art Center, in collaboration with Na Heona Molokai, is thrilled to present its first-ever art exhibition exclusively featuring artists from Molokai. No Stop Light: Molokai will be open for viewing in the second floor Exhibition Space from Friday, May 6 to Saturday, May 28. A free, public opening reception will be held on First Friday, May 6, from 4 to 8 p.m.

This historic show, the largest group exhibition by Molokai artists in Honolulu, is an opportunity for these often-unsung artists to convey their experiences of living on a Hawaiian Island so different from Oahu that there is no need for traffic lights.…

Kilohana Native Garden

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Kilohana Native Garden

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

With fingers caked in dirt, members of Kilohana’s fifth grade class patted native plants into the ground, learning their names, their growing habits and cultural uses. The school now has a native plant garden thanks to their efforts and the support of several local organizations. 

It’s a dream at least 10 years in the making, said fifth grade teacher Tammy Castor. She said the school previously planted a native garden area behind the campus but it fell prey to deer and wild pigs, along with not being cared for over summer vacations. A new garden took shape earlier this month in a courtyard plot at the heart of the school, where it will be sheltered from predators, watered by timed irrigation over the summer, and can be easily accessible and frequently admired by the entire school. …

Meet the Artists: Kahale Naehu-Ramos

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Meet the Artists: Kahale Naehu-Ramos

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.

What is your name and connection to Molokai?

I am Kahale Naehu-Ramos. I am from Lahaina and moved here when I was seven years old with my mom and sister. My stepdad Hano is from the east end of Molokai. I went to school and high school here, and now I’m done with college in California, so I’m back.…

Call for Fiber Art

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Since 1982, Hawaii Craftsmen has had a juried biennial fiber exhibit that is, “in, of or about fiber.” Artists are asked to consider fiber and textile techniques, exploring all fiber related work as an idea as well as a media. Emerging and established artists, members and nonmembers from Molokai and across the state are encouraged to submit completed artworks to be considered for inclusion in this statewide exhibition. 

Fiber Hawaii 2022 entries will be juried by well-known fashion designer and creative consultant, Amos Kotomori. Amos is sure to bring a unique sense of style to the Fiber exhibit.…

Meet the Artists: Kananikalā Bishaw-Juario

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: Kananikalā Bishaw-Juario

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.

What is your name?

My name is Kananikalā S. Bishaw-Juario and I’m called “Kalā.”

What is your art form? 

I play different genres of music using my guitar, and I sing. I play music once a week with Raymond Hiro at Hiroʻs Ohana Grill.

How did you get started? 

My grandparents Alexander and Anna Bishaw would play ukulele and sing together.…

Kahea for Descendants of Mapulehu

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Community Contributed

By Keomailani Hanapi-Hirata, East Molokai Representative 

In 1991, within the Ahupua’a of Mapulehu, on the parcel of land formally known as the “Mapulehu Glass House,” discovery of human skeletal remains was being uncovered during a development phase of land clearing, with a bulldozer and excavator. An article written in The Honolulu Advertiser on Dec. 21, 1991, titles, “Molokai farm yields ancient remains.” The article describes reports from police, state officials and Molokai burial council, “bones were scattered over about four acres and at least 30 human jawbones were found, and 11 human skulls were recovered along with numerous fragments of human remains.”…

Playing for a Cause

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Playing for a Cause

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Kalaupapa Backyard Band performed a special show last Friday night at Paddlers Restaurant and Bar. All proceeds from the tip jar will be donated to the Ukraine through the United Church of Christ and the Kalaupapa churches, Kana’ana Hou and Siloama, through their minister Richard Miller. Playing to a packed house, the band raised $850 for the cause, which will be sent to assist Ukrainians in need, being invaded by Russia. 

Miller, the band’s harmonica player, is one of the founding members of KBB and will be returning to his home in Pennsylvania on May 1 after almost 20 years of service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and the churches.…

Meet the Artists: Kala’e Tangonan

Wednesday, March 16th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Kala’e Tangonan

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.

What is your name, and what is your art form?

I am Kala’e Tangonan, and I do multi-media. 

What is your connection to Molokai?

I was born and raised on Molokai.  I’m never going to live anywhere else.  This is my home.

What do you do besides make art?

I have a lot of kids so we are involved in a lot of things, community events, keiki fairs and Ka Hula Piko. …

Soup-porting the Arts

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022

Soup-porting the Arts

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Local ceramic artists created more than 400 pottery bowls for this year’s Molokai Arts Center annual Soup R Bowl event, held last Saturday at Lanikeha. Attendees picked their favorite bowl, filled it with soup of their choice and enjoyed the music of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education program led by Bob Underwood, and Malama Molokai Wellness with musicians Kala Bishaw-Juario and Kaleo Bishaw. 

The 12th annual event supports the Molokai Arts Center’s art education programs, including classes for keiki and kupuna. Guests were also able to meet the potters who made their bowls — Dan Bennett, Emillia Noordhoek, Kim Markham, Betty West and Maricel Kanemitsu.…

Meet the Artists: Anna Fuernsteiner

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Anna Fuernsteiner

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.

What is your name and what is your art form?

I’m Anna Fuernsteiner, and I paint with oil and acrylics on canvas.

What is your connection to Molokai?

I was born in Vienna, Austria where I lived with my grandmother and moved to England with my mother and stepfather. When I married, I moved to the Pacific Northwest.…