Culture & Art

‘Music of Kalaupapa’ Awarded

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa was presented with a Preservation Media Award by Historic Hawaii Foundation for its virtual concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa.”

The concert was recognized during a virtual ceremony recently along with seven other preservation projects and five individuals who were acknowledged for their longtime commitments to preservation of the islands’ special places and cultures. The Preservation Honor Awards by Historic Hawaii Foundation (HHF) are considered to be the highest recognition of projects in Hawaii that perpetuate, rehabilitate, restore or interpret the state’s architectural, archaeological and/or cultural heritage.

“The Music of Kalaupapa concert celebrates and memorializes the music and songwriters of Kalaupapa,” wrote Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director of HHF in the congratulatory letter to Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa.…

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 Artists Encouraged to Enter Statewide Exhibition

Wednesday, May 19th, 2021

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Held annually since 1967, the Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition of traditional and contemporary crafts brings a juror of international reputation to the state of Hawaii to jury entries and give public presentations on each island. Accepted artwork will be exhibited at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, and will be featured in an exhibition catalog.

Emerging and established artists from across the state of Hawaii are encouraged to submit up to six completed artworks to be juried by Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy, a Los Angeles and New York-based curator, writer, and arts administrator of contemporary art and craft, and an assistant curator at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York.…

Molokai Music Students Release CD

Thursday, May 6th, 2021

Molokai Music Students Release CD

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A group of Molokai musicians of the first ever cohort of students in the University of Hawaii Maui College Institute of Hawaiian Music have released a CD and celebrated with a live streamed concert at Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill last week.

Over the last two years, the group remained intact through the pandemic and their compilation CD, called Awaiaulu ‘Ia E Ke Aloha No Molokai (Bound Together By Love For Molokai), features nine recordings, seven of which are original compositions by the students.

Natalie Sambajon, Kelly Kaawa Richardson, Lehiwahiwa Ritte, Valerie Temahaga, Po’okela Napoleon, Keakaokalani Kaiama, Daniel Pelekai, Jr.,…

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.…

Free MAC Classes Memorialize Two Artists

Friday, April 9th, 2021

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) has been awarded grants from Maui County Office of Economic Development and Atherton Foundation. These grants, along with generous donations and recent fundraisers, allow Molokai’s only nonprofit arts education organization to offer three months (April, May, June) of free ceramic and mixed media arts classes for children, youth, adults, and seniors. The project, titled Panaʻi Aloha — Giving Back to Molokai, is the MAC’s way of celebrating its 10-year history and helping its island home cope with and revitalize during the ongoing pandemic. Panaʻi Aloha is dedicated to the memories of Eric Swenson and Felix Kehano, Jr.…

Mahalo for Soup ‘R Bowl Support

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

Mahalo for Soup ‘R Bowl Support

The Molokai Arts Center held its 11th annual Soup ‘R Bowl on March 6. Themed “Reimagined,” the fundraiser event featured 492 soup bowls and mugs created by Molokai artists. MAC reimagined the usual sunset under the banyan tree dinner fundraiser and created a COVID-compliant walk-through, take-out experience that was enjoyed by all.

Mahalo Molokai for supporting Molokai’s only nonprofit arts education program. Special thanks to Lanikeha Community Center, Rosie Davis, Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance, Take’s Variety Store (Garrick Kanemitsu, Clyde Len Wai, Frank Maniago, Aiko and Kimmy Kanemitsu), and Halawa Tropical Flower Farm (Kalani and Joanie Pruet) for your in-kind donations.…

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.…

A Different Kind of Soup ‘R Bowl

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

A Different Kind of Soup ‘R Bowl

MAC News Release

Yes, the Molokai Arts Center is still having its 11th annual Soup ‘R Bowl, but the event has been reimagined! It will be held on Saturday, March 6, at the Lanikeha Community Center in Ho’olehua (2200 Farrington Ave). Tickets will only be sold online this year. Visit molokaiartscenter.org today to order.

Last year, COVID regulations were thrust upon us right after the Soup ‘R Bowl. This year, instead of imagining a year without Soup ‘R Bowl, the MAC created a COVID-compliant walk-through, take-out experience. If you’ve been collecting ceramic soup bowls every year you don’t have to miss one.…

Soup ‘R Bowl Reimagined

Friday, February 12th, 2021

Soup ‘R Bowl Reimagined

MAC News Release

Due to current COVID protocols, the Molokai Arts Center’s 2021 fundraiser will be more streamlined with the same featured ceramic Soup ’R bowls made by Molokai artists. Instead of a sit-down dinner, the event will be a walk-through, take-out event. A highlight will be a “Meet the Artist” hour for premium ticket holders. Details on purchasing tickets online coming soon. Go to molokaiartscenter.org/news and sign up or join our Facebook page to be the first to know. Save the date for Saturday, March 6.

This year the pandemic has prevented many annual visitors from joining our annual Soup ‘R Bowl fundraiser.…