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Culture & Art

Impacts of COVID-19 Among Native Hawaiians

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

The United Nations has warned indigenous populations that they may be at a disproportionately high risk of being impacted by COVID-19 because of preexisting health inequalities.

Across the nation, there is strong evidence showing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), defined as people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Guam or other Pacific Islands, are at greater risk of being infected and of having severe symptoms compared to other United States racial populations including African American, Asian, Latino and Caucasian.

This should raise alarms for the island of Molokai as it has the highest number of Native Hawaiians per capita of all the Hawaiian Islands, excluding Niʻihau.…

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Research Your Family Tree from Home

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

Through May 31, the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is able to offer access to Ancestry Library Edition from home with just a library card.

Molokai library cardholders can access the Ancestry Library Edition to get census, vital data records, directories, and photos for those doing research on their family tree. During the COVID-19 crisis, Ancestry Library Edition is offering temporary remote access to cardholders while libraries remain closed to the public.

“We are so happy that the Hawaii State Public Library System can provide access to this rich genealogical research tool from home. It’s really amazing when you can see a photo of a written census that your grandmother was part of when she was 9, and find clues to other family members,” said State Librarian, Stacey A.…

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Register for Online Keiki Program

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Register for Online Keiki Program

By Kumu Maile Naehu

Finally! Ka Hale Hoaka is open for registration! The Keiki Program, level 1, taught by Kumu Maile Naehu, will introduce olelo, mele, mo’olelo, oli, weekly worksheets and activities related to the lessons! It’s a 16 online session class that runs for eight weeks. Once you register for the program you will not only get lifetime access to the keiki program — which is perfect for beginning learners of all ages, but you will also be able to access the seven sessions that I just completed. So that’s 23 lessons for $97! We also have a three-payment plan option.…

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Save the Arts Center

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

MAC News Release

Government mandates to close schools and stay at home closed our doors over a month ago. The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) has had no income for our basic expenses such as rent, utilities, and staffing to keep our nonprofit going. Our income from keiki classes, workshops, studio memberships, Alu Like Kupuna Program, Molokai Middle School Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, UPLINK, Kualapu’u School 21st Century Program, adult classes, and Maui Community College classes came to a complete halt. Concern is growing as COVID-19 continues to shape the way we operate.

Honolulu Magazine, in conjunction with the Hawaii Community Foundation, has repurposed Give Big Hawaii into The Aloha Campaign platform to assist in raising critical funds for nonprofits in Hawaii during this time of exceptional need.…

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Your May Day

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Your May Day

Mahalo to all who sent us your photos for our May Day contest! We couldn’t choose just one, so here are a few of our favorites, with some words from the photographers.

 

Submitted by Jessica Sanchez:
Aloha from Kalaupapa! Jessica Sanchez and Albert Espaniola with dogs Hulali and Hooch.

 

 

Submitted by Eugene Santiago:
I’d like to submit this photo I took on the beach… to recognize the Hinahina for its subtle beauty that gets overlooked many times, just because it’s a ground cover. I discovered its beauty after being curious and getting on my knees to get a real close up look and what I saw was truly amazing.…

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May Day Photo Contest

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

May Day Photo Contest

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

With schools closed and May Day celebrations this year cancelled, we still want to see how you’re observing Lei Day! Maybe you made a spectacular lei to gift, maybe you’re wearing one with your mask. Maybe your dog is even sporting some pua! Whatever it is, share it with us for a chance to have your photo featured on our front page. Please email us your photo to editor@themolokaidispatch.com or tag @molokaidispatch in your Facebook post by Saturday, May 2 at 4 p.m. and show us your Lei Day celebrations!…

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Online Hawaiian Cultural Lessons

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

Online Hawaiian Cultural Lessons

Ka Hale Hoaka News Release

Parents seeking to transform “shelter-in-place” into a cultural learning adventure will be happy to discover Ka Hale Hoaka, taught by Molokai’s Maile Naehu. This new learning environment offers lessons in Hawaiian language and culture designed for students aged 5 through 11. Learners of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and places of residence are warmly welcomed. Although the introductory course began on March 31, registration remains open for the remainder of the free Introductory Series, held online at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 16. Register at kahalehoaka.com or visit Ka Hale Hoaka on Facebook for details.…

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Participate in Online Artist Marketplace

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

CNHA News Release

Are you a Molokai artist or entrepreneur whose business has ben affected by COVID-19? The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and our community partners are launching an online Pop-Up Makeke to support our local artists and small business owners in Hawaii impacted by COVID-19.

As we witness nearly all community events, gatherings, craft fairs and farmers markets get cancelled or postponed, we recognize the impact that this will have on Hawaii’s economy, especially our many Native Hawaiian-owned businesses who depend on these activities to feed their families.

We are looking for businesses interested in being a part of this online makeke.…

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Survival on Molokai

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

I share the vision and belief for survival of our life on Molokai. Farm, plant coconut, ulu, kalo, banana from our Polynesian heritage. King Kamehameha V’s vision and message to all of us was to farm, plant coconut trees, the tree of life and survival.

Look around – what is happening to life in the world?

Farm, plant our Polynesian heritage food. Create art: beautiful edible landscaping, happy fun financial hobbies. All lands are sacred, same time our survival depends on using them. That’s what the earth is all about for mankind. With care and respect, Molokai, recognize what you have.…

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Ghostbusters of Kalaupapa

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa
I was here in my easy chair, where I tend to think better, when they burst onto the scene. Some were carrying white buckets while others were toting back tanks from which hoses protruded. They looked like ghostbusters. I wondered if they had been sent here by the Board of Health to fumigate the church property or perhaps the resident pastor himself. Then I recognized their supervisor was Kaohulani. So I felt safe to go out to meet and greet them.
In actuality, these “ghostbusters” are a group of students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo on Hawaii Island.…

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