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Culture & Art

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

For the Scherlings, music is foremost a family affair.

Alena, 19, and Mattayus Scherling, 15, were introduced to violin and cello back in 2017 after their mom saw an ad for free music classes in The Molokai Dispatch.

Now, Alena and Mattayus are the first Molokai kids to be invited to play with the Hawaii Youth Symphony. They will be performing with the youth symphony’s top orchestra, Youth Symphony I, on Feb. 19 at Maui’s Castle Theater.

The Scherlings started their music careers on borrowed instruments at Kaunakakai Elementary School under the tutelage of Bob Underwood. Now, they’ve continued to learn with the Molokai Community Strings Class, and from each other.…

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Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki festivals for 2024 kicked off on Jan. 24 with the shouldering of the lei-draped Lonomakua banner in Halawa. The Ka’ahele A Lono procession began their four-day journey on foot across Molokai, stopping for community ho’okupu along the way, ending on Sunday at Kaiaka.

The theme of this year’s Makahiki was “Aia i Molokai ku’u aloha,” or “there upon Molokai is my love, my lineage, my connection, my ‘ohana.”

“May we be reminded of the unwavering aloha we have for our island and our ‘ohana, anchoring our aspirations in a steadfast commitment to love and uplift all that is around us,” wrote Ka Molokai Makahiki committee on their Facebook page.…

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See What We Can No Longer See, Hear What We Can No Longer Hear… Part Two

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Keomailani Hanapi Hirata 

As we drove down the dusty dirt road leading to Molokai Komohana, to Mo’omomi, the view of our Wahi Pana of Kawa’aloa, Kaiehu, Keonelele, Kalani, and Kapalauoa, made us smile with humbleness. We could see and hear our kupuna welcoming us. Birds playing and circling around us, the gentle and comfortable sea winds blowing around us, sounds of the oceans, the taste of the salt in the air, the rich colors of life all around us, this is our Kupuna greeting us with their Oli Komo. Kumu Mililani Hanapi went straight to the shoreline and gave an Oli aloha.…

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See What We Can No Longer See, Hear What We Can No Longer Hear

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

By Keomailani Hanapi Hirata

A Pu was blown from deep within our ‘aina kupuna o Molokai, vibrating from Komohana. The kahea was felt and answered; from the east, Mililani Hanapi, Keo Hanapi-Hirata and La’akea Poepoe; from the north, Keoki and Miki’ala Pescaia; from the south, Kawehi Soares; from Moku o Keawe, Halealoha Ayau. Nahulu and Pulama Maioho could not be with us this day but sent their mana with us. Within one week, and with the support of Molokai Ranch management and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Molokai, we planned our visit to Mo’omomi. None of us were prepared for the ‘eha and kaumaha we were walking into.…

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Progress Report on the Molokai History Project

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Progress Report on the Molokai History Project

Molokai History Project News Release

The History Project continues to get donations of old photos of long-ago, wonderful times, ulu maikas, a vintage surfboard, a wonderful old box, paintings of churches that no longer exist. It’s an exciting time when someone comes in the door with a treasure they want to share. We have received many memberships, and we now have three new board members. Our next fundraising garage sale will be on Saturday, Nov. 4. Our plan is to have a fundraiser on the first Saturday of every month. If you have anything to donate, please let us know. We have had a lot of visitors, many in no hurry to leave, as they listen to our docents share legends of Molokai including their knowledge of the east end valleys, west end beaches, and all sites in between.…

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Moa’e Molokai Digital Repository

Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

Moa’e Molokai Digital Repository

Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center News Release 

Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center and the Molokai Library Services Cadre are proud to unveil a remarkable achievement in the preservation and celebration of Molokai’s cultural heritage—the Moaʻe Molokai Digital Repository. This project, born out of unwavering community dedication, represents a historic leap forward in preserving, and sharing the rich history and traditions of Molokai.

The Moaʻe Molokai Digital Repository traces its origins to the Hoʻili Hoʻoilina Training Program—a community-focused initiative with a mission to engage individuals dedicated to digital archiving and the preservation of Molokai’s cultural legacy. This program equipped participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to build a digital community repository.…

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Continued Guidance and Support

Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

Continued Guidance and Support

Molokai History Project News Release

The Molokai History Project opened at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6.  It was a wonderful celebration of everything that is Molokai.  This history project is by, for and from Molokai folks.  It is Molokai’s story, and we need you to tell the story, guide the story and own the story.  Please join us as we continue to seek out wonderful memories from all of you.  Stop in, look around, and sign up.  Join our Board of Directors, become an advisor, sign up on the future exhibits committee, share your memories and stories.  You are so welcome and we are waiting for you.…

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Museum Opening Honored by Hawaii Senate

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Museum Opening Honored by Hawaii Senate

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

The Molokai History Project opened its doors Friday, Oct. 6 with a celebration in Kaunakakai and a special message from Hawaii legislatures. 

At the opening ceremony, State Senator Lynn DeCoite presented the museum with a proclamation on behalf of the Hawaii Senate congratulating and honoring the work done by the Molokai History Project.  

“With its grand opening, the Molokai History Project is set to showcase Molokai’s history with initial exhibits showcasing Hawaiian quilts, paniolo history, Ka Hula Piko, Makahiki, East End Molokai along with the island’s churches and schools,” read the proclamation. 

“The many people, the many hands,” said DeCoite.…

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Molokai Artist Wins Award at Hawaii Craftsmen Exhibit

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Molokai Artist Wins Award at Hawaii Craftsmen Exhibit

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release 

Congratulations to Molokai award winner Jason Liu for winning the Cedar Street Galleries Award, which is sponsored by Michael Schnack.

Jason entered his piece, “Post Stroke Makau Aftermath,” which is a beautifully carved Koa fishhook, in the 2023 Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibit.

“I was born and raised on Oahu, then moved to Molokai in 1994. In 2019 I had two strokes. Creating this art now is my own therapy and has been my path back to life. Now I see that the strokes helped me start my life again. My vision with entering this competition is to reach more people with my art and to inspire others to expose their own art and talents,” said Liu. …

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New Museum Grand Opening

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

New Museum Grand Opening

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

A new project dedicated to celebrating Molokai’s history and culture has been underway in Kaunakakai. The Molokai History Project (MHP) will open its doors this Friday, Oct. 6. 

Located at 145 Ala Malama St, the MHP moved quickly in the last couple of months to establish itself. 

Following the passing of Dr. Emmett Aluli last year, “people started feeling the urgency to create a place to gather memories,” said Judy Mertens, one the founding members and organizers of the MHP. 

Through three garage sales, the MHP was able to raise funding. 

“We kind of just did it,” said Mertens.…

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