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Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Seumalo, from Maunaloa to the NFL

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Seumalo, from Maunaloa to the NFL

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

A Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai High schools graduate has made it into the National Football League for the next season. As if it weren’t good enough, he will play for the current Super Bowl champions.

“We want to give a big shout out to Vaai Jericho Uso Seumalo,” Rick Schonely said at his Molokai Sports Report at Akaku TV last week. “After the four rounds of the NFL Draft, he was signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks.”

Schonely said Seumalo was recently at home on Molokai, and visited his former school in Maunaloa. …

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The Enchanted Forest Hōkūlani’s First Original Musical Shines

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

The Enchanted Forest Hōkūlani’s First Original Musical Shines

By Léo Azambuja

The forest was dying and the magic was fading. Prince Aldric, Seraphina, Rigoletta and the Jester sought help from a witch who had been banned to the swamp years ago. She revealed a powerful curse by a villainous queen imposter, causing the king to forget his love and the princess to believe the real queen died bringing her into this world. 

“You think you know me, little girl, but you don’t. You think you know your kingdom, but you don’t. You think you know your own story, but you don’t,” the witch told Seraphina. 

The Enchanted Forest, an original musical production of the Hōkūlani Children’s Theatre of Molokai, had a nearly full house on all three performances at Home Pumehana April 23-25. …

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Keiki Fest 2026

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

Keiki Fest 2026

By Léo Azambuja

The Keiki Fest 2026 last weekend offered a fun and safe venue for hundreds of families to celebrate their children while educating them on child-abuse prevention topics such as setting boundaries, consent and identifying trusted adults. 

April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse and Neglect Month. 

“We want to bring awareness to that by having a festival for our keiki, bringing in resources so that the families get to know them,” event co-organizer Tylor Tanaka said, adding the activities and resources were all catered to the children. “Today is absolutely free. Get free food, free prizes.…

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New Dates Set for Kamp Kaohi

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

New Dates Set for Kamp Kaohi

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity Youth Services invites Molokai 6th to 12th graders to the 4th Kamp Kaohi — on its new dates of May 1 and 2 — for an overnight of fun while learning and discovering the inner strength to handle the difficulties of teenage life on the island.

The camp is offered at no cost to youths 11 to 18 years old. It will be held at Molokai Baptist Church, 495 Puupeelua Ave., Hoʻolehua.

Drop off is set for Friday, May 1 at 3 p.m. with pick up Saturday, May 2 at 3 p.m.

The overnight camp will feature fun activities, such as s’mores and games, while highlighting the Sources of Strength philosophy. …

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Hop on the Bus for Holoholo & Moʻolelo

Thursday, March 19th, 2026

Hop on the Bus for Holoholo & Moʻolelo

By Léo Azambuja

The forecast says no traffic jams, the ride is free and they will even feed you. On top of that, you will learn some important moʻolelo about Molokai. So, what are you waiting for? Hop on the bus and join the Holoholo & Moʻolelo with Hanohano and Maile Naehu.

“We’re going to partner with Molokai High School, and we start with a meetup point there, then everyone jumps on a school bus,” Maile Naehu said. “In the process, we make stops all along the way and tell moʻolelo about those specific places.”

Holoholo & Moʻolelo – Hoʻolehua to Manaʻe, offered by the nonprofit organization Hui o Kuapā, is much more than listening to Molokai stories from olden days while riding on a school bus.…

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Dudoit Wins Wrestling State Title

Monday, March 16th, 2026

Dudoit Wins Wrestling State Title

By Léo Azambuja

It had been 10 years since a Molokai High School wrestler had won a Hawaii state wrestling title. The last year a Farmer took the top stop on the podium was 2016, when senior Cendall Manley, the coach’s daughter, won the 168-pound division. She went on to win multiple national titles during her college years.

The drought is finally over. Jona Dudoit won a nail-biting championship match in the 126-pound division at the 2026 Texaco Wrestling State Championships held at Blaisdell Arena on Oahu Feb. 28. It was the seventh-ever state title for the Friendly Isle.

Dudoit said he has “a lot of emotions” about his win.…

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Coach H Scholarship Applications Open

Thursday, March 5th, 2026

Coach H Scholarship Applications Open

By Léo Azambuja

Coach H may have passed away six years ago, but his legacy continues to inspire high-school athletes to strive for their best, both in academics and in varsity sports. The Loʻi Collective Foundation recently announced applications for the Coach H Scholarship are now open.

“Peter Haliniak Jr., affectionately referred to as ʻCoach H’ or ‘Mister H,’ was a dedicated coach and athlete who profoundly influenced countless student-athletes throughout Hawaii,” the Loʻi Collective Foundation announced, adding they will award four $500 scholarships to student-athletes from Roosevelt and Molokai High schools who will be pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training.…

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Molokai Robotics Pulls Historic Win at States

Thursday, March 5th, 2026

Molokai Robotics Pulls Historic Win at States

By Léo Azambuja

A Molokai Robotics team made history at the 2026 Hawaii VEX V5 Robotics Competition Regional Championship by claiming an unprecedented win and earning statewide recognition for their engineering excellence and competitive spirit a couple weeks ago.

“I’m proud of our kids,” said Edwin Mendij, robotics teacher at Molokai Middle and High schools. “I cannot stress enough; we work at a real disadvantage compared to every other program in the state.”

Molokai Robotics Team 1037M — consisting of 7th, 8th and 9th graders — stood out among 20 other Hawaii school, club and home teams competing in the Middle School division Feb.…

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Junior Paddlers Make History at States

Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Junior Paddlers Make History at States

By Léo Azambuja

The high-school boys from Molokai made a statement at the state paddling championships in early February, smoking the competition in the first time they qualified for the coveted high-school tournament. Not even a questionable disqualification due to a potential technical violation — still being contested — has diminished their merits. 

“They spend a lot of time together in and out of the canoe, and it really shows in their paddling,” head coach Kekama Helm said, adding they are a special group of kids. “They’ve grown exponentially in their values and how they act in their community.”

It has been an exceptional season for Molokai’s high-school paddlers, both boys and girls, whether it was in the state championships or in the iconic Molokai Hoe and Na Wahine o Ke Kai long-distance canoe races. …

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Hana Keaka 2026

Thursday, February 12th, 2026

Hana Keaka 2026

He Lālā Au No Kuʻu Kumu

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The schoolchildren from a traditional charter school on Molokai put on a strong theater performance for a sold-out crowd during a fundraising event at the Molokai High School Gym last weekend.

The keiki from Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu‘u, an elementary public charter school, presented their Hana Keaka 2026, or Hawaiian theater program, before nearly 300 people at The Barn Feb. 7. 

“What you will see today represents months of intentional, instructed creativity and ʻike Hawaii integrated across science, math, reading and the arts,” emcee Lokelani Fergerstrom said. “The theme of this evening is He Lālā Au No Kuʻu Kumu — I’m a branch of a firm tree, and this sea reminds us that our success doesn’t stand alone.…

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