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Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

2nd Annual Malama Your Mama at Akaʻula Is a Success

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

2nd Annual Malama Your Mama at Akaʻula Is a Success

By Dayanti Karunaratne

Mamas are the best, and as such, they deserve a lavish brunch and all the spa treatments they can get on Mother’s Day. But despite all the pampering the mothers got at Akaʻula School’s 2nd Annual Malama Your Mama, who really benefitted were the students because the event was a fundraiser for the school.

“We depend on parent commitment and the generosity of private donors, and this fundraising event is an important part of that,” Akaʻula Principal and co-founder Vicki Newberry said. “The most exciting thing for me was watching the ownership the students took.”

The 2nd Annual Malama Your Mama at Molokai Community Health Center on Mother’s Day May 10 included a brunch buffet, a silent auction, mini spa treatments, a lei stand and live entertainment by local musicians. …

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Students Dream Big with Scholarships

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

Students Dream Big with Scholarships

By Dayanti Karunaratne

A scholarship can make college more affordable, and in many cases possible, by helping to cover tuition and other expenses. It also reduces students’ stress and helps them to focus on their studies rather than financial worries. Some scholarships target minorities and underrepresented groups as a way of leveling social justice.

The Molokai High School Library was transformed for the school’s annual Scholarship Award Ceremony May 15, when several graduating seniors accepted an array of different scholarships worth tens of thousands of dollars in front of about 50 family and friends. 

“If you are diligent, you will be rewarded, you will be supported, and you will endure to the end, until your goal is achieved,” said Mikiʻala Pescaia, one of the presenters for the scholarships. …

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‘We Are Polynesia’ Wraps Up May Day in Kaunakakai

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

‘We Are Polynesia’ Wraps Up May Day in Kaunakakai

By Léo Azambuja

An impressive display of cuteness and cultural affirmation by kindergarteners and elementary school students from Kaunakakai Elementary School before hundreds of parents, relatives and friends closed this year’s May Day celebrations last week.

“Let us begin the dancing and excitement by traveling to Tahiti. The kindergarteners from kumu Tere Neuhart and Ms. Kini will begin the dancing. The kindergartners will entertain you with a fun number entitled Tahiti, Tahiti,” the emcee for the school’s 2026 May Day Program said before the first of 11 performances May 15.

This year’s theme for Kaunakakai School’s May Day, “We Are Polynesia,” took the audience through several Polynesian cultures, including Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand and, of course, Hawaii. …

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Early Childhood Services Director Amaral Retiring

Thursday, May 14th, 2026

Early Childhood Services Director Amaral Retiring

MEO News Release

Thousands of Maui County residents from low-income families can thank Maui Economic Opportunity Director of Early Childhood Services Debbi Amaral — who will be retiring later this month — for getting a “head start” with subsidized preschool.

For the last 30 years, Amaral has devoted her life to providing quality childcare, education and family support and has helped families and children weather community and personal crises. She has been director of Head Start programs on Maui and Molokai for 3-and-4-year-olds and the Kahi Kamaliʻi Infant Toddler Center at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku for the last 21 years.…

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Molokai High’s Class of 2026 Graduation Details

Thursday, May 14th, 2026

Molokai High School News Release

Molokai High School is proud to announce the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. The traditional ceremony will take place on Friday, May 22, at 4 p.m. at the Molokai High School Athletic Field.

The community is invited to join the celebration in person (limited seating available) or virtually via a comprehensive livestream provided by Akakū. Viewers can tune in through:

Television: Akakū Channel 54 Digital: The “Maui Stream” app or akaku.org Social Media: Maui/Molokai Akakū Facebook pages and YouTube channel

To ensure a smooth start to the festivities, gates for ticketed seating will open at 3:15 p.m.…

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Kilohana School Spring Bazaar

Thursday, May 14th, 2026

Kilohana School Spring Bazaar

By Léo Azambuja

For many years, the Kilohana School Spring Bazaar has been the main fundraiser for this charming elementary school in Manaʻe. Aside from that, it’s a really fun and popular family event attended by hundreds of people each year.

“This is the Kilohana School Spring Bazaar. It’s been going on for about 40 years,” said Lacey Phifer, a Kilohana School alumni, tutor and the head organizer for this year’s bazaar May 9. “It’s my first year doing it. This is to fundraise for our school’s activities.”

The proceeds, she said, go toward the school’s supplies, field trips, bus services, Christmas program and other holidays, and the bazaar itself.…

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Molokai Educational Resource Experience

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026

Molokai Educational Resource Experience

By Léo Azambuja

Greased pigs, a giant tortoise, tiny chicks, a loving kitten and a trained K9. A firetruck, an ambulance and a chopper. Musicians, pilots, hospice workers, police, firefighters, nurses, dentists and builders. Watermelons, lau lau, ahi poke and musubi. A castle and hay bales.

“It’s the Molokai Educational Resource Experience. We started five years ago with about four people. In the first event, we had 800; now we are over 2,000 people,” volunteer Rosie Davis said.

The Fifth Annual Molokai Educational Resource Experience presented by the Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance at Lanikeha Community Center May 9 was busy from the get-go at 9 a.m.…

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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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