• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    March 5, 2026

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    February 27, 2026

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    March 4, 2026

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

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. …

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

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.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

What Is a Community?

Thursday, February 5th, 2026

What Is a Community?

By Kendrick Kansana Jr., Kualapuʻu 6th Grader

What is a community? Many people think a community is just a group of people. But a community is a group of people who help out each other.

First, a healthy community is a group of people who help each other strive by sharing resources. They also notice others’ needs and listen to each other. They also keep good relationships between each other, so they can stay a community.

Why is it important to participate in a community? One reason is because what goes around comes around. If you don’t help out with community events, then the community might not help you when you need help.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Kualapuʻu School’s Sixth Graders Visit the Dispatch

Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

Kualapuʻu School’s Sixth Graders Visit the Dispatch

By Léo Azambuja

The Molokai Dispatch staff got quite busy last week, when a dozen schoolchildren filled up the newspaper’s headquarters during a trip to Kaunakakai.  

Kualapuʻu Charter School’s sixth graders stopped by The Molokai Dispatch office for about 45 minutes in the afternoon of Jan. 15. Travelling under the guidance of teacher Jamie Kalama, the students had a lot of questions about the different stages of crafting a newspaper. 

The students learned about news gathering, news sources, design and layout, sales, distribution, advertising and printing. They saw the newspaper’s first issue — dated April 24, 1985 — on display on the wall. …

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Summit Reveals What Youth Wants

Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

Summit Reveals What Youth Wants

By Léo Azambuja

The results are in. Now, Molokai teachers may have a better idea about what their students want. The 4th Annual Youth Summit at Kaunakakai Elementary School Jan. 17 revealed the results of a large survey taken by students from all grades in all public schools on the island.

“Four years ago, we were the only island that did this. And then three years ago, (Hawaii State Teachers Association) asked us to show it to other islands,” Molokai High School teacher Ric Ornellas said, adding Hilo now organizes the same summit. “So, our small rural community is able to really influence other communities and other schools.”…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Molokai Robotics Wins Valley Isle VEX Tournament

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Molokai Robotics Wins Valley Isle VEX Tournament

Community Contributed. By Edwin Mendija

Molokai Robotics opened its 2025-2026 season with a decisive win at the Maui High School Valley Isle VEX Tournament, overcoming a major pre-event crisis to secure multiple top awards and end a six-year championship drought.

Just hours before the event, the team’s robots were delayed during interisland transport and failed to arrive with the team. The machines reached Maui only on the morning of the tournament, forcing an urgent scramble to assemble, calibrate and prepare them minutes before the opening match.

Competing in this year’s game, VEX Push Back, Molokai fielded three teams: high school groups 1037C and 1037X, and the new middle school team, 1037M.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Planting the Seeds of Sustainability

Thursday, December 11th, 2025

Planting the Seeds of Sustainability

By Léo Azambuja

Four high-school students recently discussed challenges in Molokai’s food system at an informal meeting at Molokai Public Library. They stressed the importance of local food production, self-sufficiency and educational programs. 

Kilohana Meyer emphasized sustainable farming practices. Max Sakamoto highlighted entrepreneurial efforts using local produce. Mark Ragonton discussed culinary initiatives. Leila Pereira talked about farming entrepreneurship and waste diversion from the landfill.

They also noted the need for grants, mentorship and community support to foster young farmers and entrepreneurs at the forum hosted by the Molokai Baháʻí Community in collaboration with the library Nov. 19.

“I’d like to see Molokai completely independent (from off-island food suppliers),” Pereira said.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Creepin’ It Real on Halloween

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Creepin’ It Real on Halloween

By Léo Azambuja

Oh, the irony! On the scariest day of the year, the children had absolutely no fear. It was them who walked around Kaunakakai spreading terror. Grownup witches better have their candy. Or something wicked may come their way. 

Perhaps in a foolish attempt to stave off panic and chaos, or maybe just to offer the kids a free event that was a skele-ton of fun, the Friends of Molokai Public Library revived the popular Halloween Costume Contest on the lawn in front of the library Oct 31.

“The Lions Club used to have the costume contest every year, but once we had COVID, they stopped,” FOL president Joan Howard said.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Food Summit Celebrates Youth in Agriculture

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

Food Summit Celebrates Youth in Agriculture

By Léo Azambuja
The Molokai Youth Food Summit underscored the importance of getting the youth interested in agriculture. At least 85% of Hawaii’s food is imported, so a key aspect of lessening Molokai’s food dependency on the mainland in the future could be in the youth’s hands.
“Youth is important in agriculture, because they’re going to be our future. We’re going to be standing up and we’re going to be doing what’s right for the world,” Molokai High School student Francis Leo Bumatay said. “If we don’t start now, or if we don’t care about the plants or the ground that we have, what do we have after that?”…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Kualapuʻu ʻOhana Fun Fair

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

Kualapuʻu ʻOhana Fun Fair

By Léo Azambuja
Pristine blue skies begging for a trip to the beach, plus a handful of simultaneous events happening across Molokai, did not deter hundreds of people from coming to the 12th Annual ʻOhana Fun Fair at Kualapuʻu School Saturday morning.
“We wanted to have a community event that was specifically here, and have everybody come around from across the island to enjoy free activities like the horseback rides, the water slides, the photo booth, pumpkin patch,” event organizer Kui Adolpho said.
The school campus was crowded all morning. Adolpho said she estimated between 700 and 900 people coming and going during the event.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment