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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Lānaʻi Air Is Coming to Molokai

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026

Lānaʻi Air Is Coming to Molokai

By Léo Azambuja

Lānaʻi Air recently announced it will start operating daily flights from Molokai to Honolulu this summer. Aside from providing an alternative to Mokulele Airlines, company officials said the larger planes will offer a more comfortable experience, plus the new service will create several jobs for island residents. 

“We’re excited about getting to start service to Molokai,” said Kurt Matsumoto, president of Pulama Lānaʻi, Lānaʻi Air’s parent company.

Lānaʻi Air Operations Director Jolette Silva said they will start with four daily flights to Honolulu by mid-August — two in the morning and two in the late afternoon. 

The flights will be on a 19-seater Cessna Sky Courier 408, a twin-engine, high-wing turboprop aircraft designed for regional commuter operations and cargo.…

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Micro Fund Launched for Native Hawaiian Farmers

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

OHA News Release

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched the Mahiʻai Micro Fund Program, an initiative providing direct, flexible financial support to Native Hawaiian farmers across Hawaiʻi to help offset rising operational costs and strengthen agricultural enterprises.

The program offers two tiers of funding to meet varying needs across the state’s farming community. Farmers impacted by the recent Kona Low weather events may be eligible for awards of up to $5,000, while other eligible farmers may receive awards of up to $3,000 to support ongoing operational costs. This approach ensures that immediate recovery needs are addressed, while continuing to support the broader stability and sustainability of Native Hawaiian farming operations statewide.…

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Earth Day, Kūpaʻa Ka Mauli

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026

Earth Day, Kūpaʻa Ka Mauli

By Léo Azambuja

Hundreds of residents celebrated Molokai Earth Day 2026 at Mitchell Pauole Center last week. The event showcased dozens of conservation agencies, groups and organizations, while offering live entertainment and local food.

“This year’s theme is Kūpaʻa Ka Mauli, which could be translated as Stand Firm,” said Russell Kallstrom, program manager at The Nature Conservancy on Molokai. “Oftentimes, we know what we need to do, but we need to have the courage to do it and to stand for it.”

Between attending public, volunteers and exhibitor staff, organizers estimated about 800 people went through the free event April 18.…

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Hoʻoulu ʻOhana  Hydroponics Workshop

Friday, March 27th, 2026

Hoʻoulu ʻOhana  Hydroponics Workshop

By Léo Azambuja

A hydroponics workshop taken a couple years ago had deep positive impacts on a local family — plus dozens of other families they were able to feed. But it didn’t stop there. Last week, Vanalouise Naehu taught her first workshop to families who wanted to learn the same system she used to produce so much food in such a small space.

“So far, I’ve done five rounds, so that’s over the span of 30 to 35 weeks,” said Naehu, owner of Heavenly Oasis hydroponic farm. “I’ve been able to feed about 70 people — about 26 households together — from all five rounds.…

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Go Slow, Whales Below

Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Go Slow, Whales Below

By The Molokai Dispatch staff

Each winter, more than 10,000 humpback whales migrate from the frigid Alaskan waters to the warmer, tropical waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Once here, they breed, nurse their calves and raise their young before returning to the North Pacific. 

“As koholā, or humpback whale, season reaches its peak in Hawaiʻi, the Go Slow – Whales Below initiative urges mariners to be mindful and exercise caution when out on the ocean, for the safety of the whales and everyone on the water,” the state Department of Land and Natural Resources states in a recent news release.

Most of the koholā migrations are between December and April, but there are whale sightings as early as October.…

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Malo ʻUlu Lei Workshop in Hoʻolehua

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

Malo ʻUlu Lei Workshop in Hoʻolehua

By Léo Azambuja

Breadfruit, or ʻulu, is known for being a rich source of carbohydrates, fiber and protein. Well adapted to grow in the tropical belt, ʻulu is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But did you know you could also make lei with ʻulu?

“Today, we’re learning the hilo-style lei for the malo ʻulu,” cultural practitioner Pōmaikaʻi Ah Mook Sang said on the first day of a two-day lei-making workshop using malo ‘ulu offered by the Molokai Arts Center’s Hawaiian Arts Program at the Hoʻolehua Homestead Makeke Nov. 22.

Malo ʻulu is the protective sheath that covers the growing ‘ulu leaf.…

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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.…

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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?”…

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Program Engages Groups for Cleaner Shores, Ocean

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

Program Engages Groups for Cleaner Shores, Ocean

By Léo Azambuja

An ocean-cleanup program at the Hawaii Marine Animal Response-Molokai is only on its sophomore year, but it is already making a big splash on Molokai’s shores and surrounding waters.

HMAR Molokai’s Marine Debris Program, on its second year, continues to successfully remove marine debris from the island’s shorelines by partnering and engaging with established organizations and networks already caring for Molokai’s resources. This includes ongoing organized cleanups with some of the island’s largest landowners, fishpond groups and most recently, with a youth bodyboarding team. 

“There are two great things going on here. We are recognizing and supporting our amazing people who are already committing their lives to our shorelines.…

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The Beetle Stops Here: Interim Rule Against CRB Approved

Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

The Beetle Stops Here: Interim Rule Against CRB Approved

 

By Léo Azambuja

State officials added an important layer of protection against the threat of the coconut rhinoceros beetle on Molokai, the last of the major Hawaiian Islands where the invasive pest has not been detected yet. 

The Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity voted unanimously Sept. 23 to recommend adoption of a year-long ban on landscaping and some construction materials entering Molokai from other islands. The moratorium went into the effect the following day. 

“It’s a battle that we have to win when it comes to attack on our canoe crops (and) our indigenous plants,” U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda said after meeting with Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee coordinator Lori Buchanan the same day the interim rule was approved.…

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