News Releases

MHS State Winners Head to National Educators Rising Conference

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

Four talented Molokai High School (MHS) Educators Rising (EdRising) state winners departed Molokai on June 1, to showcase their skills on the national stage. Kealaula Pali, Kruz Lani, Leila Pereira and Mark Ragonton are traveling to Portland, Oregon, to compete in the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference, running from June 20–23.

The students earned their spots after a stellar performance at Hawaii’s first in-person Educators Rising State Conference and Competition, held on February 5 – 6, 2026, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education.

Educators Rising is a vital national program active in 42 states.…

Bissen Bringing Holomua Kakou back to Molokai

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

Maui County News Release

Mayor Richard Bissen is bringing Holomua Kākou back to Molokai on Monday, June 29, and Tuesday, June 30 as part of his ongoing effort to take county government directly to Maui County’s rural communities.

“Holomua Kākou is about ensuring every community — no matter how rural or remote — has meaningful access to county services, information and the people responsible for serving them,” Bissen said. “This effort reflects our commitment to meeting residents where they are and listening to what matters most to them.”

Bissen will host a community talk story from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 29, at Kaunakakai Elementary School Cafeteria, 30 Ailoa St.,…

Common Cause Hawaii Hosts Town Hall

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

Common Cause Hawaii News Release

Common Cause Hawaiʻi will host a town hall on Tuesday, June 30th from 5–6:30 p.m. at the Molokai Public Library (15 Ala Malama Ave.). This gathering is an opportunity to come together, stay informed and share your voice. State Director for Common Cause Hawaiʻi, Camron Hurt, will discuss highlights from the recent legislative session, provide updates on flood impacts and relief efforts and open the floor for community questions, concerns and ideas.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy.  The organization works at every level of government on priorities that impact each of our lives.…

Eight Athletes Compete in Special Olympics Summer Games

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

Special Olympics Molokai News Release

Earlier this month, eight athletes, including five in track and field categories and and three swimmers,  along with their coaches and chaperone waited patiently to board their flight and head to Honolulu for the Special Olympics 2026 Summer Games. 

Out of the eight athletes, Blake Eddy and Donovan-Wyatt Bicoy are new to the program. Eddy joined the track and field team and Bicoy chose to swim. 

“These eight athletes worked hard practicing for ten weeks, and with such amazing support from the coaches, they were able to hold area meets for both sports so that the athletes qualified,” said Rita Kalahiki with Special Olympics Molokai.…

Maui County Makahiki Grant Program Open Until July 10, 2026 

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

Maui County News Release

In partnership with the County of Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources, the County Office of the Mayor through its Office of Economic Development (OED) announced that the Fiscal Year 2027 Makahiki Grant Program application period is open starting June 10, through 5 p.m. July 10, 2026. Applications, eligibility requirements, funding guidelines and program details are available at https://mauioed.submittable.com/submit. 

A total of $850,000 in grant funding is available to support organizations, community groups, educational institutions, cultural practitioners, businesses and other eligible applicants interested in developing programs, events, promotions and community activities that recognize the Makahiki season throughout Maui County. …

Kualapuʻu School Provides Free Summer Meals

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

Kualpuʻu School News Release

Kualapuʻu School is pleased to provide free summer meals to keiki across Molokai through the USDA Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Food Service Program. This program helps ensure that children continue to have access to nutritious meals while school is out of session.
Meals will be served at the Kualapuʻu School Cafeteria from June 8th to July 17th (excluding holidays, June 11th and July 3rd).

Meals will be served during the following times:

Breakfast: 7 – 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: 10:30 – 12 p.m.

We are considered a congregate feeding site, which means all meals need to be consumed on site in the Kualapuʻu School cafeteria.…

Coach Edwin Mendija Inducted into STEM Hall of Fame

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

Molokai Robotics News Release

Edwin Mendija, longtime coach and mentor of Molokai Robotics, has been

inducted into the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF) STEM Hall of Fame as a 2026 Inspiration All-Star.

Mendija is one of only five individuals worldwide selected for this honor in the VEX V5RC category, recognizing his outstanding impact on STEM education, mentorship, and community development through robotics.

For over 15 years, he has led Molokai Robotics from a small local program into a nationally competitive team, consistently qualifying for events such as the VEX Robotics World

Championship. His work has expanded STEM opportunities for students in one of Hawaii’s

most rural communities.…

Maui County to Host Agriculture Grant Workshop

Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

Maui County News Release

The County of Maui Department of Agriculture encourages nonprofits and for-profit businesses to attend free workshops that will help them prepare for the Fiscal Year 2027 grant application period. Grant applications will be received starting June 22 until 4:30 p.m. July 22, 2026.
County Department of Agriculture priority grant funding areas will focus on agricultural infrastructure, operations, education, recovery, livestock, non-food agriculture and feral animal control. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting operations on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.
Four public workshops across Maui County will cover eligibility, grant requirements and the application process. In-person and online sessions are as follows:

OHA Gift Card Program Supports Kona Low Recovery Efforts

Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

OHA News Release

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) will launch its ʻĪnaʻi Kōkua Gift Card Program on Friday, June 12, to support Native Hawaiian households recovering from damage caused by the March 2026 Kona Low storm events.
The program will provide a one-time $2,000 Home Depot gift card to eligible Native Hawaiian homeowners, renters and lessees whose primary residences sustained minor storm-related damage. OHA has allocated $410,000 for the program, making approximately 200 cards available statewide.
Applications will be accepted from June 12 through June 30, 2026.
“The ʻĪnaʻi Kōkua Gift Card Program is another way OHA is supporting Native Hawaiian families recovering from the March storms and flooding,” OHA Board of Trustees Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele said.…