News Releases

Metal Forging Lecture in Kualapuʻu by Artist Lisa Geertsen

Thursday, November 20th, 2025

MAC News Release

Hawaii Craftsmen guest artist Lisa Geertsen will present a slide presentation and lecture about her creative perspective on metal crafts. This lecture is free and open to the public and is being held Friday, Nov. 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the Molokai Art Center at 1630 Farrington Ave, Kualapuʻu.

Geertsen is an artist blacksmith from Seattle, Washington, and the owner of Firelight Forge, which she has operated since 2007 creating custom architectural and sculptural work. She is currently an instructional technician in sculpture at the University of Washington.

She earned her BFA in sculpture from West Virginia University in 1997, and her MFA in Blacksmithing and Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University in 2023. …

November Wildfire Safety Tip

Thursday, November 13th, 2025

HWMO News Release

Wildfire safety tip from Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization: Clear out dead leaves and plant debris lodged between your home’s siding and the ground as well as from under your homes. 

Visit hwmo.org for more wildfire preparedness information.…

Who Are Molokai’s Future Farmers?

Thursday, November 13th, 2025

Molokai Bahá’í Community News Release

The Global Citizenship Speaker series resumes at the Molokai Public Library on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. This presentation features Molokai youth sharing their manaʻo about the future of farming on Molokai. 

All around the world, the average age of farmers is going up, and few young people are taking up farming. But today, youth on Molokai, including those in the Molokai Homestead Youth Council, Hui Meaʻai Culinary Club, Molokai High School Future Farmers of America, the 4-H Club, and Molokai High School Youth Entrepreneurs are exploring ways to get involved in Molokai’s food system.…

Molokai Community Does Great Job in Wildfire Preparedness Efforts

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

HWMO News Release

Look what Molokai Communities accomplished in 2025 with technical and financial support from the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization’s Firewise Communities Program, funded through a grant from the American Red Cross. 

Nāʻiwa removed one acre of dry brush and shrub to clear their main access roadway in case of evacuations. Twelve families assisted in removing over 20 cubic yards of flammable vegetation, consisting mostly of invasive haole koa. 

Kalamaʻula cleared over 200 cubic yards and contributed 100 hours of volunteer work to reduce the risk of wildfire for 124 homes, eight churches, seven businesses, and two preschools. 

Paniolo Hale maintained a fire apparatus road that doubles as a fire break and removed wildfire hazards.…

OHCRA Donates $10K to Molokai High, Middle Schools

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools News Release

Established in 1952, the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to perpetuating the rich heritage of Hawaiian canoe racing.

OHCRA is the organizer of the Nā Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe (Molokai to Oahu) canoe races across the Kaiwi Channel. Both events are regarded as among the most famous and most challenging outrigger canoe events in the world. More than 2,000 canoe paddlers from around the globe come to compete in the annual 41-mile event from Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai to Waikiki Beach on Oahu.…

MEO Head Start Preschool Remains Open

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool classrooms on Maui and Molokai are not currently impacted by the federal government shutdown and will remain open.

While some of our Head Start partners have had to close due to funding issues, MEO’s Head Start operates on a different program year, June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, explained MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. This means that MEO Head Start is funded for the current school year.

“MEO would like our Head Start parents and the community to know that our preschool program remains open,” Cabebe said. “This is not the case for some communities across the nation, forcing families to scramble to secure childcare or to stay home from work.…

Compost Reimbursement Program Accepting Applications

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

DAB News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB), Plant Industry Division, is now accepting applications for the Compost Reimbursement Program for fiscal year 2026, The program may reimburse agricultural producers for the cost of purchasing compost, including transportation expenses.

During the 2025 legislative session, the legislature and Governor Josh Green approved funding for the program totaling $400,000 for fiscal year 2026. Under the program, agricultural operations may apply for reimbursement of up to 50% of compost and compost transportation costs expended between July 1, 2025 and May 1, 2026. Reimbursement applications will be processed in the order received, not to exceed $50,000 per qualified purchaser and as funds are available.…