News Releases

2025 Molokai Youth Basketball Leagues

Thursday, July 10th, 2025

Maui County News Release

Registration for the 2025 Molokai Youth Basketball leagues have already started July 1. 

All keiki ages 8 and 9, 10 and 11 are welcome to register. Registration is free, and will last until July 31.

The Kaunakakai Gymnasium will be the venue for the youth basketball leagues. The season goes from Aug. 4 to Oct. 2.

To register your keiki, visit the Molokai Parks and Recreation office at the Kaunakakai Gymnasium. For more information, contact Melveena Starkey at (808) 553-5141 or Melveena.Starkey@co.maui.hi.us.…

HUD Awards $22.3 Million Housing Grant to DHHL

Thursday, July 10th, 2025

State of Hawaii News Release

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) announced Friday it has secured a substantial $22.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG). 

Established under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), the NHHBG exclusively provides funding to DHHL to address the unique housing challenges faced by Native Hawaiians by offering affordable housing options for low-income Native Hawaiian families.

“The ongoing allocation of these federal funds allows us to continue offering affordable housing options that ensure our beneficiaries’ success and stability for generations to come,” said DHHL Director Kali Watson.…

Free Movie Night at Mitchell Pauole

Thursday, July 10th, 2025

Maui County News Release
County officials are asking the community to join them for free movie nights, hosted at parks and recreation facilities across Maui County throughout July, in celebration of Park and Recreation Month.
Bring family, friends, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks and a cozy, low-back chair and blanket — and get ready for magical evenings of movies and memories. Let’s make this summer unforgettable.
All movie screenings begin at sunset, except where noted.
Molokai
July 11: Mitchell Pauole Center – The Wild Robot
Lanai
July 11: 6:30 p.m. at Lanai Park Complex Gymnasium – Mufasa: The Lion King
Maui
July 11: Kamaole Beach Park III – Moana 2
July 12: Hana Ballpark Multipurpose Field – Mufasa: The Lion King
July 16: Lahaina Civic Center Amphitheater – Sonic 3
July 18: Mayor Eddie Tam Memorial Complex – Inside Out 2
July 25: War Memorial Complex – A Minecraft Movie
Visit www.mauicounty.gov/412…

A Fun Summer Idea for Molokai Students

Thursday, July 10th, 2025

Molokai History Project News Release
To the students, we would love to have you come to the Molokai History Project now, while you have time on your hands this summer, and meet us, get acquainted and share your creative ideas with us.
We are always looking to improve our displays, for new ideas. A youthful perspective is more than welcome.
We will be there to work with you, to help you feel comfortable, to learn what the History Project is all about, to meet everyone and to get an introduction to our island’s history. You will most likely find something about your family in photos, interviews or looking through all our files and articles.…

Coast Guard Rescues Man from Water off Ilio Point

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard News Release
The Coast Guard rescued one man after his boat sank offshore the island of Molokai Tuesday.
Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders heard two mayday calls on VHF-FM channel 16 at 5:40 a.m. from a man stating his boat was taking on water offshore Ilio Point, Molokai. The call did not include the number of people aboard or the vessel’s description.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu, and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry.…

Hackathon Launched to Protect Marine Life

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

UH News Release
The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) and Papahanaumokakea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) have launched the inaugural Marine Debris Hack-A-Thon, a cutting-edge challenge that calls on individuals or teams to develop new, innovative tools that can be used to cut and remove derelict fishing nets.
Derelict fishing gear, often referred to as “ghost gear,” poses a severe risk to marine life, coral reefs and coastal communities. Current methods for removal are often labor-intensive and limited by existing tool capabilities. This competition seeks to harness the collective ingenuity of Hawaiʻi’s brightest minds to develop solutions that can make a tangible difference in ocean conservation.…

Molokai Land Trust Acquires Kahanui Wetland for Restoration

Friday, June 27th, 2025

Molokai Land Trust News Release
In a significant collaboration among county, state, federal and private partners, a 45-acre wetland parcel in Kahanui on Molokai’s south shore, which includes a portion of the Punalau loko i‘a, was recently acquired by local conservation nonprofit Molokai Land Trust (MLT) for restoration and management.
The $653,850 acquisition closed April 9. Previously privately owned, this sale was possible with assistance from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and funded by a US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant ($398,850); a County of Maui Open Space, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources and Scenic Views Preservation Fund ($210,000); and private contributions ($45,000).…

Growing Gardeners

Friday, June 27th, 2025

CTAHR News Release
Funded through a grant from the County of Maui, CTAHR recently completed the first cohort of our Seed 2 Harvest gardening program — a hands-on, workforce development course focused on small-scale annual food production.
Designed for beginning gardeners, the program provided both technical skills and real-life growing experience that students can take into home gardens, community efforts, or future farm ventures.
Participants were guided through the full growing cycle, from seeding and transplanting to harvest. Crops included tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, arugula, cilantro, radishes, lettuce, and Swiss chard — offering students a diverse set of planting, care, and harvesting experiences.…

Hawaiʻi Students Earn Top Awards at National History Day

Friday, June 27th, 2025

Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities News Release
Hawaiʻi students won top awards at the National History Day (NHD) competition at the University of Maryland June 8-12. Student historians from across the state showcased their passion for history, demonstrated exceptional research and presentation skills, and responded to judges’ interviews with knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm.
Hawaiʻi History Day students in grades 4 to 12 from 46 public, private and charter schools on Molokai, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii who advanced through school, district, and state-level competitions earned the opportunity to compete at the national level. Hawai’i students competed in Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12) Divisions, as individuals or groups (2 or 3 members), amidst fierce competition from nearly 3,000 students from all 50 states, international schools and U.S.…

Wailau Land to Be Permanently Protected

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

The Conservation Fund News Release

The Brown Family Trust has announced that its land in Wailau will be permanently protected for the benefit of the Molokai community. 

The Sacharuna Foundation, which has been active in land protection on Molokai for 40 years and was a leader in The Nature Conservancy’s successful effort in 1988 to permanently conserve the Mo’omomi Dunes, will assume title to support local stewardship and empower community leaders in their vision to restore and malama this land. In the words of Molokai native Wailana Moses — a part-time resident of Wailau with over 25 years of experience in natural resource management:

“Wailau is a unique and special place to many families on Molokai and we are so grateful to the Brown family for this incredible contribution.…