News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Grant For Energy Savings

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Hawaii Energy News Release 

Molokai nonprofits, small businesses and restaurants can receive grants of up to $6,000 for eligible energy efficiency projects through the EmPOWER Grant program. Applications will be available beginning Aug. 1 and must be submitted by Sept. 29. Organizations may apply for a grant of up to $6,000, depending on the equipment type, which may cover up to 100 percent of eligible project costs.

EmPOWER Grant funding may be used to cover the following expenses of energy efficiency projects: new energy efficient equipment, including HVAC systems, window film, ENERGY STAR® certified commercial kitchen appliances, and refrigeration technologies like motor controls and adding doors and anti-sweat controls to open cases; parts, accessories and other materials necessary for installation; labor for old equipment removal, site preparation and installation of energy efficiency measure(s); shipping costs for equipment and materials; taxes for the preceding items.…

Na’iwa Financial Assessment

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Hawaii Community Lending News Release 

Lessees and family members in the Naʻiwa Homesteaders Program are invited to attend a special gathering on Friday, July 28, at 5 p.m. at the DHHL/OHA Conference Room at Kulana ʻOiwi on Molokai. This informational meeting is planned to help lessees prepare their finances for homeownership. Food and beverages will be provided. RSVP not required.  As for those who don’t have such programs in their area, they can still gain some funds through sites like https://bitcoin100k.org/.

The project will train Native Hawaiians as owner-builders, assisting them in navigating the permitting, approval and construction process unique to Hawaiian Home Lands as well as build their capacity to move their agricultural land leases into production.…

The Molokai Dispatch Wins 7 Awards

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

The Molokai Dispatch News Release

The Molokai Dispatch is honored to have won seven Excellence in Journalism awards for its news coverage in 2022. The awards are held annually by Society of Professional Journalism Hawaii Chapter and presented in newspaper, TV, radio and magazine categories. Winners for 2022 were announced at an awards dinner last week in Honolulu. 

Winning the News Page Design category for all newspapers statewide was The Molokai Dispatch’s graphic designer Marissa Motas for her layout of “Ka’ahele A Lono” in the Feb. 2, 2022 issue. 

“The designer utilized a lot of photos in an attractive and readable way,” judges commented.…

Artists in Residence

Wednesday, July 19th, 2023

Artists in Residence

MAC News Release

This month, the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) welcomes two Artists in Residence, Dr. Ryan Pratt and Ms. Tansy Xiao. Dr. Ryan Pratt will be working on A Sonic Ecology. Ms. Xiao’s project is entitled Sound Dust.

Ryan is interested in “recording the natural sounds of Molokai, studying them and extrapolating a musical landscape, exploring portraits in audio with ‘endangered’ sounds, reflecting the ecology of the island.” Tansy would like to “create a poetic video essay inspired by Hawaiian traditional music.” She was fascinated by Hawaiian filmmaker Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu’s work, which was her first encounter to the genre.

Ryan Pratt was introduced to music through his grandmother, a jazz pianist and vocalist.…

Molokai Ranch Acquisition

Wednesday, July 19th, 2023

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release 

Interested to learn more and get involved in community ownership of Molokai Ranch? Molokai Heritage Trust will be holding a public meeting to continue the planning of community acquisition of Molokai Ranch once again! This is a community-led project facilitated by Sustʻainable Molokai. 

Please join us on July 20 (Thursday) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. (us02web.zoom.us/j/81270082253) Meeting ID: 812 7008 2253

We apologize for the long hiatus and thank you for your patience as Momi Afelin transitioned out of her position as the community facilitator to focus on her studies. At the same time, we have transitioned Kawaipuna “Puna” Kalipi as the incoming community facilitator.…

Apply for Made in Maui County Festival

Wednesday, July 19th, 2023

Maui Chamber of Commerce News Release 

The Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival, a highly anticipated celebration of local craftsmanship and community pride, reminds local manufacturers and potential vendors to seize the opportunity and apply now for participation in its monumental 10th annual event. With limited space available, this two-day festival offers a platform like no other to showcase products, connect with wholesale buyers, engage with customers, and experience the unwavering support of the Maui County community.

Past attendees of the Hawaiian Airlines Made in Maui County Festival have consistently praised the significant impact this event has had on their business.…

Free Summer Concert

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

Free Summer Concert

Honolulu Youth Symphony News Release 

The Honolulu Youth Symphony (HYO) and the Pacific Music Institute (PMI) Teaching Fellows will be performing at the St. Damien’s Church on Friday, July 14 at 6 p.m. Earlier in the day, a private performance will also be provided to the kupuna residents of Home Pumehana.  

Two musicians, Yani Quemado and Daniel Guevara, will be visiting Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Pacific Music Institute from July 7 to 16, which is being held in Honolulu for students in middle and high school. Yani and Daniel attended the National Orchestral Institute in College Park, Maryland this summer, and were selected to join PMI as teaching fellows.…

Sustainability Speaker Series

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Maui County News Release 

The County of Maui Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division will host the second installment of its speaker series “Sustainability Together: Community-led Regenerative Action” on July 10 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Molokai Community Health Center. The event will be streamed live on Akaku Maui Community Media Channel 54.

Panelists at the July 10 event include Molokai Homestead representatives, community organizer and solar energy technician Todd Yamashita, Leilani Chow of Sustʻainable Molokai, Keaʻa Davis of Shake Energy Collaborative and Harumi McClure of Haru Energy.

In the second of the four-part speaker series, participants will gain insights into the household-level impacts of energy insecurity and how different communities have successfully mobilized to build resilience through the use of renewable solar energy.…

County Seeks Feedback on Wetlands Map

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Maui County News Release

Molokai residents are being asked to weigh in on the creation of a Maui County wetlands map during a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room in Kaunakakai.

Facilitated by the county’s Planning Department, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and consultant H. T. Harvey and Associates, the meeting will gather ideas from the community to help prepare the first draft of the overlay map.

As part of a new county law to restore and protect wetlands, titled Ordinance 5421, planning officials are working on a comprehensive wetlands overlay map that will identify existing and future wetland areas.…

Molokai Land Trust Awarded Funding

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

HTA News Release

Molokai Land Trust has been awarded funding as part of $2.7 million statewide from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). The funding furthers HTA’s longstanding commitment to protecting Hawaii’s natural resources and perpetuating Hawaiian culture and will support 53 community-based programs as part of its Aloha ‘Aina ($1.35 million) and Kukulu Ola ($1.35 million) programs for fiscal year 2023-2024. 

The Molokai Land Trust was awarded $75,000 for their project entitled “integrating volunteerism to support critical habitat improvements at Anapuka.” 

“HTA’s Aloha ‘Aina and Kukulu Ola programs provide direct avenues for protecting our islands’ fragile ecosystems and strengthening our culture,” said Kalani Ka‘ana‘ana, HTA’s chief brand officer.…