News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Prom Dress Giveaway

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Prom Dress Giveaway

MEO News Release

The Bella Project prom dress giveaway on Molokai is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Maui Economic Opportunity in Kaunakakai.

MEO Youth Services on Molokai worked with The Bella Project officials on Oahu to bring more than 150 new and lightly used formal wear to the island for local youth. “The Gift of Glamour” event is set for MEO at 380 Kolapa Place.

The formal wear will be given away at no charge to the youth.

Donations are being accepted to supplement the supply from March 13-17. New or lightly used dresses, sandals, accessories, tuxedos, slacks, dress shoes and shirts are being accepted.…

Special Chamber Music Performance

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Special Chamber Music Performance

MAC News Release

Make way! Come enjoy a performance by Chamber Music Hawaii of “Paka’a Lanakila!” in a Hawaiian language storytelling about a boy’s triumph over local fishermen. Written for wind quintet, narrator, and Ka’eke’eke, with overhead English translation, experience the excitement of Paka’a outsmarting everyone, even his doubting family.

Composed by Dr. Jon Magnussen, the event features the spring wind quintet and master storyteller Kalama Cabigon. Overhead projection including artwork by Karen Loebel-Fried and English translations will accompany the performers.

The event is on Monday, March 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Damien of Molokai Parish Church located in Kaunakakai.…

Taxes for Health Insurance Marketplace Consumers

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Legal Aid Society News Release

Molokai consumers enrolled in 2022 Marketplace health insurance must file their federal taxes by April 18. Most consumers received advanced premium tax credits based on their estimated income in 2022 to lower their insurance costs. Consumers must reconcile their estimated income with their actual income in 2022 by filing federal taxes. Any difference between the advanced premium tax credits and actual tax credits may impact their refunds or taxes owed.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii wants to remind Molokai consumers four things:

Get your 1095A: Get your 1095A from the mail or log into your Marketplace account and print.…

Soup ‘R Bowl Coming Saturday

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

Soup ‘R Bowl Coming Saturday

MAC News Release

There are only a few more days left to purchase tickets for the 2023 Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Soup ‘R Bowl. The 13th annual fundraiser event will be held at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho’olehua, on Saturday, March 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. 

What happens at the Soup ‘R Bowl? A ticket gains you entrance to tables lined with over 300 ceramic bowls (and a few Molokai mugs) handcrafted by artisans at the Molokai Arts Center. Redeem your ticket stubs for a bowl or mug of your choice as well as a hearty soup meal. This year you can select from Portuguese Bean Soup, Chicken Tinola, Seafood Chowder, or Potato/Kale Soup (Garrick Kanemitsu, Mike Holm, Carol Rocha).…

Molokai First Stop on Mayor’s Tour

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

Maui County News Release 

Mayor Richard Bissen is launching Holomua Kakou to bring county government to the diverse communities that make up Maui County.

“Each community is unique, yet we are connected as one county,” Bissen said. “Our residents have busy lives with work and activities, and we appreciate the time everyone can share with us.”

The “Mayor Bissen and Your Team in Your Town” events will begin on Molokai on Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16, and feature two days of staff available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center’s conference room for residents to drop in with any questions or requests for assistance.…

Church Prize Winners

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

St. Damien Church News Release 

The St. Damien of Molokai 2023 Mardi Gras Celebration scheduled for Feb. 17 was canceled due to the weather. On Feb. 21, Father Pat and the fundraising committee members gathered at the Damien Center to pull the tickets for lucky number ticket prizes. 

The winners were: $200 Malu Burrows; $300 Tycole Alcantra; $1000 Mokulele Airlines voucher Steve Chaikin. 

There were other prizes donated including essential packages, baking pans, a quilted purse, 50″ TV, table and 11 more people were also lucky winners! All winners were notified immediately following the drawing.

Mahalo to everyone who donated for tickets, prizes and their time to organize the Mardi Gras Celebration. There…

Molokai Robotics Earn Statewide Awards

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

Molokai Robotics Earn Statewide Awards

Hawaii Space Grant Consortium News Release 

Molokai High School was one of 50 Hawaii VEX robotics teams that competed at the Hawaii VEX Robotics Middle and High School State Championships, held on February 19-20 at Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama, sponsored by Hawaiian Electric. Eight of the 50 teams will advance to the 2023 VEX Robotics World Championships.

Though Molokai did not qualify for worlds, a Molokai team captured the Robot Skills second Place Award and Energy Award at the Middle School Championship, and a second Molokai High team took the Sportsmanship Award at the High School Championship. 

Hawaii middle and high school robotics teams will showcase their game strategy, design and teamwork skills for an opportunity to be crowned world champions at the global event to be held April 25 to May 4 in Dallas, Texas.…

Molokai Complex Seeks Grant for Afterschool Program

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

DOE News Release 

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) grant funds an afterschool enrichment program on Molokai. The Department of Education is applying to continue the 21CCLC funding for Molokai students and families.

If approved, the 21CCLC program will help youth and their ‘ohana – particularly those who attend schools needing improvement – with academic enrichment opportunities and support services to help meet state and local standards in core content areas.

Our proposed academic activities will include homework help, targeted grade level and subject tutoring, and credit/course recovery. Our personal enrichment activities include STEM activities, cultural activities, Molokai conservation activities, gardening, visual, music, dance, drama art activities, and physical education activities.…

More Hearings for Proposed Forest Additions, Rule Changes

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

DLNR News Release 

Two additional hearings have been scheduled for Maui and Molokai for people to comment on a proposal to protect nearly 100 unencumbered state land parcels across Hawaii as part of the State Forest Reserves, Natural Area Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries systems, including some parcels on Molokai. 

Additionally, comment is being sought to update administrative rules associated with the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS). Both proposals are being shared online and in meetings to collect people’s input. In-person meetings have already been held on Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii Island.  

The proposed parcels are state lands not currently managed for environmental protection or any particular land use.…

Micro Ag Grants Awarded

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

MEO News Release 

The first 31 of the third round of Maui County Micro Agriculture Grants – with an average amount of $25,000 – were awarded Monday by Maui Economic Opportunity’s Business Development Center.

More than 110 grants are expected to be awarded with the $3 million from the county. The first 31 grants included 11 for farm/ranching operations on Molokai and three on Lanai.

MEO’s Business Development Center, which once again is administering the program, is expected to award another 20 to 25 grants Friday. The goal is to announce all awards by the end of the month.

There were a total of 213 applications for this third round of grants.…