News Releases

Addressing Education for Social Action

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Molokai Bahá’í Community News Release

What is the purpose of education, really? That’s the question Dr. Mona Kiani, founder of Education With Purpose, will discuss in the next installment of the Global Citizenship Speaker Series at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at the Molokai Public Library.

“Teachers are under colossal pressure to prepare students for standardized tests,” said Kiani, “but this can lead to a narrowed overall vision for the purpose of education. This leaves educators in an uphill battle trying to engage students when the learning doesn’t always feel fully relevant and meaningful to students’ lives.”

“Acquiring knowledge and developing critical thinking skills are imperative,” said Kiani, “but I think the future of the K-12 schooling system is destined for a much greater purpose.…

St. Damien Talk Story Event

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

The Molokai History Project News Release

On Tuesday morning, April 15, Paula Scott will host a talk story about Father Damien and the 16 years he spent at Kalawao and Kalaupapa. This continues with the Molokai History Project’s desire to present as many talk story events as we can to share Molokai’s history with visitors and residents. Please join us at 10:30 a.m. in the garden behind the history project. Along with the presentation of this incredible history drinks and snacks will be provided. We hope to see you there!…

Maui Matsuri Art Contest, Cash Prizes Available

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Maui Matsuri News Release

The 23rd annual Maui Matsuri is now accepting entries for its art contest from eligible students, who can win up to $100 in cash prizes. The Maui Matsuri Art Contest is sponsored by HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts Maui.

The contest is open to Maui County students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The deadline to enter and submit artwork is April 21. All entries must depict this years’ Maui Matsuri 2025 Festival theme of Nozomi “Hope and Aspiration”.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners in each of the following four age divisions: kindergarten – 2nd grade; 3rd – 5th grade; 6th – 8th grade; 9th – 12th grade.…

Mayor Bissen Proposes FY 2026 Budget Focuses

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Maui County News Release

On March 25, Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 proposed budget to the Maui County Council, emphasizing the plan’s focus on recovery, long-term resilience and a balanced approach to countywide priorities.
“Over the past year, our community has faced immense challenges — and through strong partnerships with the County Council and our community, we’ve stood united in our shared commitment to serving the people of Maui County,” said Mayor Bissen. “This year’s budget is guided by the theme of kahua — a Hawaiian concept meaning ‘foundation,’ and it is our reminder to care for our people, protect our ʻaina, respect our culture and honor our history.”…

Support for Molokai’s Hawaiian Language Immersion Families

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Hui Makua o ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu News Release

The “Hui Makua o Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu” recently announced a grant award totaling $40,000 that will support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The grant will help to reinforce and strengthen Native Hawaiians’ connections to ‘ohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻaina (land and water) and support work in OHA’s Mana I Maoli Ola Strategies and Outcomes.”
This school year, ʻohana of Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (HLIP) students on Molokai will have access to an assortment of opportunities to support their HLIP students at home.…

Ornellas Honored for Work in Civic Education

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Hawaii State Judiciary News Release

Chosen from teachers across Hawaii, Molokai High School (MHS) teacher Ric Ornellas was honored by the Hawaii House of Representatives, along with the Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE), for his work in civic education and for inspiring a sense of civic responsibility and community in his students.

Ornellas was recognized along with four other Hawaii teachers: Jessica dos Santos, Denise Mazurik, Janyce Omura, and ʻImaikalani Winchester.
“Mr. Ornellas is very deserving,’ said MHS Principal Katina Soares. “He has been an indispensable pillar of the MHS community since 2008, dedicating his second career as an educator to empowering students as a special education and social studies teacher, and class advisor.…

Molokai and Lanai Keiki Take Flight in Musical Mystery Camp

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai News Release

Spring break brought young performers from Molokai and Lanai came together for an action-packed three-day musical play training camp from March 17 to 19, helping students fine-tune their voices, dance moves, and stage presence for Molokai’s first-ever full-length children’s musical play.
“Flight of the Mothman,” a thrilling musical mystery by Matt Glickstein and Jason Spraggins, features 11 original songs and dances. The show will debut Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at Home Pumehana Main Hall, and Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
The camp was a whirlwind of high-energy performing arts workshops, team-building activities, and a special cultural excursion to Keawanui Fishpond, where students explored Molokai’s rich history of sustainability.…

Ho’aka Mana Partners with The Spirit Horse Ranch to Foster Healing

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Ho’aka Mana News Release

Ho’aka Mana, a Native Hawaiian organization and nonprofit, is collaborating with The Spirit Horse Ranch to support healing, mental wellness, and resilience through evidence-based, equine-assisted interventions and trauma support.
Scheduled for every first Tuesday of the month until July 1, with additional dates on Aug. 19 and Sept. 21, Ho’aka Mana is inviting the Molokai community to join them at Wichman Ranch in Ho’olehua.
This program is open to the entire community—time slots will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We welcome all ages and encourage those interested in fostering healthy relationships to participate.
To participate, register through the link at HoakaMana.org…

Free Guitar Concert

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

St. Damien Parish News Release

The St. Damien Parish and Remember the River invites the community to enjoy a free concert
presented by guitarist, composer and storyteller Susan McDonald at St. Damien Church on
Tuesday, March 25 at 5 p.m. The program will include Latin American music and will
feature pieces inspired by sea creatures, as well as music McDonald composed during her travels in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

When her friends Chip Scarlett, a marine photographer, and his wife Susan, a writer, invited
McDonald to join them at their home in Molokai, she embraced the opportunity to not only
experience the humpback whales in their spring migration but also to get to know a tight knit
community that holds such a deep respect for nature.…

Up to $10K in Student Scholarships

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

AlohaCare News Release

AlohaCare’s Giving Program provides annual scholarships to AlohaCare members and their immediate family pursuing post-secondary education programs related to healthcare or social services. This year, the maximum annual award has been increased to $10,000 to help pay for tuition, books, supplies, certification, testing and course fees.

Our portal opened on March 3 and will close on June 2. More information about the application process and requirements can be found at foundation.alohacare.org/scholarships.

We’d like to encourage Molokai students of any age, including adults, to apply. Last year, AlohaCare awarded $50,000 in academic scholarships to 11 students on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island who are pursuing an education in healthcare and social services.…