News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Hawaii Youth Symphony Concert

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Hawaii Youth Symphony News Release

The public is invited to a free evening of music featuring the talents of cellist Daniel Scoggins and violinist Jordan Watt in a concert on Molokai presented by Hawaii Youth Symphony and its Pacific Music Institute (PMI). Through Hawaii Youth Symphony’s partnership with the National Orchestral Institute and Festival, both Scoggins and Watt have travelled to Hawaii as Teaching Fellows for this year’s PMI, an annual summer music camp connecting students with acclaimed soloists, players from major symphony orchestras, and educators from leading music institutions.

Free one-hour public concert on Thursday, July 21 at Saint Damien Catholic Church starts at 6 p.m. 

A recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music and Oberlin Conservatory with a degree in Cello Performance, Daniel Scoggins is Teaching Artist at Bronx Arts Ensemble. Jordan Watt is finishing…

Artists in Residence

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Artists in Residence

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center’s Artist in Residence program welcomes two artists this month. Both storytellers, one is a musician and the other a screenwriter.

Rafael Lamas is an orchestra conductor, concert pianist, creative writer, and Professor of Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies at Fordham University at Lincoln Center of New York. He has performed throughout Europe and the U.S. He is the current music director and principal conductor of the Academic Orchestra of Granada. Author of “Musics of New York” (Músicas de Nueva York, 2019), “Listening and Interpreting” (Escuchar e Interpretar, 2014), “Music and Identity” (Música e Identidad, 2008), he has also written several articles that appeared in peer-reviewed journals.…

MEO Hosts Town Hall on Suicide and Prevention

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

MEO News Release 

A Molokai Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day on Wednesday, July 27, culminates in a town hall gathering at Kalaiakamanu Hou Church Hall in Kaunakakai from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Youth Services in partnership with the County of Maui and E Ola Hou Prevent Suicide Maui County Task Force is staging the “Let’s Talk Story About Hope, Help, and Healing” town hall and other events that day.

The town hall will host open discussions on the needs of the community and ways to help support and connect individuals at-risk of suicide to local, state and national resources. The goal is to provide a safety net for the community of Molokai.…

College Admissions and Voter Open House

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

UHMCM News Release

The UH Maui College Molokai Education Center invites you to participate in our Admissions and Voter Registration Open House on Thursday, July 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. The event aims to share the variety of educational opportunities we are offering this fall and to encourage civic engagement by learning about the candidates running for office. All candidates for Maui Mayor, State Senate District 7, State House District 13 and County Council (Molokai) are being invited to attend. We will be offering fall admissions and voter registration assistance as well. We hope to see you there!…

Watercolor in Halawa

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Watercolor in Halawa

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center returns to Halawa Valley for an afternoon of watercolors and fresh smoothies inspired by Molokai’s natural bounty. Come learn Landscape/Floral Watercolor Painting. This class will be offered every third Sunday of the month and the next class will be on Sunday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local artist Kalani Pruet, who prefers on-location nature observation and color mixing, will teach a three-hour class right in his backyard. The class includes a smoothie and a painting demonstration. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to taste fresh chocolates made from the cacao trees on his farm. Kalani will share fundamental watercolor techniques such as landscape sketching, silhouette and outline drawing, watercolor tiling and blending or layering methods.…

Energy Rebates

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Hawaii Energy News Release 

 Hawaii Energy, the state’s Public Benefits Fund administrator that focuses on energy-efficiency education and clean-energy initiatives, has launched new rebates for residents looking to lower their energy bills by investing in energy-efficient equipment and installations. Almost all of the rebates have been increased from the previous year, in an effort to keep up with the rising costs of goods. The rebates are available from now until June 30, 2023, or while funds are available.

“We’re announcing our new rebates at a pivotal time when so many in our community are actively looking for new ways to lower their electricity bills as they experience the impacts of increasing fuel and energy costs,” said Caroline Carl, executive director at Hawaii Energy.…

OHA Molokai Meetings

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

OHA News Release 

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be convening their Board of Trustees Meeting at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua. Community meeting on Monday, July 18 will have light dinner served at 5 p.m. then the meeting starts at 6 p.m. Then on Tuesday, July 19 the Board will convene again at 10 a.m. OHA Beneficiaries encouraged to attend. Contact Pohai Ryan with questions, 808-594-1898 or pohair@oha.org.…

$1.5M Available for Feral Animal Impacts

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

Lokahi Pacific is accepting grant applications from Maui County farmers and ranchers for a $1.5 million assistance program to help with crop damage and other impacts from axis deer and other feral animals.

“I encourage our farmers and ranchers to apply for these grants as soon as possible to help them with damage caused by foraging axis deer and other feral animals,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Maui County is funding this grant program as a good beginning, but solving this problem requires a committed collaboration among the county, state, large landowners and other partners if we are to get this invasive species under control.”…

Schonely Retires as Sports Reporter

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Schonely Retires as Sports Reporter

The Molokai Dispatch News Release

After seven years of providing sports coverage in The Molokai Dispatch, Rick Schonely said he will be stepping back from the role of sports reporter.

In 2015, following his retirement from the Maui Fire Dept., Schonely began contributing to The Molokai Dispatch’s sports coverage, whether taking photos, writing stories, sharing his “Sports Reports” on Facebook, sending scores or keeping in touch with alumni athletes. We appreciate his dedication to Molokai’s student athletes and making sure their accomplishments are celebrated in the paper.

Schonely said he’ll be taking more time to play golf and spend with his ‘ohana but will still stay close to sports at Molokai High. …

Water Quality Report Available Online

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

The Maui County Department of Water Supply announces the 2022 publication of the 2022 Water Quality Report for results of testing compiled from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021. This year marks the 24th year of providing this information to customers.

The annual report provides information about water quality and how the Maui County’s water compares with established federal and state drinking water standards. The department encourages customers to review the report. It provides details about the source and quality of the drinking water in 2021.

In an effort to be more environmentally responsible and cut down on costs, the department no longer prints these reports.…