News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Instrumental Concert

Thursday, April 28th, 2022

Instrumental Concert

MAC News Release

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Galliard String Quartet (Quartet) returns to Molokai to perform with the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME) on Monday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Saint Damien Catholic Church.

The MIME program began as a 21st Century class in 2011, taught after school by Bob Underwood and open to anyone who wanted to connect with music. The Molokai Strings and Community Band performed at community events and evolved into MIME. During the pandemic, individual musicians finessed into the more polished Septet that has wowed Molokai audiences with songs from Beatles to showtunes to pop.…

New Artist in Residence

Thursday, April 28th, 2022

New Artist in Residence

MAC News Release 

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Artist in Residence (AIR) program is back! Two years ago, poet and prose writer Frances McCue’s two-week residency turned into months as the pandemic hit, quarantine was ordered and travel became restricted. We are pleased to once again be able to provide visiting artists with a respite from daily responsibilities to enable them to concentrate on their work. Musician and composer Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti will be on Molokai from April 25 to May 6 to work on two commissioned projects — one for solo oboe and another for a violin and viola duo.

Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti is a Kanaka Maoli musician dedicated to the arts of our time.…

Drought Disaster Declared

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

USDA News Release

The United States Department of Agriculture has designated Maui County and Hawaii County as primary natural disaster areas as a result of drought, making farm operators in those counties eligible for emergency loans and other Farm Service Agency assistance. 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack announced the designation in an April 8 letter to Gov. David Ige. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report showed both counties had areas that are experiencing extreme drought during the farm growing season. 

The deadline to apply for the emergency drought loans is December 8, 2022, eight months from the date of the declaration.…

CSI Camp

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

MPD News Release 

The annual Crime Scene Investigation Camp will be conducted on June 20-24, at the County of Maui’s Forensic Facility and Wailuku Police Station. This free competitive program is only accepting 10 high school junior or senior students from Maui, Molokai and Lanai, and is designed for those interested in the field of Forensic Science.

Participate in interactive presentations, meet professionals within the forensic field, interact with the local police department and network with peers!

Applications are due by April 22 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit mauicounty.gov and select police department, or email CSICamp@mpd.net. …

Volunteer Week

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

Kanu Hawaii News Release 

Organized by Kanu Hawaii, Volunteer Week Hawaii 2022 aims for unprecedented unity of kama‘aina and visitors alike as Hawaii emerges from the pandemic. More than 10,000 volunteers are anticipated to gather in support of hundreds of charities at more than 250 events held statewide this week. 

Groups and organizations can go to VolunteerWeekHawaii.org to register an event or participate in an existing one. On Molokai, Seed of Love Farm in Kaunakakai is registered to host volunteer opportunities throughout this week and will be holding E Ala E Sunrise Molokai Earth Day on Friday, April 22 at 5:30 am, located at 1120 Kamehameha V Highway.…

Art of Trash Exhibit and Trashion Show

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

Malama Maui Nui News Release

Malama Maui Nui is thrilled to announce that the Art of Trash exhibition and Trashion Show opens April 22 at MalamaMauiNui.org/ArtOfTrash! 

Hosted by Malama Maui Nui and sponsored by the County of Maui’s Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division, the Art of Trash and Trashion Show is an annual juried art exhibition that showcases the reimagination of previously used materials as elements for creative composition. All pieces are original work made from recycled and/or reused material. The Jurors’ Choice Awards are based on the transformation of material, good craftsmanship, and, of course, overall creativity.

Malama Maui Nui is excited to showcase juror-selected pieces by dozens of artists and designers from all over Maui Nui, including Molokai.…

Molokai Artists Showcased at Honolulu Exhibit

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Downtown Art Center News Release

Downtown Art Center, in collaboration with Na Heona Molokai, is thrilled to present its first-ever art exhibition exclusively featuring artists from Molokai. No Stop Light: Molokai will be open for viewing in the second floor Exhibition Space from Friday, May 6 to Saturday, May 28. A free, public opening reception will be held on First Friday, May 6, from 4 to 8 p.m.

This historic show, the largest group exhibition by Molokai artists in Honolulu, is an opportunity for these often-unsung artists to convey their experiences of living on a Hawaiian Island so different from Oahu that there is no need for traffic lights.…

Community Ownership of Molokai Ranch Meetings

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Sustʻainable Molokai News Release

Please join us this month for meetings regarding community ownership of Molokai Ranch. There are five upcoming meetings about this project each with different purposes. Three subcommittee meetings will focus on technical research about funding options, community ownership models, and spirituality. These meetings will be followed by a working group meeting to synthesize the progress made by subcommittees into material that is easily understandable and empowers our community with the information to make informed choices.

Lastly, a community meeting will provide distilled updates on working group progress and serve as an opportunity for broad community input. Please see the dates below and in the new Dispatch community calendar to join us.…

Electric Discount for Medical Issues

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric has established a permanent program that offers a discounted rate to customers with special medical needs, including those dependent on life-support equipment at home. The rate is available to 2,000 residential customers. 

Hawaiian Electric recognizes that some customers are dependent on special equipment or have increased cooling or heating needs due to a medical condition, increasing electricity bills. To assist, the company established the pilot Special Medical Needs Rate Program in 2017, which received several extensions. Regulators approved a permanent program effective April 1. 

As the demand for reliable heating continues to rise, especially among individuals with special medical needs, ensuring an efficient and safe heating system becomes essential.…

County Recruiting Leadership for New Ag Dept.

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Maui County News Release

In November 2020, Maui County voters approved the establishment of a Department of Agriculture. Throughout 2021, an agricultural working group established by Mayor Michael Victorino set forth a draft of the new department’s mission, goals and objectives, and community meetings were held to get feedback on the direction and budget priorities of the new department. 

The Department of Agriculture will open on July 1, 2022. The County is recruiting a Director and Deputy Director of Agriculture.

Prospective candidates should carefully evaluate the roles, responsibilities and qualifications for each position and apply only for the position that best matches their qualifications.…