News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Health Center Grant to Expand Dental Care

Thursday, May 19th, 2022

Health Center Grant to Expand Dental Care

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center has received a generous grant totaling $149,988 from the Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) Foundation for the expansion of its dental services to improve the oral health of Molokai families.

Funds will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment including an intraoral scanner, computed tomography x-ray and motorized dental handpieces that will provide advanced dental care access to underserved residents on Molokai, while addressing the overwhelming increase in demand for oral hygiene and dentistry services island wide.

“We are grateful to HDS Foundation for supporting our efforts to expand advanced dental care for the people of Molokai,” said Helen Kekalia, CEO of Molokai Community Health Center.…

Molokai High Graduation

Thursday, May 19th, 2022

MHS News Release

The Class of 2022 will be honored through a closed graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 21 at 4 p.m.  Commencement will be a hybrid of “traditional” ceremony on the Molokai High Football Field with in-person commencement for graduates and only six guests/family. The commencement program will also be live streamed for family/community. The inclement weather alternative will be a drive-thru ceremony with graduates only on campus and guests/family will be in the car. Unfortunately, the proceedings will only be open to graduates and their families. The community will be invited to join our livestream commencement online on Akaku, channel 54, the Akaku app called “Maui Stream,” akaku.org,…

Maunaloa School Garden Manager

Thursday, May 19th, 2022

Maunaloa School News Release 

Maunaloa School is looking for a school garden manager. The primary duty of the garden manager will be to oversee and manage a productive, organic fruit and vegetable garden while providing support to teachers as they utilize the space to accomplish learning objectives. The garden manager will work closely with administration and teachers, recruit volunteers to help maintain the school garden, create and foster community relationships, track the financial expenditures for the garden, and train school staff and volunteers in best practices for place-based, regenerative farming in school gardens. 

The timeframe of this position aligns with the 2022-2023 school year.…

Fiber Art Deadline

Thursday, May 19th, 2022

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release 

The deadline for Hawaii Craftsmen biennial juried art exhibition, Fiber Hawaii 2022, is looming. The last day to register is June 3. Molokai artists have the option of having their work juried by photograph or mailing the work for jurying in person.  Artists who wish to submit photos for jurying may submit two to three photos of their work by May 23. Accepted entries can then be mailed to the Downtown Art Center to arrive by June 3rd. Artists who prefer to have their work juried in person can mail their work to the DAC to arrive on or before June 3rd in order to be considered for jurying. …

Join the Climate Crew

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Blue Planet News Release 

Blue Planet is recruiting for our fourth Climate Crew cohort! If you know of any motivated high school students on Molokai, Lanai, or Maui who might be interested in making an impact in their community through clean energy and sustainable efforts, please forward this to them! Up to 12 students will be selected for this two-month program in June and July.

Being part of the Climate Crew helps you find your voice in whatever form that might be; understand the legislative process through an equity, climate and energy efficiency lens; connect with other passionate students from other schools/islands to make impacts in your community; and build your college resume!…

Water Use Plan Outreach

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

Townscape News Release 

As a part of our community outreach for the Molokai Island Water Use and Development Plan, Townscape, Inc., consultant to the Maui County Department of Water Supply, will have staff on island to conduct in-person outreach. We would appreciate a chance to talk story with you and to get your manaʻo about your island’s water resources.

We will be setting up a booth pop-up style at a variety of locations during the third week of May. On Wednesday, May 18 we will be at Kualapuʻu Market from 1 to 5 p.m.; Thursday, May 19 at Friendly Market from 9 a.m.…

Developing Resilience Hubs

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Maui County News Release

The Maui County Office of Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability is discussing the formation of Resiliency Hubs in Maui County. 

“Resilience Hubs help communities respond to natural and other disasters to expedite emergency recovery,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. “These hubs work best when they are customized to meet specific community needs. So please participate in the workshop closest to where you live. In this era of climate change and extreme weather, there’s no such thing as being over-prepared for the unexpected.”

Community input will help determine what services will be offered in Resiliency Hubs, but they are envisioned as places, most of the time, for residents, businesses and organizations to come together for workshops, events and training.…

Free Energy-Savings Kit

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Molokai residents are invited to pick up a free kit containing energy-saving items to help reduce energy use at home on Wednesday, May 11, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the drive-through locations on the island. The events will be held at Kaunakakai, Maunaloa and Kilohana elementary schools. 

Hosted by Hawaiian Electric in partnership with Hawaii Energy and the County of Maui Department of Water, the drive-through events will be distributing one kit per vehicle, first come-first served and while supplies last.

The kits include energy-saving light bulbs, water-saving faucet aerators and other items to help residents reduce energy use and manage their energy bills.…

Molokai Organizations Get Funding Awards

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Sen. DeCoite News Release

Thirteen organizations in Maui County were chosen to receive grant-in-aid (GIA) awards from the Hawaii State Legislature, including some on Molokai, Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 –Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoʻolawe) announced last week.  

“For two years during the height of the pandemic, the Legislature has been unable to grant aid to organizations across our state,” said Sen. DeCoite. “This is why I am so pleased to announce a total of $2,188,694 has been allocated to help organizations across our district continue their impactful work that touches so many lives.”

The 13 District 7 organizations that received GIA awards are: Aloha House, Inc.…

Bali Painting Workshop

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Bali Painting Workshop

MAC News Release 

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) is excited to collaborate with the East-West Center (EWC). The EWC Gallery’s April exhibition “Living Legacies: Paintings and Performances of Bali” featured both visual and performing arts of Batuan, Bali. Most of the paintings highlighted in the EWC Gallery exhibition were by artist I Madé Budi and his son I Madé Moja.

Moja is a painter, dancer, puppet maker and shadow-play artist from the village of Batuan, a traditional arts village in Bali known for its classical music and dance, fine woodcarving, and unique painting style. Batuan-style painting is unique from other regional styles and particularly famous for its darker color tones and magical themes.…