News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Significance of Makahiki Medals

Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Significance of Makahiki Medals

Ka Molokai Makahiki News Release

As arms were raised to declare champions, medals were awarded for their great accomplishments shown on the field at Ka Molokai Makahiki 2018. In the early years of Makahiki, various types of Hawaiian art — model koa canoes, paintings, `umeke, ipu wai, poi boards, feathered kahili  — were given as awards, followed by certificates, T-shirts, and,  more recently, medals created by artists from Molokai Heritage Company.  Last year’s medal was a pohaku ku`i `ai, a poi pounder, to remind us of our kuleana to keep Haloa (kalo) thriving by planting, harvesting, pounding and sharing that which sustained us for hundreds of years.…

Kawa`aloa Beach Cleanup

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Kawa`aloa Beach Cleanup

TNC News Release

The call went out on social media and 104 volunteers responded, removing 20 truckloads of marine debris at a Nature Conservancy (TNC) beach cleanup on Molokai.

Kawa`aloa Beach on the island’s northwest coast was the site of the cleanup, which took place on Jan. 13, the morning of the false North Korean missile alert.

The remote, crescent-shaped beach lies adjacent to the Conservancy’s Mo`omomi Preserve and is a hotspot for ocean debris that washes up on shore.  The debris includes plastic bottles and bags, rope, buoys, tires and cargo nets, among other items.

“We cleaned the beach for the turtles,” said Wailana Moses, TNC’s Molokai coordinator for the event.…

Halawa Park Construction to Begin

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

County of Maui News Release

Construction is scheduled to begin at Halawa Park in East Molokai, on Monday, Feb. 5, for abandonment of existing cesspool and installation of new individual wastewater system. Work is anticipated to be completed in March. Initiatives from https://active-travel.uk/ have been implemented to promote and normalize active travel across the country.

Park users are asked to please avoid the construction area and equipment to ensure public safety.  Tom’s Backhoe and Excavation Co., Inc., has been contracted to perform the work.  CDF Engineering LLC is the design consultant.

Construction projects like the one at Halawa Park play a crucial role in maintaining and upgrading essential infrastructure to meet modern environmental and safety standards.…

Melveen Leed Honored

Thursday, January 25th, 2018

PPSEAWAH News Release

Molokai musician Melveen Leed will be honored with the  Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Pan Pacific Southeast Asian Women Association of Hawaii (PPSEAWAH) in a ceremony on March 24.

Leed is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, only the second recipient from Hawaii in PPSEAWAH’s 90 years of service in the Pacific. PPSEAWA-Hawaii’s Lifetime Award honoree is selected from a list of distinguished Pacific iconic figures. Leed has made her marks in myriad of ways in education, television, entertainment, indigenous issues, her philanthropic charity work in the past 50 years, as well as a positive role model for young people in the Pacific and the USA. …

5 Trophies and 3 State Titles for Robotics

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018

5 Trophies and 3 State Titles for Robotics

Molokai Robotics League News Release

The Molokai VEX IQ Robotics League is proud to announce that three state titles now belong to Molokai from the 2018 Hawaii State VEX IQ Championships held on Jan. 14 at Kamehameha Kapalama.  The event featured 96 teams from Hawaii with 48 teams in each division.

In the Elementary Division, Kualapu`u’s Comets C brought home the First Place State Tournament Champion Trophy, while in the Middle School Division Molokai Middle’s Team Menehune brought home the First Place State Tournament Champion Trophy, along with Team Kalo that brought home the Second Place State Tournament Champion Trophy.

In the Elementary Division, Kualapu`u’s Comets C paired with the Green Tigers of Manoa Elementary for first place in the Finals Matches with 206 points.…

Running for County Council

Friday, January 19th, 2018

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Campaign News Release

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez officially announced her intention to run again for the Maui County Council – Molokai race on Jan. 11. After a tight race for the same seat in 2016, missing it by just eight percent, her supporters strongly encouraged her to run again.

Keani has a strong educational and professional background, having graduated from both the William S. Richardson School of Law with certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law; and the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Her experience at the Hawaii State Legislature, including an internship as Legislative Aid for Representative Jarrett Keohokalole, has equipped her to collaborate with State officials regarding County specific issues.…

Cop Secrets Revealed

Friday, January 19th, 2018

Molokai Police Dept. News Release

 

Psssssst! First and foremost, happy New Year! Since it’s a new year, I’m giving away 10 secrets to reduce your chances of having a negative interaction with a police officer just because, “Eh, this Molokai!”

 

Don’t sell, use or possess any drugs that going make you or someone else pupule (crazy).

 

Make sure your ka`a (vehicle) is all maika`i (registration, safety current, bugguh insured, everything works).

 

No use your hands, feet, or other object to hurt someone else.

 

If you driving, and someone calling or texting you, pull off the road.…

Review of Community Plan Today

Tuesday, September 26th, 2017

County Councilmember Kelly T. King News Release

The Maui County Council’s Planning Committee will hold its Sept. 26 meeting on Molokai to continue review of the Molokai Community Plan and receive community input, Committee Chair Kelly King announced. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center.

The Maui County Code requires community plans be updated every 10 years, as practicable, and include input from State and County agencies as well as the general public. The current Molokai Community Plan was adopted in 2001.

“Community input is of the utmost importance when it comes to developing the plan”, said King.…

Making Ma`a (Hawaiian Slingshot)

Friday, September 8th, 2017

MAC News Release

The Hawaiian Arts Program at Molokai Arts Center (MAC) will be hosting a series of workshops this month on the making and skills of ma’a, or the “Hawaiian slingshot.”  The ma`a was the long range weapon of choice in ancient Hawaii, being easily portable and renewable, as well as accurate and effective. While relatively simple in concept, the ma`a requires some special skills to make and much practice to master. Hawaiian weapons maker Kini Burke will be the instructor.

All Hawaiian Arts Classes are free of charge, but space is very limited, so register early. To register, contact molokainuiahina@gmail.com

Voice Your Opinion on County Budget

Friday, September 8th, 2017

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Alan Arakawa and his administration will host a series of community meetings in September and October to receive comments and suggestions from the public regarding the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The Molokai meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

Citizens with an interest in the County budget are encouraged to attend the meeting, either as individuals or on behalf of an organization. Both written and verbal comments will be accepted.

“This is a valuable opportunity for our citizens to have a say in how their taxpayer dollars are spent by the County,” said Mayor Arakawa.…