Sports

Regatta Season Kicks Off at the Wharf

Friday, June 27th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja
The Molokai Canoe Racing Association kicked off the regatta season at Kaunakakai Wharf last Saturday. At least 300 people came to the wharf to cheer for competitors from two canoe clubs on Molokai.
“This is the first regatta of the season,” coach Kekama Helm said, adding the results will count points toward qualification for the upcoming Hawaii state championships.
It may have been a friendly gathering, but in the water it was a fierce competition among Molokai’s best paddlers. Wa‘akapaemua Canoe Club and Molokai Canoe Club battled each other in 25 regattas — sprint races — divided in experience levels and different age groups from under 10 years old to more than 70 years old.…

Spencer Takes the June Ace for Hui O Kukui Golf Club

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

By Rick Schonely/Community contributed

Kawai Spencer is the June Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club.
A Maui County firefighter and bus driver extraordinaire, Spencer is one of the famous Molokai Spencer twins with his awesome brother Kamoana. He shot 47–44 for a gross total of 91, and with his 27 handicap, his 64 net got him the victory. Congratulations Spencer!
The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

Ka’iwi Solo

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On Saturday, May 10, intrepid paddlers from around the world headed to Kepuhi Beach to participate in the 2025 Ka’iwi Solo. The race is a single-man canoe challenge run annually since 2008 by the Paddling Athletes Association. Athletes battle 32 miles across winds, swell and fatigue, proving their skills in the canoe. For Molokai, Ekolu Kalama was the top finisher taking 44th place overall. A young Kahikikala Helm, all of 16, took a solid 77th place as the only other Molokai representative in the race. Tahiti’s Kevin Ceran-Jerusalemy won the race with a time of 3:26:57.

The next races will be the Molokai Challenge on May 25 followed by the Molokai Holokai on July 18 and 19.…

May Golf Ace

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Zachary Helm is the May Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Helm, a Molokai golf professional and Molokai musician extraordinaire, is now retired with 34 years of service with the County of Maui Parks and Recreations Department. Big Z shot 42-36 for a gross total of 80. With his 17 handicap, his 63 net got him the victory. Congratulations Big Z.

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of Iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

MHS Sports Update

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

This past weekend, the Molokai High School (MHS) Farmers took on competition from around the state in several high stakes matches. After coming in second in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II tournament the previous week, the MHS softball team was back in action in a decisive play-in game for the state tournament. The Lady Farmers traveled to Maui to take on Waimea High School from Kauai. Natalia Pastrana took to the mound, however, the Lady Farmers couldn’t keep up with Waimea’s offense. A big second inning from Waimea put them up 11-1, and Waimea’s offense continued to fire.…

Action Packed MIL Weekend

Thursday, May 1st, 2025

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

This past week, Molokai High School (MHS) competed in several Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II finals. In close matches, the Farmers fell just short of the MIL crown in several sports.

For boys volleyball, the Farmers hosted the MIL tournament at home. The Farmers came out strong against Lanai on Thursday, sending the Pine Lads home early with a 3-1 victory. The boys matched up against Seabury Hall for the final. In one of their strongest performances of the season, the Farmers pushed Seabury Hall to a fifth set, but ultimately lost 3-2, finishing as runners up in the MIL tournament.…

April Golf Ace

Thursday, April 24th, 2025

Community Contributed

By Rick Schonely 

Henrietta Helm is the April Golf Ace for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Helm, a retired MPD Dispatch supervisor and a golf enthusiast extraordinaire, shot 42-45 for a gross total of 87. With her 22 handicap, her 65 net got her the victory. Congratulations Etta!

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

Getting Ready for MILs

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Several Molokai High School (MHS) sports teams wrapped up their regular seasons this past weekend and are now preparing to take on the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) tournaments.

In their first season, MHS girls flag football put together a successful regular season campaign, finishing with a 3-4 record – earning them the five seed and a berth to the MIL tournament.

“We made it,” said coach Kimo Orlando in a social media posting.

The girls played King Kekaulike in a tight match last Saturday, but Kekaulike came away with the 29-28 win. The MHS girls were back for more later in the day, taking on Lanai.…

Flag Football Kicks Off, Softball Dominates

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

In their inaugural season, the Molokai High School (MHS) girls flag football team wasted no time in jumping into competitive matches. Along with Coach Kimo Orlando, the Lady Farmers headed to Maui last weekend for games against Baldwin, Kamehameha Maui and Lahainaluna.

On Friday, the Lady Farmers played a double header against Baldwin and Kamehameha Maui. MHS came up short in both, losing to Baldwin 24-12 and Kamehameha Maui 18-12. In the effort, the Lady Farmers put up solid offensive numbers with multiple teammates contributing to the scoring. Courtney Escobar showed up big on both sides of the ball, scoring two touchdowns and pulling in three interceptions in Friday’s games.…