Sports

Na Wahine Paddlers ‘Do It for Molokai’

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Ten Molokai women from Wa’akapaemua Canoe Club paddled the notoriously rough waters of the Ka’iwi Channel in the world championship of women’s outrigger canoe paddling, Na Wahine O Ke Kai, on Sept. 29. It was the first time the race was held since 2019, after being canceled for the pandemic and last year’s deadly Maui wildfire. Hundreds of paddlers gathered from as far as Japan, Australia and New York, along with dozens of Hawaii crews.
The Molokai team of open division wahine – Pualei Lima, Kalei Adolpho, Courtney-Rhyan Turner, Honora Kalama, Nicole Schroeter, Lili’uokalani Kapuni, Sarajane Larkin, Kaala English, Sybil Lopez and Ishay Kaholoaa — left it all on the water during their top 20 finish.…

Kulaia Lights Up Kaunakakai

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

Last Friday, the typically quiet streets of Kaunakakai transformed into a bustling festival. Celebrating Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe canoe races, the Kulaia festival likewise returned to Molokai for the first time since 2019.

Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello, event organizer for the festival, explained that originally the plan for this year was just to focus on getting the channel races started again, and not have the festival. However, after interest from the Molokai community and race organizers, the decision was made to put on Kulaia with only three months lead in time.

“It’s been pretty crazy,” said Rawlins-Crivello.

Shutting down the street from Rawlins Service Station to Fish and Dive, the festival brought in 30 Molokai vendors and an estimated more than 3,000 attendees over five hours.…

Kulaia Lights Up Kaunakakai

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

Last Friday, the typically quiet streets of Kaunakakai transformed into a bustling festival. Celebrating Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe canoe races, the Kulaia festival likewise returned to Molokai for the first time since 2019.

Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello, event organizer for the festival, explained that originally the plan for this year was just to focus on getting the channel races started again, and not have the festival. However, after interest from the Molokai community and race organizers, the decision was made to put on Kulaia with only three months lead in time.

“It’s been pretty crazy,” said Rawlins-Crivello.

Shutting down the street from Rawlins Service Station to Fish and Dive, the festival brought in 30 Molokai vendors and an estimated more than 3,000 attendees over five hours.…

September Golf Ace

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Kaleo Len Wai is the September Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Len Wai, Mr. One Putt and longtime Molokai professional golfer, shot 43-45 for a gross total of 88. With his 20 handicap, his 68 net score got him into a playoff with Scott Hemenway. Len Wai then prevailed on the first playoff hole for the victory. Congratulations Kaleo!

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, September 26th, 2024

The Molokai High School Farmers were in action over on Maui this past weekend. After a bye week, the Lady Farmers girls volleyball team with Coach Mahealani Leialoha Rawlins took on Haleakala Waldorf. The 4-2 Farmers took a dominant three set win over Haleakala Waldorf on Friday, before repeating the performance with another three-set sweep on Saturday to improve to 6-2.

The Farmers football team continued their historic 11-man season with a game against Kamehameha Maui on Sept. 21. The Farmers ultimately lost to Kamehameha Maui by a score of 57-0, falling to 0-4 on the year. They will look to regroup as they take on King Kekaulike High School at home Saturday, Sept.…

Farmers Battle Baldwin

Thursday, September 19th, 2024

After more than 60 years, the Molokai High School (MHS) Farmers took the field in a home game for 11-man football. Under the mid-morning sky and supported by the MHS cheer team, parents and supporters, the Farmers competed against Baldwin High School in a much-anticipated home opener. Yielding 28 points in the first quarter, the Farmers never quite found their groove, finishing the game 63-0 in favor of Baldwin. Despite the loss, support continued to pour in for the Farmers. Having dominated the 8-man league since 2010, the Farmers have since stepped up to 11-man, competing against the best football schools in Maui County.…

Fall Sports Update

Wednesday, September 11th, 2024

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff 

The undefeated Molokai High School (MHS) girls volleyball team took on Maui Prep at the Barn this past weekend. The MHS girls competed in a close five-set game Friday before ultimately falling to Maui Prep 3-2. The Farmers likewise started out strong in Saturday’s rematch, taking the first set, but dropped the subsequent three in the 3-1 loss to Maui Prep. 

The MHS inaugural 11-man football season continued last weekend with a game at Maui High School. After a 59-0 loss to start the season against Lahainaluna, the Farmers were resilient, battling in a tough 29-14 loss to Maui High School.…

Molokai Crews Compete at World’s Largest Outrigger Regatta

Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor 

Several Molokai crews braved the relentless Kona sun for over 18 miles as they raced between Kailua and Honaunau on Hawaii Island over the weekend.

“It was hot,” said Lohiao Paoa, who competed in the open men’s six-man crew for Molokai’s Wa’akapaemua Canoe Club.  

“The training we did the last four months has really helped,” said Paoa. In the race, the crew focused on keeping things simple and not trying to get too caught up in battling every canoe, he explained. 

“We just focused on trusting in our training, trusting in our stroke,” he said. 

The race has been held annually since 1972 in honor of Queen Lili’uokalani’s Sept.…