Dispatch Disappears

By Todd Yamashita

Unless you received an issue of the Molokai Dispatch in your post office box, you probably had a tough time finding a copy of the local paper. That’s because an estimated 2,200 copies were disappeared from public drop-off spots in Maunaloa, Kualapu`u, and throughout Kaunakakai last week.

By Friday morning many stacks, some up to 100 tall in places like Subway and Molokai Pizza Café, were completely missing. Distribution took place around noon on Thursday leaving about a half day for the removal to take place. Later on Friday some 200 replacement issues of the paper were redistributed.

Prior to the incident, the Molokai Dispatch had been a completely free publication. Under a new policy the paper is still free up to one copy per person, with additional copies costing one dollar. The policy change means that taking large bundles of newspaper will now be illegal.

Store owners and members of the public are asked to be on the lookout for any individuals taking large quantities of the paper and to report incidents to the Molokai Dispatch at 552-2781.