Historic Molokai Newspapers Digitized for Public Access

Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center News Release
Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center’s Moaʻe Molokai Digital Repository is excited to announce the release of over 1,300 newspaper scans from the 1950s. Supported by a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, these scans include 287 issues from the Ka Leo o Molokai and the Friendly Isle News. Ka Leo o Molokai, printed in English, graced the island’s readers weekly from Dec. 8, 1950, to Nov. 11, 1955. Sponsored by the Molokai Chamber of Commerce and managed by the Molokai Civic Group Advisory Board, it operated under the guidance of Dorothy Tanner and Louise Borsella, with Marie Horner at the editorial helm. Though some debate its status as the island’s inaugural paper, its significance remains unquestionable. Following in its footsteps, The Friendly Isle News took up the torch, also in weekly editions from Nov. 18, 1955, to Jan. 1957. Owned and edited by Marie Gallard, it continued the tradition of capturing the essence of Molokai life. Both publications provided vivid depictions of Molokai’s residents during this period, highlighting their roles in plantation work, the burgeoning local business scene, and the vibrant community activities. From church services to sports tournaments, and the evolving landscape of towns like Kaunakakai, Maunaloa, and Kualapuʻu, these newspapers served as invaluable chroniclers of the island’s history. Their preservation through digitization by Ka Ipu Makani for inclusion in the Moaʻe Molokai Digital Repository ensures that these snapshots of island life endure for future generations to explore and appreciate.
The scans are available on the Moaʻe Molokai Digital Repository website, moaemolokai.com. Community members are also encouraged to follow @kaipumakani on Instagram for sneak peeks and insights into the newspaper collection.