Local Man Flown to Oahu After ATV Accident

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Maui County News Release
Firefighters responded to the report of an ATV accident involving three males, with one seriously injured, two miles from the nearest paved road above Kawela on Molokai June 2 at 12:19 p.m.
Firefighters used utility vehicles to access the patient, a 78-year-old Molokai resident, and begin initial treatment. Additional fire and Emergency Medical Service personnel were brought to the scene by off-duty fire personnel using a UTV. The patient was evaluated at the scene by EMS and prepared for transport.
Rescue 10 personnel aboard Air 1 lifted the patient from the accident scene and transported him to a landing zone at One Ali’i Park, where he was transferred to a medivac helicopter and flown to Oahu.…

Molokai Youth Gain Experience at Sovereignty Conference

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Molokai Youth Gain Experience at Sovereignty Conference

Ho‘olehua Homesteaders Association News Release

Twelve members of the Molokai Homestead Youth Council (MHYC, formerly Ho’olehua Agricultural Youth Council) attended the 38th Annual SCHHA Hawaiian Home Lands Sovereignty Conference along with delegates from Ho‘olehua Homesteaders Association and Kalama‘ula Mauka Association.
Founded in 1987, SCHAA, the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, is a statewide homestead beneficiary association and national coalition dedicated to the fulfillment of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
The Molokai delegation, best known for its ‘Opala Station at community events, helped open the two-and-a-half day conference with an ‘oli and makana. A few youth entrepreneurs sold Molokai-made products in the resource room to help raise funds for their summer activities with a portion of proceeds going to MHYC.…

MEO Head Start Secures Federal Funding for School Year

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

MEO News Release
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program was notified this week that federal funding has been secured for the 2025-26 school year.
“We are so pleased that Head Start was funded by the federal government for next school year,” CEO Debbie Cabebe said.
Head Start is a national program that provides preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds at no cost to income-qualifying families. Local Head Start officials have been fielding questions about the status of the program for next school year amid cost-cutting at the federal level.
The federal notice of $2.7 million in funding allays some of the fears for the upcoming school year that begins in August and ends in May 2026.…

MAC Hosting Ceramic Artist

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

MAC Hosting Ceramic Artist

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center welcomes Artist in Residence Sheldon Tsu-Yao Wong of Honolulu, Hawaii. As an artist, Sheldon uses clay to explore and dissect ancestral stories, exploring themes of ownership, belonging, and the politics of memory. 

He will be on Molokai from June 5 through 20 working on a project aimed at creating a dialog between the viewer, the material, and the island, exploring how we archive our existence and make our presence known through tactile and visual expressions.

“For my time on Molokai, I intend on working on a series of work that continues to explore the meaning of touch in all aspects: with the Earth, connection to ancestry, and the legacy of our archives.…

Waialua Keiki Surf Contest Kicks Off Season

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Waialua Keiki Surf Contest Kicks Off Season

By Léo Azambuja
A handful of children competed in the Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai surfing contest in Waialua Beach last Saturday. The contest was the first in a series of four, which will ultimately qualify the overall top scorers to compete on Oahu next spring.
“At the end of the season, after the spring season closes, there is a state championship on Oahu, and our children are guaranteed slots in the semifinals,” event coordinator Malia Waits said.
She said six families showed up for the contest. About 10 kids got in the water, but only five decided to compete in the season’s opener.…

Crafting Lifeguards for Molokai’s Future

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Crafting Lifeguards for Molokai’s Future

By Léo Azambuja
A keiki water-safety program spanning more than a quarter century has inspired countless children to become lifeguards and firefighters throughout the state of Hawaii. About 30 Molokai children completed the annual week-long Junior Lifeguard program at different locations on the island last week.
“It’s the parents and the kids that make the program. That’s the main point and why we do this: to teach these kids how to keep their community safe,” said Harold Teshima, Maui County Ocean Safety administrative lieutenant.
Teshima, along with Maui County lifeguard Josh Edlao and Molokai Parks and Recreation lifeguards Kaleo Crivello and Kui Han, spent an entire week teaching the children ocean safety awareness and lifesaving skills, while preparing them for the Junior Lifeguard State Championships, which will be held at Ka‘anapali Beach on Maui Aug.…

‘Farmers of Land and Sea,’ Molokai High School Class of 2025 Graduate

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

‘Farmers of Land and Sea,’ Molokai High School Class of 2025 Graduate

By Léo Azambuja
It was the last time Molokai High School’s Class of 2025 walked into The Barn as students. They are now Farmers for life.
“No matter where you are in life, even if you fall off the rails, put your trust in God and he will guide you. Class of 2025, I hope you take this advice with you in all your future endeavors. With that being said, congratulations, we made it,” Senior Class President Chloe Tancayo told her fellow seniors at the beginning of their graduation ceremony a couple weeks ago.
Family and friends of the school’s Class of 2025, themed Farmers of Land and Sea, packed the The Barn to celebrate 74 senior students graduating May 23.…

Yolanda Hiilani Kealohapauole Uahinui

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

Yolanda Hiilani Kealohapauole Uahinui

Yolanda Hiilani Kealohapauole Uahinui, 70, of Kalama‘ula, Molokai, died April 25, 2025 at Queens Hospital in Honolulu. Born May 16, 1954, she was a graduate of Molokai High and Intermediate School, class of 1972, and a graduate of Cannon’s Business College in Honolulu. She was a retired manager with Enterprise Holdings Alamo in Hoolehua, Molokai. Survived by: daughter Hamau (Joseph) Howe and hanai daughter Jessyli (Vandale Dudoit III) Domingo Kupau, brothers Abraham Kalei (Ellenbelle) Kaulia of Honolulu, Wilfred Kalani Pieper of Wisconsin, Kaihehau Uahinui of Washington, and Ekela (Cheryl) Uahinui of Molokai, sisters Rebecca Kolo of California, Ruth Domingo of Molokai, Frieda Uahinui of Las Vegas, and Kamakea Uahinui of Molokai, nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.…

Shaynah Haunani Colipano Delacruz 

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

Shaynah Haunani Colipano Delacruz 

Shaynah Haunani Colipano Delacruz was born on July 5, 1971, at the Molokai General Hospital. She passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025 in the hospice at the Molokai General Hospital. Shaynah loved finding shells, drawing, baking and cooking. She leaves behind six children, seven grandchildren, her mother, Annette H. Colipano English (Clayton), and her father, Richard (Chocum) Dela Cruz (Jackie). Shaynah’s celebration of life will be held July 26 at Lanikeha in Ho‘olehua, Molokai at 9 a.m.…

A Gathering to Celebrate Success

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

A Gathering to Celebrate Success

Community Contributed
By Dara Lukonen

Whistles and cheers from proud family members and friends rang out on Aka ‘ula School’s campus throughout the school award and promotion ceremony and high school commencement.
It was evident that students, staff, and families had formed strong bonds this year. This close-knit ‘ohana celebrated the awards ceremony where students were recognized for their academic achievement and growth, their citizenship, and their commitment to learning and community.
Following the awards ceremony, parents of eighth-grade students were called on stage to present a school kihei to their new high-school students. Donning the school kihei symbolizes the community leaders that students are anticipated to be.…