E Hoʻomanaʻo Celebrates 5 Leading Hawaiians

Thursday, December 4th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

The Molokai Public Library celebrated the lives of five distinguished Hawaiians — two kings, a queen, a princess and a diplomat — during the E Hoʻomanaʻo series last month, with a presentation that included moʻolelo, mele and hula.

King Kamehameha II, King Kalākaua and Princess Victoria Kamāmalu were recognized for being born in November. Queen Kamāmalu, born around 1802, was Kamehameha II’s favorite wife.

Royal envoy Timoteo Haʻalilio was also celebrated for his role in Hawaii’s sovereignty formally recognized by some of the world’s greatest powers at the E Hoʻomanaʻo event at the library Nov. 25.

“Great Britain and France officially signed and recognized Hawaii as an independent nation on November 28, 1843,” Aiwaulu head researcher Kalei Roberts said.…

Sharing and Creating Abundance

Thursday, December 4th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

In old Hawaii, sharing was a fundamental part of society. It embodied the aloha spirit with love and compassion, allowing for the community to thrive together and for their ‘ohana to grow.

A program at Molokai Public Library, Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai (Those of the uplands share their crops, those of the seaside share their catch), has been serving as a hub for trading and sharing produce for island residents for almost a year. 

“We are featuring some of our farmers and producers on Molokai, sharing what they they’re doing with either food that they’re growing or processing,” said Mercy Ritte, who started the program on last year’s Independence Day of Hawaiian Kingdom, or Lā Kūʻokoʻa, celebrated Nov.…

Local Artisans Join Efforts to Build a Hui

Thursday, November 27th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

A small group of Molokai artisans joined efforts a year ago. A few months later, a new nonprofit organization was born, creating opportunities to capitalize on grants, trade valuable information, and find mutual support to become more financially viable. 

The Molokai Alliance for Native Artisans was formed in November 2024 and officially registered as a nonprofit in February 2025. Among other goals, the alliance aims to seek grants to offset member’s travel costs for off-island events.

MANA treasurer and co-founder Vanalouise Naehu said the nonprofit was formed because many native-owned microbusinesses on the island were facing the same challenges, including limited access, high costs and very little visibility outside Molokai.…

Kaunakahakai General Store Opens in Town

Thursday, November 27th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

There is a new store in town. Kaunakahakai General Store hosted a grand opening with different activities last weekend at Ala Malama Avenue in Kaunakakai, following a soft opening a couple weeks prior.

“We just wanted something where you could buy curated, locally owned goods and support the local economy, and really have a lot more gifting (choices),” Lihau Willing said. “Our brands that we carry in here are all owned by Hawaii-based companies.”

The grand opening Nov. 22 had fun keiki activities, food samples from local vendors, giveaways, discounted products and flash tattoos by local artist Sage Yamashita.…

‘Holidays at Lanikeha’ Starts Countdown to Christmas

Thursday, November 27th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

The countdown to Christmas has begun. A family-oriented holiday fair held by the Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance last week had a wide variety of affordable Christmas gifts from dozens of vendors, just in time for the holidays.

“This is Holidays at Lanikeha. It’s a yearly thing that we do, usually in November and December,” MHFA president Faith Tuipulotu said. “We get crafters that come out, anybody that makes things, whatever their craft is.”

Thirty different vendors, including three food booths, participated in the Holidays at Lanikeha fair at the main hall at Lanikeha Community Center in Hoʻolehua on the evening of Nov.…