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PUC Begins Next Chapter in Distributed Energy Resources Development

Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs News Release

The Public Utilities Commission closed Friday its long-standing investigation into distributed energy resource (DER) policies for Hawaiian Electric and laid the foundation for the next iteration of DER development in Hawaiʻi.  

“For the past decade, the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission led the nation in its groundbreaking innovative development of distributed energy resources,” Commissioner Naomi Kuwaye said. “With changes in the regulatory landscape and shifts in environmental and energy policies, now is the time for us to refocus our efforts on the next phase of DER policies to meet the needs and expectations of today’s electric grid and its customers.”…

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Community Health Center Unveils New Dental Clinic

Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Community Health Center Unveils New Dental Clinic

By Léo Azambuja
Friendly Isle residents have a new reason to smile. The nonprofit organization Molokai Community Health Center unveiled Saturday its newly renovated and expanded dental facility in Kaunakakai — almost five months ahead of schedule.
“This is going to be huge for the community,” MCHC Board President James Rarick told the crowd attending the grand opening. Like others, he too had been forced to seek dental care off-island.
The $2.4 million upgrading and expansion increased the numbers of dental chairs to six from the previous capacity of three. The current full-time dentist, Dr. Paula Gardner, will be joined by a part-time dentist, two full-time dental hygienists, plus specialty-care professionals on an as-needed schedule, allowing for a significant increase in dental services to the community.…

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Kupuna Fair Sheds Light on Services

Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Kupuna Fair Sheds Light on Services

By Léo Azambuja
Aging in place with dignity and independence can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. The Molokai Kupuna Fair hosted by Maui County officials last week helped dozens of kupuna to figure out where to seek help when different challenges arise.
“We have different health centers, health providers, different agencies, transportation and in-home services to just give more access for services for our kupuna, because Molokai is very much a kupuna population, so we’re just trying to help that crowd,” said Hiʻilei Akaka, aging and disability service specialist for Molokai at the Maui County Office on Aging.…

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Molokai High School Unveils New Murals

Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Molokai High School Unveils New Murals

By Léo Azambuja

As students walked into Molokai High School in Hoʻolehua for the start of the new school year last week, many were surprised by colorful newly painted murals all over the campus.

“We didn’t have a concrete plan,” artist Kala‘e Tangonan said, adding the conceptual design evolved while the murals were being created during summer break. “That’s the magic of creating murals.”

The main creative mind behind the project covering roughly 500 square feet of walls, Tangonan said the idea of the progression of the murals on campus was to resemble an ahupua‘a — an ancient traditional Hawaiian land division from the mountain to the sea. …

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Wall of Tiles

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Wall of Tiles

Community contributed

The Molokai History Project asked the Molokai Arts Center to create a “Wall of Tiles.” They have just received this piece created by young students. It will be mounted on wood and displayed at their location at 109 Ala Malama, Kaunakakai, where the entire island can enjoy it. Stop by to see this work of art in person. …

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Molokai Boy Joining Alabama’s Crimson Tide

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Molokai Boy Joining Alabama’s Crimson Tide

By Léo Azambuja
A Molokai boy from Hoʻolehua is a living proof that dreams come true. Following a well-executed plan to become a better football player and gain exposure among scouts, he has just committed to one of the most successful and storied football programs in college history.
The University of Alabama announced in late July that 18-year-old Tayden-Evan Kaawa — a six-foot, five-inch quarterback — will be joining the Crimson Tide next season on a full scholarship. They compete in the NCAA Division I in the Southeastern Conference.
“The new coaching staff (at Alabama) is all new,” Kaawa said. “I was super close to them when they were in Washington, so it worked out well when they moved to Alabama.…

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Honolulu Printmakers Coming to Molokai

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Honolulu Printmakers Coming to Molokai

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

A new printmaking studio for the kamaʻaina of Molokai is coming to town. Honolulu Printmakers is a nonprofit printmaking studio based on Oahu, and is excited to be opening a new printmaking studio for the residents of Molokaʻi.
All creatives and anyone curious are invited to a community gathering on July 10 to talk story and plan how this new creative space can better serve the community.
The gathering will be at the poolside tables of Hotel Molokai, starting at 10 a.m. Hot coffee and pastries will be served.
For inquiries or to RSVP, text Honolulu Printmakers at (210) 315-2244 or just stop by to check them out.…

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Poi Poundahs Place 3rd in National Soccer Tournament

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Poi Poundahs Place 3rd in National Soccer Tournament

By Léo Azambuja
In most fairy tales, girls wear princess dresses or crystal shoes. They may dance or sing, and wear a crown. But in this Molokai fairy tale, the girls wear soccer jerseys and cleats. They dribble, kick and scream. The have medals.
They are the Molokai Poi Poundahs, a soccer team of girls who aren’t 14 years old yet, and placed third in the AYSO National Games 2025 in California in July.
“This was the first time that the girls (from) Molokai ever went out of state to play soccer,” assistant coach Naomi Bicoy said.
Being on national stage meant a lot for the Poi Poundahs players, she said.…

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Creative Media, Filmmaking Opportunities for Molokai Youth

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Creative Media, Filmmaking Opportunities for Molokai Youth

Hōkūlani CTOM News Release

A dynamic new partnership has launched on Molokai, uniting Hōkūlani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM), Akakū Media, and the University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Academy for Creative Media to bring cutting-edge media education and career training to island youth.
With funding from the Stupski Foundation, the collaboration kicked off with a three-day Creative Media Camp, July 30-Aug. 1, hosted at the Molokai Education Center. Students participated in hands-on production workshops, creative storytelling sessions, and direct mentorship from film professionals and educators from across the state.
Working alongside Kelley Dudoit, Coordinator of the Molokai Education Center, this camp introduced pathways for local students to begin working toward an associate degree in Creative Media while still in high school — a first for Molokai.…

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Hawaiʻi Craftsmen 59th Annual Statewide Exhibition, Call for Entries

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Hawaiʻi Craftsmen News Release

Hawaiʻi Craftsmen is pleased to announce the open call to artists for our 59th consecutive Annual Statewide Exhibition. This exhibition will be juried by Sarah Darro, Curator and Exhibitions Director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. It is open to residents of Hawai‘i for artworks in the categories of clay, fiber, glass, wood, metal, stone and mixed media. Online registration is open Aug. 1-31.
Hawaiʻi’s premier statewide juried exhibition – held annually since 1967 – features traditional and contemporary craft from across the state of Hawaiʻi. Juror Sarah Darro will visit each island to make public presentations and select work to be included in the exhibition.…

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