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Promoting Literacy on Molokai

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Promoting Literacy on Molokai

By Léo Azambuja

A literacy tutoring program that has been around for more than half-century is expanding to Molokai for the first time. An upcoming training session at Molokai Public Library will certify residents to provide free tutoring lessons to the community. 

“Are you looking to gain new skills or give back to your neighbors? Hawaii literacy is coming to Molokai, and we need you,” Hawaii Literacy tutor Charlotte Preiss said.

The Molokai Library will host the Adult Literacy Program’s free tutor training offered by Hawaii Literacy April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided. Besides attending the four-hour tutor training course, aspiring volunteers must have a high-school diploma and be willing to commit to meet once or twice a week with a learner for at least six months.…

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CRB Detected on Molokai 2 Beetles Found in Different Locations

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

CRB Detected on Molokai 2 Beetles Found in Different Locations

By Léo Azambuja

Less than seven months after the state government approved an interim rule to protect Molokai from a voracious pest that could devastate the island’s coconut trees — and go after an array of other crops — the measure just wasn’t enough. Two coconut rhinoceros beetles were captured in two traps 12 miles apart last week. 

“We found a large scarab insect in a trap near Malama Park in Kaunakakai,” Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee coordinator Lori Buchanan said of the first beetle found April 7.

The park is at the entrance of Kaunakakai Wharf. The beetle was found dead inside a trap fitted with pheromones.…

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MEMA Highlights Tsunami Awareness Month

Friday, April 10th, 2026

Maui County News Release

Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is reminding the community that April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi, an opportunity for people to prepare, protect their property and safeguard loved ones by understanding tsunami risks and taking practical preparedness steps.

“As we saw with last year’s tsunami, even events that are not catastrophic can still impact our shores,” MEMA Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said. “That’s why we encourage residents and visitors to understand evacuation zones, stay informed and have an emergency plan.”

“April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi, but there is no ‘tsunami season’ – tsunamis can occur at any time,” he added.…

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Wiliwili Jewelry Workshop in Hoʻolehua

Friday, April 10th, 2026

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center’s Hawaiian Arts (HĀ) Program presents two separate jewelry making workshops at the Hoʻolehua Homestead Makeke at 2240 Lihi Pali Ave behind Molokai High School on Sunday, April 12 and 26 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Register at bit.ly/MACHA2026.

The MAC continues its popular HĀ workshops featuring the wiliwili tree. 

Kaulananapua Dudoit, Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner will teach participants to create jewelry using wiliwili seeds. Kaulana was raised on the east end of Molokai and is now a homesteader in Hoʻolehua. She currently sells her handcrafted jewelry and plants. Participants may also bring shells, beads, or wiliwili seeds.

The MAC HĀ 2025-26 Program is a bi-monthly series which promotes cultural arts through ʻāina (land) and mea kanu (that which is planted), utilizing our natural resources. …

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Free Hauling, Disposal of Storm-Damaged Appliances

Friday, April 10th, 2026

Maui County News Release

In response to the March 2026 Kona storms, the County of Maui is providing free hauling and disposal of storm-damaged appliances for Molokai residents, according to the County Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division.

DEM contracted A&S Services LLC and Island Refuse Inc. to haul and dispose of storm-damaged white goods at no cost to residents. Molokai residents may contact either vendor directly to arrange pickup or drop-off. Call A&S Services LLC at (808) 366-0747 and Island Refuse Inc. at (808) 877-2515 or (808) 357-0671.

White goods include the following household appliances:

Washers and dryers Dishwashers Microwave ovens Refrigerators and freezers Water heaters Air-conditioning units Stoves and ovens

In the aftermath of the recent Kona storms, County departments and agencies including DEM, Public Works, Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Office of Recovery have been mobilizing resources to assist residents with residential property cleanup, including picking up debris for kūpuna or others physically unable to self-haul debris.…

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Free Ocean Movie at Mango Theater

Friday, April 10th, 2026

Free Ocean Movie at Mango Theater

By The Molokai Dispatch staff

There is a free community screening of Ocean with David Attenborough at The Mango Theater, sponsored by the Sacharuna Foundation on April 18 at 2 p.m. All ages are welcome. 

This special event invites the Molokai community to come together for an inspiring look at the world’s oceans through the lens of legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Following the screening, attendees are invited to stay for a talk-story and Q&A featuring Molokai’s own Mac Poepoe, alongside longtime collaborator Dr. Alan Friedlander and Dr. Randy Kosaki, recently retired NOAA marine biologist for Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. 

Dr.…

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Exploring Gel Plate Printing Techniques

Friday, April 10th, 2026

Exploring Gel Plate Printing Techniques

MAC News Release

In the upcoming Gel Plate Printing class, students will explore gel plate printing techniques that include proper use of the gel plate, registration of an image, masking, the various ways in which stencils can be used, how to pull successful botanical prints, creating textures and mark making with various objects, overprinting techniques, along with many ways to build up and create layers to create an image. No experience is required.

The workshop will be held at 40 Ala Malama Ave. Unit A111 on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Instructor Paula Scott holds a B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University and a B.F.A.…

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Berkeley Law Students, Faculty Learn from Molokai’s Energy Co-Op 

Friday, April 10th, 2026

Berkeley Law Students, Faculty Learn from Molokai’s Energy Co-Op 

By Léo Azambuja

A small group of students and professors from the University of California, Berkeley visited Molokai last week to find out more about the island’s solar energy projects led by community initiatives, and potentially apply what they learned to different communities on the mainland.

“Our clinic does work for a number of different nonprofit groups and sometimes public agencies that are trying to advance solar and wind power and other noncarbon energy forms,” said Claudia Polsky, a law professor and director of the Environmental Law Clinic at UC Berkeley. 

An ongoing series of projects at the Environmental Law Clinic, she said, relates to trying to get residential solar systems installed in a quicker, cheaper and more reliable manner to give homeowners and renters energy independence. …

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Book Sale Promotes Reading

Friday, April 10th, 2026

Book Sale Promotes Reading

By Léo Azambuja

The Friends of the Molokai Public Library hosted their quarterly book sale at the library last week. Besides clearing some of the thousands of donated and retired books, the sale promotes community engagement and, of course, reading.

“We just need to get (the books) moving and have more people reading versus on their phones,” FOL President Joan Howard said.

Thousands of books were carefully stacked and separated in sections in a makeshift bookstore at the back of the library. Mostly everyone who came by left with at least a book.

“Nobody leaves empty-handed,” Howard said, adding the most popular books at the sale were children’s and fiction books. …

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First Friday Lights Up Kaunakakai

Friday, April 10th, 2026

First Friday Lights Up Kaunakakai

By Léo Azambuja

A small barter-and-trade event has recently evolved into a much larger affair, bringing a bustling vibe with live music, food vendors and several cultural activities to the heart of Kaunakakai once a month. 

“This event is called First Friday,” event organizer Mercy Ritte said. “We’re continuing our Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai event, now held on the first Friday. We’ve expanded the event from our barter-and-trade table.” 

For more than a year, Ko Koā Uka, Ko Koā Kai (those of the uplands share their crops, those of the seaside share their catch), served as a hub for residents to trade and share produce on the lawn fronting Molokai Public Library once or twice a month in the middle of the week. …

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