Molokai High School Showcases Students’ Successes 

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

By Ric Ornellas

Molokai High School’s School Community Council celebrated 2025-2026 students’ successes in a 60-minute review at their recent May 13 meeting. In a wide-ranging Powerpoint of bulleted data, anecdotes, photos, and embedded video from three academies, six departments, and three schoolwide programs, accompanied by teacher and principal comments, the first-time SCC review reconfirmed the overarching vision and mission of the high school. 

The vision is, “Molokai High School graduates honor the past, embrace future innovation, and take personal responsibility for delivering excellence.” The mission is, “The mission of Molokai High School is to expand our horizons while utilizing Molokai’s unique resources and community.”…

Grants Available for Student, Youth Travel Programs

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

Maui County News Release

Grant funding opportunities to support student and youth travel programs for Hāna, Lānaʻi and Molokai are now available, according to the County of Maui Department of Economic Development. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. June 15, 2026.

Eligible programs should provide meaningful travel experiences that expose participants to opportunities not readily available within their home communities. Travel funded through this program must directly serve students and youth from Hāna, Lānaʻi and Molokai. This travel blog highlights how meaningful educational journeys and cultural experiences can inspire young people to broaden their perspectives while strengthening connections to their home communities.…

OHA Providing $15K to Native Hawaiians Affected by Kona Low

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

OHA News Release

Native Hawaiian families impacted by the March 2026 Kona Low storms and flooding will soon have access to direct financial assistance through a new disaster relief program launched by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and administered by the Hawaiian Council.

The OHA March 2026 Kona Low General Disaster Assistance Program will provide more than $1 million in direct financial assistance to eligible Native Hawaiian homeowners and renters whose primary residences sustained major damage or were destroyed during the storms, including grants of up to $15,000 for eligible homeowners and up to $7,500 for eligible renters.  

“This disaster relief program reflects OHA’s commitment to care for our people in times of need,” said Kaialiʻi Kahele, chair of OHA.…

Molokai Kiaʻi Ea: Guarding Our Island with Smart Tech

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

By Phil Smolinski

I recently built a tool for our community called the Kiaʻi Ea (Air Monitor). It’s powered by the Sensirion SPS30, a high-grade particle detector with a European certification. While cheaper sensors can provide air quality measurements, they tend to degrade over time. This one uses a laser to physically measure particles, meeting strict European standards for accuracy. Also, they are calibrated before leaving the factory. All units shipped closely reproduce the same data measurements.

The best part? I didn’t have to be a computer scientist to build it. I used Gemini AI to write the code and set up the data transmission.…

‘Etta’ Is May’s Ace Winner

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

‘Etta’ Is May’s Ace Winner

By Rich Schonely

Henrietta “Etta” Helm is the May Ace Winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club.

Helm, a retired supervisor of dispatchers for the Maui County Police Department and one of our famous Molokai lady golfers, shot 43–43 for a gross total of 86 and with her 22 handicap her 64-net got her the victory. Congratulations Etta! 

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

One Month Left to Apply for Federal Assistance

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

FEMA News Release

Homeowners and renters who have incurred damage or losses from the Kona Low flooding event that occurred March 10-24 have until June 14, 2026, to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The program provides financial aid and other assistance to eligible individuals and households to help meet their basic needs and supplement their flood recovery efforts. 

FEMA may reimburse eligible applicants for temporary housing, home repairs to their primary home, personal property losses, medical expenses related to the disaster, childcare and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Residents who have insurance should file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles.…

Attendance Wins Big at Maunaloa

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

Maunaloa Student Council News Release

Did you know that our school went from 39% to 6% absentee? That’s almost the whole school body! 

At our school, we have a program called M.A.P. (Molokai Attendance Program) for success. This program has helped our school and families get on track and improve our absences. But that’s not the only thing that has helped us on our journey in school attendance. In this article we will discuss why school attendance matters, what we did to improve it, and more!

Attendance matters because we need to maximize our learning and improve it so we’re not, not smart.…

Spectrum Awards $6K to Homestead Alliance

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

Spectrum Awards $6K to Homestead Alliance

Spectrum News Release 

Spectrum announced a donation of $6,000 to Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance through the company’s national community philanthropic program, Spectrum Employee Community Grants. 

The Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance advocates for water rights, agricultural law awareness and technology adoption among homestead and commercial farmers. MHFA runs the Molokai Digital Hub, which provides local residents access to high-speed Internet, computer literacy and telehealth resources at the Lanikeha Community Center in Ho‘olehua. 

Spectrum’s grant will help support these services, including hands-on technology education, workforce training, and support for remote healthcare appointments.

Spectrum presented the grant on May 9 at the 5th annual Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance Educational Resource Fair.…

New MEO Bus Traveling Molokai Roads

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

New MEO Bus Traveling Molokai Roads

MEO News Release

A new 24-passenger Maui Economic Opportunity bus with two-wheelchair capacity is in service on Moloka`i, following a blessing last month.

Bus P148, a 2026 Ford Diamond Coach 2800, replaces P131, an 18-passenger 2010 Chevy Aero-Tech 240 bus with 388,000 miles that needed to be replaced based on federal standards. Maui County provided a grant for the purchase of the new bus.

The blessing by Kahu Jimmy Duvauchelle was held at the MEO office in Kaunakakai on April 21. Others participating in the blessing were Council Member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, who holds the Moloka`i residency seat, her aide Hina Hanapi-Hirata, and MEO staff.…

2nd Annual Malama Your Mama at Akaʻula Is a Success

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

2nd Annual Malama Your Mama at Akaʻula Is a Success

By Dayanti Karunaratne

Mamas are the best, and as such, they deserve a lavish brunch and all the spa treatments they can get on Mother’s Day. But despite all the pampering the mothers got at Akaʻula School’s 2nd Annual Malama Your Mama, who really benefitted were the students because the event was a fundraiser for the school.

“We depend on parent commitment and the generosity of private donors, and this fundraising event is an important part of that,” Akaʻula Principal and co-founder Vicki Newberry said. “The most exciting thing for me was watching the ownership the students took.”

The 2nd Annual Malama Your Mama at Molokai Community Health Center on Mother’s Day May 10 included a brunch buffet, a silent auction, mini spa treatments, a lei stand and live entertainment by local musicians. …