Progress Report on the Molokai History Project

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Progress Report on the Molokai History Project

Molokai History Project News Release

The History Project continues to get donations of old photos of long-ago, wonderful times, ulu maikas, a vintage surfboard, a wonderful old box, paintings of churches that no longer exist. It’s an exciting time when someone comes in the door with a treasure they want to share. We have received many memberships, and we now have three new board members. Our next fundraising garage sale will be on Saturday, Nov. 4. Our plan is to have a fundraiser on the first Saturday of every month. If you have anything to donate, please let us know. We have had a lot of visitors, many in no hurry to leave, as they listen to our docents share legends of Molokai including their knowledge of the east end valleys, west end beaches, and all sites in between.…

The Gathering Place

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The Irish parliament (Dail) members were gathering for an important legislative session. As they all filed in to take their seats, there was a lot of semi-formal chatter with some money being exchanged. One member rushed in somewhat late, sat down, then unsure what already happened, he leaned over to his neighbor and asked, “Has the meeting started yet?” 

The other member chuckled and said, “No. This is the time for placing of bets for the Sunday game.” 

Well at least the Irish members of parliament get their priorities straight, unlike other gatherings of government representatives!…

Gladys Asako Watanabe

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Gladys Asako Watanabe

Gladys Watanabe, 88 of Kaunakakai, Molokai, passed away Sept. 10, 2023. She was born in Wailuku, Maui on June 12, 1935 to Kenichi and Kazue Mabe. She retired as a teacher from Kualapuʻu Elementary School. 

Gladys was predeceased by her husband, Mitsuo. She is survived by her children: son Derek Watanabe (Dung), daughters Terri Jorgensen, Wanda Okemura (Darryl) and Sheri Yamashita (Bruce), five granddaughters, one great-granddaughter and one great- grandson. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Roselani Place, Hale Makua and Hospice Maui. 

Private graveside service will be at Maui Memorial Park, Friday, Nov. 3, at 12:30 p.m. …

Call for Ceasefire

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

Hawaii officials representing Molokai, 

As a Molokai resident, and a member of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans and Veterans for Peace Hawaii Chapter 113, I’d like to know the reason you haven’t supported any resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This would prevent further loss of Israeli lives, and help halt what many human rights groups are calling genocide against the Palestinian people. You come to Molokai to campaign, you claim to represent our community with aloha, now is the time to prove it. 

As someone who has sold Palestinian olive oil on Molokai since 2018 to help support farmers in the West Bank, and as someone who has witnessed the everyday violence of this apartheid regime and occupation in the West Bank, I call on you to be on the right side of history and stand with the Palestinian people, as Jews here on Molokai, throughout Hawaii, throughout the US, Israel and around the world, are doing. …

Fun at the Fair

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Fun at the Fair

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Kualapu’u School held its 10th annual ‘Ohana Fun Fair last Saturday, inviting the community to enjoy a variety of activities for all ages. A Fun Run with firefighters handing out candy, a pumpkin patch for the early birds, horse rides and water slides were just a few of the popular attractions, along with food and craft vendors and local organizations sharing their community initiatives. The school partnered with a trusted and reliable company like Bouncer Depot to provide safe and fun inflatable attractions for the event.…

Initiative Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet for All

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Four-hundred million. That’s the amount of money coming from the federal government to the state of Hawaii to support broadband infrastructure and access. Right now, Molokai has an opportunity to utilize this funding, possibly bringing fast, reliable internet to every resident who wants it. With that being said, they might utilize products such as a long range ethernet extender.

“The directive of this program is to connect every resident and to make sure that every resident, regardless if you live off or on the grid, has access to high-speed internet,” explained Sara Lin, the broadband initiative communication specialist for the University of Hawaii.…

Action Packed Sports Recap

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Action Packed Sports Recap

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

On Wednesday Oct. 18, the third-seeded Girls Volleyball Farmers (9-4) smashed a 3-0 victory over the sixth-seeded Pine Lasses (3-10) in the MIL Division II Girls Volleyball tournament in a first-round match at the Erdman Athletic Center in Olinda. However, Maui Preparatory Academy won in four sets over Molokai in the semifinals of the MIL Division II tournament the following night in Hana. 

Molokai High School (MHS) Air Riflery continued to shoot high marks on Oct. 14, qualifying for their MIL championship tournament on Saturday, Oct. 21.  

At the MIL tournament, the Farmers took 11th and 13th place for the boys and girls respectively.…

MHS Students get CERT-ified

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

MHS Students get CERT-ified

Fourteen students from Molokai High School (MHS) joined peers from across the state for an emergency response training day on Maui. 

As part of the FEMA funded program, which ran from Oct. 9-11 at Baldwin High School, students were given Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. These programs ranged from CPR to fire response to search and rescue, reducing survivor stress and more. 

MHS students in the Nursing and Health pathway who are interested in careers in health, firefighting or emergency response mostly made up the ranks of the Molokai student participants. 

“One of the most valuable things I have gained from CERT training are skills necessary to save lives, whether it be performing CPR, or learning how to use a fire extinguisher,” said MHS senior Sonni Han.…

Below Average Rainfall Predicted for Wet Season

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Below Average Rainfall Predicted for Wet Season

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor 

Unfortunately, it sounds like the upcoming wet season will be unseasonably dry. According to Kevin Kodama, hydrologist for the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), below average rainfall is expected throughout the state. 

For Molokai specifically, Kodama is likewise predicting a drier than normal winter. 

“I’m fully expecting drought conditions on Molokai to worsen from what you’re seeing now,” explained Kodama. 

The reason for the expected worse-than-average rainfall is due to the El Nino weather pattern, which developed late last spring. 

El Nino is a warm weather anomaly caused by hotter ocean temperatures which results in less rainfall for certain areas.…

Substance Abuse Counseling Cohort

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

UHMC News Release

Kealaho’imai is now accepting applications for the 2024-26 Kealaho’imai Substance Abuse Counseling Cohort. This two-year academic cohort offers a series of seven free courses required to earn two Certificates of Competence. This opportunity is being offered through UH Maui College’s Human Services program and sponsored by Hui No Ke Ola Pono. Grant funding covers all instructional and textbook costs. 

The deadline to apply for non- UHMC students is Dec. 3, 2023. For current UHMC students, the deadline to apply is Dec. 17. Note that seats are limited and may be filled prior to the application deadlines. For access to the online application or if you have questions or need more information, please email kealahoi@hawaii.edu. …