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New Archaeological Findings

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

New Archaeological Findings

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff 

Along the coast of Molokai, the spiny, purple ha’uke’uke, or helmet urchin, lives among opihi on the wave swept rocks. Although less commonly eaten today, new studies reveal the pivotal role this spiny urchin occupied hundreds of years ago. 

Archaeologist Marshall Weisler has been leading this study of ancient dietary habits on Molokai. Sifting through mounds of 500-year-old-post-dinner trash piles, Weisler has found new evidence for the kinds of foods critical to ancient diets. The study comprises 25 years of work, 10 sites along the north coast of west Molokai, and over 185,000 ha’uke’uke fragments. 

As the distinguished past of the ha’uke’uke is revealed, further details about how these animals were used as food, tools, cultural artifacts and more on Molokai have likewise come to light.…

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Molokai History Project Updates

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Molokai History Project Updates

Molokai History Project News Release 

Every day we are working in our space, next to the Credit Union in Kaunakakai, to have everything ready to open on Friday, Oct. 6.  We’ve had two garage sales to raise money to pay the rent, we are painting the entire space so it’s fresh and bright, and we are collecting memories of days gone by from folks in the community who would like to share.  We welcome any help offered to us.  We need board members to help make decisions as the project grows, we need docents to keep the doors open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m.…

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The Historical Importance of Hā’uke’uke Sea Urchins

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Marshall Weisler, Archaeologist

Few people routinely eat sea urchins today, but were they important to ancient diets? A new study reports that sea urchins were essential food centuries ago. 

Unlike the long-spined wana, hā’uke’uke or helmet urchin, with its armour-like plates covering its domed shell, is adapted to live amongst ‘opihi on the wave-pounded, windward shorelines of all the Hawaiian Islands.

Walking along the rocky north coast of west Molokai from Hinanaulua past Mo‘omomi to ‘Īlio Point, you’ll notice piles of white, sun-bleached ‘opihi shells, the remains of ancient meals accumulated over the past 500 years. Amongst the ‘opihi shells you will need to look closely to see the short, thick and flat purple spines and the small plate-like body parts of hā’uke’uke. …

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Support ‘Ainapa’a Wrestling Team

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

First established in May 2022, five aspiring young ladies were motivated and determined to explore their mental and physical strength in the fast-growing sport of wrestling. With the support of committed parents, the opportunity to compete in competitive tournaments on Oahu, Maui, Utah, and Las Vegas was presented which opened a door for more talented wrestlers on Molokai to participate. 

ʻAinapa’a, the land is our foundation, is our foundation striving to offer core values that will inspire growth, knowledge, family, discipline, and a safe space to project positivity, goodness, and prosperity. The benefits of participating in this sport are the ability to face unpredictable scenarios with grace, dignity, and respect with high self-esteem and confidence on and off the mat.…

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Celedonia Gomes

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Celedonia Gomes

Our beloved mom, Celedonia, known also as Sally or Cele, Gomes, left us peacefully while at home with us to be with our Lord on Aug. 17. 

Born on Mar. 3, 1932, she was known to many as Auntie or Nana Sally among our Maunaloa Pineapple Plantation ohana, her church family of Kaunakakai Baptist Church and her fellow workers and customers of her many jobs and services on Molokai – the longest being a clerk at Atlas Bldg. Supplies. Her smile and loving personality will be greatly missed. 

She is survived by her children Junedale Ed Misaki, Sydney Lei Gomes, Narda Lino Lollis, Joel “Joey” Corina Gomes, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. …

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Casting Call for Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Hokulani CTOM News Release 

Calling all young actors ages 7 to 16, and aspiring performers! The Hokulani CTOM is thrilled to announce recruitment for their upcoming production of “Christmas Peter Pan.” This enchanting holiday musical play promises to transport audiences to Neverland with a magical twist on the classic tale.

Are you ready to embark on a journey of imagination and creativity? Join us for a mandatory parent and actor meeting and drama workshop on Monday, Sept. 11, at the Home Pumehana Conference Room. The workshop will run from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. This is an essential step for all potential performers as important details about the production will be shared during the meeting.…

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Successful Mo’omomi Beach Clean-up

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

Successful Mo’omomi Beach Clean-up

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

In a collective effort to safeguard the island’s pristine coastline, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH) spearheaded a dynamic cleanup at Moʻomomi Beach on Molokai on August 12. The event saw participation from more than 30 community members, resulting in the removal of hundreds of pounds of debris from this remote shoreline. 

According to the SCH press release, the removed debris encompassed a variety of materials, such as ghost nets, microplastics, mesoplastics, oyster spacers, hagfish traps, single-use plastic products, ghost net fragments, and plastiglomerates – a combination of melted plastic and natural elements fused together. Furthermore, SCH, in collaboration with Puʻu O Hoku Ranch, embarked on an additional mission to cleanse another remote coastline near Mo’omomi as well.…

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122% Rate Increased Proposed for MIS

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

122% Rate Increased Proposed for MIS

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

The Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) funnels water from the green slopes of Waikolu Valley to the hills of Ho’olehua, where it feeds thousands of acres of homesteads and farms. Some of Molokai’s biggest farms including Bayer, Coffees of Hawaii and the Ag Park, as well as homestead residents, rely exclusively on the MIS. Now, the Department of Agriculture is proposing a 122 percent rate increase for the system. 

An increase of 122 percent means that a monthly bill of $500 would become $1,100. 

The steep rate increase will pay for replacing the water meters, repairs in Waikolu Valley, and other capital improvement projects, according to Kirk Saiki, an engineering program manager for the Department of Agriculture. …

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Artifacts from Maui Fires Wash Up on Molokai

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

As the ash settles from the devastating fires on Maui, debris is making its way across the Pailolo Channel onto Molokai’s shores. The first of such objects, believed to be a piece of the Lahaina Wharf, washed up last week in Pala’au. 

Director of the Board of the Hawaii Museum Association, Alice Ka’ahanui, explained that “a group initiated by the Maui Historical Society has gathered to strategize Maui fire cultural response preservation efforts.” 

Ka’ahanui is working with Pulama Lima, a curator for archeology for the Bishop Museum, to coordinate the collection and cataloging of these items. 

“One of the things we want to make sure folks are aware of is their own safety, and using protective gloves if possible when handling any salvaged materials that have soot or other residues,” explained Ka’ahanui. …

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MHS Kicks Off Fall Sports

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

MHS Kicks Off Fall Sports

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

Molokai High School’s (MHS) Farmers inaugurated the 2023 fall season with a win as they defeated the Lanai Pinelasses in girls volleyball at the Barn this past weekend.

On Friday night, Aug. 25, MHS’s volleyball team took the victory in three sets over the Lanai Pinelasses, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15. 

Saturday morning, the rematch was held, with Molokai again taking the win in four sets, 3-1. The Lady Farmers advanced the score the first two sets with scores of 25-17 and 25-15. Lanai found their way in the third set 25-15, but the Farmers came right back, winning the last set of the game, 26-24.…

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