Ranch Camp Fire Comes Too Close for Comfort

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff
Residents in Ranch Camp had a close call with a brush fire on Saturday, May 24. Around 2:30 p.m., about three acres went up in flames, coming close to homes at the top of the residential area. As firefighters worked to control the blaze with air assistance from a helicopter making water drops, residents assisted with garden hoses to protect their yards.
No buildings were damaged and the fire was under control just after 3 p.m., and extinguished around 7 p.m. that evening. The Maui Fire Department says the cause of the fire is undetermined.…

‘A Special Homecoming:’ Canoe Iosepa Visits Molokai

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Over the past week, Molokai hosted some special guests: a double hulled canoe named Iosepa and its crew. Arriving last week Wednesday after a 12-hour sail from Oahu, Iosepa was docked at Kaunakakai Wharf for about a week while community members were welcomed on board and its crew did outreach on the island.
The nine-ton vessel is made out of solid wood, lashed together with no nails or screws. Slightly smaller than voyaging canoe Hokule’a’s 64-foot length, Iosepa is 57 feet long and sailed by a crew of 16.
Crewmember Chris Muhlestein said because of the wa’a’s weight, Iosepa has two steering blades that are manned by several crewmembers on each blade during channel crossings.…

Everything from Greased Pigs to Manicures

Monday, June 2nd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

It was a busy Mother’s Day weekend on Molokai with events happening across the island. In Ho’olehua, at the Lanikeha Center, almost 2,000 residents passed by to check out the happenings at the annual Molokai Resource Fair.

The fair tries to “go the extra mile,” explained Rosie Davis from the Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance, who organizes the event. The fair’s information booths ranged from agriculture to emergency services to job training. Along with a free petting zoo and greased pig contest, the fair had music, food, games and more. Participants competed for grand prizes like tickets on Hawaiian Airlines and gift cards to Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill while browsing craft booths or getting their nails done courtesy of Nail Bar Molokai.…

Bigger Space for Molokai History Project

Monday, June 2nd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

The Molokai History Project (MHP) has a new location from which to steward many of Molokai’s historic treasures. On May 9, MHP packed up their collection and moved up the street to a larger space across from Friendly Market Center.

The museum was founded in October 2023 with the mission of “preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the island.”

Originally, MHP was housed in a one room office space in the Storehouse building next to the Credit Union.

“We had totally outgrown [it],” explained Judy Mertens, executive director of MHP. “There was not space to hang one more picture.”…

National Award for Health and Wellbeing

Monday, June 2nd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga

In a moment of major recognition, the Molokai community was recently awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. Molokai was one of nine communities across the U.S. selected for the award.

The prize seeks to celebrate communities leading local efforts to strengthen their health and wellness environment. For Molokai, the award will specifically go to the Molokai Heritage Trust (MHT).

For Zhantell Lindo, chair of MHT, the award represents an acknowledgement in the power of land back initiatives as related to the health of a community. MHT is a nonprofit launched in 2022 with the aim of restoring community ownership of Molokai lands, with the specific goal of buying Molokai Ranch.…

Malama Your Mam

Monday, June 2nd, 2025

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Mother’s Day this year featured a special “Malama Your Mama” fundraiser for Molokai’s Aka’ula School students. Held annually, the fundraiser goes to support financial aid for student tuition. Aka’ula is the only private school on Molokai, serving 25 students from 5th to 12th grade.

This year’s event, held at the Molokai Community Health Center, played host to more than 200 residents. With good food, live and silent auctions, a lei stand and music by Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Malama Your Mama was a big hit.

“It was one of those times when everything comes together,” said Aka’ula School Head of School Dara Lukonen.…