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Iconic Church Faces Uncertain Future

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Iconic Church Faces Uncertain Future

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Famed Kalamaula church, Kalaiakamanu Hou, looks much the same as it did last spring. The Easter wreath still hangs on the door. The pews face the altar, as if expecting Sunday’s service.
But in front of the doors hangs a yellow ribbon of caution tape.

“Everyone takes it for granted that Kalaiakamanu Hou will be here forever,” said longtime congregation member Crystal Egusa. “They can’t believe that we might lose it.”

The church has been closed since last summer when building contractors deemed the structure unsafe. Sunday masses have since moved to the adjacent church hall. Now, congregational members are unsure of how to proceed, and if it’s even feasible to try to save the iconic church.…

Celebrating Prince Kuhio

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Celebrating Prince Kuhio

Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association News Release

The Ho ‘olehua Homesteaders Association (HHA) will celebrate its champion Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole’s legacy by honoring pioneer Ho’olehua-Pala’au Homesteaders on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kualapu’u Community Center.

Prince Kuhio played a pivotal role in the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act in 1921, which set aside land for Native Hawaiians to homestead, including areas on Molokai. In 1924, lots were awarded for the Ho’olehua-Pala’au homesteads on Molokai. This would be the third area in the territory after Kalama’ula and Keaukaha. The area was officially established in 1925 with additional lots being awarded through 1926.…

Molokai Channel World Championships Open 2025 Registration

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Molokai Channel World Championships Open 2025 Registration

OHCRA News Release

Following a spectacular return in 2024, the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) is proud to announce the dates for the 2025 Molokai Channel World Championships: Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe, held in benefit of the Friends of Molokai. Registration is now open to all eligible paddling divisions ranging from Junior level to 65 years and over.

Two weeks of inter-island paddling commences with Na Wahine O Ke Kai Championship race, featuring the world’s top female paddlers as they take on the iconic Ka‘iwi Channel on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Two weeks later, the coveted Molokai Hoe will take place on Sunday, Oct.…

Camara Named New Kualapu’u School Principal

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Camara Named New Kualapu’u School Principal

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

For the first time in 28 years, Kualapu’u School will have a new principal. Ka’ala Fay Camara will take the helm on July 1, as longtime principal Lydia Trinidad will be retiring at the end of this school year.

“I am grateful to the Board Principal Search Committee for their hard work, time and perseverance to select Ka’ala as the next principal of Kualapuʻu Public Charter School,” said Hoʻokakoʻo Board Chair Jon Ching. Ho’okako’o is the governing board for several Hawaiian-focused charter schools including Kualapu’u School.

As a pre-kindergarten through sixth grade school, Kualapu’u School serves approximately 310 Molokai students of whom 90 percent are Native Hawaiian.…

Girls Flag Football Team to Make Debut

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Girls Flag Football Team to Make Debut

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High School (MHS) Farmers have a new team on the field this season: girls flag football. Molokai will join eight other Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) schools in the inaugural flag football season.

Coached by Kimo Orlando, 21 MHS girls will make up the roster. Flag football will have slightly different rules to tackle football: the field is 80 yards long, with first downs occurring every 20 yards, and with only seven players on each side of the ball. Added as a sport by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association this past August, flag football will also be appearing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.…

Molokai Chargers

Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Molokai Chargers

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

“The waves could be better, but we’re going to go out there and have fun,” explained Molokai 16-year-old, Kai Padilla-Silva. In his first ever surfing contest, Padilla-Silva was preparing to compete in both bodyboarding and shortboard surfing.

On Saturday, March 15, a community wide surf contest was hosted on Molokai for the first time since 2019. Organized by Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai and the Hawaii Surfing Association, the event offered bodyboarding and surfing categories for a variety of age groups.

“It’s a fun thing for us kids to do because we don’t have a lot to do,” Padilla-Silva explained.…

Joyce Dudoit

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Joyce Dudoit

Joyce Dudoit was born Feb. 25, 1938, to Henry Kauka and Henrietta Newmann. She had three siblings, and was predeceased by her beloved husband, Puggy, and her son Hanalei. She is survived by her seven children, 22 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. She will be missed. She passed away on Oct. 20, 2024, surrounded by her family. Her services will be held at St. Damien Catholic Church on Saturday, March 22. Public viewing begins at 9 a.m., and services begin at 10:15. Lunch to follow at One Ali’i Park.…

Richard Newton Reed

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Richard Newton Reed

Richard Newton Reed, 90, of Molokai, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2025.
Born in San Bernardino, California, Richard embarked on a life of adventure when he enlisted in the Navy in 1955. Following his service, he taught himself how to sail while working in Oregon, developing a passion that would define his future.
This love of sailing brought him to the Hawaiian Islands, where he met Doris, the love of his life, in Lahaina. They married on April 28, 1977, beginning a remarkable journey together. Aboard their vessel, Satan’s Doll, they sailed around the world with their faithful dogs at their side.…

New Artist in Residence

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

New Artist in Residence

Molokai Arts Center News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) welcomes Artist in Residence Angaea Cuna from the island of Hawaii. Angaea is a multimedia artist and Filipino immigrant focusing on fiber arts, bookbinding, and immersive installation. She will be on Molokai from March 1 through 22 exploring the landscape and studying the native plants and fibers. She hopes to use one fiber material to inspire Molokai-specific handmade papers and perfect-bind them into a handmade artist book. The book and the display will reflect the abundance of Molokai’s landscape. This installation reimagines “an indigenous library” by using material as the tether to our ancestral knowledge.…

March Golf Ace

Thursday, March 13th, 2025

March Golf Ace

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Jeannie Makaiwi is the March Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Makaiwi, a longtime club member and our awesome club treasurer, shot 54-49 for a gross total of 103. With her 36 handicap, her net 67 got her the win. Congratulations Jeannie!

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