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Gov. Green Pulls Molokai Burial Council Nominees

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Gov. Green Pulls Molokai Burial Council Nominees

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

In a surprising move, Gov. Josh Green withdrew two Molokai nominations to the Molokai Island Burial Council in late March. La’akea Poepoe and Keomailani Hanapi-Hirata were awaiting a Senate confirmation hearing when they got the news that their nominations had been withdrawn.

The reason why the two Molokai residents had been withdrawn from consideration was not clear.

“It’s super red flaggy,” said Poepoe in an interview with The Dispatch. “What’s the actual rationale behind the removal of qualified and vetted applicants with no clear disqualifier?”

Both Poepoe and Hanapi-Hirata have served on the Molokai Island Burial Council in the past.…

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Movie Night at the Mango Theater

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Movie Night at the Mango Theater

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

For the first time in almost a generation, Molokai families are headed to the movies. The much-anticipated Mango Theater officially opened its doors on Thursday, April 3 with a sold-out showing of Moana 2.

“It’s been a journey and a half,” said owner Brad Ellis. Brad and his wife Grace Chen-Ellis are co-owners of the theater. They first started the project back in 2019.

“COVID slowed us down, the permitting process is slow, but we made it,” said Ellis, “perseverance.”

The theater opened with two showings of Moana 2, much to the delight of Molokai kids. The theater hosted a gamut of Molokai residents on its inaugural day – from multi-generational families to couples on date night, all basking in the sensory glory of a true movie-going experience.…

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A Living Legacy

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

A Living Legacy

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

On March 22, Ho’olehua-Pala’au residents celebrated a century of homesteading, along with the birthday of their champion, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole.

“This is land that was passed down for four generations,” explained Charlie Kaahanui, president of the Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association. “If it wasn’t for Kuhio, this wouldn’t have happened…We wouldn’t have our lands.”

Kalama’ula was the first ever Hawaiian homestead lands in the state, started in 1922. Ho’olehua-Pala’au was the third such homestead project in Hawaii.

This year, Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association decided to host a celebration to put a festive mark on their centennial birthday. Held at the Kualapu’u Recreation Center, it featured food and crafts booths, along with music, dance and displays showing the history of the original Ho’olehua pioneers.…

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Maui Matsuri Art Contest, Cash Prizes Available

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Maui Matsuri Art Contest, Cash Prizes Available

Maui Matsuri News Release

The 23rd annual Maui Matsuri is now accepting entries for its art contest from eligible students, who can win up to $100 in cash prizes. The Maui Matsuri Art Contest is sponsored by HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts Maui.

The contest is open to Maui County students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The deadline to enter and submit artwork is April 21. All entries must depict this years’ Maui Matsuri 2025 Festival theme of Nozomi “Hope and Aspiration”.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners in each of the following four age divisions: kindergarten – 2nd grade; 3rd – 5th grade; 6th – 8th grade; 9th – 12th grade.…

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Flag Football Kicks Off, Softball Dominates

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Flag Football Kicks Off, Softball Dominates

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

In their inaugural season, the Molokai High School (MHS) girls flag football team wasted no time in jumping into competitive matches. Along with Coach Kimo Orlando, the Lady Farmers headed to Maui last weekend for games against Baldwin, Kamehameha Maui and Lahainaluna.

On Friday, the Lady Farmers played a double header against Baldwin and Kamehameha Maui. MHS came up short in both, losing to Baldwin 24-12 and Kamehameha Maui 18-12. In the effort, the Lady Farmers put up solid offensive numbers with multiple teammates contributing to the scoring. Courtney Escobar showed up big on both sides of the ball, scoring two touchdowns and pulling in three interceptions in Friday’s games.…

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Mayor Bissen Proposes FY 2026 Budget Focuses

Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

Mayor Bissen Proposes FY 2026 Budget Focuses

Maui County News Release

On March 25, Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 proposed budget to the Maui County Council, emphasizing the plan’s focus on recovery, long-term resilience and a balanced approach to countywide priorities.
“Over the past year, our community has faced immense challenges — and through strong partnerships with the County Council and our community, we’ve stood united in our shared commitment to serving the people of Maui County,” said Mayor Bissen. “This year’s budget is guided by the theme of kahua — a Hawaiian concept meaning ‘foundation,’ and it is our reminder to care for our people, protect our ʻaina, respect our culture and honor our history.”…

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Mrs. Kuulei Virginia Momi Hoe Kanoho

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Mrs. Kuulei Virginia Momi Hoe Kanoho

Mrs. Kuulei Virginia Momi Hoe Kanoho, age 100, of Hilo, Hawaii passed
away on March 1, 2025 in the Hilo Benioff Medical Center. She was born in
Honolulu, Oahu on May 18, 1924 and was a retired nurse for Dr. Wipperman,
Dr. Harvey, Dr. Lane, Dr. Gutteling, Dr. Zelko and Dr. Carpenter. She was
a member of St. Joseph Church in Hilo. Visitation will be held on
Thursday, April 3, 2025 at St. Joseph Church (43 Kapiolani Street) in
Hilo, Hawaii from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; funeral mass will begin at 9:30
a.m. Burial will follow at Homelani Memorial Park in Hilo, Hawaii.…

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Ornellas Honored for Work in Civic Education

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Ornellas Honored for Work in Civic Education

Hawaii State Judiciary News Release

Chosen from teachers across Hawaii, Molokai High School (MHS) teacher Ric Ornellas was honored by the Hawaii House of Representatives, along with the Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education (PACE), for his work in civic education and for inspiring a sense of civic responsibility and community in his students.

Ornellas was recognized along with four other Hawaii teachers: Jessica dos Santos, Denise Mazurik, Janyce Omura, and ʻImaikalani Winchester.
“Mr. Ornellas is very deserving,’ said MHS Principal Katina Soares. “He has been an indispensable pillar of the MHS community since 2008, dedicating his second career as an educator to empowering students as a special education and social studies teacher, and class advisor.…

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Molokai and Lanai Keiki Take Flight in Musical Mystery Camp

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Molokai and Lanai Keiki Take Flight in Musical Mystery Camp

Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai News Release

Spring break brought young performers from Molokai and Lanai came together for an action-packed three-day musical play training camp from March 17 to 19, helping students fine-tune their voices, dance moves, and stage presence for Molokai’s first-ever full-length children’s musical play.
“Flight of the Mothman,” a thrilling musical mystery by Matt Glickstein and Jason Spraggins, features 11 original songs and dances. The show will debut Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at Home Pumehana Main Hall, and Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
The camp was a whirlwind of high-energy performing arts workshops, team-building activities, and a special cultural excursion to Keawanui Fishpond, where students explored Molokai’s rich history of sustainability.…

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Weekend Sports Results

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Weekend Sports Results

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High School (MHS) Farmers took wins in baseball, softball and boys volleyball this past weekend.

For baseball, the boys traveled to Maui to take on Kulanihakoi High School in a two-game series. The Farmers swept Kulanihakoi, putting up an 11-1 victory on Friday followed by a 4-1 win on Saturday. The wins propelled the Farmers to a 4-0 start to their season.

MHS softball was also in action, taking on the Pine Lasses. The Lady Farmers dropped the first game on Friday by a score of 29-20, but came back strong for Saturday’s rematch.…

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