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Meet Hawaii’s Best Bagger

Thursday, July 23rd, 2026

Meet Hawaii’s Best Bagger

By Dayanti Karunaratne  Editor

The grocery store checkout can be a chaotic place as shoppers fumble with wallets and make sure they got everything on their list — let alone having to bag. Luckily, there are people like Austin Kaalekahi who feel at ease bagging groceries — so much so, that he’s been recently crowned state champion.

 

Kaalekahi, who only started working at Friendly Market Center in March, became the state champion of bagging groceries at a June competition on Oahu.

“Oahu was totally different,” Kaalekahi said. “Packing in front of a lot of people, packing right beside someone else — it was crazy.”…

What’s Next for Kalaupapa?

Thursday, July 23rd, 2026

What’s Next for Kalaupapa?

By Dayanti Karunaratne | Editor

 

The National Park Service tours to the Kalaupapa Peninsula are now on hold, but there is still much work to be done in order to clarify a vision for the area. After all, before it was a colony for people with Hansen’s Disease, it was a community with farms and families. The area has been managed by a long list of agencies for years, but there are few patients remaining, and that means changes are coming. So, what’s next for Kalaupapa?

Following the launch of the tours on July 9, and the announcement the following day that they would be paused, U.S.…

Latest News

Pālāʻau State Wayside Park Reopens

Thursday, July 23rd, 2026

DLNR News Release

The DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) is pleased to announce the reopening of Pālāʻau State Wayside Park on Molokai. The park reopened July 10 following the completion of several improvement projects designed to heighten the visitor experience and preserve one of Molokai’s most treasured places.
Over the past several months the park has undergone significant upgrades, including the renovation of the park pavilion, improvements to the water system, upgrades to the camping area comfort station and enhancements to the designated tent camping area. These projects reflect DLNR’s continued commitment to investing in Hawaii’s State Parks by providing safe, functional and welcoming facilities while protecting the natural and cultural resources that make each park unique.…

Guzeiji Soto Mission Announces Changes to 2026 Obon Observance

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

Guzeiji Soto Mission Announces Changes to 2026 Obon Observance

 

Guzeiji Soto Mission News Release

Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokaʻi has announced that its annual Obon observance will take on a quieter and more reflective format this year. 

While the temple remains deeply committed to honoring departed loved ones through its

traditional Obon and Hatsubon memorial services, the temple will not be hosting its Bon Odori (dance) celebration or its chicken hekka plate fundraiser this summer.

The temple welcomes all who wish to participate in the Obon memorial services on July 25,

A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Kapa’akea Cemetery Service at Sangai Banrei monument, which serves as a memorial not only for our own ancestors and loved ones, but also for all departed souls-known and unknown, remembered and forgotten.…

OHA Seeks Nonprofit Partners for Mālama Honua Grant 

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

OHA News Release


The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is seeking qualified Hawaii nonprofit organizations to administer its FY27 Mālama Honua Home Improvement/Renovation Program Grant for Nonprofits (FY27 Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits), a home repair initiative designed to help Native Hawaiian families remain safely housed by addressing critical health and safety needs in owner-occupied homes. 

The FY27 grant solicitation opens July 6, 2026, for eligible Hawaiʻi nonprofit organizations. 

The FY27 program builds upon OHA’s commitment to increasing housing stability for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries through partnerships with trusted community organizations. To distinguish this initiative from OHA’s separate Mālama Honua Disaster Fund, the program is now formally identified as the Mālama Honua Grant for Nonprofits. …

Hoʻāhu Energy Completes Nanogrid Project

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

Hoʻāhu Energy Completes Nanogrid Project

Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi News Release

Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi is proud to announce completion of Phase 1 of its Nanogrid Project, a community-led initiative that brings renewable energy and battery storage to off-grid households while advancing energy sovereignty, resilience and environmental justice across Molokai. 

The project provides 14 qualified off-grid ʻohana with community-designed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems paired with battery energy storage. By delivering reliable clean electricity, the initiative reduces dependence on fossil fuels, lowers household energy costs and improves quality of life for families facing some of the island’s greatest energy challenges. 

“Our vision is to ensure that every family has access to reliable, affordable and resilient energy,” Projects Coordinator Leilani Chow of Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi said. …

Catching Up With High Watah

Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

Catching Up With High Watah

By Dayanti Karunaratne | Editor

 

There’s something kind of perfect about celebrating the Fourth of July in one of the biggest shopping centers in America. This year, along with the mall’s offerings of Americana — snacks, deals and loud urban culture — the Ala Moana Center also presented a bit of Molokai in its long weekend lineup: a free concert by High Watah.

Since moving to Oahu a couple of years ago, the island reggae band has been performing concerts in Hawaii, California and Las Vegas. Most recently they opened a new concert and event venue in downtown Honolulu. With their producers and distributors located in New Zealand, the band is gaining a following there, too.…

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