Olivia Agtarap Pascual, a Lāna‘i High & Elementary School graduate of 1998, has charted a remarkable path in her health care career. After leaving Lāna‘i for four years to study in Colorado, then dedicating 13 years to med-surg nursing at Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu, the pull to return to Lāna‘i grew stronger.

The small grassy field for first and second graders, fronting the school cafeteria, echoed with the sounds of running, screaming and laughing. I joined in, racing aimlessly with my peers, our course around the area like a mapless cross-country marathon.

Amid a plethora of books, camera and self proclaimed “geek” gear, I sit on a comfortable couch across the room facing Anthony. He is sitting at his desk, a painting of Nosferatu under a tropical night sky prominently displayed behind him. He excitedly tells me about his ideas for the photo spread he would like to create for an article about his work with Sharmaine Elan, the student intern at Lāna‘i Today.

Jennifer Hera Pimentel, elementary vice principal for Lāna‘i High & Elementary School (LHES), has been honored as Hawai‘i’s Vice Principal of the Year. This prestigious award by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) acknowledges her contributions to integrating the educational environment with Lāna‘i’s community and cultural identity.

The spacious, yet modest sized church hosted a few attendees. Many of them were regulars to 7 a.m. Mass, each in their familiar pews. My dad and I were seated near the front left pews, where the choir is, both of our guitars laid on our laps perfectly, their smooth curves fitting like a jigsaw. The gleaming light from the small chandeliers filled every corner, leaving no shadows.

“Culture, it’s our identity, right? To understand others, first, we need to understand our own culture. When we see what’s compared and what’s different, that’s when appreciation happens. This is how we embrace diversity.” – Jerico Jaramillo, senior class of 2024 advisor.

Lāna‘i Air, operated by Western Aircraft, Inc., introduced the Cessna C-408 SkyCourier to its fleet, marking its inaugural flight on Friday, March 29. This twin-engine turboprop aircraft, accommodating up to 19 passengers, now facilitates scheduled flights as public charters between Lāna‘i and Honolulu, with departures at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. from Lāna‘i, and at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. from Honolulu. These flights complement the existing service and times provided by the Pilatus PC-12.

The impending closure of First Hawaiian Bank’s (FHB) Lāna‘i branch, slated for June 28, 2024, has raised significant concern within our community. Originating as Bank of Bishop and Co. in 1924, this institution has been a cornerstone of Lāna‘i’s financial landscape for nearly a century. With the planned closure, the island will be left with only Bank of Hawaii and Lāna‘i Federal Credit Union, marking a significant shift in our community’s banking landscape.

New April issue of Lanai Today now available!

There is a growing concern regarding the unsafe operation of e-bikes and e-scooters by children and adults not only on Lānaʻi but throughout Hawaiʻi, as the laws regulating these modes of transportation are not always adhered to.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $1.1 million in new earmark funding to help build a new adult day care center on Lānaʻi. The funding for Lānaʻi Kina‘ole will be used to construct the first ever adult day care facility on the island.

“I feel like, growing up here, we really gained a lot from what everybody in the community did. Now it’s our turn to contribute, to be a part of that cycle.”

Equipped with brand-new RFID technology, the Lāna‘i Public and School Library has made borrowing books faster and easier for library goers.

“Jo and the Gigalytes” performances are tentatively scheduled for the Pedro dela Cruz Gym at 7:00 p.m. on June 7 and 8, with a possible June 9 performance at 1:00 p.m.

As one of only three banking institutions on Lānaʻi, the closure of First Hawaiian Bank marks a significant change for our community.