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Episode 4: On Molokaʻi, sovereignty starts with food

Hop on a nine-seater plane to Molokaʻi and you'll find miles of farmland and a tight-knit community. Often known as the “Friendly Isle,” Molokaʻi has had its fair share of land and food struggles — especially when the pandemic isolated families from crucial access to basic resources.

Molokaʻi was already known to be a small community before COVID-19 shut everything down. Only about 7,000 people live there, compared to nearly 1 million living on Oʻahu. The island has a few hotels and one general hospital.

Host Russell Subiono hopped on a small plane to Molokaʻi, where he met up with residents who have taken matters into their own hands. From starting their own farms to initiating nonprofits, the Molokaʻi mentality remains strong as the island community fights to keep their rights in check.

Listen and read the full story here.


This Is Our Hawaiʻi is produced by Hawaiʻi Public Radio, a member of the NPR Podcast Network, with support from PRX and is made possible in part by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

This podcast is hosted by Russell Subiono and produced by Savannah Harriman-Pote, with assistance from HPR staff: Ananddev BanerjeeTaylor Nāhulukeaokalani CozloffBill DormanSylvia FloresCasey HarlowSophia McCulloughLiberty PeraltaKrista RadosEmily Tom and Jason Ubay.

Mahalo to PRX's Mike Russo for his continued support. Logo design by Kristin Lipman.

This Is Our Hawaiʻi was made possible with financial support from HPR members. Consider making a contribution today.

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Russell Subiono is the executive producer of <i>The Conversation</i> and host of HPR's <i>This Is Our Hawaiʻi </i>podcast. Born in Honolulu and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, he’s spent the last decade working in local film, television and radio. Contact him at talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org.
Savannah Harriman-Pote is the energy and climate change reporter. She is also the lead producer of HPR's "This Is Our Hawaiʻi" podcast. Contact her at sharrimanpote@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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