BY CLAY
LARROY
In
the world of traveling,
there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced
travelers alike. There are many websites, guides, books, videos, and other
resources available. By writing this blog I hope that I am providing valuable
information about wonderful vacation destinations. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
Molokai – “The Friendly Isle”
About Molokai
Imagine the Hawaii of the past.
Unspoiled country and untouched beaches. No skyscrapers or stoplights. The
chance to truly live as the locals do. That’s Molokai today.
Hawaii’s fifth-largest island, Molokai
is only 38 miles long and 10 miles across at its widest point. Molokai is home
to the highest sea cliffs in the world along its northeast coast (3,600-3,900
feet) and Hawaii’s longest continuous fringing reef (28 miles) off Molokai’s
southern coast. On foot, by bike or by 4-wheel drive, this is an island of
outdoor adventure. Take the road less traveled and get red dirt in your shoes whether
you’re hiking along the 1,700 foot cliffs leading to Kalaupapa
National Historical Park or discovering Papohaku Beach,
one of Hawaii’s biggest white sand beaches.
With a high
percentage of its population being of Native Hawaiian ancestry, Molokai is
place where Hawaiian culture thrives. The people of Molokai continue to
preserve their rural lifestyle thanks to their love of the land, or aloha aina,
and you can feel this aloha from small town Kaunakakai to sacred Halawa Valley. Hawaii’s past comes alive on Molokai.
Molokai History
With a high percentage of Molokai’s
population being of Native Hawaiian descent, it’s no wonder why Molokai is
sometimes known as “the most Hawaiian Island.” A visit here is like a journey
into Hawaii’s past, where historic spots can be discovered today, looking much
like they did hundreds of years ago.
One of the oldest known Hawaiian
settlements on Molokai was in Halawa Valley,
an area you can still explore today. Hawaiian Fishponds built
hundreds of years ago can still be seen along Molokai’s southern coast. Molokai
is also said to be the birthplace of the hula. Legends
speak of Laka, who practiced the hula at sacred Kaana near Maunaloa and
spread this knowledge to the other islands. Today, the Molokai Ka Hula Piko
festival held every May celebrates the art of the hula.
Western contact came to Molokai in the
early 1800’s by Christian missionaries. Kaluaaha Church was Molokai’s first
Christian church, originally built in 1833 (today's structure was rebuilt in
1844) on the southeast coast. In the late 1800’s, King Kamehameha V built
a vacation home in Kaunakakai.
Kamehameha also co-managed ranch lands and was responsible for the planting of
over 1,000 coconut trees in Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove.
But Molokai is probably most famous for Saint Damien and Saint Marianne's work
with Hansen’s disease sufferers at the current site of Kalaupapa National
Historical Park.
Today, the people of Molokai continue
to foster a strong connection to the land, a responsibility to perpetuate the
Hawaiian culture, and a love for country living that sets them apart from the
other Islands of Aloha.
Featured Sites and
Attractions
Take a guided hike
into this cathedral valley, blessed with beautiful vistas and towering
waterfalls, and see Hawaii back in time.
Molokai has many
well-preserved Hawaiian fishponds along 20 miles of its south shore, most built
700-800 years ago.
Take a memorable mule
ride from 1,700 feet to the seaside Kalaupapa National Historical Park, one of
the most remote settlements in Hawaii.
Located in
Kaunakakai, Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park is one of Molokai’s most recognizable
natural landmarks.
REFERENCE SITES:
For me, the magic of Hawaii
comes from the stillness, the sea, the stars.
Joanne Harris
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