Hawaii, HI : Molokai Island

Molokai Island

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Molokai is Hawaii's fifth largest island. Roughly rectangular in shape, it is thirty-eight miles long and ten miles wide. Molokai was created from the union of two separate volcanoes that eventually formed two different islands. In the east, lava formed into high mountains which acted like a funnel. This funnel trapped clouds, caused heavy rainfall and stream erosion created valleys and a rain forest. In the west, lava from an eruption spilled into the channel that separated the two volcanoes and thus forming the Hoolehua Plains. This is how the birth of Molokai evolved. Hawaiian legend tells that the fire gods, who roamed the heavens as shooting stars, once landed on Molokai and inhabited a grove of trees. Later men who were unaware of the gods presence, cut down the trees and were poisoned after touching the wood. At last one of the gods revealed to a priest the secret of how to cut down the trees. For centuries the reputation of the Molokai priests was so fearsome, battling armies in Maui and Oahu left the small island alone.

In the 18th century, the king of Oahu, Peleioholani captured and ruled Molokai. He continued to rule the island until 1785 when disputing Maui and the Big Island took turns ruling for the next decade. In 1795 Kamehameha the Great invaded Molokai and quickly brought the land under his control. Later Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s and established themselves into the Hawaiian culture. After the king's death and the annexation of Hawaii by the United States, many businesses tried to develop a sugar plantation in central Molokai. In 1901 after complications with the sugar industry, honey production came and went as well as pineapple. Today a well known company owns one-third of the island and significant crops such as coffee, taro, macadamia nuts, sweet potatoes and seed corn are grown there.

Molokai is sparsely populated with a handful of towns. It is home to a large number of Hawaiian people than any of the main islands. The island is known for its quiet atmosphere and lack of tourist activities. The main activities most commonly seen are swimming and kayaking. The island is famed for its kayaking routes along the coast and across reefs and valleys. It is a word of caution to some areas due to rough waves and ocean swells. Hiking is popular, especially through the lush valleys, rugged cliffs and long beaches. There are many spectacular waterfalls to see along the way and rain forests to explore. There are few modern accommodations such as golf, tennis and bike riding.

It is said that there is always a perfect time of year to go to Molokai. The weather is consistently 75 degrees year round with rare rainfall. In mid January the island hosts a week long event called Ancient Hawaiian Games. Various native Hawaiian sports are played as well as a canoe fishing contest. Later in May the Molokai Ka Hula festival celebrates Molokai pride as the birth place of Hula. There are many other traditional Hawaiian events throughout the seasons. These opportunities provide visitors the rare chance to see Hawaii as it once was.

Kaunakakai
Molokai serves its reputation for being the most "Hawaiian like" island of all Hawaiian Islands. Travelers who venture here are not looking for high rise buildings, shopping malls or extreme entertainment. Situated in small clusters, there are few, small towns scattered on the land. The main village ...
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