Molokai - "The Friendly Isle"

Molokai, fifth in size, has remained isolated from the dramatic changes of society. The population mainly consists of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The island retains a local lifestyle and ambiance that is disappearing elsewhere in the state. Molokai was formed from the coalescence of three separate volcanoes. Like the other islands, Molokai is composed of great environmental diversity from eroded mountains on the north coast to sea cliffs that rise to more than 3,000 feet.

Molokai Points of Interest

FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH - near Kamalo, this tiny church was the first Catholic Church built on Molokai
except for Father Damien's mission at Kalaupapa.
HALAWA VALLEY - onetime center of population, this beautiful valley is the locale of ancient heiau and two plunging waterfalls, Moaula Falls and Hipuapua Falls.
ILIILIOPAE HEIAU - on National Register of Historic Places, one of the largest heiau in Hawaii, it is 320 feet long and 120 feet wide and was a site of human sacrifice. It is on private land and may be visited with permission.

 



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KALAUPAPA - one of the most isolated and beautiful communities in the world where Father Damien once ministered, Kalaupapa is now designated a National historical Park. Access is by air or mule train down a 1,600-foot switchback trail.
KAMAKOU - at 4,790 feet, the highest elevation on the island of Molokai. Site of the Nature Conservancy's 2,700-acre Kamakou Preserve with rare plants and birds.
KAPUAIWA GROVE - planted in the 1860's by KAPUAIWA GROVE - planted in the 1860's by Kamehameha V, this grove has more than 1,000 coconut trees covering 10 acres of land near Kaunakakai.
KAWELA CITY OF REFUGE - 200 feet up a ridge seperating two gultches, there are Menehune walls and salt vats from the reign of Kamehameha V in the area.
MAUNALOA - former Dole plantation town with quaint buildings and shops selling works by Molokai artists and craftsmen.
MOLOKAI MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER - home of the R.W. Meyers Sugar Mill built in 1878 by Meyer at his Kalae home site.
MOANUI SUGAR MILL - ruins of an old sugar mill which operated from 1870 to 1900 can still be seen on the road to Halawa Valley.
ONE ALII PARK - country beach park equipped with restroom facilities, outdoor shower, grills and picnic tables. One of only two parks on Molokai where camping is permitted.
PALAAU PARK - a state park overlooking Kalaupapa Peninsula, Palaau has well-equipped picnic grounds and winding trails. Here, too, is the phallic rock.
PUKUHIWA BATTLEGROUND -canoes lined the shore for four miles during a major battle in Kamehameha I's campaign to unite all the islands under one rule. Piles of sling stones from the battle can still be found in this area.
SMITH & BRONTE LANDING - a plaque marks the spot where two pioneer aviators on the first commercial trans-Pacific flight made an emergency landing in 1927.

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