Molokai is an island lost in time. With almost no traffic and no building taller than a palm tree, this island has breathtaking natural beauty, rain forests or deserted beaches. The he friendly island as Locals refer it is a part of the hawaiian archipelago, is the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and is located in Maui County. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of 260 square miles. Molokai has a population of approximately 8000 people, half of them live in Kaunakakai, the largest town on the island.
Millions of years ago, two very active volcanoes (Kamakou and Maunaloa) emerge from the bottom of the ocean and create the Island of Molakai. About 1.5 million years ago he north side of the island eroded and now lies as a debris field scattered in the Pacific Ocean's bottom leaving behind the highest sea cliffs in the world.
Located in the center of Hawaii's 8 major islands. Hawaiians first came to live on Molokai about 650 A.D. Immigrating from the Marquesas,Tahiti and other areas in the South Pacific. According to local legends, around the 1500s, Lanikaula, a famous prophet was that pilgrims came from all the other Islands to ask him for his advice. The legend also talks about Laka, hula goddess, gave birth on Molokai to the hula dance.
Europeans first visited this island in 1786 when Captain George Dixon anchored off Molokai's coast. Molokaʻi is known as the long time residence of Father Damien de Veuster a Belgian priest who took care of sufferers of Leprosy or Hansen Disease. A skin disease that causes permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. The first leprosy case documented dates from 1848. Its rapid proliferation and the lack of a cure made the only remedy total isolation. Because the Pacific ocean surrounds Kalaupapa one side by and is cut from the rest of Island by sea cliffs, it provided the necessary environment.
In 1866, the first lepers were exile to Kalaupapa and live there in, caves, and shacks for 7 years before Father Damien arrived. Father Damien deVeuster, arrived when he was 33 years old in 1873. He was a Catholic priest and a missionary from Belgium. Father Damien did more than simply spreading the word of god: he built homes and coffins and became a parent to the lepers. On 1888, Damien contracted the disease, and after 16 years of selfless service, died in 1889. It was Damien's wish to be buried among his people at Kalawao. Finally, his wishes were respected.
In 1897, a group of businessmen founded the Molokai Ranch. For the next century, the island's economy and agriculture evolved thanks to the role played by the ranch. Today Molokai Ranch is about 53,000 acres which is about one third of the island but in May 2008, the Ranch closed operations due to a problem with the locals.
The Ranch wanted to built 200 multimillion dollar homes but opposition from the community arose and the plan had to be canceled, ceasing all its operations on Molokai including the Kaluakoi Golf Course , movie theater, and Lodges. This left about 120 Hawaiians unemployed
While planning your Molokai vacation is important for you to have some details figure out: hotels in Molokai (or any other Molokai accommodation), where and how much is the ferry to Molokai and some touristic activities you can do while in the island. There is a variety of hotels al Molokai island which go from cheap and O.K. To expensive and luxurious, so it depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for. Among the many hotels in Molokai we can mention the Sheraton Molokai lodge, Aqua Hotel, the Ku hale Mala and the Kumu'eli farms. Price rage goes from $80 to $400 per night depending on what you choose. There are also two camping sites. Although they have a maximum amount of days you can stay, camping sites are two good options to have a more raw experience. The ferry from Maui to Molokai departs at 7:15 am and it takes around 90 minutes to get there. We hope you enjoy you Molokai vacation!
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