Molokai

Molokai is often called "The Friendly Island". The island is largely undeveloped and is far removed from the busier lifestyles of Honolulu and the Big Island. Many say that Molokai preserves the old-fashioned Hawaii. The island does not have a single stop light, a testament to the laid back rhythm of Molokai.

Molokai is famous for spectacular biking and hiking trails. Visiting the Hansen's disease colonies at Kalaupapa is a unique destination. The area is still settled and is only reachable by mule ride.

Molokai was first settled around 650 BC. The first immigrants to the island probably came from the Marquesas. Later waves of immigration came from Tahiti and other islands in the South Pacific.

The first European visitors came to the island in 1789 when Captain George Dixon anchored off the Molokai coast.

In 1832 a protestant mission was established on the island by Reverend Harvey Hitchcock.

In 1865, King Kamehameha V approved a law that quarantined lepers in Hawaii to settlements on the Kalaupapa penninsula. The settlements were poorly managed and fell into chaos. In 1875 Father Damien arrived in Kalaupapa to establish a church for the inhabitants. He restored order to the community and stayed at Kalaupapa until he died from leprosy in 1889. Father Damien was canonized on October 11, 2009, by Pope Benedict XVI.

Molokai is formed by two different volcanoes, East and West Molokai. It is the fifth largest of the 8 main Hawaiian islands and is located in the heart of the island group. It lies 245 miles east of Ohau, and directly north from Lanai.

The island is 260 square miles and is currently home to an estimated 8000 people. The largest settlement is the town of Kaunakakai.

Molokai has some of the worlds highest sea cliffs reaching up over 3000 feet on the north shore.