TRIP TO MOLOKAI January 26, 2006

As part of my job, I had the chance to visit the neighbor island of Molokai. My travel schedule for the day allowed me a few precious hours to spare to see some of the sights on the "friendly island".

Beach in Molokai

Halawa Falls

Halawa Bay

Halawa valley is literally at the end of the road in east Molokai. The village that used to stand here was wiped out by the 1946 tsunami.

"Phallic Rock"

Phallic Rock gets its name for obvious reasons and naturally, it was a sacred site representing fertility for the native Hawaiians. This is on the north side of Molokai, about a five minute walk from the Kalaupapa overlook.

Views of Kalaupapa Peninsula from the overlook.

Kalaupapa Peninsula used to be where people with Hansen's disease (leprosy) were sent to live and die, away from the rest of the community. Father Damien became famous when he came here in the 1800's to care for the sick. Leprosy can now be treated and people with the disease are no longer banished to live apart from the rest of the community, although some people with Hansen's disease still live here and you still need a permit from the State Department of Health to visit. There are no roads leading to Kalaupapa. It is accessible only by boat, by small plane or by hiking 1300' down a narrow trail.

Aloha.