Trip to Molokai
February 2007
We had the pleasure of visiting the neighbor island of Molokai. Located between Maui and Oahu, the island known as "The Friendly Isle" and "The Most Hawaiian Isle" has some of the most breathtaking views we have seen in Hawaii. Many of the 7,000 people who call it "home" are proud of their laid-back, rural way of living and want to make sure that Molokai remains that way.
No shopping mall here. No fast food either, except for a lone Subway restaurant which, as we saw in the local paper, was up for sale. The airport has two gates and only one is in use. The runway just big enough to take twin engine turboprop planes. No jetway either; just walk down the tarmac to board your plane. The main town of Kaunakakai is just a couple of blocks long, with "ma and pa" supermarkets, general stores and a bakery. No traffic lights are to be found on the island. Late at night, locals gather in the dark alley behind the bakery, where fresh Molokai bread is sold. Want to go out to see a movie? Then you have to go to Mauna Loa, 12 miles west of Kaunakakai, where the local movie house offers three screens for your enjoyment.
The island is so small that two days are enough to enjoy it. From Halawa Valley on the east to Kaulakoi on the west, and Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north, Molokai has a lot of great sights to offer.
Here are some of the photos we took on our trip.
Halawa Valley
At the Kalaupapa Overlook, Molokai
In this isolated 4.5 square mile peninsula sits the village of Kalaupapa. This is where patients suffering from leprosy (Hansen's Disease) were brought to be isolated from the rest of the world. At first they were merely abandoned to survive however they could. It is here where Father Damien came in the late 1800's to help build a community, care for the sick and minister to them. There are no roads going to Kalaupapa. The village is accessible only by boat, small plane or by hiking down a 1,500 high cliff and you need a government permit to visit.
Today, Hansen's Disease is easily treated and it is one of the least contagious diseases known. The official isolation policy was repealed in 1969 and patients are free to go wherever they want. However, for the few patients who still live there, Kalaupapa has been their home all their lives, so they decided to stay. Kalaupapa is now a National Historic Park. There is more information at http://www.nps.gov/kala/
Phallic Rock
This is near the Kalaupapa Overlook
The site is considered sacred by the Hawaiians, representing fertility.
Enjoying some geocaching near the Phallic Rock
Sunset at Kaulakoi, Molokai
Busted toes.
I slipped on some lava rocks and really busted my right foot toes.
Lost two toe nails and left some other skin on the rocks. Ouch!
A beach on the west side of Molokai
Gwen at the beach. Molokai
This is in Honolulu, at the rooftop of a building right by the H1 Freeway. We were there to attend the first birthday party of baby Jaden, whose father used to work with Gwen at UH.
This is in Honolulu, at the rooftop of a building right by the H1 Freeway. We were there to attend the first birthday party of baby Jaden, whose father used to work with Gwen at UH.
Gwen with Baby Jaden, who was celebrating his first birthday
Gwen with our friends Jingru (Jaden's mom) and Kathrin
We also saw our friends Leyla and Andy. We went to the Bishop Museum.
At the Bishop Museum
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