Moloka?i
Molokai ( Molokai mostly German ), also known as The Friendly Iceland, is one of eight volcanic Hawaiian main islands. It is the only Hawaiian island that belongs to two counties, the Maui County and the small Kalawao County.
The island living from the cultivation of watermelon and seeds. Agriculture will continue to form the economic base.
On Molokai you will find the birthplace of Hulagöttin Laka, every year, the birth of hula on Molokai is celebrated on the third weekend in May. Molokai is often called the most Hawaiian island, formerly also " Forgotten Island " because it is sparsely populated, untouched for the most part and that have remained largely spared from mass tourism. The population tried to curb tourism and limited to the West Coast.
History
In 1795, King Kamehameha I. subjugated the island in a bloody battle. In later years, the islanders had to make in hard drudgery for the king, the sandalwood and then transported to the ships.
In 1866 the remote Kalaupapa peninsula was declared a quarantine station for lepers. This hard to reach from the rest of the island area later formed the Kalawao County. The Belgian missionary Father Damien de Veuster cared devotedly for the outcasts, until he himself died of leprosy in 1889. The missionary who was canonized in 2009, is still revered by the locals.
On the island, and the then 52 -year-old Polynesian Keanu died of a deadly leprosy infection by the German - English dermatologists Eduard Arning. Arning had Keanu infected on 28 September 1884 to provide evidence of contagion, which had him already succeeded in animal experiments, even in healthy people.
On May 22, 1889, the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson visited the leper colony and reported it in a letter to his wife.
By big grandma Kailiohe Kamaekua (1816-1931) from the island of Molokai descriptions were given from the everyday life of the ancient Hawaiians. She received at the time of the local prophetess Makaweliweli the honorary title Kiha Wahine Lulu o na moku ( " Blessed / Holy Woman - Keeper of the Islands ").
Port facilities and the ruins of a sugar cane factory evidence of recent history.
Tourism
A four-hour tour of the old leper colony shows the life and work of the famous missionary Father Damien de Veuster. On the south coast is the sea, caused by an offshore reef, very calm and shallow. On the East Coast, along Highway 450, you will find beautiful beaches, which are also suitable for snorkeling. The most beautiful beaches are located in the west of Molokai, among others are Kawakiu Beach and Papohaku Beach, but here are the waves and the flow is very strong. The running between Molokai and Oahu " Molokai Express" is one of the strongest ocean currents and is notorious for water sports. In the near Maunaloa, in the west of the island, a Molokai Ranch Wildlife Park Safari is offered in a park, are grown in the African and Far Eastern species. The Molokai Forest Reserve you can explore by foot or SUV and on the Main Forest Road leading eventually to the 1512 m high Mt Kamakou and the 1000 m high Waikolu Lookout. The Halawa Valley can be reached via Highway 450 A short trail leads through the green valley to the 75 m high Moaula Falls.