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Molokai, the Most Hawaiian Island, is where the legends of Hawaii live on. There are no nightclubs or shopping centers, no high-rise buildings or bustling cities, no traffic or traffic lights - this island moves in harmony with the wind, the waves and the sky. The island is relatively small, only 38 miles long by 10 miles wide but filled with magnificent natural beauty and historical significance. Three of the other Hawaiian Islands can be seen from its shore: Oahu, Lanai, and Maui.

The eastern half of Molokai encompasses the Kamakou Nature Preserve which is a lush rainforest getting over 300 inches of rain each year. With so much precipitation, this island showcases some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state such as Haipuapua and Moa ula. Kamehameha V Highway (450) starts at Kaunakakai and traverses twenty-eight miles along the southern shoreline passing many "must see" sites such as the Kaunakakai Wharf, numerous ancient fish ponds, and several pristine beaches. This glorious drive ends in the beautiful Halawa Valley where the earliest Molokai settlement was established. Here the inviting Halawa Beach beckons visitors to rest, relax, swim and play in this remote slice of paradise.

The western end of Molokai is much drier. The arid red soil and windswept landscape is a stark contrast to the east. The highway that leads westward divides, going north to Kaula pu'u, the Macadamia Nut Farm, and the Kalapapa Lookout or west to the coast dotted with numerous sandy beaches.

One of the most famous, controversial and beautiful sites on Molokai is Kalaupapa. The Kalaupapa peninsula is actually a lava flow that stretches out into the Pacific and lies at the bottom of the highest sea cliffs in the world which soar 3,315 feet above the ocean. In 1865, this area was selected for its natural isolation and inaccessibility as a colony for quarantining victims of Hansen's Disease (leprosy). A Belgian Catholic priest, Father Damien, devoted his life to improve the lot of these unfortunate people who were isolated and forgotten by society. In 1969, a cure was finally found for Hansen's Disease and today there are no active cases. In 1980, the National Park Service dedicated the area as a National Historical Park to preserve the culture and setting of this settlement.

The island of Molokai appeals to the seeker in all of us - whether the search is for adventure or serenity, closeness or seclusion, this island of hospitality offers it all. Take the time to relax and enjoy the Aloha offered by this genuine Hawaiian paradise!