Marvelous Molokai

Marvelous Molokai

Having never visited the island, Paul and I decided to visit Molokai (also called the Friendly Isle), located just west of Maui. It supports about 30 people per sq. mile, compared to the 161 people per sq. mile on Maui, and 1596 people per sq. mile on Oahu. Many regard it as the most authentically Hawaiian of all of the islands, other than Niihau. It is also well known for being the quarantine site of a leper colony (now called Hansen's disease), established in the 1860's, after leprosy was brought to the islands by sailors and workers. 

These photos show the steep pali of the north coast, then the Halawa valley - a lovely, verdant locale, twice wiped out by tsunamis, and lastly the east side of the Kalaupapa peninsula, home of the isolated leper colony; bordered by sheer 2000 ft. cliffs and only accessible by sea, back in the day.

Our first stop, the Molokai Museum and the Meyer family historic sugar mill

 Our Rental Car, ;)

Paul cracking a husked macadamia nut, the old fashioned way, while visiting Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm. Note the zillions of shells covering the ground. Tough to get to the nut, but quite tasty, even raw. 

 The Kalaupapa peninsula from an overlook, viewing the west side, location of the main village. The peninsula was once home to 1600 residents, and is now a U.S. National Historical Park.

Molokai is so laid back, it's high school team mascot is "The Farmers". One can only imagine the rousing cheers, songs and chants created to raise team spirit. 
GO FARMERS!!!

Molokai's residents have, for the most part resisted development, commercialization and most typical tourist attractions. There is only one real hotel on the island and no, nada, NONE stoplights.