Molokai (also Molokai) is the fifth largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. The island is 38 by 10 miles (61 by 16 km), with a land area of 260.02 sq mi (673.44 km²). It lies east of Oahu across the 25 mile (40 km) wide, Ka-iwi Channel and north of Lānai, separated from it by the Kalohi Channel. The lights of Honolulu are visible at night from the west end of Molokai, while nearby Lānai and Maui are clearly visible from anywhere along the south shore of the Island.

Geography

Molokai is built from two distinct volcanoes known as East Molokai and the much smaller West Molokai. The highest point is Kamakou on East Molokai, at 4,970 feet (1,515 m). East Molokai volcano, like Koolau on Oahu is today only what remains standing of the southern half of the original mountain. The northern half suffered a catastrophic collapse and now lies as a debris field scattered northward across the Pacific Ocean bottom. The south shore of Molokai boasts the longest fringing reef of the US and its holdings -- nearly 40 km long.

Molokai is part of the State of Hawaii and located in Maui County, except for the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is separately administered as Kalawao County. Maui County encompasses Maui, Lānai, and Kahoolawe in addition to Molokai. The only town of any size on the island is Kaunakakai, which is one of two small ports on the island. The main street of downtown Kaunakakai is roughly two blocks long. The airport is located on West Molokai. The United States Census Bureau divides the island into three census tracts: Census Tract 317 and Census Tract 318 of Maui County, Hawaii, and Census Tract 319 of Kalawao County, Hawaii. The total 2000 census population of these was 7,404, living on a land area of 673.44 km² (260.02 sq mi). Census Tracts 317 and 318, Maui County; and Census Tract 319, Kalawao County United States Census Bureau

Molokai is separated from Oahu on the west by the Kaiwi channel, from Maui on the southeast by the Pailolo channel, and from Lanai on the south by the Kalohi channel.

Culture

Molokai is known as the "Friendly Isle" and is one of the least developed of the main Hawaiian islands.

The island's population is diverse, with a high percentage of people of Hawaiian ancestry. Molokai is noted for the numerous Hawaiian fish ponds along its south shore. Some of these have been restored in recent years. Molokai is also the oldest site for sufferers of leprosy in the United States (the leper colony at Kalaupapa), which became widely known through the work of Father Damien.

There are several small hotels in Kaunakakai and a resort located on the west end. Pāpōhaku Beach on the western-facing shore is one of the largest and most spectacular beaches in the Hawaiian Islands.

The population of Molokai today ranges between 6,000 to 8,000 depending on the season. In the winter, the population balloons with snowbirds from all over the world.

External links

• Official Visitors Association website
• Molokai's Daily Newspaper

References