Molokai (also Molokai) is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles (61 by 16 km) in size with a land area of 260.0 square miles (673.4 kmē), making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States.^[1] It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile (40 km) wide Kaiwi Channel and north of L?nai, separated from it by the Kalohi Channel. The lights of Honolulu are visible at night from the west end of Molokai, while nearby L?nai and Maui are clearly visible from anywhere along the south shore of the Island.

Historically, a small north shore colony on Molokai Island, Kalaupapa, was a refuge for sufferers of Hansen's Disease, also known as leprosy. Hansen's Disease is a bacteria-caused ailment which has been cured since the 1940s with the use of modern antibiotics. There are no active cases of Hansen's Disease on Molokai Island. Those who continue to live in the Kalaupapa colony are descendant families of the previously afflicted disease patients.^[2]

National Geographic Traveler magazine and National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations conduct annual Destination Scorecard surveys, aided by George Washington University. A panel of 522 experts in sustainable tourism and destination stewardship are consulted to review such conditions on 111 selected human-inhabited islands and archipelagos around the world. Molokai Island is ranked # 10 among the 111 island destinations of the world according to all of the survey factors assessed by the panel. The survey cited Molokai Island's pristine breathtaking tropical landscape, environmental stewardship, rich and deep Hawaiian traditions (the island's mana), and visitor-friendly culture. The nearest top ranking neighbor islands, Hawaii (the Big Island), Kauai, Maui and Oahu, ranked #s 50, 61, 81 and 104, respectively. For comparison, the island of Tahiti ranked # 57. ^[3]

Geography

Molokai as seen from Kaanapali, Maui

The mouth of Halawa Valley, located at the extreme east end of Molokai

Molokai is separated from Oahu on the west by the Kaiwi Channel, from Maui on the southeast by the Pailolo channel, and from L?nai on the south by the Kalohi Channel.

Aerial view of Kalaupapa Peninsula.

Ecology

Molokai is split into two main geographical areas. The low western half is very dry and the soil is heavily denuded due to grazing by goats and poor land management practices. It lacks much ground cover and virtually the entire section is covered in non-native Kiawe trees. One of the few natural areas remaining almost intact are the coastal dunes of Mo'omomi, which are a Nature Conservancy preserve.

The eastern half of the island is a high plateau rising up to an elevation of on Kamakou peak. The eastern half is covered with lush rainforest that get over of rain per year. The high elevation forests are primarily native '?hi'a lehua trees and an extremely diverse endemic flora and fauna in the understory. Much of the summit area is protected by the Nature Conservancy's Kamakou and Pelekunu valley preserves. Below , the vegetation changes into a primarily exotic flora of guava, eucalyptus, and cypress. Introduced axis deer and wild pigs roam the native forests, destroying native plants, expanding exotic plants through disturbance and distribution of their seeds, and threatening endemic insects. Near the summit area there is the unique Pepeopae bog, where miniature ohias and other plants coat the soggy ground.

Molokai is home to a great number of endemic plant and animal species. However, many of its species, including the Oloma'o, Molokai Creeper, and the Moloka?i ???? have become extinct. Molokai also has a wingless fly among many endemic insects.

Culture

Sign greeting visitors to Molokai at exit to Molokai Airport.

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. P?p?haku 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 seasonal tourism on the island.

Kirby Wright based his novel Moloka'i Nui Ahina on the life and times of his paniolo (cowboy) grandmother who lived on the east end of the island.

Politics

There have been numerous attempts on Molokai to stop development of hotels and other tourist attractions. The Molokai Ranch, the island's largest employer, was opposed by community members in its attempt to expand, and decided on March 24, 2008, to shut all operations, resulting in a layoff of 120 workers. Molokai has the highest unemployment in all of Hawaii.

Towns and villages

• Kaunakakai
• Kawela Beach, Southcentral Coastline
• Kualapuu
• Maunaloa
• Kalaupapa
• Alii Aimoku of Molokai

References

External links

• Official Moloka?i Visitors Association website
• The Moloka?i Dispatch print and electronic newspaper.
• The Moloka?i Times weekly community newspaper
• "Where Tradition Holds Sway" Article about traditional hula halau on Molokai. Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine Vol. 11 No.2 (March 2007).
• On the Rocks article about the Hawaiian limpets, a traditional delicacy known locally as ?opihi.

ca:Molokai cs:Molokai de:Moloka?i et:Molokai es:Molokai fa:??????? fr:Molokai gl:Molokai - Moloka'i haw:Moloka?i id:Moloka'i lt:Molokai nl:Molokai ja:????? no:Molokai pl:Molokai pt:Molokai ru:??????? simple:Moloka'i fi:Molokai sv:Molokai uk:???????