Molokai, Hawaii

Hello, it’s nice to greet you, I’m Yael Yancelson and it will be a pleasure to take this delicious tour with you, so close your eyes if possible, breathe, relax, give me your hand and let’s travel together with the power of imagination to Hawaii, let’s begin! We arrive at Molokai, which is the fifth largest island in Hawaii, it is only 61 kilometers long and 16 kilometers at its widest point, we see the highest sea cliffs and the impressive reefs.Here definitely Hawaii’s past comes to life, as Molokai maintains the authenticity of the island’s roots, as a large percentage of its population has native Hawaiian ancestors, and they continue to preserve their rural lifestyle thanks to their love for the land.We’re going to try the macadamia nuts, mmmm fresh off the branches here at Purdy’s Macadamia Nut Farm and head south to Kaunakakai to climb to the highest point which is the church steeple. We can take a boat and live a fishing or boating adventure from the port of Kaunakakai, tour the longest pier in the state and we can not miss the Hawaiian fish ponds, used for aquaculture in the 13th century, these historic fish ponds they are located on the south shore, between Kaukakai and Mile Marker 13. One of the greatest engineering innovations of the Hawaiian people was their use of aquaculture, in stone and coral ponds. Molokai has several of these well-preserved ponds. They are found along the southern coast and most were built more than 700 to 800 years ago.The semicircular walls of the ponds are built with blocks of lava and coral stone that allowed seawater to flow in and out. The ponds had wooden gates that allowed small fish to enter to a haven where they could live and eat, and as they grew, the fish grew too large to walk out the gate again. The Hawaiians then harvested them responsibly and sustainably. At this time, only royal Hawaiian alii (chiefs) were allowed to eat the fish they harvested from these ponds. You will see that the widest examples of his ingenuity stretched 30 kilometers from the southern and southeastern coast of Molokai, where there were once at least 60 ponds in use.About 400 meters from the Molokai Hotel is the Alii Pond, which used to be reserved for royalty. This historic site is easily accessible and a fine example of Molokai’s ponds. Continue along the Kamehameha V Highway, east of Kaukakai to see two ponds that have been designated historic attractions: Keawanui and Ualapue ponds.

The isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula is located along the north coast of Central Molokai, which is home to Kalaupapa National Historical Park. This special community was once home to Belgian missionary Saint Damian and later Saint Mariana Cope. In 1873, Father Damien chose to leave the “outside world” to care for the leprosy residents of Hawaii who were exiled to this isolated peninsula. After 16 years of faithful service, he too tragically succumbed to the disease and was laid to rest at the historic St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church in Kalaupapa, where you can visit his grave. In October 2009, Father Damien was canonized as a saint for his selfless dedication.A few months before Saint Damien’s death, a woman of extraordinary spirit came to Kalaupapa to continue her life’s work. Mother Mariana Cope had been the head of her religious order, a prominent hospital administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in New York, and oversaw several hospitals and nursing homes in Hawaii. At Father Damien’s request, she and her Franciscan sisters volunteered their lives to live in the exiled community, where they ran the Boys’ Home that San Damiano established and the Bishop Home for Girls.Mother Mariana was canonized as Saint Mariana Cope A bronze statue in her honor looks out over the ocean at Kewalo Basin Park in Honolulu.Today, the tranquil Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a place of preservation and education, accessible only via mule ride. If you are interested in supporting and learning more, visit: the Kalaupapa National Park pageWe are going to live a very fun experience at the Hoolehua Post Office, they tell us that it is customary to send home a coconut for free from the Post-a-Nut counter, something much more exciting than a postcard, and the truth would never have occurred to me! Who are you going to send a coconut to, hahaha?And for a bit of peace and quiet, we take a little getaway west of Molokai to some of Molokai’s largest and least crowded beaches, including Papohaku Beach with its long expanse of white sand and laid-back Kapukahehu Beach (also known as Dixie Maru Beach). , a perfect place to dive or watch a romantic Molokai sunset. The arid West End faces the Kaiwi Channel. This deceptive 66-kilometer stretch of Pacific Ocean is the setting for the annual canoe competition, I’ve never seen one, have you?What do you think if we visit the colonial town of Maunaloa, where we will find as we always like, unique shops- it is small and charming, don’t you think? look how cute!

And I know perfectly well that I am going to buy my children as a souvenir- a handmade kite and it is typical of this region, which one will we take?If we really want to appreciate incomparable landscapes like the remote corners of Molokai and its imposing coastal cliffs (the highest in the world), we must take an aerial tour, so don’t be afraid and let’s board this helicopter- what fun!!!! Look out and see- there is the sacred heiau temple, and the beautiful Mooula Falls.Upon landing we will go to the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, an ancient Hawaiian coconut grove planted in the 1860s during the reign of Kamehameha V. With hundreds of coconut palms, this is one of Molokai’s most recognized natural landmarks. obvious danger from falling coconuts. Wow this is the perfect setting to take a selfie, come! contemplate the spectacular view during sunset, can you appreciate the still waters that reflect the sky in such a way that you do not know where one ends and the other begins?Let’s quickly take an adventure hike to the classic and imposing East End Valley to see the Hawaii of yesteryear. Ancient Polynesians are believed to have settled in the lush Halawa Valley around 650 BC. With many hidden heiau (places of worship), it is easy to understand why this place, less than a kilometer wide, approximately five kilometers deep, and blessed with beautiful views and towering waterfalls, is one of the most important areas history on the island.

Now to rest, what do you think if we lie down on the Kaili and Kaiwili beaches, located in Halawa Bay on the east coast of Molokai, here we can also savor an Opihi, a small mollusk that lives only in this region and is usually served as a first course accompanied by fresh salad. It will be a good alternative to delve into the most authentic of Hawaiian cuisine.

And then, between so many walks full of adventure and interesting stories, I feel like eating something, don’t you? If you want, stay here and come with me to the kitchen by clicking the button below