Molokai History

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With a high percentage of Molokai’s population being of Native Hawaiian descent, it’s no wonder why Molokai is sometimes known as “the most Hawaiian Island.” A visit here is like a journey into Hawaii’s past, where historic spots can be discovered today, looking much like they did hundreds of years ago.

One of the oldest known Hawaiian settlements on Molokai was in Halawa Valley, an area you can still explore today. Hawaiian Fishponds built hundreds of years ago can still be seen along Molokai’s southern coast. Molokai is also said to be the birthplace of the hula. Legends speak of Laka, who practiced the hula at sacred Kaana near Maunaloa and spread this knowledge to the other islands. Today, the Molokai Ka Hula Piko festival held every May at Papohaku Beach Park celebrates the art of the hula.

Western contact came to Molokai in the early 1800’s by Christian missionaries. Kaluaaha Church was Molokai’s first Christian church, built in 1835 on the southeast coast. In the late 1800’s, King Kamehameha V built a vacation home in Kaunakakai. Kamehameha also co-managed ranch lands and was responsible for the planting of over 1,000 coconut trees in Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove. But Molokai is probably most famous for Saint Damien’s work with Hansen’s disease sufferers at the current site of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

Today, the people of Molokai continue to foster a strong connection to the land, a responsibility to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture, and a love for country living that sets them apart from the other Islands of Aloha.

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