May 21st, 2010
Exploring Molokai
When people think of visiting the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai is not often the first island on the list. While the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai are the more typical tourist hot spots, Molokai is the most authentic, natural Hawaii. Almost half the states native Hawaiians live on the island as a result of the 1920′s Hawaiian Homestead Act . With agriculture being the primary industry on the island, they were hit hard when the Dole and Del Monte fruit operations closed in the 1980′s; however, it is still a beautiful island with much to offer it’s visitors.
Molokai is unique from the other islands in that most of the large hotel chains do not have locations on the island. Most Molokai hotels are individually and privately owned. Although, they tend to be a little more expensive, it is worth it for the more personal and individualized attention you receive.
History buffs will love exploring the island of Molokai because of its rich and unique history. It takes some work getting there but Halawa features ruins of Hawaiian structures and burial grounds that are the result of a tsunami that swept across the island in the 1940′s. The surrounding area is dense tropical vegetation but it is a truly remarkable sight. Kalaupapa National Historical Park is also an interesting sight to see. It is the site of a former leprosy colony that ran through the 1930′s.
But before you get too caught up in history, don’t forget that you are on vacation in Hawaii. So don’t miss Papohaku Beach Park — a nice place for the family to sit back and relax; as well as the Molokai Lighthouse.
So the next time you are planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, before you jump to the usual tourist spots consider looking into Molokai vacation packages . It may be a small island but it has a lot of exciting new experiences to offer its guests.
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