Molokai Has A Distinct Shape

What do you think the shape of Moloka‘i resembles? 

Some say it looks like a wooden shoe, while others think the island resembles a fish. I think the fish one seems more plausible; wooden shoes were sooo yesterday's fashion.

If you get a chance to see Moloka‘i from outer space (or on Google Earth), then imagine that the head of the fish is facing east, its blunt tail faces west and a dorsal fin rises from the fish's back on the north shore. That dorsal fin is actually the Makanalua Peninsula, which juts into the Pacific and is placed below some of the highest sea cliffs in the world. 

This flat section of land is divided into three districts: Kalawao district (eastern edge), Kalaupapa (western edge) and Makanalua (center). Kalaupapa is where people with leprosy were forced to live in exile during the 1800s. They lived under the care of Father Damien de Veuster and Mother Marianne Cope. Both have since become Catholic saints.

Two distinct shield volcanoes make up the island of Moloka‘i; they're known as East Moloka‘i and West Moloka‘i. The highest point on the island is located in East Moloka‘i, standing at 4,970 feet tall. But the most distinct geographic feature of the island are perhaps those tall sea cliffs we often see in movies, like Jurassic Park III. They're the tallest in the world and are a result of a catastrophic collapse millions of years ago.

Whether the shape of a shoe or a fish, Moloka‘i will always remain the friendliest of the Hawaiian Islands. I can't wait to one day be able to visit this magical place.

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Molokai

December 25th, 2012