SITES: SACRED & HISTORICAL
(See also Museums / Galleries)

• View the heiau from the exterior. Please do not climb on or over the rock walls. The stacked roof is unstable and may collapse.
• It is unlawful to take, excavate, destroy, or alter any historic site on state land. Any person who violates this law is subject to a fine of $10,000 (HRS Chapter 6E-11)
• Wrapping a rock in a ti leaf is not a traditional offering. This damages the plants and the integrity of the heiau structure.
• Offerings of coins, candles, incense and similar items cause long-term damage.

The historic sites of Hawaii are unique resources that are fragile and cannot be replaced. Please help us protect Hawaii's past for the future.

HALAWA VALLEY
Located about 27 miles from Kaunakakai, at the end of the road (Highway 450) at the northeast tip of the island.
(East Molokai)
A lush valley that once supported a large population that grew taro in the numerous wetland fields fed by the valley's streams. Many are now being restored. The locale of ancient heiaus, two plunging waterfalls, and a beach park where the valley meets the sea.

ILIILIOPAE HEIAU
Located16 miles east of Kaunakakai on Hwy. 450
(East Molokai)
On the National Register of Historic Places, the Iliiliopae Heiau is the second largest heiau (Hawaiian temple) in Hawaii, after Piilanihale on Maui. The heiau is 320 feet long and 120 feet wide and was a site of human sacrifice. It is a well-preserved example of Hawaii's ancient outdoor shrines - a learning center where kahuna (Hawaiian priests) from other islands were tutored. The heiau is on private land and may be visited with permission.

KAIAKA ROCK
(West Molokai)
This rocky headland immediately south of the Kaluakoi Hotel was once the location of a heiau where kahuna (Hawaiian priests) studied navigation. Later, the pineapple companies had a cable landing here, the cement foundations of which are still visible. An ancient village around the slopes has been largely lost due to the golf course. Great place for watching sunsets.

KALAUPAPA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
P. O. Box 2222
Kalaupapa, HI 96742
(Central Molokai, North Shore)
Tel. (808) 567-6802
The park contains the Kalaupapa Peninsula, site of the historic Hansen's Disease (leprosy) settlements of Kalaupapa and Kalawao, adjacent cliffs and valleys, and submerged lands and waters out to 1/4 mile from shore. Spectacular north shore sea cliffs, narrow valleys, a volcanic crater, rain forest, lava tubes and caves, and off-shore islands and waters are in the park. Several of these areas provide rare native habitat for threatened or endangered Hawaiian plants and animals. There are 8,725 acres of land and 2,000 acres of water within the park's authorized boundary. Hawaiian people inhabited the peninsula and valleys for hundreds of years prior to the establishment of the first isolation settlement at Kalawao in 1866. Evidence of this occupation is relatively undisturbed and represents one of the richest archaeological preserves in Hawaii. Listed below are other sites of interest in the park and park access requirements. For more information, please visit the park's Web site.

• The Molokai Lighthouse, the tallest U.S. lighthouse in the Pacific Ocean, stands on the northern tip of the peninsula. Built in 1909, its 138-foot concrete tower remains unchanged since its construction and is one of the few original lighthouse structures still in use in Hawaii.
• The Park Visitor Center has interpretive materials and artifact display cases. Wayside exhibits on the peninsula's people, history and archaeology are located throughout the park.
• The two churches: Siloama, established in 1866, and Saint Philomena associated with the work of Father Damien (Joseph De Veuster). Both are located in Kalawao on the windward side of the peninsula.
• The Puu Uao Lookout which offers a view of the Kauhako Crater claimed by limnologists to be one of the most peculiar lakes in the world. The surface of the lake is very near sea level and the bottom is over 800 feet deep - the fourth deepest lake in the United States. Its deep columnar tube, layered with fresh, brackish, and salt water, is home to two species of native shrimp.

• There are three types of visitation at the park: those who view the peninsula from the overlook at Palaau State Park, visitors who tour historic Kalaupapa and Kalawao through a commercial tour, and guests of residents.
• There is no vehicular access to the Kalaupapa Peninsula. It is surrounded on 3 sides by ocean and on a 4th side by a steep cliff (pali).
• There is a trail from topside Molokai down the cliffs but the trail has a 1,700 feet elevation, is 3 miles long and has 26 switchbacks resulting in a steep climb back! Most accidents that occur are slips and falls while hiking down the trail. During the wet season (usually in winter), the trail can be very wet and slippery. The trail is accessed off Hwy. 470 near Palaau State Park and the Kalaupapa overlook.
• The park can be reached by air through commercial and charter flights from Honolulu, Oahu, from Maui, and from Hoolehua, Molokai. Some visitors arrive by private boats. Others hike the steep Kalaupapa trail or arrange for a mule ride tour through the Park Concessionaire Molokai Mule Rides, Inc. Damien Tours, owned and operated by a Kalaupapa resident, offers the commercial tour of Kalaupapa.
• The administration of the Hansen's disease settlement and control of public access into the area are still under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Health. All visitors to the park must receive a permit from the Department of Health to enter the Kalaupapa settlement. The commercial tour company arranges the permit for their customers. Guests of residents have their permits arranged by their sponsor.
• No children under age 16 are allowed on Kalaupapa.

• The Moomomi Preserve (921 acres) is a last stronghold of a major Hawaiian coastal ecosystem, a holdover from an ancient era. The ancient Hawaiians lived seasonally at Moomomi as early as the 11th century and spent the summer months at Moomomi catching and drying fish to see them through winters too rough for fishing. Basalt chips still remain along the beaches, evidence of adze tool making from a nearby outcrop of exceptionally dense basalt. Today, local residents still rely on the area for gathering fish, seaweed, sea salt, and other resources.
• Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers lead a monthly hike through this beach dune preserve. Hike leaders will pick you up at the Molokai airport at 8:30 am, serve as interpretive guides throughout the hike, and return you to the airport by 3:30 pm. Advance reservations and a deposit are required. Space is limited. Please call the Molokai office for more information at 808-553-5236 or visit their Web site.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS CHURCH
Located at Kaluaaha on Highway 450.
(East Molokai)
A reconstruction of a church built by Father Damien in 1874. The church is located on the exact same spot as the original and utilizes some of the original corner stones placed by Father Damien. Contains beautiful pen and ink drawings of the Stations of the Cross imported from Holland.

SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH
Located east from Kaunakakai on Hwy. 450 at Kamalo - near Mile Marker 10
(East Molokai)
Built in 1876 by Father Damien - outside is a black metal sculpture of Damien, the saintly Belgian priest. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

SILOAMA CHURCH
Located at Kalawao on the windward side of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.
(Central Molokai)
The first church established for persons with Hansen's Disease (leprosy) on Kalaupapa - the Protestant "Church of the Healing Spring" (1866). The present church, third on the site, was most recently renovated in 1966.

SMITH & BRONTE LANDING
Located 12 miles east of Kaunakakai on Hwy. 450
(East Molokai)
A plaque marks the spot where two pioneer aviators on the first commercial Trans-Pacific flight made an emergency landing in 1927.

ST. PHILOMENA'S CHURCH
Located at Kalawao on the windward side of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.
(Central Molokai)
Assembled in Honolulu in 1872 and transported to Kalaupapa before Father Damien's arrival. Father Damien expanded the church and it is often referred to as "Father Damien's Church". It is said that the revered priest installed cup-like spittoons in the floor so that Hansen's Disease patients with congested lungs could attend services indoors.