Culture of Molokai. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

In Molokai, there are a lot of historic and natural attractions. One of the main sites is located in the eastern part of the island. This is the complex of two separate buildings named Damien's Churches. Catholic churches were founded at the initiative of Father Damien, a Belgian priest. In ancient times, the church served as a hospital for islanders. People affected by leprosy were taken here.

The construction has survived to this day in excellent condition. It is located in the center of National Historical Park Kalaupapa. The park is one of the significant attractions too. Walking here is an integral part of many sightseeing tours. Nature admirers will be impressed by the Halawa Valley. It stretches along the coast where you can admire a lot of different natural landscapes.

In the valley, there are deep caves, impregnable rocks, and plains that have a panoramic view of the sea coast. Also, there are several beaches that are very popular with fans of water activities. The most mysterious attraction of the island is Iliiliopae Heiau. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A few centuries ago, there was a big temple in the 13th century. It was a place where religious events took place. The old building has not managed to survive. Today, you can see only ruins at the site of the magnificent temple. Despite this, inquisitive tourists are still attracted by an opportunity to visit the venue for rites and ceremonies.

The capital of the island, Kaunakakai, can be considered as a single historic monument itself. The matter is that the city has not been almost changed in the last hundred years. Each construction in its territory is a precious architectural monument. Many travelers say that the capital resembles a typical town from films about the Wild West. In the western part of the island, there is another attractive city, Maunaloa, which is the center of crafts and arts. It is here that you can find multiple workshops, artists’ pavilions, and gift shops. Travelers visit them as if they are real museums. Here, tourists can even buy “exhibits”.

On the island, there are several farms. By visiting them, you can learn about islanders’ traditional crafts and gastronomic culture. One of such farms is a macadamia (or Queensland nut) farm named Purdy's Natural Macadamia Nuts. It is located near Hooleua. Here, you can learn about how the islanders cultivate macadamia. Tourists can also walk along the plantations.

The Molokai Plumeria Farm is located in the capital of Kaunakakai Island. As you can guess, plumeria (frangipani flower) is grown here. It is a real pleasure to admire it and breathe its scent. In total, there are about a thousand plants of various colors at the farm: white, yellow, blue, and pink. You should also walk in the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, or Kiowea Park, that was planted in the 1860s. Today, it is one of the symbols of the island. You can admire the best landmarks near Mauna Loa Highway. It has a fantastic view of age-old coconut palms. It is quite dangerous to walk in the grove because coconuts often fall.

Another picturesque place is Halawa Tropical Flower Farm with its incredibly beautiful flowers and delicious flavor. Also, on the farm, there is a bar where you can taste amazing tropical cocktails. In Kualapuʻu, there are Kumu Farms where healthy products are grown. Here, visitors can learn about the importance of healthy eating. On the island, there is a place where you can enjoy contemporary art. The Molokai Art From The Heart that is located in the capital of Molokai houses the small collection of pieces of contemporary art (paintings and sculptures).

Mauna Loa is famous for its ghost town Mauna Loa Museum & Cultural Park. Abandoned houses, a rusty fountain, an overgrown golf course, a swimming pool covered in ivy, fruit groves, once the picturesque embankment with small bungalows and a well-groomed path create contradictory feelings. Admirers of abandoned buildings and deserted places will be impressed by the hidden treasure of the Hawaii island. In Kualapuʻu, there is the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center. Here, you can learn about the locals’ lifestyle. It is a beautiful village where the ancestors of indigenous people have lived for centuries.

The ancient history is represented by the Ili'ili'opae Heiau. It is an altar, on which local priests sacrificed persons to gods. This place is still considered as the place of power. All the rites associated with sacrificing are now history. Today, islanders’ traditional creeds are combined with Christian customs and this is an intriguing and impressive combination. On the island, there are also two interesting churches: St. Joseph's Catholic Church in the capital and St. Philomena Church in Kalaupapa.