Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 1 – our helicopter’s approach to the island of Molokai was from the southeast (from the west end of Maui)
We continued our flight with the Maverick Helicopter Chief Pilot, Jake, flying four of us for several hours on a three-island tour – Maui, Molokai and Lanai. As noted previously, Maui is the second most populated Hawaiian Island and is affectionately known as the “Valley Isle” due to the great valley that lies between its two major volcanoes, Haleakala and Mauna Kahalawai.
Molokai – the “Friendly Island” and known as the most Hawaiian island — to the northwest of Maui, is “Hawaii’s fifth largest island — only 38 miles long and 10 miles across at its widest point. [It] is home to the highest sea cliffs in the world and the longest continuous fringing reef. Molokaʻi remains true to its island roots, with a high percentage of its population (of about 7,000) being of Native Hawaiian ancestry who continue to preserve their rural lifestyle thanks to their love of the land.” – www.gohawaii.com On the island’s northern Kalaupapa Peninsula is a steep path leading to Kalaupapa National Historical Park, an isolated former leper colony below towering cliffs.
Lainai, historically known as the pineapple island (because Dole owned the island and had a huge pineapple plantation – fields — there), is 98% privately owned today by the American technology leader (and the world’s 4th richest person), Larry Ellison. Today it is mainly known for its hilltop and seaside Four Seasons Hotels, with 2,000 of the island’s 3,000 population working for Ellison. Lanai is the sixth largest of the Hawaiian Islands and the smallest publicly accessible inhabited island in the archipelago.
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 2 – a meadow (it almost looks like it could be part of a golf course) and hills on a parcel near the Molokai Forest Reserve that is privately owned (we saw the owners’ home nearby)Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 3 – sheer cliffs, about 3,500 feet [1,067 meters] vertical, on the north shore of Molokai were formed when, millions of years ago, a large portion of the northern part of the island broke off and fell into the ocean; these are the highest sea cliffs in the world
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 4 – a lush valley in the Molokai Forest Reserve
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 5 – ridges and valleys on Molokai, looking to the eastern shore (with Maui in the distance [not pictured])
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 6 – centuries ago, the native Hawaiians built the visible barriers to create fishponds so that strong waves would wash over the top of the walls to deposit fish in the ponds, where the native Hawaiians could easily catch the trapped fish (Molokai Island)Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 7 – shallow reefs fringe the eastern shore of Molokai; this is the longest continuous fringing reef in the world
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 8 – a dry section of the northern shore of Lanai; the sea-level Four Seasons Hotel is on the opposite shore of the island
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 9 – the southern shoreline of Maui, on the western side of the island; Lahaina (buildings and red-brown dirt exposed after the 2023 devastating fire burned hundreds of homes and all of the historic wooden buildings in the main shopping district, along the shoreline) is in the left foreground of the photograph
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 10 – the foreground (red-brown dirt) shows the devastation of the 2023 fire that leveled a large portion of the historic whaling town of Lahaina; this was a really sad moment for us (having visited Lahaina over 20 times), but an important image to shareMolokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 11 – flying from the south of the island, this valley leads over the mountain (volcano) top with the Ĩao Valley on the other sideMolokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 12 – looking down the Īao Vally towards Kahului where our ship was docked, and the island’s International Airport is located
Ĩao Valley is a lush, stream-cut valley in West Maui, Hawaii, located 3.1 miles [5 kilometers] west of Wailuku. Because of its natural environment and history, it has become a tourist location. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. “Towering emerald peaks guard the lush valley floor of ʻĪao Valley State Park. This peaceful 4,000-acre, 10-mile [16 kilometers] long park is home to one of Maui’s most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot [366 meters] ʻĪao Needle.
“Aside from its natural tropical beauty, sacred ʻĪao Valley has great historical significance. It was here in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui’s army in his quest to unite the islands. Even with ʻĪao Needle serving as a lookout point, Kamehameha defeated Maui’s forces in a ferocious battle that ultimately changed the course of Hawaiian history.” — www.gohawaii.com
Molokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 13 – flying east from the Īao Valley towards Haleakalā, crossing the “valley” of Maui that lies between the island’s two dominating volcanoesMolokai, Lanai and Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 14 – growing citrus has replaced the historic sugar cane plants and refinement into sugar on Maui – shown here are lime tree fields (they also grow lemons) that are the new cash crop for the island
Where in the world is Riccardo? 