"Moloka'i--An Island Locked in Time" a Molokai Travel Page by JRiel

Amongst the locals, the small island of Moloka'i is looked upon as one of the few places in Hawaii that is a piko (or source) of Hawaiian culture. For centuries stretching into the past, the history of this island has shown that change has hardly ever been welcomed here.

It was here that the last of the old Hawaiian priesthood made a stand for their forbidden religion, lining the shores and defying the head of a newly born nation. It is here that the ancient religion is still practiced in the hearts of devoted 'christians', where tales are told of shark-gods battling powerful mo'o, and where children observe their grandparents whispering respectful prayers to their 'aumakua (family gods).

It is here that the people, down to this day, will band together like the priests of old and fight the selling off of parcelled land; land that does not belong to them on paper, but in their own eyes, it is still theirs by birthright. Wether or not they will win this call to arms has yet to be seen, but regardless of the outcome, the present day Molokai-ans are a testament to the strong will and stubborn spirit of the people who tilled the land and fished the waters before them.

On this tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, change has always been an unwelcome guest. Change has tried and is slow (although some say it has failed) to make it's mark here. And this simple yet powerful fact makes for an island indefinitely locked in time.

Given my 'insiders view' of this little island in paradise, I should probably talk this island up a bit for anyone who wants to drop some dough here. There is one simple rule: Come here for a chance not to alter but to genuinely experience and you will have an unbelievable time.

Beneathe the bad publicity and tarnished name, the people of The Friendly Isle are just that, friendly people. If you come with an open mind, sympathetic heart, a love for all things Hawaiian and having not a hint of anything connected with a will to dominate, than you will be welcomed with open arms and perhaps a crispy pig roasting on a spit, huli huli style.

The island itself has some pretty amazing credentials as a destination for such an out of the way spot: On Moloka'i you will find the highest sea cliffs in the world, a living 'leper' colony virtually cut off and isolated from the rest of the island, miles and miles of white sand beaches to the west and miles and miles of coral reef to the east, a rugged north coast accessible only by boat or by foot (an overnight hike over the mountains), a thriving yet down-to-earth beach culture... and much, much more.

Come here to experience a friendly contradiction or a catch 22: Moloka'i is an island untouched by the outside world but still arms wide open for appreciation.