Things to do / Travel Guide
Maui
Maui is one of the best places on Earth to stargaze. From the Haleakala High Altitude Observatory, astronomers are able to peer into space with the help of a powerful telescope. Historically, Maui has been a premier location for astronomers, who appreciate the remoteness of the island, more importantly, the lack of a light pollution that often obscures what can be seen in space through a telescope.
Also on Maui is the Halekii-Pihana Heiau State Monument, one of the more important historical sites on the island, which serves as a reminder of Hawaii's ancient history. The Halekii-Pihana Heiau State Monument is a pair of stone-built temples that commemorate the birth, life, and death of Kahekili, the last ruling chief of Maui.
Molokai
The primary historical attraction on Molokai is Kalaupapa, the site of the ministry established in 1873 by Father Damien De Veuster, a Christian missionary from Belgium. Now a national park, “Father Damien's,” as it is known to locals, was once a colony for people afflicted with leprosy. As the five-mile peninsula that is Kalaupapa is separated from the rest of Molokai by gigantic rocky cliffs, the site can be reached either by riding a mule or donkey down a 1,600-foot cliff trail, or by taking a short, five-minute plane flight (costing about $50 roundtrip) from the airport on Molokai. If you wish to hike to the site, you must first obtain a permit from a tour operator that runs trips up to the mission.
Lanai
Just off the northeast coast of Lanai, visitors can see a couple of shipwrecks that “crashed” into the island at Shipwreck Beach. The most famous wreck is the Liberty Ship, which dates back to World War II. Visitors to Shipwreck Beach can easily view the submerged vessel from the foundation of the lighthouse just above the reef.
Also, for fans of unusual-looking rock formations, there's the acclaimed “Garden of the Gods,” located on the northwestern side of Lanai. Garden of the Gods is, in reality, not a garden at all, but rather a nearly empty stretch of land filled with giant rock formations that change colors as the position of the sun in the sky moves courtesy of the Earth's planetary revolutions. Garden of the Gods is considered historic by some locals, who believe that the gods of ancient Hawaii designed it, and that the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors rest in peace there.
Just south of Lanai City, you'll find the Luahiwa Petroglyphs, the largest collection of local petroglyphs on the island. Petroglyphs are drawings made on lava rocks by early Hawaiian settlers. Note that these petroglyphs are somewhat difficult to reach due to the conditions of the roads that lead up to the site, which are best accessed by motor vehicle. Keep in mind that the hill that must be climbed up to the Luahiwa Petroglyphs is made of very slippery lava rock, so be careful and take a local guide with you if you can. On the plus side, this attraction carries no admission fee.
Historical Sites in Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, including Kahului and Lahaina
Historical-Sites
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