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MAC Maui and Molokai - Historical Background
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Approximately five million years ago, an undersea eruption created two volcanic mountains, Mauna Kahalawai and Haleakala. Mauna Kahalawai, now an extinct volcano, became the rugged West Maui Mountains. Majestic 10,023-foot Haleakala, meaning "house of the sun," last erupted in 1790 and is now considered a dormant volcano. Centuries of lava flows and erosion created an isthmus between the two mountains. This vale composed of rich volcanic soil gave Maui the nickname "Valley Isle."

According to ancient legend, the Hawaiian islands were created by Maui, the "god of a thousand tricks," who pulled the islands from the ocean with his magic fishhook. This mythical demigod also lassoed the sun god "La" from atop Haleakala, releasing it only after it promised to move slowly through the sky, thus providing abundant daylight and warmth for the islands.

Maui County, now four islands, was originally one land mass called "Maui-Nui." During the polar ice age, the glaciers thawed and the oceans swelled to separate the mountain peaks into the islands of Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe.

I. The First Settlers

According to legend, Hawai'i-loa and eight navigating seafarers from the Marquesa islands, 2,000 miles to the south, discovered the Hawai'ian islands in the eighth century A.D. The first inhabitants developed a simple agrarian culture.

Around the twelfth century A.D., the Tahitians arrived in Maui. Their chiefs became the ali'i, the Hawaiian ruling class. The Tahitians established the "kapu" system, the rigid social order that became the foundation of ancient Hawaiian culture. Additionally, they introduced their religion with its many goddesses.

For several centuries, warfare raged among competing ali'i on Maui and between chieftains from the neighboring islands of O'ahu and Hawai'i. In 1550 AD the Ali'i Pi'ilani unified all the Maui districts, and after he died his two sons battled for control of the island. With the help of warriors from Hawai'i, Kiha-a-pi'ilani prevailed to become the supreme ruler of Maui.

Prophets, Sorcerors and Religion

The prophet Lanikaula lived during the late 16th century and was one of the most revered in Hawaii's history. Pilgrims ventured from all the islands to seek out his advice. For this, among other reasons, Moloka'i was sanctioned from war and considered a place of retreat. Lanikaula is perhaps most famous for his prophesy to King Kamalalawalu. He predicted that, should the king join in a battle to win the Big Island, he would meet with defeat. This ominous warning enraged the king, who promised to burn Lanikaula alive upon his return. However, he could not keep his promise, as he died in that very battle.

The trees of Maunaloa are another legend of Moloka'i. It is said that they were invaded by poisonwood gods. They were cut down, in accordance to the wishes of the gods, by a man named Kaneikama, and made into god-images which were thought to cause fatal illness. This legend contributed to the reputation of Moloka'i as a spiritual center, to be respected and feared by other islands.

Remnants of spiritual Old Moloka'i can still be seen today. The ancient religious site of greatest public interest is the heiau (holy ground) found on the eastern shore. Known as Ili'iliopae, this was once a site of ritualistic human sacrifice. There are several other heiau on the island.

Birthplace of Hula

As legend has it, the ancient art of hula was first conceived on Moloka'i. According to the legend, the Goddess of the Hula (Laka) was born at a holy place in Ka'ana. This birth is still celebrated every year in May. Perhaps the best way to understand the island's relationship with hula is by understanding the name of the yearly festival, ‘Molokai Ka Hula Piko' – Moloka'i, center of the dance.

Pre-contact Lana'i

The laws of island society were strict, with wrongdoers punished by death or banishment to Lana'i, the molten home of evil spirits. One day, according to island lore, the son of Chief Kaululuaau committed a crime worthy of the strongest sentence, that is, death. Pleas for mercy were heard and the son was exiled to Lana'i with a mandate to rid the island of its dark inhabitants. Having achieved his goal by sending the vile spirits to Kaho'olawe, he returned home as a hero touting the beauty of the island paradise. So it was that Lana'i became inhabited around 1500 A.D. Throughout the years, the residents of the island lived in relative obscurity. The Luahiwa Petroglyphs and other ancient carvings and ruins are among the only noticeable remnants of the first Polynesian settlers. However, the settlers were also responsible for the lush plant life on the island. They brought sugar cane, banana, elephant ear, bamboo and breadfruit from their home islands. At the height of Lanai's popularity, King Kamehameha the Great established a summer home on the island so he could partake in the excellent fishing.

Kaunolu Village is a remarkably preserved ancient fishing village and home of Kahekili's Leap, which looms nearly 90 feet above the ocean. Warriors once proved their bravery by diving from the top into the shallow water below. Some of the best-preserved petroglyph carvings can be seen at this village on the south side of Lana'i.

II. The Kingdom of Hawai'i

During the late 1700s, Kamehameha I, ruler of the big island Hawai'i, invaded the adjacent islands to establish the Hawaiian Kingdom. One of his armies, led by Kalani'opu'u, attacked Maui in 1776. He was soundly defeated by the warriors of King Kahekili, who surprised the invaders by hiding behind the sand dunes at Ma'alaea Bay. However, in 1790, Kamehameha I invaded Maui once again, this time with a fleet of war canoes so large it is alleged to have filled the bay from Hana to Kahului. Kamehameha finally conquered Maui in the brutal battle of Wailuku. This historic battle is now known as Kauwaupali ("clawed off the cliff") and Kepaniwai ("the damming of the waters"). In 1802 Kamehameha I built the "brick palace" in Lahaina, where he lived for a year.

The Darkest Times

Moloka'i was always respected as a spiritual center of the islands. It was a safe-haven during war, and home to some of the greatest spiritual leaders in Hawaiian history. It seemed natural that its role would carry through into more modern times. However, a decree by a 19th-century Hawaiian king nearly changed the face of the island for good.

After Kamehama's takeover, he headed a movement that resulted in complete evacuation of Molokai's Kalaupapa Peninsula. In 1865, he confined those suffering from Hansen's Disease (then known as leprosy) to the desolate area, where they were then left to live out their days in suffering. This was the lowest point in Molokai's history. The Kalaupapa colony became ridden with alcoholism, while most of its residents were in the deepest state of despair. In 1873, a Belgian priest named Father Damien arrived on Moloka'i, bringing with him a renewal of faith and hope for residents of the colony. Although Father Damien did not meet with a storybook ending, he renewed Molokai's reputation as a healing island. Many retreats are housed on the island now, and it offers solace to those seeking an escape from modern-day stress.

III. Colonial Influences

The British explorer Captain James Cook landed in Kahului Bay on November 26, 1778, an event that began the influx of Western influence. French explorer Captain Jean-Francois La Pérouse, the first Westerner to settle on Maui, established a village in 1786. Probably the most significant influence was that of the Christian missionaries, who founded the first mission under Reverend Richards in Lahaina in 1823. However, whaling had begun to boom in Lahaina, and it swiftly introduced some of the more unsavory Western elements to the port town. A riot broke out in 1825 when a law was passed prohibiting the sale of alcohol, but it did not squelch the Christian presence. Meanwhile, the missionaries established their instrumental role in educating the local population. Since the Hawaiians had no written language, the missionaries developed a written language based on a twelve-letter alphabet. In 1835, the governor of Maui ordered all children over four to attend school. Missionaries taught reading, writing and Bible studies in Hawaiian, and by 1850, Hawaii had the world's highest literacy rate!

Unfortunately, the Westerners also brought diseases that over the next century would obliterate the native Hawaiian population. Viruses such as measles that were endemic in Westerners had a devastating effect on the previously unexposed Hawaiians. Soon the ratio of Hawaiians to immigrants began to drastically decrease.

Commercial Growth and the Advent of Tourism

As Western traders and seafarers flocked to Maui, commercial growth expanded. Lahaina became a major port during the whaling era, and by the 1840s, hundreds of ships anchored there. Merchants, prostitutes, saloons, and gambling establishments prospered, although tensions between the whalers and missionaries created social unrest. The discovery of oil in 1850 signified the decline of whaling.

George Wilfong, an entrepreneurial whaler, established Maui's first sugar plantation in Hana. During 1853-1854, a smallpox epidemic killed many native Hawaiians, resulting in a depleted work force. Immigrants from China, Japan, the Philippines, and even Europe flocked to Maui to work in the sugar cane fields. American businessmen began to invest in pineapple and sugar plantations, and in 1875 negotiated a reciprocity treaty with the governor of Maui to protect their investments.

The expansion of foreign power and influence ultimately led to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. In 1894, American pineapple tycoon Dole became the governor of the Republic of Hawaii, which was annexed to the United States in 1898 and made a U.S. territory in 1890. During the early 1900s, Japanese immigration swelled; Maui's population was 40 percent Japanese by 1925.

The opening of the Pioneer Hotel in 1901 signaled the beginning of tourism in Lahaina. Visitors Mark Twain and Robert Lewis Stevenson praised Maui, and Lahaina became a vacation hot spot for the rich and famous. After World War II, sugar production declined and tourism experienced phenomenal growth. Maui's first resort hotel, Hotel Hana, was opened in 1946. After Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, investment capitol poured in for development of vacation resorts. Ka'anapali, dubbed the world's first "master planned resort," and site of such mega-resorts as the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel and the Hyatt Regency, was built in 1961. In the 1970s, sunny South Maui, with its great snorkeling beaches and constant sunshine, was discovered. Over the next few years, several plush resorts and championship golf courses were developed in Wailea. Maui continues to grow as more and more people discover the allure of the island.





Industry on Moloka'i

Colonization in 1792 resulted in several industries springing up on Moloka'i. What had previously been uncharted territory became a hub of the Hawaiian sugar trade. Cattle ranchers began to set up ranches on the island and Hawaiian cowboys (known as paniolos) became a common sight. Like most of its sister islands, Moloka'i also became a focus of the pineapple industry, although not until the 20th century. Pineapple remained an island mainstay until about a decade ago.







Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Best Western Pioneer Inn


Charming Historical Hotel
 658 Wharf St
Maui and Molokai, HI 96761
United States
+1 808 661 3636
http://www.pioneerinnmaui.com 		For a long time, this inn was literally, as far as lodgings went, the only game in town. That all changed in the late 50s when Hollywood came to town. Under the ownership of the Best Western hotel family, the newly remodeled hotel continues to attract plenty of guests. It is located on picturesque Lahaina Harbor, just across from Baldwin Missionary House and surrounded by dozens of restaurants, galleries and shops. Each of the newly renovated rooms is comfortably furnished and has a private balcony.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa


Stunning stay in west Maui
 200 Nohea Kai Drive
(Kaanapali Beach)
Maui and Molokai, HI 96761-1985
United States
+1 808 661 1234
http://www.maui.hyatt.com/ 		This is one of the most opulent hotels on Maui—and that is saying a lot. Located on world-famous Ka'anapali Beach, this hotel is spread over 40 acres of gorgeous waterfront property. Built in the 1980s, the property was recently renovated to offer ultra-modern comfort and convenience. Among the services and activities offered are oceanfront massage, hula lessons, wildlife tours, a great luau, fine dining and all water sports. The magnificent rock-formation swimming pool features a slide and several waterfalls. Rooms are lavishly furnished and possess top-notch amenities including voice mail, climate control and terry bathrobes. When you are here, do check out the Na Hoku jewelry store, which features beautiful fine jewelry.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa photo by Ryan Mallady
Photo: Ryan Mallady
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa photo by Anne Petersen
Photo: Anne Petersen
 

 
Ili'ili'opae Heiau


Ancient sacrifice spot
 Off Highway 450 East just before Mapulehu
Maui and Molokai, HI 96748
United States
 This is the largest and most famous of the heiau (ancient Hawaiian places of worship) on Moloka'i. It is an enormous stone platform measuring 120 feet wide by 320 feet long. In ancient times, priests conducted human sacrifice at the heiau, and villagers avoided and feared it; with good reason. According to legend, it was built during the time of the Menehune, who proceeded to baptize it with the blood of local sons. The heiau can be visited on foot or on horseback. As with all such sites, visitors are expected to show respect and stay within marked boundaries.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Ka'ana


Birthplace of hula
 off Highway 460
Maui and Molokai, HI 96770
United States
 It may look like an ordinary pasture, but hundreds of years ago this was a sacred spot. According to legend, the goddess of hula was born here, under protection of a sacred forest of lehua trees. The yearly Hula Piko festival, a world-renowned celebration of the ancient dance, is held here. Recently, several students and community volunteers have undertaken an ambitious project: to plant 1,200 trees in the pasture and, over a period of many years, bring the forest back.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel


Most Hawaiian
 2525 Ka'anapali Parkway
Maui and Molokai, HI 96761
United States
+1 800 262 8450 / +1 808 661 0011
http://www.kbhmaui.com/ 		Famed as the most Hawaiian hotel on the islands, this lovely property is a great choice for families or honeymooners. It features comfortable accommodations, warm employees and an array of Hawaiian activities. Rooms are decorated in the "plantation" style, with views of turquoise waters and gracefully drooping palm trees. The hotel offers lei-making classes, hula classes, garden tours, a Hawaiian crafts fair (three times weekly) and a complimentary hula show in the courtyard each nightfall.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel photo by James P Miller
Photo: James P Miller
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel photo by lizze
Photo: lizze
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel photo by kelley w. conway
Photo: kelley w. conway
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel photo by marcbeauchamp52
Photo: marcbeauchamp52
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel photo by Keith Paul
Photo: Keith Paul
 

 
Molokai Ka Hula Piko


Celebrating the birth of hula
 End of Kaluakoi Road
Papohaku Beach Park
Maui and Molokai, HI 96770
United States
+1 808 553 3876 (Molokai Visitors Association) 		Moloka'i claims to be the birthplace of hula, the ancient Hawaiian dance that is used to tell legends and myths. Laka, the goddess of hula was thought to have given birth to hula in Kaana, a region in the hills near Maunaloa Town. During this annual festival, locals and visitors celebrate the birth of hula through dance and song. Craft and food booths are also part of the festivities at this day-long event. All the fun takes place on isolated Papohaku Beach Park on the western tip of the island. Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Molokai Ka Hula Piko photo by David
Photo: David
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Maui and Molokai - Historical Background"
Maui and Molokai
Maui and Molokai - Neighborhood Guide
Maui and Molokai - Where to Stay
Maui and Molokai - Dining & Drinking
Maui and Molokai - Art & Entertainment

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