Molokaʻi, Hawaiian island in Kalawao County, US
Molokaʻi is a Hawaiian island in Maui County and Kalawao County that stretches across 260 square miles without a single traffic light anywhere on its roads. Sandy bays alternate with rocky sections, while the interior ranges from dry plains to forested uplands.
Polynesian voyagers likely reached these waters around the 7th century and established settlements along the coasts and in the valleys. Between 1866 and 1969, the Hawaiian government used the Kalaupapa Peninsula as a quarantine station for people with leprosy.
The name comes from Hawaiian language and refers to a gathering place, though residents today simply call their home the Friendly Isle when speaking with outsiders.
Small planes and a ferry from Maui bring travelers to the island, where a rental car becomes necessary for covering longer distances. Most shops and facilities sit in the western section, while the eastern part remains more remote.
The northern shore displays some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world, rising over 3280 feet (1000 meters) above the water. From certain viewpoints, you can spot multiple waterfalls dropping straight into the ocean.
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