Molokai. Kamakou in the

Molokai, Hawaii - History and Culture on The Most Hawaiian Island. One and a half million years ago (give or take a week) two large volcanoes pushed through the surface of the Pacific Ocean and created the island of Molokai. Kamakou in the east, and Maunaloa in the west. A couple days later a third and much smaller caldera, Kauhako, popped up to form the Makanalua peninsula on the north side. Over eons, the north side of the island eroded and fell into the sea, leaving behind the vertical sea cliffs which today make up most of Molokai's spectacular North Shore. It's the fifth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago; 260 square miles (420 sq km) in area, 38 miles (61km) long, and ten miles (16km) wide at its widest point. Anchored in the center of the 8 major islands, Molokai is 25 miles (40km) southeast of Oahu, and a 25-minute flight from Maui. From the eastern end of the island, it's only 8 miles (13km) across the Pailolo Channel to Maui. The population is estimated at 8,000 residents, half of whom live in or near the principal town of Kaunakakai. Nearly 40% are of Hawaiian descent, thus the nick name, "The Most Hawaiian Island." According to the experts, Hawaiians first came to live on Molokai about 650 A.D. Those first settlers most likely originated from the Marquesas, with later migrations, in double hulled canoes, from Tahiti and other areas in the South Pacific. As the Hawaiians had no written language, most of their pre-contact history has come from chants, passed down from generation to generation, which have kept a chronology of events, battles and genealogy. In November, 1778, Captain James Cook sighted Molokai on his first visit to the Sandwich Islands, as he named these islands, but it wasn't until 1786 when Captain George Dixon anchored off Molokai's coast, that Europeans first visited this island. In 1832 a Protestant mission was established at Kalua'aha on the East End by Reverend Harvey Hitchcock, to serve an estimated population of 5,000. His church has not been maintained, but the walls and part of the roof stand today at the 14.5 mile marker. A white marble headstone marks his grave on the hill east of what remains of the church. The oldest known Hawaiian settlement on Molokai occurred in Halawa Valley, at the eastern end of the main highway that crosses the length of the island. The eastern side of the island was heavily populated in pre-contact Hawaii, a result of ample water from the mountains, fertile and level land for farming, and a rich and abundant ocean. More than 60 fish ponds were built along the south shore of Molokai. Most have nearly disappeared, but a few have been reconstructed and are used daily by residents for aquiculture. A drive along the southshore of the island bears testimony to the reliance on the ocean by early Hawaiians. Molokai was renowned for the wisdom and power of its religious leaders, greatly respected and often feared by others in the archipelago. In the 1500s, the famous prophet, Lanikaula, was so revered that pilgrims came from all the Islands to seek his wisdom and advice. Molokai became a place of retreat, protected from war by its religious prestige and the marital alliances of its chiefs. Others were reputed for sorcery. Legend tells of the Kalaipahoa, or poisonwood gods, entering trees on Maunaloa. The grove is said to have been so poisonous that birds fell dead as they flew over it. Legend also tells us that Laka, goddess of the hula, gave birth to the dance on Molokai, at a very sacred place in Ka'ana. This is recognized on Molokai every May, at a celebration of the birth of hula, called Ka Hula Piko. When Laka died, her remains were secretly hidden somewhere beneath the hill, Pu'u Nana. The hula was finally established, the work of Laka was complete, and the dance flourishedthroughout Hawaii. Molokai was praised as "Molokai Ka Hula Piko," Molokai, the center of the dance. This design, by John Kaimikaua and Wainwright Piena, uses traditional Hawaiian motifs to depict the essence of the saying, "Molokai Ka Hula Piko." To the early Hawaiians the mo'o (lizards) were a symbol of spirituality and good fortune. The central design depicts this spiritual continuity with the mo'o arranged in a circle. The triangle depicts a Hawaiian value called "Lokahi," which is symbolic of a balance between man, nature, and God. Petroglyphs within the triangle portray a man and woman in dance. In the uppermost part of the triangle is a rising sun with a dot in the center symbolizing the piko of the hula. Beneath the circle is a motif depicting water, while at the top, the triangles represent fire. In the real world, water and fire are the two elements that cannot be mixed, but the spiritual essence of these elements mix in the hula. The ancient kumu hula of Molokai stressed to their students that they should dance with the fluidity of water and with the spark of fire. The middle row of diamonds, is a design called by the Hawaiians "na maka ke akua," or "eyes ofthe gods." Eyes are symbolic of the past, because our ancestors look upon us and guide us in thislife. Eyes also represent the living, as we look back upon the paths of our ancestors for inspirationand guidance. The hula provides a means for us to look back to the works of our ancestors through its movements, motions and chants. Above the "na maka ke akua" design are ferns representing the greenery worn by the dancers and below is the half-circle-point motif representing the rays of the sun rising in the east. To the early Hawaiians, the rising sun was symbolic of constant renewal and rebirth in the hula. Home | Photo Tour | Maps | Kalaupapa | FAQ | History | Activities Events | Molokai Ranch | Climate | Feedback Visitor Center

Hawaii since 1919, the

Waikiki Aquarium -- ONLINE! Waikiki Aquarium University of Hawaii-Manoa 2777 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI. 96815 808.923.9741 (vox) 808.923.1771(fax) -- --- EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it in the Aquarium's News Flash! --- The Waikiki Aquarium, founded in 1904, is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of Hawaii since 1919, the Aquarium is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. Our exhibits, programs, and research focus on the aquatic life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Over 2,500 organisms in our exhibits represent more than 420 species of aquatic animals and plants. Every year, roughly 350,000 people visit the Waikiki Aquarium. The Waikiki Aquarium has been designated as the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center for the Pacific Island Region of the Coastal America Partnership . Ke Kani O Ke Kai ~ The Sounds of the Ocean special summer concert series for 2005 will have five unforgettable performances with a menu prepared by a signature restaurant for each performance. Registration Form (69 KB) Performers and Restaurant Information (5 MB) Links to the Performers Vital statistics on rates, times, schedules, and visitor information . Everythingyou and your family need to get up close and personal with someof our amazing reef residents. Take an interactive stroll through our exhibits. Available "24/7" via the Aquarium's Virtual Tour . We've also included links to our Marine Life Profilesfor information on many of the animals on our tour - fun and educational. Sharks, corals and seals. Get eye to eye with a shark, watch coral grow, spy on a seal. The live cameras at the Aquarium allow you to glimpse marine life in real time.If you only see the time on a black screen, it's night here in Hawaii, come back during the day! EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! The Aquarium's News Flash section keeps you up-to-datewith all the latest fishy news at the Aquarium. Since 1998, your first source in fishy facts. --- Reef walks, overnights, and Aquarium murder mysteries. Get the scoop on: Aquarium visits for schools; afterhour events; concerts; Aquarium-sponsored travel; outreach programs and much more. Join us for fun and learning at quality Aquarium events Whether you're doing a report for school or are just interested in marine life, you'llfind marine life facts, habitatinformation, and bibliographies here. The profiles are available in a number of popular formats, HTML, PDF, MS Word97, andgood old ASCII formatted text. You can also use our handy searchable database to find information on Aquarium marine life. The Aquarium is known worldwide for its cutting edge research in many different fields: Nautilus and cephalopodreproductive biology; coral growth and propagation; Hawaiian monk seal behavior and biology; aquaculture of mahimahi;shark studies; aquaculture of ornamental marine fish, and more. Get Aquarium-logo and marine-related items here! Tees, hats, toys, books and mugs all await you at theAquarium's online giftshop . Order online with confidence with SSL. Do you want to "work with the fish" ? This is the place, a comprehensive list of all availablejob openings, internships and volunteer opportunities. Director's Message Become a Member Aquarium History Email Directory Aquarium Hotlinks Sign our Guestbook Facility Rental Make a Gift Online The Mission of the Waikiki Aquarium is: To inspire and promote understanding appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life. © 2k Waikiki Aquarium Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2004 04:10:35 PM -- GR Questions, comments, suggestions? Tell it to the Aquarium Webmaster

Hawaii Cruises Cruises Hawaii

Cruisegal specializes in Hawaii Cruise Packages. Things to Do Cruises Tours Packages Resorts The World North America United States Hawaii Cruises Cruises Hawaii Cruise Packages Register | Profile I want more information Email page to a friend Call Cruisegal toll free at 1-888-255-3148. There are many Hawaii Cruise Packages to choose from. Cruisegal will help you choose the one that fits your needs. Search Cruises Cruise Line Any Above and Beyond American Rivers American Safari Cruises Atlantis Events Carnival Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises Christian Travel Finder Clear Channel Entertainment, SFX Touring Inc. Costa Cruises Cruceros Australis Cruise West Crystal Cruises Cunard Line Discovery World Cruises Disney Cruise Line Gayribbean Cruises GNL Cruises Gto Travel Holland America Line Imperial River Cruises In The Wild Adventures Maharaja Cruise MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Cruises, Inc. Olivia Cruises and Resorts Orient Lines Out On The Water Pied Piper Travel Princess Cruise Line R Family Vacations Radisson Seven Seas Cruises RiverBarge Excursions Romeo-n-romeo Royal Caribbean RSVP Vacations Seabourn Cruise Line SeaDream Yacht Club Silversea Cruises Swan Hellenic Lines University at Sea Uniworld Viking River Cruises Windstar Cruises World Explorer Cruises Ship Name Destination Any Africa Alaska Asia/Far East Bahamas Bermuda Canada/New England Caribbean Europe Hawaii Holy Land/Middle East Mexico Pacific Northwest Panama Canal Scandinavia/Russia South America South Pacific/Australia Transoceanic United States World Antarctic Duration Any 1-5 days 6-9 days 10-15 days 16+ days Date Any January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 Max Price $ Departs From Any Baltimore Boston Charleston Ft. Lauderdale Galveston Honolulu Houston Jacksonville Los Angeles Miami Mobile Montreal New Orleans New Jersey New York City Norfolk Philadelphia Port Canaveral San Diego San Francisco San Juan Seattle Seward Tampa Vancouver Promotions Only Sort By Select one Price (Low to High) Price (High to Low) Featured Promotions Cruise Line Cruise Destination Cruise Duration Departure Date Prev Cruises 1-10 of 53 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next 5 Pages Next 10-Day Hawaii Honolulu round-trip from $799.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Norwegian Wind Destination : Hawaii Departures : Mar 22, Oct 18, Nov 08, Nov 29, Dec 20, Jan 10, Jan 31, Feb 21, Mar 14, Apr 04 Ports of Call : Starting in Honolulu with stops in Hilo, Fanning Island, Nawiliwili, Lahaina, Kona Duration : 10 11 Night Eastbound Hawaii Cruise from $1,119.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Serenade of the Seas Destination : Hawaii Departures : Oct 05 Ports of Call : Starting in Honolulu (Oahu) with stops in Nawiliwili (Kauai), Lahaina (Maui), Hilo, Kailua Kona, Ensenada Duration : 11 11 Night Southbound Hawaii Cruise from $2,359.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Serenade of the Seas Destination : Hawaii Departures : Sep 24 Ports of Call : Starting in Vancouver with stops in Kailua Kona, Hilo, Lahaina (Maui), Honolulu (Oahu) Duration : 11 11-Day Hawaii Honolulu round-trip from $849.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Norwegian Wind Destination : Hawaii Departures : Oct 07, Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 09, Dec 30, Jan 20, Feb 10, Mar 03, Mar 24, Apr 14 Ports of Call : Starting in Honolulu with stops in Hilo, Lahaina, Nawiliwili, Fanning Island, Kona Duration : 11 11-Day Hawaiian Escape, Honolulu to Ensenada from $649.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Norwegian Wind Destination : Hawaii Departures : Apr 01 Ports of Call : Starting in Honolulu with stops in Hilo, Lahaina, Nawiliwili, Ensenada Duration : 11 11-Day Hawaiian Escape, Kahuli to San Francisco from $3,099.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Pride of Aloha Destination : Hawaii Departures : Apr 22 Ports of Call : Starting in Kahului with stops in Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Hilo, Kona, San Francisco Duration : 11 11-Day Hawaiian Islands, San Francisco to Honolulu from $1,089.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Pride of Aloha Destination : Hawaii Departures : May 17 Ports of Call : Starting in San Francisco with stops in Nawiliwili, Hilo, Kona, Kahului, Honolulu Duration : 11 12 Day Hawaii from Ensenada from $1,299.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Carnival Spirit Destination : Hawaii Departures : Apr 16 Ports of Call : Starting in Ensenada with stops in Hilo, Maui, Kona, Kauai, Honolulu Duration : 12 12 Day Hawaii from Ensenada from $1,099.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Carnival Spirit Destination : Hawaii Departures : Apr 15 Ports of Call : Starting in Ensenada with stops in Kauai, Maui, Kona, Hilo, Honolulu Duration : 12 12 Day Hawaii from Honolulu from $1,449.00 (USD) Select Ship Name : Carnival Spirit Destination : Hawaii Departures : Apr 28 Ports of Call : Starting in Honolulu with stops in Maui, Hilo, Kona, Kauai, Vancouver Duration : 12 Prev Cruises 1-10 of 53 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next 5 Pages Next Cruises 14 Night Hawaii Circle Cruise Onboard Summit from $1,900.00 (USD) Hawaii is a land of fascinating contrasts. Cruisegal Specializes in: Carnival Cruise Line Princess Cruise Line Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Hawaii Cruise Packages European Vacation Packages Hawaii Vacation Packages Tahiti Vacation Packages Mexico Vacation Packages Independent Travel Agent Program The next best thing to knowing something is knowing where to find it . . . find it ALL at CruiseGal!