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57-633: The Kahala Hotel & Resort is a luxury hotel on the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii . It first opened in 1964 as the Kahala Hilton . Developed as an exclusive retreat away from Waikiki, the resort became a popular destination for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Elton John ; foreign dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II , the Reverend Desmond Tutu , and the Dalai Lama ; and eight United States presidents . In

114-577: A puppet state . Kamehameha the Great conquered Kalanikūpule's forces in the Battle of Nuʻuanu . Kamehameha founded the Kingdom of Hawaii with the conquest of Oahu in 1795. Hawaii was not unified until King Kaumualiʻi surrendered the islands of Kauai and Niihau in 1810. Kamehameha III moved his capital from Lahaina , Maui to Honolulu , Oahu in 1845. ʻIolani Palace , built later by other members of

171-647: A 3 mi (4.8 km) beach) in the portion within Maui County. Today Kalawao County is preserved by the Kalaupapa National Historical Park (accessible by guided mule or hiking tour). The island can be traversed by a two-lane highway running east to west (highways 450 and 460). Highway 470 is a spur up to the barrier mountains of Kalawao County and the Kalaupapa peninsula. By land this area (Kalaupapa) can only be reached by

228-565: A fitness center, an outdoor sauna, and a large lagoon with several Atlantic bottlenose dolphins . Visitors can pay to swim with the dolphins , which are cared for by Dolphin Quest Oahu. The property is also home to sea turtles and stingrays . The hotel has several restaurants, including Hoku's and Arancino, recipients of Ilima Awards in 2021 and 2019 respectively, as well as the Veranda and Plumeria Beach House. The "Wall of Fame" inside

285-657: A guest at the hotel. Starting in 1967, singer Danny Kaleikini was the headline entertainer at the Hala Terrace at the Kahala Hilton, with a popular nightly show featuring Polynesian dancers. Within five years, it became the "best drawing Hawaiian show in the islands", and continued for 28 years. Initially part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation, the Kahala Hilton was spun off in March 1968, and

342-476: A man-made salt-water lagoon, the building has been called "a work of art distinguished by its overall 'elegant informality'." When the Kahala Hilton opened in January 1964, it had 302 rooms, including rooms within suites, built at a cost of $ 12 million. In the early months, the hotel openly provided "comps" (complimentarys, free of charge) to well-known personalities who helped to build its image. A 1964 article in

399-622: A missionary for 16 years in the communities of sufferers of leprosy. Joseph Dutton , who served in the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War and converted to Roman Catholicism in 1883, came to Molokai in 1886 to help Pater Damiaan and the rest of the population who suffered from leprosy. Pater Damiaan died at Kalaupapa in 1889 while Joseph Dutton died in Honolulu in 1931 at

456-475: A panel of 522 experts in sustainable tourism and destination stewardship reviewed 111 selected human-inhabited islands and archipelagos around the world. Molokai ranked 10th among the 111 destination locales. The survey cited Molokai's undeveloped tropical landscape, environmental stewardship, and rich, deep Hawaiian traditions (the island's mana ). The neighbor islands of Hawaii , Kauai , Maui and Oahu , ranked 50, 61, 81 and 104, respectively. Molokai

513-612: A small fraction of the island's economy, and much of the infrastructure related to tourism was closed and barricaded in the early 2000s when the primary landowner, Molokai Ranch, ceased operations due to substantial revenue losses. In Kalawao County , on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north coast, settlements were established in 1866 for quarantined treatment of persons with leprosy ; these operated until 1969. The Kalaupapa National Historical Park now preserves this entire county and area. Several other islands are visible from

570-468: Is also a community college. The island has one private middle/high school. The island contains many parks and other protected areas, but most parks do not have service staff, potable water, or restroom facilities. Parks within the Maui County parks jurisdiction include Palaʻau State Park, Kiowea Beach Park, Kakahaiʻa National Wildlife Refuge, Molokaʻi Forest Reserve, Pelekunu Preserve, George Murphy Beach Park, Hālawa Beach Park, and Papohaku Beach Park (with

627-459: Is around 70–85 °F (21–29 °C). The island is the warmest from June through October. The winter is cooler, but still warm, with an average temperature of 68–78 °F (20–26 °C). Oahu is 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across. Its shoreline is 227 miles (365 km) long. Including small associated islands such as Ford Island plus those in Kāneʻohe Bay and off

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684-528: Is believed to be the birthplace of the hula . The annual Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko festival is held on this island. Molokai can be reached by plane. Planes fly into Molokaʻi daily from other Hawaiian islands including Oʻahu (Honolulu and Kalaeloa), Maui (Kahului) and Hawaii (Kona), operated by Mokulele Airlines , Paragon Air and Hawaiian Airlines . A ferry that formerly sailed between Molokai and Lāhainā Harbor, Maui closed operations on October 27, 2016. Sea Link President and Senior Capt. Dave Jung attributed

741-463: Is debate as to which is the original form, with conflicting claims as to which the elders used. The USGS uses the form with the ʻokina. Molokai developed from two distinct shield volcanoes known as East Molokai and the much smaller West Molokai . The highest point is Kamakou on East Molokai, at 4,970 ft (1,510 m). Today, East Molokai volcano, like the Koʻolau Range on Oʻahu ,

798-557: Is not without challenges, however, and many live below the federal poverty line. One third of its residents use food stamps . As of 2014 , the largest industry on the island is seed production for Monsanto and Mycogen Seeds , including GMO seeds. The tourism industry on Molokai is relatively small, compared to the other islands in Hawaiʻi. Only 64,767 tourists visited Molokai in 2015. For decades, residents of Molokai have resisted private developers' attempts to increase tourism because of

855-571: Is part of the state of Hawaii and located in Maui County, Hawaii , except for the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is separately administered as Kalawao County . Maui County encompasses Maui, Lanai , and Kahoolawe in addition to Molokai. The largest town on the island is Kaunakakai , which is one of two small ports on the island. Molokai Airport is located on the central plains of Molokai. The United States Census Bureau divides

912-637: Is the most populated and third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands . The island of Oahu and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands constitute the City and County of Honolulu . The state capital, Honolulu , is on Oahu's southeast coast. In 2021, Oahu had a population of 995,638, up from 953,207 in 2010 (approximately 70% of the total 1,455,271 population of the U.S. state of Hawaii , with approximately 81% of those living in or near

969-526: Is what remains of the southern half of the original mountain. The northern half suffered a catastrophic collapse about 1.5 million years ago and now lies as a debris field scattered northward across the bottom of the Pacific Ocean . What remains of the volcano on the island include the highest sea cliffs in the world. The south shore of Molokai boasts the longest fringing reef in the U.S. and its holdings—nearly 25 mi (40 km) long. Molokai

1026-815: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin noted that famous guests at the Kahala Hilton had included heiress Barbara Hutton ; actors Kirk Douglas , James Garner , and Henry Fonda ; adventurer Lowell Thomas ; ex-Princess Suga of Japan; financier David Rockefeller ; actress and singer Rhonda Fleming ; and TV comedian Steve Allen . A major turning point came when NBC booked every room at the Kahala Hilton for its annual meeting of affiliates, and brought in major stars including singer Andy Williams . The Kahala soon became known for its famous guests, including world leaders, Hollywood and TV stars, rock-and-roll artists, and wealthy business executives. Every American president from Lyndon B. Johnson to Barack Obama has been

1083-655: The understory . Much of the summit area is protected by the Nature Conservancy's Kamakou and Pelekunu valley preserves. Below 4,000 ft (1,200 m), the vegetation is dominated by introduced and invasive flora, including strawberry guava ( Psidium littorale ), eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus spp.), and cypress ( Cupressus spp.). Introduced axis deer ( Axis axis ) and feral pigs ( Sus scrofa ) roam native forests, destroying native plants, expanding spreading invasive plants through disturbance and distribution of their seeds, and threatening endemic insects . Near

1140-631: The Honolulu urban area). The Island of Oahu in Hawaii is often nicknamed (or translated as) "The Gathering Place" . The translation of "gathering place" was suggested as recently as 1922 by Hawaiian Almanac author Thomas Thrum. Thrum possibly ignored or misplaced the ʻokina because the Hawaiian phrase " ʻo ahu " could be translated as "gathering of objects" ( ʻo is a subject marker and ahu means "to gather" ). The term Oʻahu has no other confirmed meaning in Hawaiian . The island rose above

1197-463: The Islands. The first great king of Oahu was Maʻilikūkahi , the lawmaker, who was followed by generations of monarchs. Kualiʻi was the first of the warlike kings and was succeeded by his sons. In 1773, the throne fell upon Kahahana, the son of Elani of Ewa. In 1783, Kahekili II , King of Maui, conquered Oahu, deposed the reigning family, and made his son, Kalanikūpule , king of Oahu, turning Oahu into

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1254-495: The Kahala Hilton to temporarily host two porpoises . Hotel executive Charlie Pietsch agreed, and the porpoises became an "instant hit" with hotel guests and local patrons. The Hilton later acquired three dolphins of its own from Gulfport, Mississippi . In 2017, the Hawaii State Legislature considered resolutions urging Hawaii facilities to stop breeding and keeping dolphins and other cetaceans in captivity;

1311-637: The Kahala Hotel features photographs of famous guests from over the years, including royalty such as Emperor Hirohito of Japan, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and Prince Charles and Princess Diana of the United Kingdom; actors such as Elizabeth Taylor , Lauren Bacall , John Wayne , Sidney Poitier , Bob Hope , and Robin Williams ; and musicians including George Harrison , Rod Stewart , and Michael Jackson . In 1964, Sea Life Park asked

1368-526: The age of 87. Mother Marianne Cope of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Syracuse, New York , brought six of her Sisters to work in Hawaiʻi with leprosy sufferers in the late 19th century, also serving on Molokai. Both Father Damiaan and Mother Marianne have been canonized as Saints by the Roman Catholic Church for their charitable work and devotion to sufferers of leprosy. In December 2015,

1425-481: The cause of Joseph Dutton was formally opened, obtaining him the title Servant of God . In the 1920s, people confined in the leper colony were treated with a new method devised by Alice Ball and involving chaulmoogra oil . In the 1940s, sulfonamide drugs were developed and provided a more effective treatment. Antibiotic Dapsone has been used for leprosy since 1945. Modern Multidrug therapy (MDT) remains highly effective, and people are no longer infectious after

1482-423: The closure to competition from federally subsidized commuter air travel and declining ridership. The island of Molokai is served by Molokaʻi General Hospital, which operates all day, every day. It is also serviced by Molokai Community Health Center and Molokai Family Health Center. The island public school system includes four elementary schools, one charter school, one middle school, and one high school . There

1539-409: The company that owns Molokai Ranch, Singapore-based Guoco Leisure Ltd, put this 55,575 acres (22,490 ha) property, encompassing 35% of the island of Molokai, on the market for $ 260 million. Due to the fight against development and tourism, Molokai has Hawaii's highest unemployment rate. The residents have fought hard to maintain a lifestyle based on indigenous subsistence practices. This lifestyle

1596-448: The destruction of 5 mi (8.0 km) of Ranch water pipes in 1996. In 2007, community residents organized the "Save Laʻau Point" movement to oppose Molokai Ranch's attempt to expand its resort operation. As a result, on March 24, 2008, Molokai Ranch, then the island's largest employer, decided to shut down all resort operations, including hotels, movie theater, restaurants, and golf course, and dismiss 120 workers. In September 2017

1653-625: The eastern ( windward ) coast, its area is 596.7 square miles (1,545.4 km ), making it the 20th-largest island in the United States . The city of Honolulu —the state's capital and largest city is located on the island. As a jurisdictional unit, all of Oahu is in Honolulu County , although Honolulu occupies only part of its southeastern end. Well-known features of Oahu include Waikiki , Pearl Harbor , Diamond Head , Hanauma , Kāneʻohe Bay , Kailua Bay , North Shore , and

1710-627: The few natural areas remaining almost intact are the coastal dunes of Moʻomomi , which are part of a Nature Conservancy preserve. The eastern half of the island is a high plateau rising up to an elevation of 4,900 ft (1,500 m) on Kamakou peak and includes the 2,774 acres (11.23 km ; 4.334 sq mi) Molokai Forest Reserve. The eastern half is covered with lush wet forests that get more than 300 in (7,600 mm) of rain per year. The high-elevation forests are populated by native ʻōhiʻa lehua ( Metrosideros polymorpha ) trees and an extremely diverse endemic flora and fauna in

1767-716: The first European sailor to visit the island was Captain George Dixon of the British Royal Navy in 1786. The first significant European influence came in 1832 when a Protestant mission was established at Kaluaʻaha on the East End of the island by the Reverend Harvey Hitchcock . The first farmer on Molokai to grow, produce and mill sugar and coffee commercially was Rudolph Wilhelm Meyer , an immigrant from Germany who arrived in 1850. He built

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1824-669: The first and only sugar mill on the island in 1878, which is now a museum. Ranching began on Molokai in the first half of the 19th century when King Kamehameha V set up a country estate on the island, which was managed by Meyer and became what is now the Molokai Ranch. In the late 1800s, Kamehameha V built a vacation home in Kaunakakai and ordered the planting of over 1,000 coconut trees in Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove. Leprosy (also known as Hansen's disease)

1881-435: The first monthly dose. In 1969, the century-old laws of forced quarantine were abolished. Former patients living in Kalaupapa today have chosen to remain here, most for the rest of their lives. In the 21st century, there are no persons on the island with active cases of leprosy, which has been controlled through medication, but some former patients chose to continue to live in the settlement after its official closure. Over

1938-420: The government to take action to control the spread of leprosy. The legislature passed a control act requiring quarantine of people with leprosy. The government established Kalawao located on the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula on the northern side of Molokai, followed by Kalaupapa as the sites of a leper colony that operated from 1866 to 1969. Because Kalaupapa had a better climate and sea access, it developed as

1995-513: The irreparable changes to community and culture that are associated with a tourism industry. Accommodations are limited; as of 2014, only one hotel was open on the island. Most tourists find lodgings at rental condos and houses. National Geographic Traveler magazine and the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations conduct annual Destination Scorecard surveys, aided by George Washington University . In 2007,

2052-527: The island into three census tracts , Census Tract 317 and Census Tract 318 of Maui County and Census Tract 319 of Kalawao County. The total 2010 census population of these was 7,345, living on a land area of 260.02 sq mi (673.45 km ). Molokai is separated from Oahu to the northwest by the Molokai Channel , from Maui to the southeast by the Pailolo Channel and from Lanai to

2109-448: The island of Molokai . The Kahala Hotel is located on a private road, bordered by the neighboring golf course and the ocean. Guests are greeted with flower leis . The lobby has 30-foot (9.1 m) floor-to-ceiling windows, and two gigantic chandeliers made of multi-colored stained glass. Across from the check-in area is the hotel's often-photographed "Orchid Wall" featuring more than 100 varieties of orchids. The resort has an onsite spa,

2166-563: The local economy. Popular tourists attractions include beaches such as Ala Moana Beach , Hanauma Bay , Kāneʻohe Bay , Ko Olina Beach Park , Waikiki Beach , among others. Other tourist attractions include Ala Moana Center , Bishop Museum , the Honolulu Museum of Art , ʻIolani Palace , and Kualoa Ranch . Molokai The island's agrarian economy has been driven primarily by cattle ranching, pineapple production, sugarcane production and small-scale farming. Tourism comprises

2223-472: The main community. A research hospital was developed at Kalawao. The population of these settlements reached a peak of 1,100 shortly after the beginning of the 20th century. In total over the decades, more than 8,500 men, women and children living throughout the Hawaiian islands and diagnosed with leprosy were exiled to the colony by the Hawaiian government and legally declared dead. This public health measure

2280-557: The mid-1990s, it was renamed the Kahala Mandarin Oriental and was later known simply as The Kahala . The resort has had captive dolphins or porpoises in its private lagoon since its first year of operation. Before the hotel was built, the residential neighborhood of Kahala , a 12-minute drive from Waikiki , was still relatively unknown to tourists. In 1959, the land next to the Waialae Country Club

2337-698: The morning of December 7, 1941, brought the United States into World War II . The surprise attack was aimed at destroying the American will to fight and forcing the US to sue for peace. They attacked the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Forces and Marine Air Forces . The attack damaged or destroyed 12 American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,335 American servicemen and 68 civilians (of those, 1,177 were

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2394-723: The resolutions stalled. In May of that year, protesters participating in international Empty the Tanks Day called for Dolphin Quest at the Kahala Hotel to release its captive marine animals. Dolphin Quest responded that its zoological facilities at the Kahala and at the Hilton Waikoloa Village supported vital scientific research related to marine life. Oahu Oahu ( / oʊ ˈ ɑː h uː / oh- AH -hoo ; Hawaiian : Oʻahu pronounced [oˈʔɐhu] )

2451-559: The resort destination Ko Olina . The island is composed of two separate shield volcanoes : the Waiʻanae and Koʻolau Ranges , with a broad valley or saddle (the central Oahu Plain) between them. The highest point is Kaʻala in the Waiʻanae Range, rising to 4,003 feet (1,220 m) above sea level. Oahu, along with the rest of the State of Hawaii, relies on tourism as a driving force of

2508-538: The result of the destruction of the USS ; Arizona alone). Oahu became a tourism and shopping haven after World War II. Over five million visitors (mainly from the contiguous United States and Japan) flock there every year. Oahu is known for having the longest rain shower in recorded history. Kāneʻohe Ranch reported 247 straight days of rain from August 27, 1993, to April 30, 1994. The average temperature in Oahu

2565-748: The royal family, still stands, and is the only royal palace on American soil. Oahu was apparently the first of the Hawaiian Islands sighted by the crew of HMS  Resolution on January 19, 1778, during Captain James Cook 's third Pacific expedition. Escorted by HMS  Discovery , the expedition was surprised to find tall islands this far north in the central Pacific. Oahu was not actually visited by Europeans until February 28, 1779, when Captain Charles Clerke aboard HMS Resolution stepped ashore at Waimea Bay . Clerke took command of

2622-530: The sea during the Pliocene period from 4 million years ago when volcanoes erupted and formed the peaks from two shields. Then a period of extensive erosion followed, leaving the Wai‘anae and the young Ko‘olau Range as dormant volcanic ranges from remnants of volcanism. The island has been inhabited since at least the 3rd century A.D. The 304-year-old Kingdom of Oahu was once ruled by the most ancient aliʻi in

2679-586: The ship after James Cook was killed at Kealakekua Bay ( island of Hawaiʻi ) on February 14, and was leaving the islands for the North Pacific. With the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands came the introduction of disease, mosquitoes, and aggressive animals. Although indirect, simple exposure to these foreign species caused permanent damage to the Native Hawaiian people and environment. The Imperial Japanese Navy 's attack on Pearl Harbor , Oahu on

2736-460: The shores of Molokai, including Oahu from the west shores; Lanai from the south shores, and Maui from the south and east shores. The island is known under several names by the local population: Molokaʻi ʻĀina Momona (land of abundance), Molokaʻi Pule Oʻo (powerful prayer), and Molokaʻi Nui A Hina (of the goddess Hina). Both the form Molokai (without an ʻokina ) and Moloka ʻ i (with) have long been used by native speakers of Hawaiian, and there

2793-483: The south by the Kalohi Channel . The Kauhako Crater Lake is a soda lake . Molokai is split into two main geographical areas. The low western half is very dry and the soil is heavily denuded due to poor land management practices, which allowed over-grazing by deer and goats. It lacks significant ground cover and virtually the entire section is covered in non-native kiawe ( Prosopis pallida ) trees. One of

2850-533: The summit of Kamakou is the unique Pēpēʻōpae bog , where dwarf ʻōhiʻa and other plants cover the soggy ground. Molokai is home to a great number of endemic plant and animal species. However, many of its species, including the olomaʻo ( Myadestes lanaiensis ), kākāwahie ( Paroreomyza flammea ), and the Bishop's ‘ō‘ō ( Moho bishopi ) have become extinct . Molokai is home to a wingless fly among many other endemic insects. It used to be thought that Molokai

2907-574: The years Molokai Ranch has also acted as a developer, establishing hotels and related amenities for resort tourists on their property. The local indigenous community fought for many decades to inhibit the development by Molokai Ranch in order to preserve their community and unique way of life. In some cases, protests have become violent, such as fence cutting, poisoning of the Ranch's exotic African Safari animals in 1994, an arson attack in Kaupoa in 1995, and

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2964-439: Was among Eurasian diseases introduced to the Hawaiian islands by traders, sailors, workers and others who lived in societies where these diseases were endemic . Because of the islanders' lack of immunity to the new diseases, they suffered high rates of infection and death from smallpox , cholera , measles and whooping cough , as well as leprosy. Sugar planters were worried about the effects on their labor force and pressured

3021-599: Was continued after the Kingdom became a U.S. territory. Patients were not allowed to leave the settlement nor have visitors and had to live out their days here. Arthur Albert St. Mouritz served as a physician to the leper settlement from 1884 to 1887. He explained how leprosy was spread. Pater Damiaan de Veuster , a Belgian priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary served as

3078-901: Was first settled around AD 650 by indigenous peoples most likely from the Marquesas Islands . However, a 2010 study using revised, high-precision radiocarbon dating based on more reliable samples has established that the period of eastern Polynesian colonization of the Marquesas Islands took place much later, in a shorter time frame of two waves: the "earliest in the Society Islands c. 1025–1120, four centuries later than previously assumed; then after 70–265 years, dispersal continued in one major pulse to all remaining islands c. 1190–1290." Later migrants likely came from Tahiti and other south Pacific islands. Although Captain James Cook recorded sighting Molokai in 1778,

3135-461: Was leased from the Bishop Estate by developer Charles J. Pietsch Jr., who partnered with hotelier Conrad Hilton , and commissioned the architectural firm of Killingsworth, Brady and Smith of Long Beach, California . Architect Edward Killingsworth designed the main building as a modernist 10-story structure in the shape of two rectangles. Elevated on two-story-high concrete pillars set in

3192-644: Was named the #1 Best Hotel in Hawaii by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards . Other accolades include the Ilima Awards for Best Fine Dining and Best Lunch, several Hale ‘Aina Awards for Best Brunch and Buffet, and Forbes Travel Guide's Four-Star Hotel recognition. Kahala continues to be celebrated for its luxurious services and exceptional guest experiences. For a full list of awards, visit their Awards Page . The 6.5-acre (2.6 ha) property includes 800 feet (240 m) of beach, with sand imported from

3249-746: Was taken over by Hilton International . It closed in 1995, and for a period became the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. In 2006, it changed owners again and became known as The Kahala. In 2014, the Kahala Hotel & Resort was sold for nearly $ 300 million to Resorttrust Hawaii, a Japanese-owned company. Initially, the new owners considered turning the resort into a timeshare . Resorttrust opened a sister property in Japan, Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama, in 2020. The Kahala Hotel & Resort has long been recognized for its excellence, earning numerous prestigious awards throughout its history. In 2024, it

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