The Geography of Molokai                                   Homepage

( click here to view vintage photos of the Kaluakoi Resort )

The island of Molokai has two very distinct geographical climates. As with other Hawaiian islands such as Kauai and Hawaii, the west side of the island is considerably dryer than the east side. This is attributed in  part to the fact that most precipitation occurs on the windward side of all 3 islands which is the east side.  As such, most of western Molokai is ranchland very similar in appearance to the southern California shoreline.

Molokai and Kauai also share a geologic feature unique to these two islands in that the spectacular sea cliffs along their northern shore are inaccessible by road and possess a magnificent beauty unmatched anywhere else in the world. Molokai's Pelekunu Cliffs along the north shore hold claim to being the highest sea cliffs in the world at 3,600 ft above sea level. If you have seen the opening shot in the movie Jurassic Park III, you have seen these cliffs along with an aerial shot of Camel Rock, (Okala Is.), off the northern shore of the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

Paniolo Hale Resort is located on the western half of the island in an area known as Molokai Ranch.  Although most of the west side of Molokai is considered "ranch land" and consists of red dirt, lava rock, chaparral and hearty keawe trees, the area surrounding the Kaluakoi Golf Course is considered an oasis on the coast. This is due in most part to the development of three resorts surrounding the golf course. These three resorts are Paniolo Hale, Kaluakoi and Ke Nani Kai.