Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles (61 by 16 km) in size with a land area

of 260.0 square miles (673.4 km), making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island

in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile (40 km) wide Kaiwi Channel and north of Lanai, separated

from it by the Kalohi Channel. The lights of Honolulu are visible at night from the west end of Molokai, while nearby

Lanai and Maui are clearly visible from anywhere along the south shore of the Island.

Views of these sea cliffs are presented in the movie Jurassic Park III. The south shore of Molokai boasts the

longest fringing reef of the US and its holdings—nearly 40 km long.

The total 2000 census population of these was 7,404, living on a land area of 260.02 square miles (673.45 km?).

Molokai is separated from Oahu on the west by the Kaiwi Channel, from Maui on the southeast by the Pailolo channel,

and from Lanai on the south by the Kalohi Channel.

Molokai is split into two main geographical areas. The low western half is very dry and the soil is heavily denuded

due to grazing by goats and poor land management practices. It lacks much ground cover and virtually the entire

section is covered in non-native Kiawe trees. One of the few natural areas remaining almost intact are the coastal

dunes of Mo'omomi, which are 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.

The eastern half is covered with lush rainforest that get over 300 inches (7,600 mm) of rain per year.

Molokai is known as the "Friendly Isle" and is one of the least developed of the main Hawaiian islands.

The island's population is diverse, with a high percentage of people of Hawaiian ancestry. Molokai is noted for the

numerous Hawaiian fish ponds along its south shore. Some of these have been restored in recent years.

Molokai is also the oldest site for sufferers of leprosy in the United States (the leper colony at Kalaupapa),

which became widely known through the work of Father Damien.

There are several small hotels in Kaunakakai and a resort located on the west end. Papohaku Beach on the

western-facing shore is one of the largest and most spectacular beaches in the Hawaiian Islands.

The population of Molokai today ranges between 6,000 to 8,000 depending on the seasonal tourism on the

island. Kirby Wright based his novel Moloka'i Nui Ahina on the life and times of his paniolo (cowboy) grandmother

who lived on the east end of the island.