Molokai Journey to "The Hill of Stars"


© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

Pu'u O Hoku Part 1

There was a lonely man who lived quietly on Maui. He stayed to himself and did not make friends because he had broken the Kapu (Taboo) of the King and feared if he was found, he would be arrested and killed. One night in a dream he was told to watch for a sign. The sign appeared in the form of a pointing cloud. It pointed to Molokai, so the man rowed over to the island. When he got there the cloud pointed upwards so he climbed 3 hills. When he reached the top it was dark. He was exhausted so he dropped down on the grass to rest. He looked up into the sky and felt he could almost touch the many stars. So he named the place. "Hill of stars." The next day he went to see the famous Kahuna Lanikaula of the sacred Kukui Grove, which grows on one of the hills. He confessed his sin and the Kahuna told him it was the will of the Gods that he stay here, where he would be safe. No longer lonely, he lived on the Hill of Stars for the rest of his life.

We also arrive at Pu'u O Hoku Ranch after dark. It is so black, so dark, that even the tiniest stars are visible and due to our lofty position above the horizon we feel as if we can reach out and touch them. We have arrived at "The Hill of Stars."

The computer rental man is at the cottage, setting it up as we arrive. Ofcourse, we cannot spend a month without Suite! There are no locks or keys. We just walk in and make ourselves at home.

The ranch cottage is rustic, with comfortable cushioned wicker and rattan furniture and daybeds for afternoon siestas. It has two bedrooms, 2 ensuite bathrooms, a large open living, kitchen dining room and outside a sitting porch. It has huge picture windows in front and on the north side, so when we finally go to bed, we can lie there and watch the stars. Waking up in the night, it is like watching to a panoramic movie with real stars.

In the morning the first thing we hear is the songs of birds and the occasional bark of a deer. The ranch has herds of spotted Axis deer, who were imported to the island many years ago. Their high pitched bark is not unlike that of a Terrier. Hunting season is year round, but limited permits must be obtained at the ranch. The deer can be found in other areas of the island, as well and government permits are necessary to hunt them.

   

Go To Page: 1 2 3


The copyright of the article Molokai Journey to "The Hill of Stars" in Virtual Journeys is owned by . Permission to republish Molokai Journey to "The Hill of Stars" in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo


Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

5.   Dec 9, 1998 3:20 PM
Carol,
I thought the same as you did, until a friend went to Molokai. The leper colony was on a low flat peninsula that juts out into the sea. It is surrounded by high peaks. The only way in or ou ...

-- posted by Maryel


4.   Dec 9, 1998 10:13 AM
But then, maybe if I ever get to Molokai it will be a perfect explanation of why I don't take her along!

I'm truly surprised by these articles - I always thought of Molokai as a place of exile, a l ...


-- posted by CarolWallace


3.   Dec 1, 1998 10:56 PM
I just love your writing, Mary Ellen. You make it all come alive. The house looks like an Australian holiday "shack" but they certainly don't have two bathrooms. There should be picture windows in ...

-- posted by Gay_Klok


2.   Nov 29, 1998 12:27 PM
From leper colony to a heavenly place so well described by our able "tour guide'. I look forward to future travels.

-- posted by MelodyB


1.   Nov 26, 1998 9:55 AM
Enjoy the stars both of you - I had stars in Farafra, the Oasis close to the White Desert (the Western Desert in Egypt). After then six years in Egypt, this starry endless sky was even more impressive ...

-- posted by Arnvid





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Mary Ellen Bradshaw's Virtual Journeys topic, please visit the Discussions page.