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Chipotle42 OP t1_j771fi3 wrote

Taken as the clouds were clearing, and the rain stopped enough to see the cliffs clearly.

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Scott_A_R t1_j771q2w wrote

You know there's someone who's going to say "those aren't all that tall...."

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Jupiter68128 t1_j7725l6 wrote

Life pro tip:. If you are ever in Maui and you are debating if the helicopter tour is worth it, it is definitely worth it.

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JGCities t1_j77bvrf wrote

Been to Molokai, but didn't get to see the cliffs. Was disappointing.

For some reason when you fly from Maui to Molokai on the little plane they don't fly past the cliffs.

BTW Molokai is a great place to visit if you want a couple days of doing nothing but relaxing. No chain restaurants or stores all local places. Was a nice 2 days.

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rouneezie t1_j77jzns wrote

Fun fact: Molokai's north cliffs are so tall because... they once were connected to an entire other half of the island that just sheared off from a massive earthquake and the resulting landslide. If you take a look at Google maps in the satellite imagery mode just north of the island, you can see the debris of the parts of land that slipped away into the depths.

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JGCities t1_j77kykd wrote

Am sure you can get boat rides too.

Cruise ships sail by the Nāpali Coast on Kauaʻi, but none I know of sail by the Molokai cliffs, guess they too far out of the way.

I did see the leper colony from the top of the cliffs. Amazing view from up top looking down.

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AgentFlatweed t1_j77lx3s wrote

Damn. I’ve been to the Cliffs of Moher, which are about 702 feet above sea level at their tallest, and those looked massive. And these are 3000 feet above sea level.

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JGCities t1_j77on1w wrote

Whatever.... not jealous..... I guess weather was bad both times we flew there & back.

Still if anyone goes to Maui and has a day to spare the ride to and from Molokai is CHEAPER than a helicopter ride and almost as amazing. Could fly over in the morning, rent a car and drive around the island and fly back that night and still be cheaper than a helicopter ride.

We did do a copter ride in Maui, started in Hana and went around the east and south ends of the island across the middle back to the main airport. That was amazing too. The east side of Maui is amazing and so few people see it because it is nearly impossible to get too.

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ihatereddit41 t1_j7837ph wrote

Yeahhhh…. I’m gonna need a banana in there somewhere

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SINGULARITY1312 t1_j78etx4 wrote

It’s crazy how lush it is considering the extreme verticality.

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MrSten15 t1_j78j1lf wrote

“Molokai and Rigby, you’re both fired!”

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Entire-Ad2058 t1_j78lx07 wrote

Wow. Read the book "Molokai" a long time ago. This really makes the story more poignant... thanks for sharing.

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Raps2k14 t1_j78mree wrote

Went on a helicopter trip through this area. Shocking how big it truly is

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HItide69 t1_j78n71f wrote

Always felt surreal to boat around backside molokai, like going to jurassic Park

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sckego t1_j78nn7u wrote

It would be pretty f’d up if you had a population of undesirable people and just parked them at the bottom of those cliffs so they’d be completely cut off from the rest of society

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Izz-Rei t1_j78o6tl wrote

It’s the North coast right? Arnt ‘shores’ for the land borders of lakes?

0

rouneezie t1_j78pnw5 wrote

What boggles my mind is that the Nu’uanu slide, when it took out half of the Ko'olau range, is suspected of having created the largest tsunami wave ever at 100m+ in height!

With great tropical beauty comes great geologic risk, I guess.

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Chrgrfan55 t1_j78qiw9 wrote

I bet there is NOT a "no diving" sign at the top

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EmperorRosko t1_j78sh29 wrote

Why are we not talking about that insane waterfall? Incredible

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ZacheyBYT t1_j78vqmf wrote

I took a flying lesson in Maui, got to fly by these cliffs and WOW they are tall. Look out for the lepers though!

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Small_Brained_Bear t1_j793126 wrote

When the game designers wall off a higher level area and call it a “natural terrain feature”.

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meeroos t1_j793no8 wrote

What is that red thing on the shore to the right?

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mattpsu79 t1_j796ujn wrote

“We’re not just for lepers anymore!”

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Spiritfire737 t1_j79aibm wrote

My wife and I spent a week in Molokai and the locals just laughed at us. We did the tour down the cliffs to the colony, but opted to hike on foot rather than ride the donkeys. It was absolutely stunning, but the hike back up sapped us of everything we had.

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p50one t1_j79bhmr wrote

Rented an airplane in Maui about 20 years ago, flew around the islands, the back side of Molokai was the most memorable. At 500 ft over the ocean, the cliffs climbing into the clouds, and the water falls! I would love to do it again.

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ryanisatease t1_j79csey wrote

Imagine how crazy landscape photography could be on other planets in our universe? Scary.

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Gloworm02 t1_j79esny wrote

Is this where they shot that scene in the Princess Bride?

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JGCities t1_j79fhc2 wrote

That isn't the 'east side' I am talking about. I am talking about after Hana and around the whole south east side of the island.

Years ago you weren't even supposed to drive along the far side of the island, they had signs saying your car insurance would not cover you past certain points on the road. Not sure if still the same.

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jooyjooy t1_j79h9c5 wrote

So Mountport can be real after all lol

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pixelblue1 t1_j79hj3a wrote

Still not tall enough for girls on dating apps who are 5'2

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Pieceoffartt t1_j79ojxh wrote

I don’t think you understood the assignment

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JGCities t1_j79q98r wrote

It was still being used by the last two survivors (I believe it was two)

It was basically set up so they could use it for their entire lives and the last two people have yet to die off. Who knows what will happen at that point.

It's in an amazing location, so maybe retirement home for rich people or natives or something. Who knows. No one asked me.

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JGCities t1_j79qhnf wrote

Yea, the whole 'east' side of the island and I believe the far north west corner as well.

You can see the roads on google earth and the road on the east side becomes one lane for much of it and looks like it hasn't been repaved since it was created.

There is just nothing on that side of the island so few people go there. But am sure it would make an amazing drive. It's on my list of things to do when I win the lotto and won't worry about destroying a rental car gif

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dominatrixyummy t1_j79qips wrote

Probably more accurately titled "Some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world"

Mitre Peak in Milford Sound is 5560' (1690m) tall almost vertical drop into the sea.

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duke_awapuhi t1_j79xut6 wrote

If you ever get the chance to go to Molokai, you have to take the pilgrimage down to Kalaupapa. You traverse down those cliffs on 26 switchbacks, and enter what used to be a “leper colony” starting in about the 1870’s. Today we call leprosy Hansen’s Disease, and there are still a dozen or so patients with Hansen’s Disease who live in the Kalaupapa settlement. You will get to meet at least one of the patients (you cannot catch the disease just from meeting and shaking hands with a person who has it). You tour around the whole Kalaupapa peninsula, and it’s just an incredible experience. 10/10. Down to one of the most isolated communities In the world. If you are catholic, I recommend the journey even more strongly, and you’ll see why once you get there.

Bring lots of water, you have to hike back up the trail afterwards. You used to be able to take a mule or horse down, but I dont think they have that option right now. For those who are not fit enough to make the hike, you can also fly into the peninsula (you aren’t allowed to stay the night), but if you are able to do the hike, I recommend it. The views are amazing. Those are the only two ways in and out of the Kalaupapa settlement. Once the last Hansen’s disease patient dies, it will become a national park that’s much more accessible.

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seaofgrass t1_j79za9f wrote

We drove around the NW side on pur honeymoon. Can confirm, it was basically a single lane goat trail at parts. Lots and lots of chickens and pigs running around. Very steep on both sides of the road.

The views were incredible. I don't know if I'd do it again, but it was worth the drive..

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duke_awapuhi t1_j79zd66 wrote

That book made me cry. I couldn’t finish it. My great great great grandma got mentioned in the first couple pages though which was cool. Alan Brennart does great research.

Unless youre talking about the Bushnell Molokai book, which is also good, but not a moving story like the other one

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Entire-Ad2058 t1_j7a1wj5 wrote

No, it was the Brennart one. Read it 26 years ago but kept my copy and have loaned it out numerous times. Incredible story, told with talent and great sensitivity... (Oh, great, I sound like some commercial, but still!!!...) Anyway - thank you for the post.

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Entire-Ad2058 t1_j7a2xrt wrote

No, I didn't know about that one. I just received a sequel to "Molokai", as a gift... "Daughter of Molokai"... Hope you can try the original again. It was a hard read (and I have no ties to the islands, so can't possibly understand how you feel), but I thought it very important, and riveting. Best to you!

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duke_awapuhi t1_j7a531g wrote

Oh yeah that’s right! I saw that one recently. I’ll definitely give it another stab. I’m obsessed with Hawaiian history and yeah, have deep ties to the islands, plus Molokai is my favorite island haha. I’ve spent too much time there to not give the book another chance. Best to you as well! Happy reading and happy travels!

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Entire-Ad2058 t1_j7a5w3a wrote

Thank you! One more thing... the reason your photo caught me is that there is a passage in "Molokai" where a group of young girls actually climbs that cliff (!!!) in order to socialize with locals for one night. Although the novel is fiction, it is based upon reality and old stories, so that segment stayed with me.

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duke_awapuhi t1_j7a69et wrote

Ah yes I remember that part. And from everything I’ve heard, that’s absolutely based on something real that would happen, where people in the settlement would sneak up to the main part of the island. Definitely a treacherous journey though, and even more treacherous at night. It is pitch black out there. Only the stars and moon provide light. Nowadays you can see a glow coming from Honolulu, but at the time when the book took place you definitely couldn’t. Also, having myself walked around in the jungle at night on Molokai, it’s not for the faint of heart. There’s spooky noises and lots of creepy crawlies. Whenever I’ve gone into the thick of it I bring a machete lol. Also my late Uncle carried a gun lol

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BritniRose t1_j7a6j1t wrote

I made some other tourists laugh because I held onto my mom’s coat while she was wondering on the Dangerous Death Cliff Side of the little slate fence thing. She said “I’m FINE, let go” and I, in my panic, said “well, you’re the only one that knows how to drive standard!”

I did climb over on the danger side on some of the wider parts, took a selfie with my mom and brother and then scooted right back over.

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BritniRose t1_j7a6smb wrote

Yeah no nope. As far as I ever experienced, all the wind came off the ocean, but I wouldn’t risk it in the off chance the wind swung around. I’d be screwed. (Disclaimer I was only there 3 days before moving on south, during the tail end of what was left Hurricane Oscar, my experience is limited, admittedly)

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taku240se t1_j7babci wrote

The winds are super high,and they don't need to fly you around molokai on the scenic tour to take you to the airport... but I did see these cliffs on a heli tour and it was mind blowing!

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harlanwade90 t1_j7ctzhu wrote

Every so often, dive boats from Oahu will make an overnight run from Hawaii Kai to most of the way down the backside of Molokai. You squeeze in as many dives as you can, three tanks at least, but there's also some truly breathtaking beaches and arches you can swim to. I've never seen as many lobsters, octopus, and monk seals as I did on that trip. It's very much worth it if you ever get the chance.

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badgerandaccessories t1_j7cwspu wrote

That doesn’t really count since the wave only went 600 feet to the other side of a bay. The wave wasn’t 1720 feet tall, just that’s how far water splashed up the mountain on the other side.

In your link they even say a small boat survived by letting out enough anchor line and being able to ride the wave. No chance they did anything over a 150 foot wave like that.

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A4S8B7 t1_j7d7yzk wrote

That's a lot of pixels tall!

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