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The Molokai Light

A tall, thin, white building with a red roof.

In 1880, the long, narrow island of Moloka‘i had only one lighthouse, at Kaunakakai. Yet by 1900, hundreds of vessels of the Pacific Coast trade annually passed through the channel between O‘ahu and Moloka‘i’s north side—where the Hansen's Settlement was located. A permanent light station was needed for maritime navigation. Just before sunset on September 9, 1909 a solitary light more than 200 feet above sea level beakoned to the rough seas surrounding Kalaupapa peninsula for the first time. Lighthouse keeper James Keanu put the light with its special Fresnel lens—a rare giant of a crystal-like jewel–into operation. Two hundred thirteen feet above the water, it was the brightest light in the Pacific and flashed twenty-one miles to sea.

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NPS / Rob Ratkowski

Public domain:Full Granting Rights

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Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Code: KALA

Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Hawaii
Latitude: 21.1557502746582, Longitude: -156.956497192383

NPS.gov Collection

01/01/0001

Public Can View

Saturday, November 5, 2022 6:25:13 PM

Saturday, November 5, 2022 6:39:54 PM

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Monday, January 1, 0001 12:00:00 AM

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