Editing Molokai (section)

==Economy==
Over the years [[Molokai Ranch]] has also acted as a developer, establishing hotels and related amenities for resort tourists on their property.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/why-molokai-least-developed-hawaiis-islands-180973019/ |title=Why Molokaʻi, With All Its Wonders, Is the Least Developed of Hawai'i's Islands |last=Graham |first=Wade |date=August 30, 2019 |website=Smithsonian.com |language=en |access-date=2019-08-31 |archive-date=2019-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831152731/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/why-molokai-least-developed-hawaiis-islands-180973019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The local indigenous community fought for many decades to inhibit the development by Molokai Ranch in order to preserve their community and unique way of life. In some cases, protests have become violent, such as fence cutting, poisoning of the Ranch's exotic African Safari animals in 1994, an arson attack in Kaupoa in 1995, and the destruction of {{cvt|5|mi}} of Ranch water pipes in 1996.<ref>[http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/1711/Molokai-Ranch-Protesters-to-Cash-in-with-Takeover-Plan.aspx ''Molokai Ranch: Protesters to Cash in with Takeover Plan?''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911024909/http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/1711/Molokai-Ranch-Protesters-to-Cash-in-with-Takeover-Plan.aspx |date=2017-09-11 }} Hawai'i Free Press, 22 March 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2017.</ref><ref>[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Mar/26/ln/hawaii803260432.html ''Molokai Ranch Timeline''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912055133/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Mar/26/ln/hawaii803260432.html |date=2017-09-12 }} Honolulu Advertiser, 26 March 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2017.</ref>

In 2007, community residents organized the "Save Laʻau Point" movement to oppose Molokai Ranch's attempt to expand its resort operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/01/14/business/story01.html |title=starbulletin.com – Business – /2007/01/14/ |first=Honolulu |last=Star-Bulletin |website=archives.starbulletin.com |access-date=2011-05-10 |archive-date=2011-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114214043/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/01/14/business/story01.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, on March 24, 2008, Molokai Ranch, then the island's largest employer, decided to shut down all resort operations, including hotels, movie theater, restaurants, and golf course, and dismiss 120 workers.<ref>[http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/517428.html "Molokai Ranch: A year after closure, times are hard but spirit is alive"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617042510/http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/517428.html |date=2011-06-17 }}, ''Maui News''</ref> In September 2017 the company that owns Molokai Ranch, [[Singapore]]-based Guoco Leisure Ltd, put this {{cvt|55,575|acre}} property, encompassing 35% of the island of Moloka{{okina}}i, on the market for $260 million.<ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2017/09/07/hawaiis-molokai-ranch-on-the-market-for-260.html ''Hawaii's Molokai Ranch on the market for $260M''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909190342/https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2017/09/07/hawaiis-molokai-ranch-on-the-market-for-260.html |date=2017-09-09 }} Pacific Business News, 7 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.</ref>

Due to the fight against development and tourism, Moloka{{okina}}i has Hawaii's highest unemployment rate. The residents have fought hard to maintain a lifestyle based on indigenous subsistence practices. This lifestyle is not without challenges, however, and many live below the federal poverty line. One third of its residents use [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|food stamps]].<ref name='monsanto'>{{cite web |url=http://www.civilbeat.com/2014/07/molokai-has-the-most-to-lose-but-least-say-in-gmo-debate/ |title=Molokai has the Most to Lose but the Least Say in the GMO Debate |date=14 July 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014 |archive-date=29 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029131203/http://www.civilbeat.com/2014/07/molokai-has-the-most-to-lose-but-least-say-in-gmo-debate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, the largest industry on the island is seed production for [[Monsanto]] and [[Mycogen Seeds]], including [[GMO]] seeds.{{r|monsanto}}

===Tourism===
[[File:Molokai Waterfall.jpg|thumb|Moloka{{okina}}i Waterfall]]
[[File:Molokai hello.jpg|thumb|right|Sign greeting visitors to Moloka{{okina}}i at exit to Molokai Airport]]
The tourism industry on Moloka{{okina}}i is relatively small, compared to the other islands in Hawaiʻi. Only 64,767 tourists visited Moloka{{okina}}i in 2015.<ref>[http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/default/assets/File/HTA%20Annual%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf Visitor Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220215158/http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/default/assets/File/HTA%20Annual%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf |date=2017-02-20 }} Hawaii Tourism Authority. Retrieved 16 June 2017.</ref> For decades, residents of Moloka{{okina}}i have resisted private developers' attempts to increase tourism because of the irreparable changes to community and culture that are associated with a tourism industry. Accommodations are limited; as of 2014, only one hotel was open on the island. Most tourists find lodgings at rental condos and houses.

''[[National Geographic Traveler]]'' magazine and the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations conduct annual Destination Scorecard surveys, aided by [[George Washington University]]. In 2007, a panel of 522 experts in [[sustainable tourism]] and destination stewardship reviewed 111 selected human-inhabited [[island]]s and [[archipelago]]s around the world. Moloka{{okina}}i ranked 10th among the 111 destination locales. The survey cited Moloka{{okina}}i's undeveloped tropical landscape, environmental stewardship, and rich, deep Hawaiian traditions (the island's ''[[Mana (Oceanian mythology)|mana]]''). The neighbor islands of [[Hawaii (island)|Hawai{{okina}}i]], [[Kaua{{okina}}i]], [[Maui]] and [[O{{okina}}ahu]], ranked 50, 61, 81 and 104, respectively.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2007/11/nd07placesratedislands.pdf |first=Jonathan B. |last=Tourtellot |title=Destinations Rated: Islands |journal=[[National Geographic Traveler]] |date=November–December 2007 |pages=108–127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005181844/http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2007/11/nd07placesratedislands.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-05}}</ref>

Moloka{{okina}}i is believed to be the birthplace of the [[hula]]. The annual [[Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko]] festival is held on this island.<ref>[http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/molokai/things-to-do/attractions/molokai-ka-hula-piko/ Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210103404/http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/molokai/things-to-do/attractions/molokai-ka-hula-piko/ |date=2014-02-10 }}, Aloha-Hawaii website</ref>

Moloka{{okina}}i can be reached by plane. Planes fly into Molokaʻi daily from other Hawaiian islands including Oʻahu (Honolulu and Kalaeloa), Maui (Kahului) and Hawaii (Kona), operated by [[Mokulele Airlines]], Paragon Air and [[Hawaiian Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hawaii.gov/mkk |title=Molokaʻi Airport |access-date=2014-10-29 |archive-date=2014-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828051139/http://hawaii.gov/mkk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mokuleleairlines.com/flight-schedule.php |title=Mokulele Airlines Schedule |access-date=2014-10-29 |archive-date=2015-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627182904/http://www.mokuleleairlines.com/flight-schedule.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://visitmolokai.com/transport.php |title=Getting to Molokaʻi |access-date=2014-10-29 |archive-date=2015-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512073951/http://visitmolokai.com/transport.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A ferry that formerly sailed between Moloka{{okina}}i and [[Lāhainā]] Harbor, Maui closed operations on October 27, 2016. Sea Link President and Senior Capt. Dave Jung attributed the closure to competition from federally subsidized commuter air travel and declining ridership.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2016/10/molokai-ferry-sets-sail-one-last-time/ |title=Molokai Ferry |access-date=2017-04-20 |archive-date=2017-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420234811/http://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2016/10/molokai-ferry-sets-sail-one-last-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/21/business/business-breaking/molokai-ferry-ends-service-this-month/ Ferry service ended] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221054/http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/21/business/business-breaking/molokai-ferry-ends-service-this-month/ |date=2017-09-10 }} Honolulu Star Advertiser. Retrieved 16 June 2017.</ref>