The Legend of Molokini Crater
Famous Hawaii dive spot has a rich Hawaiian cultural history.
Less than three miles off the shore of southern Maui is a partially submerged volcanic crater that is one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. Molokini Crater also has a rich cultural history.
In ancient times, according to Hawaiian legend, a beautiful mo'o, or lizard, married a chief named Lohiau who lived at Maalaea (Where Trilogy's Molokini tours depart from). Unfortunately for this mo'o, the volcano goddess Pele was also in love with Lohiau.
The fiery Pele did not appreciate this competition for her dream lover Lohiau, and so in a jealous rage Pele cut the lizard in two and turned her into stone. The head of the mo'o became the 360-foot tall cinder cone called Puu Olai, or Red Hill, which sits near Makena Beach at the south end of Wailea. The tail of Pele's rival became Molokini Crater.
