The Belgian priest Father Damien came to this island to minister to the leper colony isolated on the north coast. He also built a number of churches at other places on the island, two of which still survive. They started a tradition in architecture and color that has since propagated to ever more churches scattered around the island. The coloring of these churches is matched only by the local flowers which grow in abundance along the wayside.

8700 This is one of the two surviving churches built by Father Damien. A statue of him stands outside the church commemorating the fact that he was beatified by Pope John Paul II and is now known as Saint Damien of Molokai. The tower behind the church carries the Tsunami warning sirens.

8768 The board above the door reads "Ka Ekalekia IERUSALEMA HOU, Halawa Molokai, OKAKOPA 31 1940" This little church is all the way at the eastern end of the island, just a short distance from where the single-lane curvy "State Highway" ends at the beach.

8939 The following gem is also decorated wth a similar color scheme of "Green and White with Red Steps" and is apparently related to the previous church (Ierusalema Hou)

8937

8941

0142 This church has a number of extra features that make it stand out - starting just behind it with the tree covered in red blossoms.

8944 Seen from the side with the red-blossomed tree behind it.

8945 This is the same church, but in front to the left is a massive tree forming a natural canopy for outside church services. Under the tree (just visible in the shade to the right of the trunk) are benches for the congregation. On a warm evening with sea-breezes, this must rival even the finest man-made cathedral.

8948 The church lacks a formal steeple, but this curious architectural appendage on the side looks like it might form the base for one that has been planned but not yet implemented.

9055 This is the other one of the two still surviving churches constructed by Father Damien.

9058

9063 This church was unusual in being constructed (or merely clad) with river rock. While it may look more substantial than the traditional wooden construction, it would in fact be much more prone to collapse in an earthquake - not unusual in these parts.

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