Hālawa Seashore Park Molokai (shutterstock)
With a inhabitants simply over 7,000—greater than 60% of whom are Native Hawaiian—Moloka‘i feels extra like a close-knit neighborhood than an island. Many residents hint their lineage again to historic occasions and carry with them a deep kuleana (accountability) to guard the land, ocean, and tradition that sustains them.
Due to its smaller inhabitants and proximity, Moloka‘i is taken into account a part of Maui County. However make no mistake—Moloka‘i has a heartbeat and identification all its personal.
Moloka‘i’s deep-rooted sense of stewardship is usually mistaken for unfriendliness, however locals see it as a vital act of safety. From turning away massive cruise ships to opposing GMOs to limiting tourism throughout COVID, the neighborhood constantly prioritizes what they consider is correct — a mirrored image of their enduring dedication to aloha ‘āina.
Some will say that is unfriendly. However those that know and love Moloka‘i’ll say that that is defending a vital member of the family: The island itself. As one native auntie as soon as instructed me, “We don’t flip individuals away. We simply ask them to come back with respect.”
No Crowds on This Island
Flying into Moloka‘i is a part of the journey. The one technique to get there’s by way of a small propeller airplane from both Honolulu or Maui. Inside minutes of takeoff, the view out of your window transforms. Lush, inexperienced hills roll into deep valleys. Patches of vivid purple earth stand starkly in opposition to the panorama.
That purple filth? It’s not simply eye-catching. It comes from oxidized volcanic minerals and has a repute for leaving its mark—actually. In case you’re planning to hike or discover off the overwhelmed path, don’t put on your favourite footwear, otherwise you’ll be taking house a rusty-red memento.
The very first thing you’ll discover when disembarking is how empty and uncrowded the airport is. Eery or peaceable? You determine.
@IslandWanderer: “Moloka‘i modified the way in which I journey. No crowds, no rush—simply nature, tradition, and soul. #RealHawaii #MolokaiMagic”
Molokai Sundown (Shutterstock)
You’re on Molokai. Loosen up.
Take a deep breath. In case you’re in a rush or on the lookout for nightlife, you’re on the unsuitable island. However in case you’re on Moloka‘i to join with nature, tradition, and quiet moments, you’re precisely the place that you must be. That is the Pleasant Isle—and it lives as much as the title in its personal, unhurried approach.
Getting round takes a little bit of planning. With solely a few rental automotive businesses, restricted taxi choices, and no public transportation, reserving a automotive forward of time is important.
You received’t discover a single visitors gentle right here. The quickest posted pace restrict is 45 miles per hour. And sure, it’s enforced. On this sparsely populated Hawaiian Island with little crime, the Moloka‘i police have loads of time to clock the pace of rental vehicles.
The primary city of Kaunakakai is a captivating Hawaiian cowboy or paniolo city. A throwback to the times of a quieter and easier Hawai’i with companies like Friendly Market, Pascua General Store, and Kanemitsu Bakery, well-known for its piping sizzling bread bought out their purple again door late at night time baked contemporary out of the oven. Simply comply with your nostril after sunset; you’ll discover it.
Moloka‘i’s historical past is deeply tied to its paniolo (cowboy) heritage. At one time, Moloka‘i Ranch wasn’t simply the island’s largest employer—it additionally managed almost a 3rd of the island’s land. Immediately, the ranch sits quiet. It’s been out of operation for years and stays in the marketplace, its future unsure. For a lot of locals, it represents each a proud chapter of the island’s previous and a pivotal query for its future.
My First Go to to Moloka‘i
A number of years in the past, my husband and I went to Moloka‘i for the primary time. We didn’t know anybody, however everybody we met was pleasant and interested by the place we “got here from.”
We didn’t realized simply how quiet the evenings can be — or how little there’s to do at night time. So when Saturday night time rolled round, we determined to go to the native highschool commencement. That’s proper, we went to Moloka‘i Excessive Faculty’s commencement with out understanding a soul.
We purchased flower leis and balloons and immersed ourselves within the small-town celebration. We clapped; we cheered; we prayed that each scholar would develop as much as be a profitable grownup. Then we regarded for the scholar who had the least quantity of leis and balloons, gave him our items and congratulated him.
That was most likely probably the most significant factor we’ve completed on a weekend getaway. On an island untouched by mass tourism, these are the sorts of experiences that discover you—in case you allow them to.
Attending to Moloka‘i
Moloka‘i could really feel like a world away, however getting there’s surprisingly easy. Hawaiian Airways affords a number of flights a day from Honolulu Worldwide Airport (HNL) on Oahu or Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui.
The place to Keep on Moloka‘i
In the case of lodging, Moloka‘i affords a spread of choices to swimsuit completely different tastes and budgets. Hotel Molokai, in the principle city of Kaunakakai, is the island’s solely lodge. It gives comfy rooms and suites, a restaurant, a bar, and a pool, all set in opposition to the backdrop of the island’s pure magnificence.
For these searching for a extra personalised expertise, trip leases are additionally an choice. Providers like VRBO and Airbnb supply every part from cozy cottages to spacious homes. Common areas to remain in embrace Kaunakakai, Wavecrest, and the west aspect close to Kepuhi Seashore.
Halawa Valley and Hipuapua Falls (Shutterstock)
Issues to do in Molokai
Discover Halawa Valley
Halawa Valley, positioned on the jap finish of Molokaʻi, is steeped in historical past and pure splendor. The plush valley is house to the breathtaking Moaʻula and Hīpuapua Falls, accessible by way of guided hikes that not solely lead you thru tropical flora but in addition delve into the valley’s wealthy cultural significance. Partaking a neighborhood information enhances your journey by offering insights into the valley’s historical past, legends, and the traditional Hawaiian lifestyle.
Loosen up on Pāpōhaku Seashore
On Molokaʻi’s west finish lies Pāpōhaku Seashore, one in all Hawaiʻi’s largest white-sand seashores that stretches for over three miles. Regardless of its grandeur, it stays uncrowded, providing the proper backdrop for solitude and reflection. The expansive shoreline is good for picnicking, beachcombing, and catching a surprising sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Kalaupapa Nationwide Historic Park and Towering Sea Cliffs
Kalaupapa Nationwide Historic Park serves as a poignant reminder of a chapter in Hawaiʻi’s historical past the place people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) have been exiled to the distant peninsula. Immediately, the park stands as a testomony to their resilience and the dedication of caregivers like Saint Damien and Saint Marianne Cope.
Entry is restricted to guard the privateness of the few remaining residents, and permits are required. For individuals who do get the prospect to go, the remoted peninsula is stunningly lovely with good blue water and sheer cliffs that prevented anybody from escaping.
Journey Tip: Entry to Kalaupapa requires a allow, and with excursions at present suspended and their future unsure, the one technique to go to is by being sponsored by a resident. Kalaupapa Airport serves the residents of Kalaupapa Settlement and guests wishing to tour Kalaupapa Nationwide Historic Park. A allow is required earlier than making air reservations.
Snorkel at Murphy’s Seashore
Murphy’s Seashore—often known as Kumimi Seashore—is a gem on Moloka‘i’s east finish, liked for its crystal-clear, calm waters. It’s one of many island’s greatest snorkeling spots, with colourful coral gardens and vibrant marine life only a brief swim from shore. Like most seashores on Moloka‘i, it’s splendidly uncrowded. For the perfect circumstances, go to within the early morning when the water is often at its most serene.
Uncover the Kamakou Protect
Managed by The Nature Conservancy, the Kamakou Protect encompasses over 2,700 acres of rainforest, and is house to quite a few uncommon and endangered plant and fowl species. Among the finest methods to see it’s on the Pēpēʻōpae Lavatory Path, a boardwalk path that traverses the distinctive ecosystem.
Kamakou Protect is one in all Moloka‘i’s most distant and untouched treasures—however getting there’s not for the faint of coronary heart. The street is rugged, there’s no cell service or amenities, and climate circumstances can change shortly. Whereas the protect is technically open to the general public, entry is difficult, and personal excursions aren’t obtainable.
The Nature Conservancy often affords guided hikes from March to October, relying on climate and staffing. In case you’re contemplating a go to, attain out first by calling (808) 954-6581 or emailing hike_molokai@tnc.org to see what choices can be found.
Ship a Coconut from Put up-A-Nut
Do you know you possibly can mail a coconut with out placing it in a field? The nut IS the field. On the Hoolehua Put up Workplace, guests can partake within the quirky custom of sending a personalised coconut, referred to as “Put up-A-Nut,” to associates or household wherever on the earth. This distinctive and free service (excluding postage charges which value between $12-$20 per coconut) lets you embellish a coconut and mail it as a memorable and novel memento.
Enjoyable Truth: This system mails greater than 3,000 coconuts a 12 months, together with about 700 to international international locations. Australia and New Zealand have strict laws, so sadly you possibly can’t ship one down below.
Discover Historic Fishponds
Moloka‘i’s southern coast is house to a a number of ancient fishponds — refined aquaculture methods that when sustained complete communities. Constructed with precision and deep ecological information, these stone-walled enclosures are a robust reminder of how early Hawaiians lived in concord with the ocean.
Keawanui Fishpond, operated by the nonprofit Hui o Kuapā, is the most important absolutely enclosed and functioning fishpond within the Islands. Their mission goes past preservation—they’re working to revive meals safety in Hawai‘i by reviving conventional aquaculture practices. Guided excursions could also be obtainable and in case you’re on the lookout for a novel cultural expertise that additionally offers again to the land, that is it.
Hike to ʻIliʻiliʻōpae Heiau
ʻIliʻiliʻōpae Heiau is without doubt one of the largest and most important historic Hawaiian temples on Molokaʻi. Positioned inland from the jap shore, it’s protected by the National Park Service and incorporates an enormous stone platform believed to have been used for spiritual ceremonies. Visiting the heiau gives a deep connection to the island’s non secular previous and affords a serene setting for reflection.
Attend a Cultural Pageant
Molokaʻi hosts numerous cultural occasions all year long that commemorate Hawaiian traditions, music, and dance. The annual Ka Hula Piko pageant, as an example, honors the start of hula, which based on legend, originated on Molokaʻi. Attending such festivals affords an immersive expertise into the island’s wealthy cultural tapestry. Check out their calendar to see what’s on offer.
Go to the Molokaʻi Museum and Cultural Center
Tucked away in Kalaʻe, the Moloka‘i Museum and Cultural Middle affords a captivating have a look at the island’s wealthy historical past—from its earliest Native Hawaiian settlers to the plantation period that formed each day life for generations. The museum is housed within the superbly restored R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill, the place guests can discover unique equipment and artifacts that inform the story of Moloka‘i’s agricultural roots.
Expertise Native Delicacies at Kaunakakai Eating places
Moloka‘i’s meals scene could also be small, however it’s filled with coronary heart—and taste. Rooted within the island’s agricultural historical past and multicultural neighborhood, native eateries serve up every part from conventional Hawaiian favorites to freshly-caught seafood and ingenious snacks.
One unforgettable native deal with? Scorching bread from Kanemitsu Bakery in Kaunakakai. Tucked in a slim again alley affectionately referred to as “Scorching Bread Lane,” this late-night ritual attracts each locals and curious guests. The nice and cozy, fluffy loaves are break up open and filled with fillings like cinnamon sugar, strawberry jam, and gooey cream cheese. It’s candy, satisfying, and purely Moloka‘i.
Restaurant suggestions positioned within the (solely) city of Kaunakakai:
- Paddler’s Restaurant and Bar – High-quality eating in an off-the-cuff setting. They’ve a full bar, reside music, and dancing most nights.
- Hiro’s Ohana Grill – An off-the-cuff oceanfront restaurant providing Hawaiian music, cocktails, and wholesome decisions. Reservations are advisable.
- A Style of Moloka‘i – A preferred meals truck serving restaurant-quality poke bowls and salads.
Planning Your Hawaii Journey
Moloka‘i isn’t for everybody—and that’s precisely what makes it’s particular. Removed from the crowds of O‘ahu and Maui, Moloka‘i’s sights affords uncooked magnificence, deep cultural roots, and a tempo that challenges you to decelerate. With fewer facilities, you’ll must plan forward, however in return, you’ll discover unspoiled seashores, quiet valleys, and the uncommon probability to expertise Hawai‘i because it as soon as was.
