Molokai

Molokaʻi is the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Understand
Molokaʻi was first settled around 650AD by peoples most likely from the Marquesas Islands. Later migrants likely came from Tahiti and other south Pacific islands. Although Captain James Cook sighted Molokaʻi in 1778, the first European sailor to visit the island was Captain George Dixon in 1786. The first significant European influence came in 1832 when a Protestant mission was established at Kalua'aha on the East End of the island by Reverend Harvey Hitchcock. In the late 1800s, King Kamehameha V built a vacation home in Kaunakakai and was responsible for the planting of over 1,000 coconut trees in Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove.

Kalaupapa, located on an isolated peninsula on the northern side of Molokaʻi, was the site of a leper settlement from 1866 to 1969. Thousands of men, women and children living throughout the Hawaiian islands diagnosed with Leprosy (also known as Hansen's Disease) were forcibly exiled to the colony by the Hawaiian government and legally declared dead. They were not allowed to leave the settlement or have visitors and were forced to live out their days in this isolated settlement. There are no active cases of leprosy on the island, but there are some patients who chose to continue to live in the settlement after its closure.

, is a small but the largest town on the island, one of two small ports on the island. Sometimes it is considered to be the "capital" of Molokai, but officially the whole island is in the County of Maui.

Molokaʻi is distinguished as the longtime residence of Father Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and Mother Marianne Cope of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Syracuse, New York, both of whom have been canonized Roman Catholic Saints for their treatment and care given during the 19th century to sufferers of leprosy in Kalaupapa.

By boat
There used to be a ferry between Molokaʻi and Maui, but it stopped service October 27, 2016. Daily from Lahaina to Kaunakakai, Molokai. $85 round trip.

Get around
The island is about 17 miles long and 10 miles across. A rental car is necessary to get around.

Many of the sights and beaches are spread out across the island so a car or tour bus is the best way to get around.


 * MKK Airport location.
 * MKK Airport location.

For shorter distances, mules and horses are another option.

See

 * Kalaupapa Guided Mule Tour offers fly-in tours from Oahu and Molokai, hiking permits and guided mule tours.
 * Father Damien Tours offers one-day tours from Oahu with Waikiki hotel pickup and round-trip flight
 * Kalaupapa Guided Mule Tour offers fly-in tours from Oahu and Molokai, hiking permits and guided mule tours.
 * Father Damien Tours offers one-day tours from Oahu with Waikiki hotel pickup and round-trip flight


 * Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, Highway 460 about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Kaunakakai.
 * Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, Highway 460 about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Kaunakakai.
 * Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, Highway 460 about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Kaunakakai.

Beaches
West End

Central

East End

Do

 * Mule rides

Waterfall hikes
Moaula and Hipuapua Falls are located on private land above Halawa Valley. The path is not well marked and you will need a guide to obtain permission and lead you to the falls. Both falls can, however, be viewed from multiple lookouts along Highway 450. Moaula Falls is a double-tiered fall which drops a total of 250 feet into a pool at the bottom. Native flowers, mangoes, ginger, ha'u trees and ancient taro patches line the hike.

Buy
Kaunakakai is not a tourist shopping mecca. In town itself you will find a couple grocery stores of the Mom and Pop variety. There is a drug store, ice cream store, health food store, and several sundry stores.

Eat
Do not look for the typical fast food in Kaunakakai or, for that matter, on Molokai. There is one single Subway Sandwich shop, the Molokai Pizza Cafe and the Molokai Drive-In. Hotel Molokai is right on the water front and offers a full menu with special local entertainment every Friday evening. For a special experience try the Kanemitsu's Bakery. People wait in line for their Hawaiian bread and cream pies are renowned.

Drink
Hotel Molokai is a great place to relax with your favorite drink, listen to the entertainment and watch the waves. In the distance you can see Lanai.

Sleep
Molokaʻi vacation rental options include the three west end condominium choices, Paniolo Hale, Ke Nani Kai and Kaluakoi Villas. Two other condo options are Molokai Shores in central Molokaʻi and Wavecrest Resort on the island's east end. There are a few bed & breakfast and other unique choices.


 * Private beach houses and bungalows are available on the west end and along the fringing reef of Molokaʻi east end.
 * Private beach houses and bungalows are available on the west end and along the fringing reef of Molokaʻi east end.

Camping
There are two state parks on this island which allow camping. Both have showers and bathrooms.

Go next

 * Maui
 * Honolulu