Molokai is the fifth largest of Hawaii's islands. Fewer than 8,000 people live on this lesser-known and less-visited isle, but if you choose to be one of the few dozen who turn up daily, you'll see a more rugged and rustic side to the Aloha State, a 25-minute flight from Maui.
Voluntourism opportunities await, or you can explore the 28-mile-long fringing reef that hugs the coastline on an underwater adventure. Sip on a cocktail at Hotel Molokai with its Polynesian bungalows, go beach hiking, and chat with the locals for the best tips and authentic cultural exchanges. The legendary sea cliffs and Oloupena Falls are also outstanding.
01 Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Kalaupapa in Molokai's north is where one of the world's most famous "leper colonies" existed. Thousands of people with Hansen's disease were forcefully exiled to this isolated nook from 1866 until 1969 when quarantine laws were abolished. Today, Kalaupapa is home to a handful of elderly former patients who have been free of the disease for some time and are non-contagious. Before COVID-19, up to 100 visitors were allowed to go to Kalaupapa daily for poignant guided tours to learn about life on the peninsula and the remarkable people who looked after the residents.
Visitors could arrive by hiking, taking mules, or flying. Trail erosion and the pandemic halted tours, but if they aren't currently happening, you can still see the settlement from the Kalaupapa Overlook.
02 Halawa Valley
Halawa Valley, on the island's east side, is a place of genuine Hawaiian culture. The family of Pilipo Solatorio, Molokai's cultural godfather, keeps the patriarch's legacy alive with guided hikes to the dramatic 250-foot Moaula Falls and the natural pool at its base. The three-mile hike is kid-friendly and offers insight into the local flora and fauna, sacred temples, historical rock walls, and taro cultivation methods. Molokai chiefs once surfed on Halawa Beach, and if you're into sea kayaking, this is a good launch spot, provided the surf isn't heavy. The beach itself has restrooms and picnic facilities.
03 Papohaku Beach Park
2.5 miles. That's how far Papohaku Beach, one of the largest white sand beaches in Hawaii, stretches. Sand from the beach helped build Honolulu, Waikiki, and Santa Monica, California. Come for quiet contemplation, soft powder between your toes, snorkeling, BBQs, tree trunk showers, and challenging surfing at Third Hole. The water is much calmer in summer, but even then, the rip currents make swimming inadvisable.
Take a light layer for windy days when the sand can become a weapon. And read the signs here, which tell you where to camp (you'll need a permit) and when to avoid the sprinklers. The night skies are dazzling.
04 Kaunakakai Town
There's just one town in Molokai, and that's sleepy Kaunakakai. It has a three-block main street with a small selection of shops and restaurants, and 3,000 people live here. Hawaii's longest pier is located in Kaunakakai Harbor, and this is where the ferry arrives and departs. Do as the locals do and go on a "hot bread run," queueing for delicious fresh treats, including cream pies, at Kanemitsu Bakery.
On Saturday mornings, the volunteer-run farmers' market at Ala Malama Street is worth a stop. Cultural events like the Makahiki involve art and craft workshops, sporting contests, traditional ceremonies, and other goings on.
05 Molokai Plumeria Farm
Are you looking for a fun activity for all ages? How about flower picking? At the family-run Molokai Plumerias, friendly tour guides take you through the orchard and share info about the best conditions for growing frangipani. You can pluck these gorgeous, beautifully fragrant tropical flowers and make yellow and white garlands or leis as unique souvenirs. Tours last at least an hour and are available on weekday mornings.
06 Kamakou Preserve
Beyond the breakers, Hawaii's appeal lies in its emerald landscapes and the escape they offer. On Molokai, there's no better place to immerse yourself in nature than in Kamakou Preserve, with its rainforested, mountainous terrain. If you're lucky, you'll be in town in time for the Nature Conservancy's monthly guided hike between March and October. Because cell reception is spotty, and explorers require a four-wheel drive to get to the Pepeʻopae Trail, it's best to join these hikes for peace of mind. A 1.5-mile redwood boardwalk protects the bog but prepare for missteps and muddy shoes.
You'll come across creeping mosses, feathery Hawaiian ferns, and adaptable ōhiʻa lehua trees with their sunset colors, divine symbolism, and the similarly-hued honeycreepers that feed on them. Avid birdwatchers may even spot a critically endangered Molokai thrush.
The trail ends at Pelekunu Valley Overlook, where stunning sea cliff vistas will take your breath away on a clear day.
07 Molokai Museum and Cultural Center
This museum in Kualapuu is housed in the former RW Meyer Sugar Mill and makes for a perfect rainy-day activity. It covers a century and a half of the island's history with short but informative videos on the Kalaupapa leper colony and the mill, portraits of Kalaupapa patients, and various artifacts like a cane crusher powered by mules. Check the museum's website for details about special exhibits. A gift shop offers interesting arts, crafts, and other goodies like lilikoi butter. Admission is cash only.
08 Send a C-Mail
Near the Kamakou Preserve and the scenic Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove planted in the 1860s by King Kamehameha V, you can "Post a Nut" at the Hoolehua Post Office. Postcards are all good and well, but a colorful, personalized coconut is an even more memorable way to share your experience with loved ones or send yourself a memento of your trip. Since the 1990s, more than 50,000 coconuts have journeyed around the globe from this very location, so why not go nuts and join in on the fun?
09 Molokai Fish and Dive
Molokai Fish and Dive may prove to be your favorite excursion on the island, whether you're keen on sport fishing, whale watching, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Sign up at the dive shop, and soon, you'll be whisked away on a spacious boat by a knowledgeable and upbeat crew. You can expect an unforgettable experience below the surface with turtles, octopi, and eels swimming by and surprise appearances from other interesting coral reef inhabitants.
The company provides all the gear you need, from snorkeling equipment and fins to wetsuits. Folks enjoy their time out on the water so much they often splurge and book another activity the next day.
10 Purdy's Natural Macadamia Nut Farm
Farm tours are fantastic for city slickers to become more connected to and appreciative of the food they consume. At the Purdys' farm, macadamias take center stage, and you'll get to stroll through the groves of macadamia trees to see how these nuts are grown and harvested for free. Try your hand at cracking the nuts open, munch on fresh and roasted samples, and taste macadamia flower honey before heading to the gift store to procure some products for the home.
11 Molokai Sea Cliffs
There's one way in which Molokai can't be surpassed, and that's in the height of its awe-inspiring sea cliffs, the highest in the world at 3,900 feet. You don't need to travel across the Atlantic to see the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland when you can venture to the outer reaches of the U.S. for a lush vacay and a natural landmark that towers over its Irish counterpart. Take to the skies for an epic vantage point from a Cessna or a helicopter—Air Maui is just one operator to consider.
See whales and Oloupena Falls (also one of the tallest in the world) from above, and pretend you're in a Jurassic Park movie. Less costly views are possible at Palaau State Park, but you won't see the plunging cascade.
12 Mo'omomi Preserve
Mo'omomi Preserve is an excellent choice if you like the challenge of beach hiking in remote areas with volcanic boulders and coves. Plan your day so you're hiking when it's cooler, as the 3.3-mile out-and-back trail is exposed, and the lack of shade can take a toll. The heiau here is a reminder of ancient Hawaii.
You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, so consider a guided coastal dune tour with the Nature Conservancy for an education on the native plants and wildlife, such as nesting green sea turtles, in this unique ecosystem. You might come across locals having a luau.
13 Kaloko'eli Fishpond
On Molokai's south shore, you'll see evidence of Pacific aquaculture from days gone by and efforts to restore ancient fishponds. Rock walls with sluice gates facilitate the entry of smaller fish, and when the fish eat and grow, they're too big to exit and can feed the community. In addition to the Kalokoeli Pond, there's the 15th-century Alii Fishpond nearby. Join Ka Honua Momona volunteers to learn about the ponds' past and present and the caretaking the non-profit organization does, including the removal of invasive species.
14 Kawela Plantation
Kawela Plantation has archaeological significance, with more than 20 survey sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including dwellings, burial mounds, agricultural fields, fishing sites, and rock carvings. Two 18th-century battles took place here, and the coast was once lined with war canoes. The water tower affords visitors wonderful views of the ocean and Lanai to the south. Try traditional sailing on outrigger canoes with local watermen for a salt-sprayed eco-adventure.
15 Molokai Shores
The Friendly Isle has limited accommodation options, but if you don't expect luxury, you won't struggle to find a place to stay. Molokai Shores near Kaunakakai is a simple 3-star hotel built in 1977 with one and two-bedroom oceanfront condos and vacation rentals. Suites have full kitchens, private lanais, and cable TV. Resort amenities range from a heated pool and a putting green to shuffleboard and BBQ areas and laundry facilities.
16 Wavecrest Resort
Wavecrest Resort lies 13 miles east of Kaunakaki, with views across the Pailolo Channel and a restorative countryside feel. The self-catering apartments here are clean and generally stocked with the modern items you'd need for a comfortable getaway, although it's worth confirming the details before you book to avoid disappointment. Amenities include a tennis court, a laundromat, and a swimming pool.
You'll find a black sand beach next to the pool and pretty grounds with swaying palm trees and benches. The year-round residents are warm and welcoming. As with Molokai Shores, the beachfront here isn't ideal for swimming.
17 Dixie Maru Beach
This family-friendly beach with calm waters is fairly secluded, and that might have to do with the mud, which can be easy to sink into and difficult to extricate yourself from. There's a path to the beach that avoids the muck. Dixie Maru Beach, AKA Kapukahehu, is great for swimming, snorkeling, and just chilling out and watching the sunset, perhaps with a book in hand. Take tough flip-flops, and the thorns won't be a problem. There's a shower to rinse off when you're done and a few picnic tables.
18 Big Wind Kite Factory
Stop by this whimsical toy and kite shop in Maunaloa for a rainbow of local, handmade products, including wind socks and ukuleles. If you're looking for special gifts and staff that embody the amiable Molokai spirit, this is the place to go. The store is less of a factory and more of a mom-and-pop operation. It's been open for more than four decades, and you can even learn how to make a basic kite.
In short, Molokai has little in common with the commercialized Hawaii in brochures except for a share of astounding natural attractions like its striking sea cliffs and the tallest waterfall in the U.S. Get away from the crowds on this rural isle and see how the locals are preserving their heritage. History buffs will be interested in learning more about the Kalaupapa leper colony settlement here. If you've been to Molokai before, do share your experiences with us.
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