Find Your Vacation Rental in Molokai, as well as Information and Molokai Activities |
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Vacation Rentals on MolokaiUse the search feature on the right to find a Molokai accommodation. "The Friendly Island"
Molokai is the most traditionally Hawaiian of all the islands, and it is often
described as "A place where you won't find a single traffic light, and not
a single building taller than a coconut tree." It is best suited to the independent
traveler who doesn't want to be enveloped in the hustle and bustle and plastic
pretension of your typical touristy area, but instead want to experience Hawaii
more like it was in days long past. If your looking for a mega-resort, your
on the wrong island.
Getting around Molokai is no problem. You can easily rent a car, and once you get on the road, it is hard to get lost. There is only one main road that goes the length of the island, with numerous small roads branching off. Even though it's the same road, you'll find that it has two highway numbers, 450 and 460, with 460 heading off the the west end and 450 going easterly. You can also take 470 which splits off near the center of the island and heads upcountry to Pala'au State Park with some nice hikes and a grand view overlooking Kalaupapa, the former Leper Colony. Exploring Molokai:Driving eastward along the long coastline on the south shore, the ocean is usually quite shallow for some ways out, and you will see the remains of numerous old Hawaiian fish ponds. There were more on Molokai than any other island. This is the dry and sunny side of the island and there are a few nice beaches along the way, but you'll find better ones on the western end of the island. Just before the road ends it turns inland toward the mountains, and you'll eventually get to a beautiful viewpoint with a spectacular vista over Halawa Bay and Halawa Valley. There are two large waterfalls off in the distance. The road ends at Halawa Bay, and you can stop there and explore the area. There are a couple of hiking trails, one of them going up the the waterfalls, but rather hard to follow.
Driving northward on 470 you will pass through rural areas and then the upcountry forests to where the road ends at Pala'au State Park. There are some great hiking trails here, and be sure and go to the Lookout where you get a grand view of the Kalaupapa
Peninsula and the beginning of the world's highest sea cliffs. It is a really awesome sight. There is a trail which goes down to the peninsula, but you are required to take a guided tour by either foot or mule unless you are personally invited there by a resident.
If you want to find some of the best beaches Molokai has to
offer, you'll need to drive out to the western shores. Take Highway 460 west
toward Maunaloa and turn right on Kaluakoi Road before reaching the town. Continue
down and you will find Papohaku Beach two miles past Kaluakoi
Resort. Papohaku Beach is long and wide, and there is a good chance you won't
see anyone else on it (or very few anyway). There is good swimming here, but
it can be dangerous during times of high surf and there are no lifeguards around,
so take care. Along the road that follows the ocean here, you'll see many nice
spots to stop and hang out, as well as a very nice Park with a camping/picnicing
area with large shade trees and good facilities. |
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