Moloka'i
Must Sees (or,
ten reasons why you'll have to come back)
Halawa
Valley The
only one of Moloka'i's five epic valleys that's easily accessible. The
land speaks of its past as you hike among ancient heiau. Two silver waterfalls
cascade hundreds of feet, and there's a blue lagoon and a golden beach
- where legends say some of the first Polynesian voyagers landed in their
double-hulled canoes - at the mouth of the valley. Unforgettable.
Kaunakakai Moloka'i's
town center is a laid-back gem, a real Hawai'i original. Ala Malama street
is just a block long, with a potpourri of eateries and shops. Check out
Friendly Market, Mrs. K's Lunch Counter, Imamura's Store, Moloka'i Pizza
Cafe (yummy), Kanemitsu's Bakery, Outpost Natural Foods (super fresh
lunches), and Pascua's General Store.
Papohaku
Beach A
contender for the finest beach in all Hawai'i, at three miles in length
and 100 yards wide it is the second largest in the state, and definitely
the best on Moloka'i.
Maunaloa With
recently widened and paved streets, and plans for artisans studios and
new restaurants, Maunaloa is Moloka'i's "happening" village. It now offers
the island's only movie theatre (a triplex!) and fast-food spot. Check
out the General Store, the Village Grill and the whimsical Big Wind Kite
Factory.
Moloka'i Lodge & Beach Village Also
in Maunaloa is this legendary "bonanza" of a ranch. Still a working cattle
spread, Moloka'i Ranch today has dedicated itself to providing every sort
of thrill-seeking excitement and fun imaginable. So buckle up and get ready
- it's a great ride! Shop at the one-of-a-kind Cultural Center, and stay
at the shoreside camps, with their unique bungalows and beach-and-barbeque
lifestyle, or at the new, luxurious and spacious Moloka'i Ranch Lodge.
Kalaupapa Take
the mule ride, hike or fly down to this picturesque, isolated peninsula,
a National Historic Park. Made famous by Father Damien, its pristine splendor
is surrounded by the astonishing North Shore pali, sea cliffs which vault
straight up for 3,000 feet - the tallest on earth.
Pala'au
State Park Overlooking
Kalaupapa, this 34-acre recreation area has more than magnificent views
-- the hike among aromatic eucalyptus and whispering ironwood trees and
the 1,000 ft. elevation make it a blissful retreat.
Kamakou
and Mo'omomi The
Nature Conservancy manages Kamakou Preserve, a spellbindingly lush, 2774-acre
rainforest sanctuary filled with over 250 indigenous plants and native
birds on the slopes of the isle's highest mountain. Also under the care
of The Nature Conservancy, the Mo'omomi Dunes - a scenic, wind-blown preserve
that can only be visited by four-wheel-drive jeep. Important to archaeologists,
botanists, and marine biologists, the Smithsonian discovered bones of prehistoric
birds here that existed nowhere else on earth.
Ili'ili'opae
Heiau One
of the largest platform heiau in all Hawai'i, this Hawaiian temple is believed
to have been three times its current size of over 3,000 s.f. and up to
22 ft. high. Emanating vibrations of a powerful past, it is a peaceful
place to learn about time-honored Hawaiian traditions.
Kaloko'eli
Fishpond Ancient
Hawaiians practiced a very sophisticated form of aquaculture, and this
is one of the finest examples of Moloka'i's fishponds. Most were built
700-800 years ago, and at one time more than sixty were operating on the
island's southern shore.
FOR
A QUICK SEARCH OF
ALL MOLOKA'I VISITORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
The
only one of Moloka'i's five epic valleys that's easily accessible. The
land speaks of its past as you hike among ancient heiau. Two silver waterfalls
cascade hundreds of feet, and there's a blue lagoon and a golden beach
- where legends say some of the first Polynesian voyagers landed in their
double-hulled canoes - at the mouth of the valley. Unforgettable.
Moloka'i's
town center is a laid-back gem, a real Hawai'i original. Ala Malama street
is just a block long, with a potpourri of eateries and shops. Check out
Friendly Market, Mrs. K's Lunch Counter, Imamura's Store, Moloka'i Pizza
Cafe (yummy), Kanemitsu's Bakery, Outpost Natural Foods (super fresh
lunches), and Pascua's General Store. 
A
contender for the finest beach in all Hawai'i, at three miles in length
and 100 yards wide it is the second largest in the state, and definitely
the best on Moloka'i.
With
recently widened and paved streets, and plans for artisans studios and
new restaurants, Maunaloa is Moloka'i's "happening" village. It now offers
the island's only movie theatre (a triplex!) and fast-food spot. Check
out the General Store, the Village Grill and the whimsical Big Wind Kite
Factory.
Also
in Maunaloa is this legendary "bonanza" of a ranch. Still a working cattle
spread, Moloka'i Ranch today has dedicated itself to providing every sort
of thrill-seeking excitement and fun imaginable. So buckle up and get ready
- it's a great ride! Shop at the one-of-a-kind Cultural Center, and stay
at the shoreside camps, with their unique bungalows and beach-and-barbeque
lifestyle, or at the new, luxurious and spacious Moloka'i Ranch Lodge.
Take
the mule ride, hike or fly down to this picturesque, isolated peninsula,
a National Historic Park. Made famous by Father Damien, its pristine splendor
is surrounded by the astonishing North Shore pali, sea cliffs which vault
straight up for 3,000 feet - the tallest on earth. 
Overlooking
Kalaupapa, this 34-acre recreation area has more than magnificent views
-- the hike among aromatic eucalyptus and whispering ironwood trees and
the 1,000 ft. elevation make it a blissful retreat.
The
Nature Conservancy manages Kamakou Preserve, a spellbindingly lush, 2774-acre
rainforest sanctuary filled with over 250 indigenous plants and native
birds on the slopes of the isle's highest mountain. Also under the care
of The Nature Conservancy, the Mo'omomi Dunes - a scenic, wind-blown preserve
that can only be visited by four-wheel-drive jeep. Important to archaeologists,
botanists, and marine biologists, the Smithsonian discovered bones of prehistoric
birds here that existed nowhere else on earth.
Ancient
Hawaiians practiced a very sophisticated form of aquaculture, and this
is one of the finest examples of Moloka'i's fishponds. Most were built
700-800 years ago, and at one time more than sixty were operating on the
island's southern shore.