Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
town of Maunaloa until you take a right on to Kaluakoi Road. Follow Kaluakoi down to
sea level and until it wraps around to the left. The beach park will have multiple entrances
on the right side of the road. Camping is possible at Papohaku if you obtain a permit from
the County Parks Department (808/553-3204). The only time of year when this beach is
truly hopping is during the annual
Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko
festival each May which cel-
ebrates the area as the birthplace of the hula.
Papohaku Beach is one of the largest beaches in the state.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE HULA
Although not much remains on the windswept plains of western Moloka'i, there
is nevertheless a history along these arid slopes going all the way to the roots
of Hawaiian culture. Not far from Maunaloa in an area known as Ka'ana, legend
speaks of the goddess Laka being the first person to dance the hula, having “given
birth” to the dance at a hill known as Pu'u Nana. Fanning out from Ka'ana, Laka
subsequently journeyed throughout Hawai'I, teaching the dance to anyone who
