MOLOKA‘I - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 583

it ends in a cul-de-sac. The dirt road behind the locked gate is the start of the trailhead for
hikers. Leave your vehicle parked off the side of the road. To reach the summit of Pu'u
Kolekole from here is a two-hour, strenuous uphill climb with minimal shade, so be sure
that you are in proper physical condition and that you pack ample amounts of water and
snacks. Save your camera battery when starting the hike since the view gets better with
every step.
Halawa Valley
Ah, Halawa, the most controversial hike on the island. It used to be that anyone who visited
“the end of the road” could park down by the beach park and enjoy the two-hour stroll
up to 250-foot Moa'ula Falls. Rumor has it lawsuits following injuries sustained led the
landowners of the valley to keep everyone out. While the trail to the falls is once again
open, it can only be accessed by going through a local company and paying to hire a local
guide. Bookings to hike into Halawa Valley can be made through either Moloka'i Out-
doors (808/553-4477, www.molokai-outdoors.com ) or Moloka'i Fish and Dive (61 Ala
Malama Ave., 808/553-5926, www.molokaifishanddive.com ) .
BIKING
All of the best mountain biking in Moloka'i is found on the roads of the Moloka'i Forest
Reserve. Road cyclists can enjoy miles of open road with minimal traffic. The ride east
from Kaunakakai to Halawa Valley is comparable to Maui's ride to Kahakuloa.
In downtown Kaunakakai, Moloka'i Bicycle (80 Mohala St., 808/553 5740 or 808/
553-3931, www.mauimolokaibicycle.com , 3pm-6pm Wed., 9am-2pm Sat.) can cater to
every bike need, whether it's rentals, parts, or just advice on good rides. The company can
arrange free pickups and drop-offs from a number of Moloka'i hotels, with a $20-25 sur-
charge for the airport and hotels which are farther afield, such as Wavecrest or Kaluakoi.
Rentals begin at $32/day, $20/day thereafter, or $120 for the week.
Other Recreation
BIRD-WATCHING
Although many of Hawai'i's original bird species have gone the way of the dodo, there are
still a number of rare and critically endangered native bird species which cling to existence
high in the Moloka'i forests or down on the protected seashore. Anyone interested in vo-