Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lunteering in one of Moloka'i's wetlands or learning more about the island's endangered
bird species is encouraged to contact
Nene O Moloka'i
(808/553-5992), a nonprofit or-
ganization dedicated to protecting Moloka'i's endangered waterfowl.
For mountain species, the last known sightings of the Moloka'i thrush (
oloma'o
) and
Moloka'i creeper (
kakawahie
) were both in the
Kamakou Preserve,
a rugged and wet
mountain area which requires four-wheel drive to access. In this protected area home to
219 endemic species of plants, the trademark calls of honeycreepers (
i'iwi
),
'apapane,
'amakihi,
and the Hawaiian owl (
pueo
) can still be heard resonating through the lush green
treetops. The Nature Conservancy leads trips into the preserve once per month March
through October. Find out more by calling 808/553-5236.
Although not open to the public, the
Kakahai'a National Wildlife Refuge
5.5 miles
east of Kaunakakai can be visited by arranging a tour through the Maui County National
Wildlife Refuge office at 808/875-1582. This 45-acre protected area five miles east of
Kaunakakai is home to endangered Hawaiian stilts (
a'eo
) as well as endangered Hawaiian
coots (
'alae ke'oke'o
).
During the fall and winter months it is common to see Pacific golden plover (
kolea
)
scuttling their way across the shorelines and grassy areas of the island. These birds migrate
all the way to the Arctic Circle during summer before returning to Hawai'i for the long,
cold winter. Once the
kolea
are seen in the islands, locals know that the humpback whales
aren't far behind.
To say that fish play a large role in Moloka'i culture would be a big understatement. The
southern coast of the island is ringed with dozens of fishponds, and seemingly every third
house you pass has long bunches of fishing nets drying in the yard. The Penguin Banks
between Moloka'i and O'ahu are considered to be some of the most fertile fishing grounds
in the state, although even if you stay near shore the chances of hauling in a fresh catch
are still good. As with other locations, the earlier you depart the better chance you'll ulti-
mately have for success.
Charters
The best place in Kaunakakai for buying fishing accessories,
Moloka'i Fish and Dive
(61
Ala Malama Ave., 808/553-5926,
www.molokaifishanddive.com
, 7:30am-6pm Mon.-Sat.,
8am-2pm Sun.) also operates its own charter service offering both half-day ($500) as well
as full-day trips ($650) aboard the 38-foot Delta cruiser
The Coral Queen.
