Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Molokai
B
orn of volcanic eruptions 1.5 mil-
lion years ago, Molokai remains a time
capsule on the dawn of the 21st cen-
tury. It has no deluxe resorts, no stop-
lights, and no buildings taller than a
coconut tree. Molokai is the least
developed, most “Hawaiian” of all the
islands, making it especially attractive
to families looking to experience an
older, slower Hawaii.
Those looking for swank accommo-
dations, wonderful restaurants, and
plenty of ready-made activities may
not enjoy this island. At first brush,
Molokai may seem too rural, too
remote, too basic—but therein lies the
“magic” of this island. If you want a
unique vacation, with quiet time
enjoying the gifts of Mother Nature,
making an effort to get to know the
residents who still live close to the
earth, and letting the island reveal its
secrets, then you will have a family
trip that not only will linger in your
memory, but quite possibly could
change your life.
1 Orientation
ARRIVING
BY PLANE
Molokai has two airports, but you'll most likely fly into
Hoole-
hua Airport,
which everyone calls “the Molokai Airport.” It's on a dusty plain
about 6 miles from Kaunakakai town.
Island Air
(
&
800/323-3345
from the
mainland, or 800/652-6541 interisland; www.islandair.com) has eight direct
flights a day from Honolulu and two direct flights from Maui.
Molokai Air
Shuttle
(
&
808/545-4988
) and
Pacific Wings
(
&
888/575-4546
from the
mainland, or 808/873-0877 from Maui; www.pacificwings.com) have one daily
flight from Honolulu to Hoolehua and one daily flight from Kahului, Maui, to
Molokai.
BY BOAT
You can travel across the seas from Maui's Lahaina Harbor to
Molokai's Kaunakakai Wharf on Island Marine's
Molokai Princess
ferry (
&
800/
275-6969
or 808/667-6165; www.mauiprincess.com). The 100-foot yacht, cer-
tified for 149 passengers, is fitted with the latest generation of gyroscopic stabi-
lizers, making the ride smoother. The ferry makes the 90-minute journey from
Lahaina to Kaunakakai daily; the one-way cost is $40 for adults and $20 for
children. Or you can choose to tour the island from two package options:
Cruise-Drive, which includes round-trip passage and a rental car for $149 for
the driver, $80 per additional adult, and $40 for children; or the Alii Tour,
which is a guided tour in an air-conditioned van plus lunch for $149 for adults
and $89 for children.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Look for a sun-faded, yellow building on the main drag, Kamehameha V High-
way (Hwy. 460), on the right just past the town's first stop sign, at mile marker
0; it houses the
Molokai Visitors Association,
P.O. Box 960, Kaunakakai, HI
