Molokai - Hawaii with Kids - page 321

Frommer's Favorite Molokai Family Experiences
Flying a Kite (p. 328) Not only can you get a guaranteed-to-fly kite
at the Big Wind Kite Factory ( & 808/552-2634 ) in Maunaloa, but kite
designer Jonathan Socher offers free kite-flying classes to kids, who'll
learn how to make their kites soar, swoop and, most importantly, stay
in the air for more than 5 minutes.
Spending the Day at Murphy (Kumimi) Beach Park (p. 324) Just
beyond Wailua on the East End is this small wayside park that's perfect
for kids. You'll find safe swimming conditions, plenty of shade from
the ironwood trees, and small pavilions with picnic tables and barbe-
cue grills.
Watching Whales (p. 326) From mid-December to mid-March, kids of
all ages can go whale-watching on Molokai Charters' 42-foot sloop,
Satan's Doll.
it from the Kalaupapa Lookout at Palauu State Park. On the way, there are a
few diversions (arranged here in geographical order).
EN ROUTE TO THE NORTH COAST
Coffees of Hawaii Plantation Store Ages 5 and up. The defunct Del
Monte pineapple town of Kualapuu is rising again—only this time, coffee is the
catch, not pineapple. Located in the cool foothills, Coffees of Hawaii has
planted coffee beans on 600 acres of former pineapple land. The plantation is
irrigating the plants with a high-tech, continuous water and fertilizer drip sys-
tem. You can see it all on the walking tour; call 24 hours in advance to set it up.
The Plantation Store sells arts and crafts from Molokai. Stop by the Espresso Bar
for a Mocha Mama (Molokai coffee, ice, chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup,
whipped cream, and chocolate shavings on top). It'll keep you going all day—
maybe even all night. Allow an hour for the tour and at least a half-hour to sam-
ple the delectable offers in the shop.
Hwy. 480 (near the junction of Hwy. 470). & 800/709-BEAN or 808/567-9241. www.molokaicoffee.com.
Walking tour $7 adults, $3.50 children 5-12. Tours Mon-Fri 9:30am and 11:30am. Store: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm;
Sat 8am-4pm; Sun 10am-4pm.
Palaau State Park All ages. This 234-acre piney-woods park, 8 miles out
of Kaunakakai, doesn't look like much until you get out of the car and take a
hike. If your children are under 16, they can't actually enter Kalaupapa, so the
Kalaupapa Lookout is the only place from which to see the former place
of exile. The trail is marked, and historic photos and interpretive signs will
explain what you're seeing. You can quickly walk in and out in a half-hour, but
allow a couple of hours to wander through the park and gaze at the incredible
view of Kalaupapa.
It's airy and cool in the ironwood forest, where camping is free at the desig-
nated state campground. You'll need a permit from the State Division of Parks
( & 808/567-6618 ). Not many people seem to camp here, probably because of
the legend associated with the Phallic Rock . Six feet high, Molokai's famous
Phallic Rock is a legendary fertility tool that appears to be working today.
According to Hawaiian legend, a woman who wishes to become pregnant need