Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
kapu,
the private landowners in the valley, worried about slip-and-fall lawsuits,
have posted
NO TRESPASSING
signs on their property.
To get to Halawa Valley, drive north from Kaunakakai on Highway 450 for
30 miles along the coast to the end of the road, which descends into the valley
past Jersalema Hou Church. If you'd just like a glimpse of the valley on your way
to the beach, there's a scenic overlook along the road: After Puuo Hoku Ranch
at mile marker 25, the narrow two-lane road widens at a hairpin curve, and
you'll find the overlook on your right. It's 2 miles more to the valley floor.
6 Beaches
With imposing sea cliffs on one side and lazy fishponds on the other, Molokai
has little room for beaches along its 106-mile coast. Still, a big gold-sand beach
flourishes on the West End, and you'll find tiny pocket beaches on the East End.
The emptiness of Molokai's beaches is both a blessing and a curse: The seclusion
means no lifeguards at any of the beaches.
See the “Molokai” map on p. 311 for locations of these beaches.
KAUNAKAKAI
ONE ALII BEACH PARK
This thin strip of sand, once reserved for the
alii
(chiefs), is the oldest public
beach park on Molokai. You'll find One Alii Beach Park (
One
is pronounced
o-
nay,
not
won
) by a coconut grove on the outskirts of Kaunakakai. Safe for swim-
mers of all ages and abilities, it's often crowded with families on weekends, but
it can be all yours on weekdays. Facilities include outdoor showers, restrooms,
and free parking.
THE WEST END
PAPOHAKU BEACH
Nearly 3 miles long and 100 yards wide, gold-sand Papohaku Beach is one of the
biggest in Hawaii. (Seventeen-mile-long Polihale Beach on Kauai is the biggest.)
It's great for walking, beachcombing, picnics, and sunset watching year-round.
The big surf and rip tides make swimming risky except in summer, when the
waters are calmer. Go early in the day when the tropic sun is less fierce and the
winds calm. The beach is so big that you may never see another soul except at
sunset, when a few people gather on the shore in hopes of spotting the elusive
green flash, a natural wonder that takes place when the horizon is cloud free.
Facilities include outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic grounds, and free parking.
THE EAST END
SANDY BEACH
Molokai's most popular swimming beach—ideal for families with small kids—
is a roadside pocket of gold sand protected by a reef, with a great view of Maui
and Lanai. You'll find it off the King Kamehameha V Highway (Hwy. 450) at
mile marker 20. There are no facilities—just you, the sun, the sand, and the surf.
MURPHY BEACH PARK (KUMIMI BEACH PARK)
In 1970, the Molokai Jaycees wanted to create a sandy beach park with a good
swimming area for the children of the East End. They chose a section known as
Kumimi Beach, which was owned by the Puu o Hoku Ranch. The beach was a
dump, literally. The ranch owner, George Murphy, immediately gave his per-
mission to use the site as a park; the Jaycees cleaned it up and built three small
pavilions, plus picnic tables and barbecue grills. Officially, the park is called the
