Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Friendly Market (
Click here
)
and the library. There are inevitably community
groups selling goods to raise money along Ala Malama Ave; have a chat with these
folk. Ball games at softball and baseball fields are also real community events.
Sights
Kaunakakai is an attraction in itself. Specific-ally look for gems of old buildings such as
commercial lifeline for Molokaʻi. OK, it's not that busy… A freight barge chugs in, skip-
pers unload catches of mahimahi (white-fleshed fish also called 'dolphin') and a buff gal
practices for a canoe race. A roped-off area with a floating dock provides a kiddie swim
area. On the west side of the wharf, near the canoe shed, are the stone foundations of
oceanfront
Kamehameha V house
, now overgrown. The house was once called
'Malama,' which today is the name of Kaunakakai's main street.
Kapuaʻiwa Coconut Grove
HISTORICAL SITE
MAP
(Maunaloa Hwy)
As Molokaʻi was the favorite island playground of King Kamehameha V,
he had the royal 10-acre Kapuaʻiwa Coconut Grove planted near his sacred bathing pools
in the 1860s. Standing tall, about a mile west of downtown, its name means 'mysterious
taboo.' Be careful where you walk (or park) when you visit, because coconuts frequently
plunge silently to the ground, landing with a deadly thump.
Church Row
HISTORICAL SITE
MAP
(Maunaloa Hwy)
Across from the coconut grove is Church Row. Any denomination that at-
tracts a handful of members receives its own little tract of land. Religion in general is
very popular on Molokaʻi; there are many churches and some denominations - such as
Catholicism - have more than one.
One Aliʻi Beach Park
PARK
MAP
(Maunaloa Hwy)
Three miles east of town, One Aliʻi Beach Park is split into two parks.
One side has a coconut palm-lined shore, a playing field, a picnic pavilion and bath-
