Moloka'i - Hawaii - page 803

up the Halawa Valley, wiping out the farms and much of the community. A second
tsunami washed the valley clean in 1957. Only a few families now remain.
Sights & Activities
Sunday services are still occasionally held in Hawaiian at the saintly little 1948 green-
and-white church , where visitors are welcome anytime (the door remains open).
The northeastern shore, sheltered by the reef, is good for kayaking. At the very tip,
Halawa Beach is a good launching point when seas are calm. In the summer, expert pad-
dlers can venture around to the northern shore to witness the grandeur of the world's
tallest sea cliffs. Note that the rental-car company does not allow kayaks to be carried
atop their vehicles and you'll have to hunt for a source of kayaks locally. Many places
stopped renting them after people kept getting into trouble trying to paddle to Lanaʻi.
Moaʻula and Hipuapua Falls WATERFALL
MAP
The hike and spectacle of the 250ft, twin Moaʻula and Hipuapua Falls, which cascade
down the back of the lush Halawa Valley, are a highlight of many people's Moloka'i vis-
it. They are reached via a straightforward 2-mile trail lined with historical sites. To pro-
tect these sites, and because the trail crosses private property, visiting the falls requires a
hike with a local guide.
The $80-per-person fee includes a wealth of cultural knowledge; walks can easily take
three to five hours. Prepare for muddy conditions and wear stout shoes so you can navig-
ate over river boulders. Some of the river crossings may be especially perilous.
Organize a guide with Molokaʻi Fish & Dive ( Click here ) or Kalele Bookstore ( Click
here ) in Kaunakakai. Prepare for voracious mosquitoes, bring water and a lunch and have
plenty of sunscreen. Most people thrill to a bracing plunge into the pools at the bottom of
the falls.
You'll pass through lush tropical foliage during the walk. Look for the bright orange
blossoms of African tulip trees and the brilliant green of beach heliotrope trees. Among
the sights are a burial ground that may date to 650 AD and a seven-tiered stone
temple .
Halawa Beach BEACH
MAP