Ditch the Crowds and Vacation Back in Time to Old Hawaii on The Island of Molokai

Do you dream of visiting the beauty of Hawaii and experiencing the Aloha Spirit but don’t want to do it with the 10 million other people a year who visit The Aloha State? Molokai, the least-visited island dubbed the real Hawaii, is waiting for you.

Molokai, or The Most Hawaiian Island, is only 38 miles long and remains true to its rural roots with a high percentage of Native Hawaiian residents and only a handful of vacation accommodations. But, people who live and visit Molokai have Aloha ʻĀina ( a love of the land). And that land on Molokai includes the tallest sea cliffs in the world, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and one of Hawaii’s largest white-sand beaches.

All of the beauty of Hawaii, without the crowds, sky-high accommodations, and fully booked restaurants and excursions? Yes, please!

Where Exactly Is Molokai?

Shaped roughly like a Moccasin boot, Molokai sits in the middle of the Hawaiian islands. Considering its convenient location, its miles of undisturbed coral, its pristine blue waters, and its low number of tourists, it may be surprising that Molokai continues to be Hawaii’s least-visited island. Look just a little deeper, though, and see that this is by design.

The only way to travel to Molokai is on a small, 12-seater plane. You will likely travel to Molokai from one of the more popular neighboring islands aboard this small aircraft. This ride is an experience in itself. Most of us have never seen an open-air terminal, have we? You will, in Molokai. If you take a daytime flight, keep your eyes glued to the ocean. You may spot whales jumping in the water! Then there is the awe-inspiring coral-studded shoreline continuously nudging this island contoured by time.

The best thing about Molokai is its rawness. While as a visitor, you should not expect to be put on a pedestal here, the island will reward you if you show patience and wear your heart on your sleeve. Infamously unfriendly residents will stop to give you directions on finding the best snorkeling spots. The rough ocean will bring you treasures such as Hague Stones, corals, and giant seashells. You will encounter the bounty of this island and the profound generosity of its people.

The best way to travel through Molokai is by being open to chance. Take a road and see where it leads you. Talk to people and see what you learn. Walk into a food joint and see what Hawaiian food arrives on your plate. Dive into the islands’ famously blue waters and let the ocean wash over you. The essential guide to Molokai isn’t a book. It’s your curiosity, patience, and willingness to be vulnerable.

Hotel Molokai, on Molokai Shores, is the only hotel on the island and can cost upward of $150 a night. There are a handful of places to eat, and most businesses close by 7 p.m. A single road, 10 miles wide and 38 miles long, runs around the island, and the need for a traffic light hasn’t been felt yet!

Its small size and seemingly limited recreational options have combined to discourage tourists from visiting Molokai, but it is the residents of the island who are the most significant force behind its relative anonymity as a tourist destination.

You will need to rent a car in Molokai. There is only one rental car company on the island – Alamo. However, we encourage you to support small businesses. It’s easy to find the name and numbers of residents who have smaller car and bike rental companies, or who may have listed their cars on Turo, the car-sharing platform. If you rent a car from a local in Hawaii, it will probably be a car that looks like it belongs there. You’ll be a local (at least from a distance!), and other drivers will wave at you, instantly making you feel at home.

A favorite with locals, Kanemitsu’s Bakery & Coffee Shop is a must-stop in town. Founded in 1935, the bakery is still run by the Kanemitsu family. Locals, who seem to have memorized the menu, chat animatedly with the staff, and visitors throng the bakery to get a taste of the bread and try other dishes such as the delectable egg fried rice.

Nominated for the James Beard Award, the bakery is also the center of nightlife on Molokai. The bakery offers freshly-baked bread slathered with jelly and cream from 7:30 p.m.-to 10 p.m. (or until the bread runs out). Locals and visitors alike line up to buy a loaf or many. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, the hot bread at the bakery has been described as “pillowy soft.”

Another deservingly-popular food joint to try in Molokai is the Kualapu’u Cookhouse. Located about six miles from the town of Kaunakakai, Kualapu’u Cookhouse operates from a plantation-style building. While the place may look humble, the menu is anything but. Fresh fish cooked in lilikoi butter, served with perfectly grilled vegetables and rice, is a dish that will be at home in any fine dining restaurant.

Molokai offers visitors plenty of things to do for its relatively small size.

Molokai is home to Hawaii’s longest continuous fringing reef, so it is not surprising that the waters here are among the richest in the Pacific Ocean. Kumini Beach, also known as the 20 Mile Marker Beach, is one of Molokai’s most popular snorkeling spots. Get there early in the morning and be dazzled by the sheer diversity of ocean life you witness.

Molokai is a water-lover’s paradise. You can rent a kayak from Molokai Outdoors and head out into the ocean. If you wake up early in the morning, you’ll be in for a special treat. Stand by the sea and witness a ubiquitous island moment as the sun rises and the ocean quickly transforms with the changing light. You can launch your kayak at Molokai Shores and paddle toward the South Shore Reef, exploring ancient Hawaiian fishponds. Molokai Outdoors offers guided kayak tours that are also an opportunity to learn more about the island’s ecosystem and history.

Home to the tallest sea cliffs in the world, Molokai has some intense hiking experiences you can consider. Hidden on an unmarked road, Wailau Trail welcomes hikers to explore its rugged landscape. You will walk through a flower-laden forest, hop over berry-stained rocks and arrive at a heiau, an ancient Hawaiian temple.

The heiau is sacred to the island’s residents, and visitors must remember that as they make their way up the mountain. After this point, the climb gets more difficult and the views more spectacular. This approximately 6-mile trail is a unique hiking experience. You will pass through overgrown trails and often need to find your way. When you stop for a breather though, lush green hills with their trails of waterfalls, groves of African Tulip trees, and a pristine ocean punctuated with coral reef will greet you.

If a trail is listed as a guided hike, you mustn’t attempt it on your own. It is easy to get lost in the wilderness of Molokai. If you head out on an unguided hike, you must be a good navigator and a strong hiker.

If you’d rather take a drive instead, you could head to either the east or west side of Molokai. Once a resort area, the west side is home to Maunaloa, a small plantation town. But, first, make a stop at the Big Wind Kite Factory. A unique store and workshop, the kite factory has been a part of the island for more than four decades. Island-motif-inspired kites hang from the walls and ceilings, dancing in the wind, and are reason enough to visit, but the gallery is also packed with souvenirs from all over the world.

Maunaloa is also a witness to the economic and environmental struggles of Molokai. Molokai Ranch, the biggest employer in the area, shut down operations in 2008 after a legal battle with residents, who resisted the construction of upscale development along a remarkably pristine beach. As a result, many residents are still unemployed, and the remains of a once vibrant town lie bare, telling their tale to anyone willing to slow down and listen.

For an anthropological journey into Molokai’s history, head east to Halawa Valley. Here, you can join a guided hike of a land believed to be home to Hawaii’s earliest settlers, dating back perhaps to A.D. 650.

There isn’t a prescribed must-do in Molokai, and this is what makes it a unique vacation spot. Rest assured that if you are willing to adopt the pace of this island, you will come away with your own experience.

Unlike other islands, Molokai and the island’s people do not seek crowds and tourist attention. They seek to hold on to their way of life and their learnings through history. When you travel to Molokai, don’t pull out a guidebook. Instead, draw out your curiosity.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Images Courtesy: Hawaii Tourism Authority Press Center.