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Molokai Honeymoon
Molokai is the birthplace of the hula, which is celebrated each May with the Ka Hula Piko festival. Molokai is well suited for those who want to experience "old Hawaii;" indulge in adventures such as mountain biking and hiking while encountering few other tourists; and have a completely casual honeymoon vacation.
The oblong-shaped island, the fifth-largest in Hawaii, is devoid of chain restaurants and retail stores; and its two hotels - the Lodge and Beach Village at Molokai Ranch and the Hotel Molokai- are independently owned and operated. In short, everything is local and authentic. It's also quiet and uncrowded, with most businesses closing by 9 p.m.
Nonstop air service to Molokai is available from Honolulu and from Kahului, Maui. In addition, round-trip ferry service between Molokai and Maui's Lahaina Harbor is available.
Once on Molokai, it's hard to get lost on the 261-square-mile island, which measures approximately 38 miles in length and 10 miles in width. Its few paved roads lead to towns such as Kaunakakai and Kualapuu, as well as Molokai Airport, and attractions such as the Halawa Valley and Kalaupapa National Historic Park. Yet this relatively small island, which is part of Maui County, is geographically diverse, with lush valleys, waterfalls, pine forests, more than 88 miles of unspoiled coastline and sheer cliffs - including the tallest in the world, dropping 3,000 feet to the sea.
If you want to explore Molokai on your own, you can drive to the Halawa Valley, where you can hike or drive to the bottom. There you'll find Halawa Beach Park, with restrooms, a picnic pavilion and grills. The park's two beaches - the curved Kama'alaea Beach and the rockier Kawilli Beach - are usually calm during the summer and feature large waves for surfing during the winter. A small church sits at the bottom of the valley.
Back in Kaunakakai, the intimate Molokai Fine Art Gallery features original Hawaiian art, as well as handcrafted items from local artists. While in town stop in at the Kanemitsu Bakery, a local favorite for breakfast or a freshly baked pastry or turnover.
Commercial ranches such as Molokai Ranch and the smaller Pu'uhhoku Ranch offer horseback rides, while Molokai Ranch also offers bicycle rentals and guided bicycle tours.
Molokai Intimate EscapesWith a total of 116 hotel accommodations (along with a smattering of vacation rentals, homes, cottages and timeshares), Molokai is ideal for those who want to truly escape.
The upscale lodge, located eight miles from shore, looks and feels like a restored, century-old estate. It defines rustick luxury, with wood plank floors, distressed wook and leather furniture, and a wraparound deck. The lodge's 22 rooms in three buildings provide views of the ranch and the ocean beyond. All but one guestroom, feature balconies or patios, and depending on the room, there also may be a wet bar or a pune'e (lounge bed) for watching TV. Dining venues consist of the casual, open-air Paniolo Lounge (lunch, dinner and evening puu puus, or appetizers) and the more upscale Mauna Loa Room with indoor and outdoor seating (breakfast and dinner). There's also a massage room, fitness room, men's and women's saunas and locker rooms an infinity pool and the 18-hole Kaluakoi Golf Course. In another building are a gift shop, cultural center and a mountain bike rental shop. An arean for rodeas is located nearby. Guests also can book activities such as horseback riding. The beach village is a solar-powered eco-lodge that'ssuited for small groups. Each of its 40 wooden platforms features two tentalows (tent bungalows) and a bathroom. A central structure features an open-air den with a TV and couches, as well as a kitchen and an al fresco dining area. All meals are served buffet-style. While this property has no alcohol permit, guests can bring their own. Meanwhile, guests receive complimentary soda and bottle water daily. The most outstanding feature of the village, though, is its location on the beach, with a wide stretch of sand, a calm area for swimming and an area with rocks and tide pools. Near Kaunakakai, the beachfront, Polynesian-style Hotel Molokai which opened in 1962, features 54 guestrooms, including four oceanfront rooms, spread among 14 two story buildings set in tropical gardens. A recent renovation included all guestrooms, which received new drywall, tile flooring, furniture and fixtures. The renovation also increased the number of rooms with kitchenettes from 6 to 17. All rooms open to the outside, where the gardens have been re-landscaped. The open-air lobby, al fresco restaurant and pool area have also been refreshed. The hotel now offers high-speed internet access in all guestrooms, plus a comlimentary Internet Kiosk in the lobby. For more information visit www.molokai-hawaii.com Hawaii Honeymoon Destinations Kauai Honeymoons Source: Modernagent, Mimi Kmet |
The nine-year-old
Molokai offers a truly "Hawaiian" experience. |
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