The small island of Molokai isn’t on most tourists’ radar screens, considering it’s not where you’re going to find Waikiki or Honolulu or the giant North Shore waves or even Waimea Canyon. But it’s inviting and welcoming to those who do make a point to visit, leading to its nickname of “the friendly isle,” so if you’re in the mood for something a little off the beaten path on your next Hawaii vacation, this might be just the thing.
Molokai’s population hovers in the 7,000 range, so you know already that you’re dealing with a quieter island. Like the other Hawaiian islands, nature is on beautiful display here - from the Halawa Valley, which you can hike through to end up at the spectacular Mooula Falls; to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, where you can ride mules along high sea cliffs to take in the breathtaking scenery and also learn about the famous Father Damien. In the late 1800s he began administering treatments to the leprosy sufferers who had been exiled there, and today you can visit his grave as well as the few lepers who chose to remain in the colony.
Those high sea cliffs you rode your mule along to get to Kalaupapa National Historical Park are, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the highest in the world. If you’ve got vertigo, you might want to strap yourself onto your mule and not look down - let someone else take the photos and you can look at them later from the safety of a lower elevation. Or, if you’d prefer gazing up at the high cliffs, you can also take a boat ride out along Molokai’s North Shore to see the cliffs from below.
All of this emphasis on nature and peaceful solitude doesn’t mean that Molokai is devoid of resorts or hotels, however. Quite the contrary. It’s not covered with hotel buildings, but there are plenty of smaller hotels and even a resort on the western side of the island. This shouldn’t be surprising, given that one of the best beaches on any Hawaiian island - Papohaku Beach - is also on the western side. You’ll also find the usual water-sports and activities available on Molokai, such as snorkeling, fishing and kayaking, as well as lots of hiking and mountain biking, too. But just because all of those things are available doesn’t mean you have to do them all - remember, this is the island where you can come to slow down and really relax.
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