Travel Guide: Molokai, Hawaii

Kaunakakai

Kaunakakai on Molokai is a quiet town that remains as it was in the early twentieth century. Shops and businesses line the streets business district. Kanemitsu’s Bakery is a must-see stop, and is often packed with tourists and locals waiting for their fresh loaf of bread.

The Kalaupapa Peninsula

One of Molokai’s most notable spots is Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is home to a National Historical Park of the same name. The only ways to reach the park are by hiking, by air or via a mule ride that lasts almost three miles. This isolated area is a tranquil one that was once used primarily as a leper colony.

Stunning Sea Cliffs

Sea cliffs which overlook the Pacific Ocean on the island’s North Shore are the world’s tallest sea cliffs, and hold that place in the Guinness Book of World Records. And don’t forget the Kalaupapa Lookout, which is just one place to take in the spectacular views.

Phallic Rock

Kaule o Nanahoa, better known as Phallic Rock, is a rock formation found near the Kalaupapa lookout. Steeped in Hawaiian legend, the stone is a symbol of fertility, and women often prayed to it to heal their infertility.

Molokai's Fishponds

Molokai is also famous for its many fishponds. These man-made pools were built using coral and lava rocks and allowed fish to remain inside while ocean water ran in and out. They are still visible today, 700-800 years after they were first built.