Molokaʻi Island

Molokaʻi, ‘the Friendly Isle’, is one of the least developed main islands - a place of towering sea cliffs, deep Hawaiian tradition and the poignant history of the Kalaupapa peninsula.

Known for: the world’s tallest sea cliffs, Kalaupapa, and an unhurried, traditional way of life.

Don’t miss: the historic Kalaupapa National Historical Park, the sea cliffs of the north shore, Papohaku Beach, and the small town of Kaunakakai.

When to go: year-round - it’s quiet and low-key in every season.

Molokaʻi is an island in the U.S. state of Hawaii and the fifth-largest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It is known for retaining much of its traditional Hawaiian culture and a low-density, rural character.

The island is noted for the Kalaupapa Peninsula and the long valley systems such as Halawa Valley, which contain cultural sites and seasonal waterfalls. Outdoor highlights include quiet beaches, coastal walks and low-traffic roads rather than large tourist resorts.

In the 19th century the Kalaupapa Peninsula became the site of a settlement for people with Hansen’s disease; the peninsula and its history remain a defining element of the island. Other parts of the island have long histories of ranching and subsistence agriculture.

Molokaʻi lies in the central Hawaiian Islands between Oʻahu and Maui, northeast of the island of Maui. The main ports and ferry connections link it with nearby islands, while small air services connect it to Oʻahu and other Hawaiian islands.

• Kalaupapa access: Access to the Kalaupapa National Historical Park is controlled and many visits require guided tours or permits, especially to the historic settlement area.
• Scale: The island is the fifth-largest of the main Hawaiian Islands, with a much smaller tourism footprint than Maui or Oahu.

What to See#

• Kalaupapa / Halawa Valley: A remote volcanic island in the central Hawaiian Islands noted for the Kalaupapa Peninsula and long agricultural valleys. Halawa Valley on the east coast contains cultural sites and seasonal waterfalls, while the north shore is dominated by low-density coastline and native vegetation.

Molokaʻi (Molokai) is reached primarily by air from Oʻahu: regular flights operate from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu to Molokai Airport (MKK/Hoʻolehua) with carriers such as Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines; flight time is about 25-30 minutes. From Molokai Airport the island’s main town Kaunakakai is a car ride of roughly 15-30 minutes (rental cars and local shuttles/taxis are available).

• If your goal is Kalaupapa National Historical Park, reserve your NPS-authorized mule/hiking or air-tour well in advance-access is restricted and guided permits are required to visit the settlement on Molokaʻi's north shore.
• For cultural hikes (Halawa Valley) and to experience local history, book a guided walk with a recognized local guide from the valley communities-many trails and waterfalls are on private or culturally managed land and guides both lead and interpret the sites.
• Fly into Hoʻolehua (Molokai Airport) rather than assuming a ferry connection; inter-island flights are the most reliable way to reach Molokaʻi and will save time compared with infrequent water services.