Below Is A Little Bit About Molokai
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Aloha, and welcome to Molokai! Molokai is one of the smaller islands in the center of the Hawaiian chain, it is 40 miles long and 10 miles wide. Molokai may be small but it's landscapes are all it's own. With 7,000 people on the island and one road, there isn't a single traffic jam or light to slow youg travels. The mountains peak at just about 5,200ft and there are beaches that run the coast for miles. Molokai is known for having the highest sea cliffs in the world at 3,900ft and being the most friendly island. Each side of the island has it's own unique landscapes. The west side of the island is dry and hot, the beaches are beautiful and the sunsets(pic. right) are unmatched anywhere in the world. The small town of Maunaloa resides at the end of the road on the west end of the island. At 1,000ft above sea level the General Store, Big Wind Kite Factory, and Post Office are all that are left in the small plantation town that used to be booming with pineapple fields, trucks and workers. When you get there you must go and visit the Big Wind Kite Factory, (open 8:30 - 5:00 daily) they give free factory tours, free kite flying lessons and they have some of the weirdest stuff from all over the world in their gallery. The Kite Factory has been in Maunaloa town for 30 years and if you are lucky enough to catch the owner, Jonathan Socher, he will fill your head with wild stories from his travels to far away places around the world. |
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When you get to the Kite Factory the first question probably is...... "Where's the Beach?" Answer - "You passed it." That's right, you passed it. While you were so blissfully driving through the hills and taking in the beautiful surroundings you missed the right turn to go down the mountain to the beach. So turn around and and take your first left. At the bottom of the hill a re the beaches, a few places to stay and the Kaluakoa Golf Course that is open... sometimes. The beaches are amazing but dangerous. Please proceed with caution. The surf can come up at any moment and wash you out to sea during the winter months. The best times to visit and swim on the west end of the island is during the summer months. If you are there during the winter please pay attention to the news and surf forecasts. Also there is a beach at the end of the road that is called " Dixie Maroo" or "Dixies" to the locals which has a bay you can swim in even if the surf is too big at the other beaches. The west end is a great place to explore and walk along the coast down by the beaches, who knows, you'll probably find a beautiful deserted beach. Just remember to bring a lot of water & sunscreen. |
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Ho`olehua is in the center of the island. In this area are some of the Hawaiian homestead lands. Free land that can only be lived on by people with Hawaiian blood, to farm and raise livestock. The Ho`olehua Airport is in this area and the only high school on the island is a few miles down the road. Behind Molokai High School is the Purdy Nut Farm, where all your macadamian nut dreams can come true. From raw nuts to roasted ones the Purdys have the best nuts on the island. Also in this area is Mo`omomi beach, which is a very special place on the island. If you have a chance, contact the Nature Conservancy on Molokai. They run tours down to the beach, along the coast and cover a great deal of histoy about the area, native plants and species.(pic. right) The Nature Conservancy also run tours up to the Molokai Forest Preserve. (pic. above) The preserve aka "the Bog" is a three to five mile board walk through a tropical rain forest. Full of plant species, some only found on Molokai and others only in Hawaii. The Mo`omomi walk and the rain forest board walk are must see adventures on Molokai. Both can be done on your own or with the Nature Conservency but you do need a four weel drive to do both adventures. After you leave the Purdy Nut Farm a few miles down the road is the town of Kualapuu where you can stop to eat at the Kualapuu Cook House, pick up some snacks from the Kaulapuu Store, and grab a hot cup of Molokai Coffee at Coffees of Hawaii. |
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After lunch and coffee take a left when you get to Kalai Hwy and head up to the Myers Sugar Mill, Ironwoods Golf Course, and the Kalaupapa Mule Ride, Lookout and Phalic Rock (pic. below) Kalaupapa (pic. left) is a paninsula on the north side of the island. about three miles long and one mile wide the Kalaupapa is a beautiful place with a very sad history. When the white man came to Hawaii he brought diseases one of which was Lepercy or Hansen's Disease and at this point in History there was no cure for the this horrble sickness. As a result sick people were rounded up and put on ships that would take them to Kalaupapa. When they got to Kalaupapa they were pushed off the ship and forced to swim through the dangerous surf to shore. Today you can take a Mule Ride down the the sea cliffs to the town walk down the trail or fly into the small airport on the tip of the island. When you get there you will learn the stories of Father Damian who was one of the first missionaries to go to Kalaupapa and help the people overcome their disease and find faith in god. The Kalaupapa Lookout(pic. right) is at the end of the road in Kalai. When you get to the parking lot to the right is the side walk to the Lookout. The left dirt path takes you to the Phalic Rock (pic Below) which is a naturally shaped rock that is shaped... like....a......penis. Yes a Penis! Anyway the rock is said to have spiritual powers and in the ancient days was suppost to help a youg female who prayed and left an offering concive a child. It's a pretty big rock. |
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After you leave the Phalic rock as you head back down the Kalai road there are a few parks around here that serve as a wonderful place to have a picnic or just relax and take it all in for a moment. Kalai can sometimes a bit cold at about 3800ft - 4000ft above sea leve but it is a truly wonderful place to chilax on a nice afternoon. Next on the list of things to do is Ironwoods Golf Course. Ironwoods is a great nine hole course. This course is not as well kept as the Kaluakoi Golf Course on the west end but it has a veriety of holes that play along the mountian side. Lots of hills, gultches and trees to play over and around and the greens are small, quick hard to hit. It's cheap and it's open, unlike the Kaluakoi Golf Course which is a great but expencive course..... when open. Anyway I digress. We were on our way down to the town of Kanakakai or just plain old "town" to the loacls. Kaunakakai or "town" is the main hub on Molokai. "Town" is about 3 blocks long, if your lookng for somthing food wise you could head over to one of the local eateries like Paddlers Inn or The Molokai Drive In, also Mrs. K's and Big Daddy's have alot of local flavor if thats what your lookin for. If you can't handle the local food there is a Subway sadwhich shop and a great Pizza Cafe that does more that just pizza. Also Paddlers Inn makes great burgers and Kamo'i Snack & Go is a |
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great place for ice cream after lunch. The Cheveron Gas station also has some great local goddies to go if you just need a snack on the road. Also in town are four places to get all your groceries needs, Friendly Market, Misaki's, Mango Mart, and Whole Foods... not that Whole foods, Whole Foods Co Opp for all your natural food lovin tree huggin hippies and smart people.
To be continued...... |
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January 31, 2009 KA MOLOKA'I MAKAHIKI FESTIVAL March 28 PRINCE KUHIO CELEBRATION April 17 EARTH DAY CELEBRATION March 14 HO'OMAU CONCERT BENEFITING PUNANA LEO O MOLOKAI May 3 KAIWI CHALLENGE RELAY ~ OC-1/Kayak (Surfski) July 26 August TBA STATE TOURNAMENT September 19 MAUI TO MOLOKAI CANOE RACE September 27 NA WAHINE O KE KAI September TBA Aloha Festivals is Hawaii's premier cultural showcase, a celebration of Hawai'i's music, dance and history intended to preserve the unique island traditions. We invite you to explore and find out what makes Aloha Festivals special. Contact tina.thompson@co.maui.hi.us or visit alohafestivals.com October 11 December 5 CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE & HO'OLAULE'A |