Must-see attractions in Moloka'i

  • Kalaupapa National Historical Park

    Kalaupapa Overlook

    Moloka'i

    This spot offers a scenic overview of the Kalaupapa Peninsula, formerly an isolation zone for sufferers of Hansen's disease (leprosy), from the edge of a…

  • Papohaku beach, island of Molokai, Hawaii.

    Papohaku Beach

    Moloka'i

    The light-hued sands of Papohaku Beach run for an astounding 2.5 miles. Come here for the solitude – the sand is soft and you can often stroll from one…

  • Kepuhi Beach

    Kepuhi Beach

    Moloka'i

    Kepuhi is a rocky, white-sand dream, but swimming here can be a nightmare. There's a tough shore break, and strong currents are often present, even on…

  •  View of Halawa Beach Park and the Halawa Valley on the island of Moloka'i, Hawaii.

    Halawa Beach Park

    Moloka'i

    Where the road ends at the east of the island you'll find gorgeous Halawa Beach, clasped by verdant tropical hills. It was a favored surfing spot for…

  • St Joseph's Church, Molokai.

    St Joseph’s Church

    Moloka'i

    Only two of the four Moloka‘i churches that missionary saint Father Damien (who selflessly comforted leprosy patients for 16 years) built outside the…

  • Kamakou Preserve

    Moloka'i

    Hiking back through three million years of evolution on the Pepeʻopae Trail is Kamakou’s star attraction. Crossed by a boardwalk, this undisturbed…

  • Kawakiu Beach

    Moloka'i

    Kaluakoi's northernmost beach is also the best. Those with a sense of adventure can search out this secluded crescent of white sand and bright-turquoise…

  • Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm

    Moloka'i

    Enthusiastic nut farmer Tuddie Purdy takes you on a free tour of his more-than-80-year-old orchard, explains how the nuts grow without pesticides,…

  • Mo'oula & Hipuapua Falls

    Moloka'i

    Cascading down the back of the lush Halawa Valley are the mesmerizing twin 250ft Mo'oula and Hipuapua Falls, hidden in a rich valley and reached by a two…

  • ʻIliʻiliʻopae Heiau

    Moloka'i

    'Ili'ili'opae Heiau is Moloka'i's biggest and best-known heiau, and is thought to be the second largest in Hawaii. It also might possibly be the oldest…

  • Twenty Mile Beach

    Moloka'i

    This spot is well protected by a reef, and the curve of fine sand fronts a large lagoon that's great for snorkeling. Near shore there are rocks and the…

  • Waikolu Lookout

    Moloka'i

    At 3600ft, Waikolu Lookout provides a breathtaking view into the steep Waikolu Valley and out to the ocean beyond. After rains, the white strands of…

  • Kauleonanahoa

    Moloka'i

    Kauleonanahoa (the penis of Nanahoa) is Hawaii's premier phallic stone, standing proud in a little clearing inside an ironwood grove about a five-minute…

  • Rock Point

    Moloka'i

    The pointy clutch of rocks sticking out as the road swings left before the 21-mile marker is, appropriately enough, called Rock Point. This popular surf…

  • Dixie Maru Beach

    Moloka'i

    At the southern end of Pohakuloa Rd there's a parking lot with access to a narrow, round inlet that the ancient Hawaiians knew as Kapukahehu. It is now…

  • Kapuaʻiwa Coconut Grove

    Moloka'i

    Molokaʻi was the favorite island playground of Kamehameha V. He had the royal 10-acre Kapuaʻiwa Coconut Grove planted near his sacred bathing pools in the…

  • Molokaʻi Forest Reserve

    Moloka'i

    The 10-mile 4WD drive up to Waikolu Lookout takes about 45 minutes (follow the dirt path near the Homelani Cemetery sign on Rte 460/ Maunaloa Hwy. Road…

  • Kuleana Work Center

    Moloka'i

    Pruet runs a flower farm, offers waterfall hikes and makes a mean smoothie from fruit he gathers at this lush spread of land. You can self-tour his…

  • One Aliʻi Beach Park

    Moloka'i

    Three miles east of town, this park is split into two areas. One side has a coconut-palm-lined shore, a playing field, a children's playground, a rundown…

  • Sandalwood Pit

    Moloka'i

    A grassy depression on the left side of the road in Molokaʻi Forest Reserve marks the centuries-old Sandalwood Pit. In the early 19th century, shortly…

  • Smith-Bronte Landing

    Moloka'i

    Just over three-quarters of a mile after mile marker 11, a small sign on the makai (seaward) side of the road notes the Smith-Bronte Landing, the site…

  • Puʻu o Kaiaka

    Moloka'i

    Hike five minutes to the top of Pu'u o Kaiaka for a super view of Papohaku Beach. This 110ft-high promontory at the southern end of Kepuhi Beach has the…

  • Kaunakakai Wharf

    Moloka'i

    Come here to witness Molokaʻi's busy commercial lifeline. OK, it's not that busy… a freight barge occasionally chugs in, skippers unload their catch of…

  • Our Lady of Seven Sorrows

    Moloka'i

    The present Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is a 1966 reconstruction of the original wood-frame church constructed in 1874 by Hawaii's first saint, Father…

  • Kahinapohaku Fishpond

    Moloka'i

    Ongoing restoration efforts have made this the premier fishpond on the island, tended by konohiki (caretakers) who live simply on site. You can see…

  • ʻUalapuʻe Fishpond

    Moloka'i

    Half a mile beyond the Wavecrest Resort condo development, at mile marker 13, you'll spot ʻUalapuʻe Fishpond on the makai (seaward) side of the road. This…

  • Softball Field

    Moloka'i

    The local softball field is usually busy. It's off Ainoa St next to the baseball field.

  • Baseball Field

    Moloka'i

    This local baseball field is a prominent landmark on the east side of town, off Ainoa St.

  • Make Horse Beach

    Moloka'i

    Make Horse Beach supposedly takes its name from days past when wild horses were run off the tall, dark cliff on its northern end; make (mah-kay) means …

  • Molokaʻi Museum & Cultural Center

    Moloka'i

    The RW Meyer Sugar Mill has enjoyed a series of restorations over time. It now houses a museum and cultural center, which has a small but intriguing…

  • Pala‘au State Park

    Moloka'i

    Soak in the views over the Kalaupapa Peninsula, listen to winds rustle through groves of ironwood and eucalyptus trees and witness sacred rocks that…

  • Church Row

    Moloka'i

    Across from the coconut grove is Church Row. Any denomination that attracts a handful of members receives its own little tract of land. Religion in…