This is a wonderful
beach to stroll for shells in the summer months, and it is also safe to
swim this time of year, however winter swells are hazardous, and not
recommended for swimming. We enjoy laying on this beach at night to
watch for shooting stars. You won’t believe how many you can count in
one evening!
Just a short walk from
the condo is Kepuhi Beach, where you may
find a surfer or two riding the waves, or a handful of local boogie
boarders cutting up the surf. However, most likely you will see just a
few beach lovers trying to spy Diamond Head across
Kaiwi Channel (26 miles to Oahu), or some sunset seekers looking
for the green flash as the sun dips down past the horizon. If you’re
really lucky, you’ll see the local Hawaiian Monk Seal who suns himself
on this beach from time to time. We spy him occasionally!
300 yards past
Kepuhi Beach, over the palm tree point of
the Kaluakoi Golf Course, is
Pohaku Mauhuli
Beach, locally known as Make Horse Beach (pronounced mock-ee).
Here tide pools make for fun sea life hunting, and snorkeling provides
an ocean treasure of seashells in a mere three to four feet of water.
The adventurous can snorkel past the next lava flow to a more secluded
beach called Kawakiu.
Dixie
Maru is located past
Papohaku Beach on the West end. While driving here you will pass
several “Beach Access” roads bordering Papohaku,
each leading to another beach cove with a beautiful view. You will also
see several million dollar homes owned by famous personalities. Dixie
Maru is a great beach for picnicking. From
here you can take a short 10 minute hike through a
Kiawi forest. It leads to an A-frame stile over a wire fence, and
yet another secluded beach called Kaunala
Bay.
Hale O
Lono Harbor can be reached by driving up to
the lovely plantation town of Maunaloa, and
then heading south down a dirt road past cattle ranchland, which finally
winds its way to the coast, and remnants of the old harbor. Here quite
often you will find a sailboat at anchor enjoying the calm protected
cove.
From
Mo’omomi Beach on the north shore you can
look out over the ocean and see nothing but blue seas and blue skies.
Here your vantage point is not blocked by one of the many surrounding
islands, but is a clear straight shot looking out over the Pacific
Ocean. A nearby covered picnic area is a nice spot to sit and soak up
the vast space and all encompassing blueness of this unique beach.
Waialua Beach at mile
marker 20, locally known as 20 Mile Beach is past Kaunakakai on the
eastern end of the island, and it’s a fantastic beach for snorkeling. It
is protected by Hawaii’s only barrier reef, an impressive 28 miles of
coral reef. You can snorkel out quite far, without finding yourself in
deep water. We’ve seen Green Sea Turtles (Honu)
here, and always an abundance of colorful tropical fish. From Waialua
Beach, eight miles across Pailolo Channel
you can see Maui and the high rises on Kaanapali
Beach and Kapalua Bay. At night Maui’s
coastline lights up, and it is a wonderful
sight to see from the tranquil shores of Molokai. Waialua Beach is also
a great vantage point to glimpse humpback whales in the
Lahaina Basin from December to May.
Finally, past many
more miles of gorgeous coastline you will reach
Halawa Valley where the first Polynesians landed in Hawaii
approximately 600 A.D. This is a must-see while on Molokai. The
extraordinary view of Hipuapua Falls,
Moa’ula Falls and
Kawili Beach, as you descend into the valley by way of narrow
switchbacks is like no other. Halawa means
“curved” and this spectacular view is proof. Here the
Halawa Stream meets the sea, and local
children play in the mixture of cool fresh water and warm sea water.
Plan on spending a full day driving to and from
Halawa Valley and enjoy the adventure, because it is a full day
of fun. While the condo is only 22 miles west of Kaunakakai and
Halawa Valley is only 27 miles east of
Kaunakakai (each located on complete opposite ends of the island), the
highest posted speed limit anywhere on the island is 45 mph, and in many
places less. The Halawa Valley experience is
easily over a two hour drive each way especially if you stop now and
then to take in the many other sights along the way. The sign posted
just outside of the Kaunakakai Airport reminding you to “Slow
Down You’re On Molokai” will now become
clear. Take your time as the locals do, and you’ll see more of “The
Friendly Island.”
Remember you’re on
vacation, lose the watch and enjoy the pristine beaches of Molokai!
