The scenic overlook of Halawa Valley on the east side of the island.

Photo: David Croxford

A visual journey around Molokai

Get into a Molokai state of mind with these snapshots of life on The Friendly Island.

By Hawaii Magazine Oct 29, 2018

A refuge from the crowds, Molokai is full of sights of exceptional beauty, but visiting The Friendly Island means, first, getting into a Molokai state of mind, as the many signs you’ll see will say: slow down, don’t rush, just relax, ’cause this is Molokai.

All photography by David Croxford.

molokai hula
Dancers from Halau Hula O Kukunaokala at the annual Ka Hula Piko festival, celebrating the island’s history as the birthplace of hula.

 

molokai
Outside the airport, this sign greets you with a message.

 

palms molokai
Named after King Kamehameha V, the royal Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove once contained 1,000 coconut trees planted in the 1860s.

 

molokai
At Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nuts, Tuddie Purdy gives free tours of his farm, where you can learn about the history of mac nuts and have a hand at cracking one or two open.

 

mac nuts
Macadamia nuts on a tree at Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut farm.

 

fries molokai
If you’re going to Paddlers restaurant, you have to get the fries with fried garlic, furikake, yaki sauce and butter, but any dish on its pupu (appetizer) menu is a winner.

 

aloha spirit
This sign is spotted while walking around Kaunakakai.

 

cookhouse
Order up a bacon cheeseburger with fries and sit outside at Kualapuu Cookhouse, one of the island’s popular breakfast and lunch spots.
burger
When we say "bacon cheeseburger," we're talking about one of these bad boys. 
fruit
Kumu Farms, a 60-acre farm near the airport, sells an assortment of fresh produce, including apple bananas, papaya, avocado, salads and more.

 

kumu farms
The lush grounds of Kumu Farms. 

 

kaunakakai
Find shops, boutiques and a variety of food off the main strip of Kaunakakai town, but don’t expect to find any traffic lights.

 

giftshop
Inside the eclectic gift shop Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions, there’s artwork, jewelry, books, clothing and souvenirs.

 

falls
Following a 3-mile Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike with residents of the valley
(the Solatorio ohana), taking a dip at Mooula Falls is encouraged.
solatorio
Anakala Pilipo Solatorio, the last living descendant to be born and raised in Halawa Valley, teaches guests about the sacred place and invites them into his home through guided cultural hikes.

 

nightlife
A late-night bread run is all Kaunakakai’s nightlife has to offer, and we’re not complaining. From 7 to 11 p.m., people line up at the backdoor of Kanemitsu’s Bakery for its famous hot bread, slathered with cream cheese and strawberry or cinnamon.

 

sunset molokai
A spectacular Molokai sunset with hues of purple and pink,
as seen from Hotel Molokai’s restaurant, Hiro’s Ohana Grill.