sunbum1944

I had the unique experience of staying at Kalaupapa as a guest - I worked in the hospital in Honolulu and one of my workmates met Richard Marks and wife Gloria at the hospital so they invited us over for a weekend.
We flew in on a plane loaded with eggs and newspapers - and Gloria was our hostess for the weekend. She drove us all over the colony and gave us the history from the eyes of a permanent resident and victim of the disease. We stayed in the visitors quarters -
It was really a memorable weekend - it was very beautiful and very quiet -
Didnt make to any other parts of the island though-

DawnCt

Sunbun, that must have been a memorable experience. While we were there, it was drizzling and misty and while it was indeed beautiful, there was a sense of desolation about it, I am sure, accentuated by the weather. I could imagine that in the winter, the seas would be very rough, limiting access of supplies and thwarting any hope of escape. It is hard to imagine that there are 7000 unmarked graves on that pennisula. A guilded cage is still a prison. I am glad things are different now.

kanunu

My wife and I did the day trip on the ferry from Lahaina in late March this year, on a bit of a last minute basis, and got a rental car as part of the package.....or maybe it was a "wreck" - the wipers didn't work, but we didn't need them anyway. It is so laid back and quiet over in Molokai, it is almost scary. To see totally empty, perfect beaches is somewhat unbelievable. One stop light on the island, and you almost don't have to look both ways when you get to a stop sign, as there won't be anybody coming. The golf course at the west end looked plenty good enough to suit us, and not a soul was out there. And it seemed reasonably lush and green, at least around the area of the resort. On the way over, you pass lots of dryer pasture/ranch land, of course. We would stay in the west end, no problem. I suppose you could do the peninsula for one day, see the rest of the island for another, and do the beach/snorkel thing in between and on the third day, so unless you are into non-stop action, 3 days should not leave you with too much free time. Molokai sure is a "one of a kind" place, and I was disappointed to have to leave after such a short stay. While a lot of people couldn't handle that much peace and quiet, we will be back, guaranteed.

Kal

Dawn and sunbum,
You lucky dawgettes!

We spent about an hour at the K'papa overlook. Beautiful!!!

Mrs Kal wanted to spend more time at Phallic Rock but we didn't want to take any chances........ :-"

sunbum1944

Kal- I forgot all about the Phallic Rock- I think I have a pic of me somewhere standing beside or sitting on

Maybe its time for a trip back to refresh my memory

Kal

I got a few of Mrs Kal riding it

PHEW!!!!

RX3

Hi All,

Thanks for the posts. Sounds like my kind of place. My favorite vacations have been to tiny 18 mile around islands like remote French Poly islands and the Cooks. I think we will increase our time to 5 days in Molokai to really appreciate it. Can't wait!

Kal

This month's CondeNast Traveler mag has a nice article on Molokai.

Darnnit! Too bad I've booked the whole Kauai trip already.

pdx

Just returned from my first trip, 6 days in Molokai. Sniff. I'm looking for sympathy, does anyone feel sorry for me? Seriously, I was fighting back tears when we left. It was a beautiful experience and we really didn't do anything. We (boyfriend and I) rented a condo at the Kaluakoi community on the golf course. Beautifully boring, we walked to the beach twice a day to watch the waves, the surfers and boogie boarders. The wind and the undertow were too strong for my swimming skills and I didn't get to go in except for getting my feet wet. But we visited most of the island's beaches and they all have different features and attributes. I know I won't have the money but I would love to go again this summer when I would be more comfortable in the water.
The people were so darn nice, helped us with directions, where to find a calm cove, even offered to defer payment for our dinner until the next day when we discovered the Cookhouse didn't accept debit/credit cards.
The restaurants were okay, nothing to write home about, and fresh fish is strangely lacking.
We read our books a lot, walked a lot, played golf once, looked for whales (bf saw one, I didn't) talked to a few people, listened to some live music at Paddler's Inn once, went to the movie theater (to see Underworld!) and just hung out.
I'd go again in a heartbeat.
RX3, February would probably not be the best time for the kids due to the strong surf. The east side of the island is definitely more green and has 20 Mile Beach (mile marker 20, not a 20 mile beach)which I believe has lots of reef and snorkeling opportunity, and safe because it's shallow for a long way out.
Three days is not enough, though.