While in Hawaii (15 days) this June we will be spending time between Maui and the Big Island -- my mom is coming with us to help with our 3 older kids. My husband and I were thinking of taking a side trip for 1 or 2 nights and leaving my mom with the kids at the Westin Maui.

Now for my question -- Is Molokai worth a side trip from Maui or should we consider another island or just more romantic accomodations on Maui.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

I never know how to respond to the "is it worth" quesiton, because all travel is so subjective. But I'l give it a try. We spent 6 days on Molokai with our teenage daughters in April, 2003, and absolutely loved it. We stayed in the tent cabins on the beach at Molokai Ranch, and spent our time lazing on the beach, swimming, beachcombing and snorkeling, and mountain biking. One day we rented a car and drove to a lovely beach at the other end of the island for body-surfing. We wanted to hike down to Kalaupapa, but children under 16 are not allowed, so we just hiked to the overlook, which is beautiful. Another day we went horseback riding on well-trained, responsive horses, through grass up to the horses' knees, with views out to the ocean and other islands. It was the best "paid" horseback ride I've ever done (I'm hard to please in that respect because I have had my own horses).

My sister-in-law also has spent time there---a week at a rented beach house---and they love it too.

That said, I will caution you that Molokai is not for everyone. It is way too quiet for many people. And I believe that since we were there, ownership or management of Molokai Ranch has changed---resulting in some negative reviews. Also, I have heard that Hawaiian Airlines no longer flies there, or at least doesn't fly jets from Oahu, so it is much harder to get to.

Thanks -- that is very helpful!

We are looking for down between Maui and the Big Island. Molokai sounds wonderful. But I was concerned because I have read some negative reviews about the Ranch and there don't seem to be many lodging options on the island.

I was thinking of taking the ferry between Maui and Molokai -- any thoughts?

Thanks again.

I'm afraid I don't know anyting about the ferries from Maui.

I just read the more recent reviews on Tripadvisor of both the Lodge at Molokai Ranch and the Beach Village. I'd say they are pretty accurate---some people think it's wonderful, others are disappointed at the level of service. I suppose it's all in what you expect---we didn't go there expecting 5-star service or anything fancy. We found everyone very friendly and responsive, but "laid back" in attitude. We got a good price on a tent cabin for our family of 4 because I'm a Starwood member. Is it still a Sheraton? That was one of the nice things about it---the tent cabins were very comfortable; nice breezes blowing through, very clean and no bugs, and those wonderful Sheraton beds. And yet we were living "outdoors". I loved the bathroom, open to the sky, even tho' we had to wait for the solar-heated shower to warm up each day.

We didn't see inside the Lodge rooms, but the common areas and pool area were nice. We did eat dinner there one night and it was very good. Even tho' the waitress did not know anything about the menu, the chef did a great job.

Would we go back? Yes, if we wanted to return to Hawaii, and if I could determine that it hadn't changed too much. My husband hates Maui (too built-up, too many condos), so our other choices in Hawaii would be the Big Island or Kauai. But since that last trip, we've been able to take the girls to Europe on spring break for about the same price as a Hawaiin vacation, so that's what we do.

My wife and I did the day trip from Lahaina to Molokai last year, taking the ferry, and things are soooo different over there. But we will go back, and stay over next time. People are few and far between, compared to the other main islands, and the pace very slow, with few vehicles on the roads. I never could get over all those beautiful tropical beaches, with either no one, or only a few people on them. But if you go there, be prepared to create most of your own nightlife! And as for the ferry, the ride can be a bit rough, you might want to use the usual sea sick remedies, if you have issues that way. Go for it!

i am happy to live on molokai and we run a little guesthouse near the kalaupapa lookout. i just joined this forum and will help with whatever questions i can answer. we go to maui on the ferry about 2 to 3 times a year to shop and we stay there about 4 or 5 days. we like lahaina. yes, it is peaceful here and we still can feel safe. there are no luxuries here. if you come over try to be here on a friday afternoon when the kupunas (elders) sing and play hawaiian and old-time tunes at hotel molokai. then on saturdays we have the saturday morning open market in kaunakakai.

Halemalu - what is the name of that bread place where you can get sweet bread with cinamon and other flavors? I remember knocking on the back door of a building at around 10:00 at night, down a deserted walkway (I felt like I was buying drugs). Best sweet bread I ever had. But I can't remember what it's called.

Thanks,
Jolie

Forgot to mention - the bread place was in Kaunakakai very close to the harbor. I remember we got there 10 minutes early only to be lectured "come back later!" and the door slammed in my face. We hung out at the harbor until the correct time. It was worth it.

The bread place is Kanemitsu

Is that bread place in Lahaina - because we are staying on kaanapali beach right now at the Westin Villas.

no, kanemitsu bakery is in kaunakakai, moloka'i.

I went to Molokai a couple of years ago and found it lived up to its reputation as the true locals island, so much so that I did not feel that visitors were that welcome. It IS rustic and authentic if that's what you're looking for, but I HIGHLY recommend you take a side trip to Lanai instead (also a ferry from Lahaina). Lanai has a wonderful Victorian Lodge and a swanky beach resort or you can go four wheeling on the island's all dirt roads (do some research on Lanai - you won't be disappointed.)

Hanalei - thank you! I'll have to remember that name in case I ever get to go back there.

My husband and I just got back 5 days ago from an 11 day stint on the BI and Molokai.

Molokai only has 7,000 residents and is much more laid back as all other posters on this forum have indicated. Even though we flew from BI (in a very round about way I might add) I can only tell you that I was glad I didn't take the ferry. We met up with some people who had taken the ferry over and were very disappointed at how dirty and rickety the vessel was. Also, they said it felt like it took all day long to get from Maui to BI.

There are not many places to eat on Molokai so I was glad we had our own kitchen on the East End of the island at a beach rental. The beach rental was a little run down, but for $115 night we had our own beach and fish pond right out front. That was worth the price in my estimation.

Two restaurants we enjoyed were the Cookhouse and the Molokai Pizza Cafe. The chocolate macadamia nut pie at the Cookhouse was delicious. It is like pecan pie but with macadamia nuts. I could have done without the chocolate syrup however (that's what makes it chocolate by name).

We really enjoyed our tour of Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm. These are the best macadamia nuts I have ever eaten. If you go there and try them you'll see.

On the BI we stayed several nights in Volcano Village (another private rental - not hotel) and loved tromping around the volcano. We were lucky enough to be in snow when we drove up to the top of Mauna Kea. I noticed as we flew over it a few days ago, the snow is almost gone. We were very fortunate. What a trip to be in Hawaii in the snow.

Because we were involved in a little scuffle in Downtown Hilo with an undesirable (he was wacked out on drugs and was having a tourist hating day), the Visitor's Center called after reading our report with the Hilo police to invite us to the University of Hawaii at Hilo's planetarium show gratis. This was pretty cool. I don't know how much it costs, maybe $5-10/pp. Not much I don't think. I would recommend taking the 30-45 mins out to see the show. We normally wouldn't spend our time indoors on vacation but couldn't resist a free thing and it was worth it.

After Molokai we came back to the BI and stayed on the Kona side. We were about 10 or so miles south of Kailua and really enjoyed this black sand beach that had great snorkeling at all hours of the day. People can camp on the beach under the trees so its not a clean as say Hapuna Beach (oh... totally beautiful) but we were glad this little beach (starts with an H and is at about mile marker 102 off Hwy 11) was close to our accommodations.

I realize this is turning into a trip report and will stop now.

Have fun in Hawaii.

Lynne

Reply to Auntylynne,
Mahalo for the mini T.R.!

"I can only tell you that I was glad I didn't take the ferry. We met up with some people who had taken the ferry over and were very disappointed at how dirty and rickety the vessel was. Also, they said it felt like it took all day long to get from Maui to BI".

I've heard about the superferry interisland service for 2007, can you tell me what ferry is running now between Maui and Big Isle

I incorrectly typed BI. So that there is no confusion on a ferry traveling between Maui and the BI that feels like it takes all day (there could be one but it is not my intended reference) here we go:

"Molokai only has 7,000 residents and is much more laid back as all other posters on this forum have indicated. Even though we flew from BI (in a very round about way I might add) I can only tell you that I was glad I didn't take the ferry. We met up with some people who had taken the ferry over and were very disappointed at how dirty and rickety the vessel was. Also, they said it felt like it took all day long to get from Maui to Molokai." :}

Have any of you played the Kaluakoi golf course since it reopened last year to 18 holes?

Also, those tent bungalos...it looks like two share the same deck and shower? Can three people sleep in one?