MOLOKAI BEACHES
Halawa Beach Park
"Curve" Beach
Highway 450,
Halawa
Halawa Beach Park is
actually made up of two beaches - Kama'alaea Beach (the curved beach on
the left) and Kawilli Beach (the rocky, more exposed beach on the right).
The two beaches together form a curved bay-type area at this eastern end
of the island. Both beaches are usually calm in the summer. However, the
winter months bring large waves and this becomes an excellent surfing
beach.
Excellent area for picnics and fishing. The Halawa Stream
flows into the Kawilli Beach. This stream is often full and wide due to
the heavy rains in the mountains above. Take Highway 450 to the end of the road
at Halawa. Cross the bridge and follow the rough road to the gravel
parking area. The two beaches are about 100 yards
ahead.
Hale'o Lono Beach
"House of Lono"
West
Molokai
Hale'o Lono Beach is next
to the man-made Hale'o Lono Harbor, site of the Molokai to O'ahu Outrigger
Competition. This beach is small and remote. All the land leading to the
beach and harbor is owned by the Molokai Ranch but there is a dirt road
that allows public access to the area. In ancient times there was a heiau
(temple) located in the area dedicated to the god, Lono. Hence, the naming
of the beach and harbor "House of Lono".
Lono was one of the major
gods brought to the islands by the Polynesians who settled here. He is the
uncle to Pele, goddess of fire. Lono had lots of attributes such as god of
fertility and agriculture, peace and productivity. He was often visualized
as a dark cloud, waterspout, or whirlwind. Take Highway 460 into the town
of Maunaloa. The road takes a sharp curve at the Pineapple exhibit (on
your left). Just past the exhibit and before the U.S. Post Office, turn
right on Mokio Street. This quickly becomes a dirt road. Follow the road
south all the way to the end. At the end of the road it will branch to the
left and right. Go left and you will see the harbor on your
right.
Honouli Malo'o
Bay
Highway 450, East
Molokai
Located between Murphy's
Beach and Sandy Beach along the East Coast of Molokai, Honouli Malo'o Bay
is another good surfing area. This more protected bay also has a sandy
beach good for swimming and snorkeling. The little settlement of Malo'o is
located on the mountain side of the highway. Here native Hawaiians still
live off the land as their ancestors did by growing taro and fishing. Take
Highway 450 east toward Halawa. Honouli Malo'o Bay is located just after
Mile Marker #21 and Rock Point.
Honouli Wai Bay
Highway 450, East
Molokai
Honouli Wai Bay is another
small bay located along the East Coast of Molokai on the way to Halawa
Valley. This bay, situated just after Murphy Beach and before Rock Point,
has good swimming and snorkeling but is not as sandy as the Honouli Malo'o
Beach a mile further east.
A small community of Malo'o is located
nearby. Many residents here practice traditional Hawaiian ways, growing
their food and fishing. There is a fresh water stream that runs from the
mountains to the sea through this town and supplies them with water for
their taro fields.
Take Highway 450 east toward Halawa. Honouli Wai
Bay is located a little past Mile Marker #20 (where Murphy's Beach is
located).
Kakahai'a Beach Park
Highway 450, South
Molokai
Also known as Kakahai'a
County Park and National Wildlife Refuge, this beach park is located just
a few miles east of the main city of Kaunakakai. The swimming here is not
very good due to the shallow, rocky bottom, but the park is very nice for
picnics.
The National Wildlife Refuge is home to two endangered
species of seabirds - the Hawaiian Stilt and the Hawaiian Coot. The beach
is actually an ancient Hawaiian fishpond used to raise fish for the
royalty. Some of the area in the beach park is restricted for conservation
purposes and permission must be obtained before exploring the sanctuary.
Take Highway 450 east from Kaunakakai. This beach park is located between
Mile Marker #5 and 6, two miles east of One Ali'i Beach Park.
Kepuhi Bay
Kaluakoi Resort,
West Molokai
Kephuhi Beach is the
primary beach for the Kaluakoi Resort. As with all the beaches on the west
coast, this beach is usually not safe for swimming due to high surf
conditions. The beach has a rocky and sandy shoreline making it even more
hazardous for water sports but picturesque for viewing the ocean and
beautiful sunsets.
During the summer months, however, the ocean
can be much calmer making this area nice for snorkeling, diving and
bodysurfing. From Ho'olehua Airport, go west on Highway 460. Take Kaluakoi
Road to the right and follow the signs to the resort. Park and walk
through the resort to the beach.
Kiowea Beach Park
Highway 460, South
Molokai
This beach park is located
to the east of the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove before Kaunakakai Wharf. The
area is currently undergoing refurbishing along with the replanting of the
Coconut Grove.
The beach is poor for swimming due to the mud-flats
that surround this portion of the island, however, it is an excellent
picnic area and superb for watching the sunset. Take Highway 460 west out
of the town of Kaunakakai. The beach is approximately one mile on the
left, just before the Coconut Grove.
Mo'omomi Beach
part of the
Mo'omomi Preserve
Controlled by the
Nature Conservancy of Hawaii
808-553-5236
(Molokai)Mo'omomi Road,
Northwest Molokai
Mo'omomi Beach is located
in the Mo'omomi Preserve. The beach is accessible only by a 4-wheel drive
dirt road that is deeply rutted and often impassable. The shoreline is
sandy but is only safe for swimming in the summer months when the ocean is
calmer.
During the winter, the waves wash away a large portion of
the beach, but the strong northeast tradewinds drives more sand inland
creating huge sand dunes. These dunes are up to a mile long and hundreds
of feet wide.
Ancient Hawaiians lived in this area during the
summer in order to fish and prepare food for the rough winter months on
the north shore of Molokai. Evidence indicates that people came to this
region as early as the 11th Century. The Preserve surrounding the area
encompasses 921 acres and protects over 22 native plants. The Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii purchased and manages the Mo'omomi Preserve. They
conduct informational hiking tours regularly into the area.
GUIDED HIKES - Provided by the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.
Reservations required. No fee - donations accepted. Call for complete
information at 808-553-5236
UN-GUIDED HIKES - No permit required.
Trails begin from the Hawaiian Home Lands beach area east of the preserve.
Visit the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii branch in Molokai for a map of the
area.
VISIT BY VEHICLE - 4-wheel drive vehicles recommended. Check
with the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii in Molokai for road conditions,
permit, key, and map of the area. Park only in designated areas and stay
on the marked trail.
