East Molokai
Where to Stay in East Molokai
There are lots of places to stay in Molokai, although one may find that four or five-star resorts do not abound here. East Molokai is a place of forest cliffs and highlands and is still known for its rustic and rugged charm. This section of Molokai is naturally separated from the rest of Molokai by rugged cliffs and highlands and is famous for being the home of Mt. Kamakou and the spectacular Halawa Valley. This area of Molokai is also home to the 250-foot Mooula Falls and the Kalaupapa National Historic Park.
It has only begun changes to make itself more appealing to the touristy crowd with the development and promotion of such sights as Kumimi Beach, bringing in guided tours through Hawala Trail and the promotion of the now-famous mule rides in Kalaupapa National Historic Park.
East Molokia vacation rentals
There are a lot of vacation rentals to choose from in East Molokai and one can browse through listings online.
• Wavecrest Rentals
Popular options include Wavecrest rentals, which are often 1 or 2 bedroom condos for 4-person to 6-person groups and even larger. Most of the Wavecrest condos also have a great view of the ocean and of the island of Maui just across the water. Wavecrest also has its own tennis courts and a swimming pool. You will also find the great accommodation options by contacting beach rentals owners in Kaluakoi which provide condo units overlooking the Kaluakoi golf course and Kepuhi beach.
• Ka Hale Ola
Another beautiful accommodation option is the Ka Hale Ola, a designer condo with one of the best ocean front views in East Molokai. You can approach Molokai Vacation Rentals for more options in condos and vacation rentals in any part of East Molokai. You can also choose to rent one of the two Dunbar Beachfront cottages composed of two vacation homes that come with their own stretch of private beach. The cottages are done in green and white and sleeps up to groups of four. They also offer great views of Maui and Lanai.
• Hale Pukoo
Hale Pukoo is another great accmodation option in East Molokai. This is a Tahitian-inspired 3-bedroom house that offers spectacular views of Maui and Lanai as well as sunrises and sunsets that are unrivaled anywhere in the island.
• Molokai Beach House at Waialua,
Finally, there’s the Molokai Beach House at Waialua, which has an oceanfront view, with three bedrooms and two baths good for six people. The cottage comes with its own barbeque grill, a large yard to romp around, and its own little stretch of beach.
• Kamalo Plantation and Moanui Beach House
Guests may also find Kamalo Plantation and Moanui Beach House a charming place to stay in. The five-acre lush property sits at the feet of Molokai’s mountains and is a good vantage point from which to watch out for rainbows. Owned by Glenn and Akiko Foster, the property sits right across the road from the historic St. Joseph Church founded by Father Damien. The property features a plantation-style cottage that is surrounded by tall palm trees and comes with complete amenities from the fridge to the VCR.
• The Lodge at Pu`u O Hoku (Hill Of Stars) Ranch
The Lodge at Pu`u O Hoku (Hill Of Stars) Ranch is another good option and offers a good view of everything below at 750 feet above sea level and surrounded by acres of lush lawn and vegetation. Form here you can get spectacular views of the ocean.
• Paniolo Hale
Online listings are a great way to browse through possible vacation rentals, among them Paniolo Hale, a charming little condo complex that sits on the edge of secluded little stretch of white sand beach and stands overlooking the Kaluakoi Golf Course, which separates the condo from the Kaluakoi Resort. Guest can enjoy a lazy day reading a book by the waters of the Kepuhi Beach, which is a favorite place for beach bums and beachcombers. The water may be too treacherous for casual swimmers though, so swimming is discouraged. The property also comes with a pool, a tennis court, and a barbeque grill.
Camping sites
East Molokai has focused its energies on providing interesting tourist destinations which are ecologically sustainable at the same time, the very reason why East Molokai also has its share of camping sites for those who want to keep their Hawaiian adventure rugged and organic, without the frills and excesses of hotel and resort luxuries. Camping sites are all over Molokai, not just in the East end. These include One Alii Beach Park, Papohaku Beach Park, Maui County Parks & Recreation Office, Pala'au State Park, and Waialua Pavilion and Campground, a private campground.
One Alii Beach Park allows overnight camping once you get a permit from the Parks Department. The park is located in the South shore and comes with an ample number of picnic tables and open spaces for campers to pitch their tents. The water is shallow, making it good for wading and for families with small children. It also comes with restrooms with cold showers.
Another popular camping site is the Papohaku Beach Park which is located right next to one of the longest stretches of white sand in the island. The waters can be treacherous though, so swimmers are cautioned from swimming unless the waters are calm and even. The park has ample space for large tents and comes with restrooms and showers. Pala'au State Park is another park that overlooks Kalaupapa and features a tent campsite surrounded by a grove of ironwoods. The Waialua Pavilion and Campground is a private campground owned by the Wailua Congregational Church located in east Molokai and is a common place for church retreats, family gatherings, and summer camps for kids. The camp comes with its own pavilion, a kitchen, and restrooms with showers.
East Molokai lodges
Molokai Ranch Lodge Beach Village
This is an upscale Hawaiian lodge that is rated as the best place to stay in when in Molokai. With 22 rooms, this ranch-style lodge has a number of bungalows in a private beach. Located at 1200 feet above sea level, the ranch comes with its own restaurant, gym, and a spa with a heated pool.
You can also opt to check in at the Molokai Shore Suits, a 145-unit, three-storey building apartment complex that comes with individual kitchens and private lanais that look out to a charming strip of white sand beach. The complex also comes with a swimming pool and barbeque area. The beach is not that great to wade in, however, but is suitable for kayaking and fishing. Units are individually owned but some may also be owned by several management companies.
Accommodations around Molokai
You might want to look for accommodations outside of east Molokai, especially since the other parts of Molokai are easily accessible within a few minutes by car. One good option is the Ke Nani Kai Resort, which is good family-friendly resort that comes with large apartments and comes with its own volleyball and tennis court. A golf course is also found near this resort. Although the units are a little bit of a walk from the beach, parking is easy. However, maid service only comes every third day.
Hotel Molokai is another place where tourists choose to stay when visiting the places in and around east Molokai. The hotel is a series of A-framed units that open to a great view of Lanai. The beach may not be too good for swimming though. The hotel which is located in Kaunakakai was renovated in 2006. This is the only hotel in Kaunakakai and units come with their own kitchenettes. Some units may come with their own lanais.