Molokai

We are hoping to go to Hawaii in April of 2009. As we have approximately 3 weeks, I was wondering about spending a week in Molokai, but I know very little about it. We like to be where it is quiet and not too touristy, and would also like to experience true Hawaiin culture (as opposed to Westernized tourist traps). Can anybody tell me more about this place? I would like to know what type of cultural experiences are available, how it compares to the other islands cost wise, where the quiet, clean, and affordable places to stay are etc.

Molokai

most people spend only a few days on moloka%26#39;i because they think they can see it all. if it is sight-seeing only which they want, and a tour of kalaupapa, this is true. but if you are interested in participating in something, a week would be great. just by googling ';molokai'; you will come across activities like hula class, making a plumeria lei, getting your hands dirty planting taro in halawa valley. what is ';missing'; on this island is that you can%26#39;t snap your fingers and join something at the spur of the moment. it takes some research and contacting people ahead of time. much of this is ';word by mouth'; as you are milling around kaunakakai or the coffee plantation. on sundays at the ';coffees of hawaii'; a group of kupuna (old folks) are singing and playing, impromptu hula, on fridays at hotel moloka%26#39;i another group plays for the happy hour. on thursday evening it%26#39;s primerib night at the kualapuu cookhouse. this little landmark gets so busy with locals that they put tables and chairs out front. and you never know who brings their ukulele and guitars. this stuff isn%26#39;t advertised, people here just ';know';, it%26#39;s by ';coconut wireless';.

Molokai

I%26#39;d suggest staying on the West End of the island - Kepuhi Beach Resort or Ke-Nani-Kai. Most of these units are privately owned and are all rentable. At that time of the year you shou;d be able to rent a unit for $500.00 a week.Check on VRBO.com or similar websites for privately owned condos. On the island FRiendly Isle Realty also has several to rent. We always stay at the Kepuhi Beach Resort( Formerly callec Kaluakoi Villas). Not PLUSH but all are quite nice. We find costs on Molokai are cheaper than the other islands. You will definitely need to rent a car. The ideas of your first responder are all good things to do on the island. It is just a place to kick back and enjoy the quiet solitude. RON

I appreciate the suggestions from both responders. I would also like to know a little more about Father Damien%26#39;s leper colony. Is it possible to hike in and return on mule? I would like the experience of hiking in, and also thought that breaking it up by hiking one way and returning the other might be easier to take than doing either the hike or the mule ride both ways in one day.

Also, I have been finding it hard to get consistent information on prices for Father Damien%26#39;s tours, does anybody know where that can be found?

no, you would have to take the mule both ways. one option would be to hike down and fly up. pacific wings flies there from topside molokai, MKK.

for damien tours, just google that one. they just do the ground tour, 40.-, and pick people up from kalaupapa airport and the hikers and mule riders when they get to the bottom of the trail, this bus tour is from 10 to about 1. mulerides are 160.- includes the ground tour and a box lunch, hikers need to bring lunch and alot of water. if you hike down, go before the mules do, about 8 am. it takes less than an hour to go down but about double that to hike back up.

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