A Week on Molokai

The island of Molokai is for people trying to get away from everything or those looking for adventure. There are no direct flights from the mainland to Molokai, so you will have to fly into Honolulu and then take a commuter plane to Molokai.

Day 1: Arrival & Kaunakakai

If you are staying in a condo or a vacation rental, head into Kaunakakai and stock up on groceries and supplies. While you're there, wander around the old two-street town and check out the stores. Be sure to stop at the Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove/Kiowea Park and watch the sunset.

Day 2: Ride a Mule to Kalaupapa

Your internal clock will still be set to mainland time, so you should have no problem getting up early and getting out to the Molokai Mule Ride. This adventure will take you through 26 switchbacks on a 1,600-foot cliff and give you a chance to tour the Kalaupapa Peninsula, where people suffering from leprosy have lived for decades.

Day 3: Head for the Beach

Molokai not only has terrific beaches, but on weekdays they generally are empty! Depending on the time of year and the weather, great beaches for snorkeling are Murphy Beach Park (Kumimi Beach Park) and Sandy Beach on the East End, and Kapukahehu (Dixie Maru) Beach on the West End. Pack a picnic lunch or stop by the Outpost Natural Foods or the Sundown Deli in Kaunakakai. Stay all day. Relax.

Day 4: Hike in a Tropical Valley & Venture into Paradise

After a day at the beach, you'll be ready for a hike into the tropical jungle of Halawa Valley. Book with The Lodge at Molokai Ranch before you head out, as you cannot venture into the valley on your own without trespassing. Bring a picnic lunch for after the hike, and then spend the rest of the day on the beach at Halawa. Stop to see the fish ponds before you leave the East End.

Day 5: Outdoor Adventure

Spend a day kayaking, bicycling, or hiking on this Hawaiian oasis. Molokai Outdoors Activities can set you up with whatever equipment you need: kayaks, mountain bikes, or maps for hiking. My choice would be kayaking along the shallow water of the East End. Mountain bikers can find the best off-road bicycle trails in the state on the Molokai Ranch, and hikers should check out Pepeopae Trail or the Kamakou Preserve.

Day 6: Touring the West End

Since you've already seen the East End, spend a day touring the rest of the island. Start out with a tour of the central part of the island by driving out to Palaau State Park, which overlooks the Kalaupapa Peninsula, then stop off at the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center, and take a coffee break at Coffees of Hawaii Plantation Store and Espresso Bar. Next head for the 3-mile-long, white-sand Papohaku Beach. After an hour or so at the beach, drive up to the cool air in Maunaloa town to see the best store on the island: the Big Wind Kite Factory & the Plantation Gallery.

Day 7: Moomomi Dunes: Archaeology Heaven

Before you catch your plane back, stop by the Moomomi Dunes, located close to the Hoolehua Airport. This wild, sand-covered coast is a treasure trove for archaeologists. Buried in the mounds are ancient Hawaiian burial sites, fossils, Hawaiian artifacts, and even the bones of prehistoric birds. If you have enough time, take the 20-minute easy walk west to Kawaaloa Bay, the perfect place to say aloha to Molokai.