We spent a week enjoying this studio condo located on the west side of Molokai. If we weren’t out exploring this beautiful island, we spent our time on the lanai with views of the ocean and Oahu in the distance. The condo was clean and well stocked with kitchen and bathroom essentials. We found snorkel gear, boogie boards, coolers and beach chairs. I slept so well on the comfortable king size bed, listening to the waves 🌊
The condo occupies an old closed resort. The condo HOA keep the grounds very well landscaped and maintained. There is an abundance of tropical flora and fauna! Bbq area and benches dot the property for spaces to slow down and relax. There is also a nice pool with stairs to the beach and tide pools below. ‘Da Store’ is located on the property and has basic supplies, snacks and a few souvenirs. There is also a general store in Moanaloa, an approximate 10 minute drive.
While this is a very large property, a large amount of buildings are boarded up and unused. There are not many people on this island! There is also very little tourism here. Expect to slow down and explore nature. Be respectful of the land and the locals. Leave each space better than you found it. Spend your money locally, and generously tip at every opportunity. The locals do not want tourism, there are signs all over the island:
“Visit
Spend
Go Home”
Molokai has such an abundance of wildlife. Every day I was treated to a glorious display of local fauna. Roosters (of course) 🐓 Geckos 🦎 Birds 🕊 Spiders 🕸🕷Turkeys 🦃 Butterflies, so many butterflies 🦋🦋🦋 Mongoose 🐿 Deer 🦌 Fish 🐟🐠 Eels 🐍 Black Witch Moths (look like bats) 🦇🦇 LOTS of Whales 🐋🐋🐋🐋 Crabs 🦀 Feral Cats 🐈‍⬛🐈 and wild boar 🐗. There are absolutely more, however these were the ones I personally saw and that made an impression on me.
On one particular day, we saw so many competition pods of humpback whales. I watched and learned that approximately 5 to 15 males would be following and wooing one female for the chance to mate with her. Each of the males would continually breach and fin slap, sometimes even multiple at once. There were countless pods in which this was all happening simultaneously in the channel between Molokai and Oahu. I feel privileged and grateful to have watched them all afternoon from this stunning and deserted beach.
Molokai beaches were idyllic, almost cliche. Soft white sand, clear aqua blues of the warm water, palm trees, wildlife… you know, Hawaii 🏝 Yet, not. There are so few people on this island that you find yourself alone or nearly alone at every beach. The east (wet) side of the island has mangroves and jungles, whereas the west end is desert with thorn tree forests. (Seriously, watch out for those thorns, Yo!) The west side also has amazing tide pools at most beaches.
All around, I found many beaches to have a wicked undertow with super soft and fluffy sand that you sink 6”-10” + into. Of course I know it’s all crabs in there as I’d just watched them scurry from hole to hole and dig more holes! 😳🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀 😳🤣
Molokai has now been checked off my bucket list of places to see and experience. With respect to the locals, I will not return unless invited. Mahalo 🌺