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
(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.
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.

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