Location: Maunaloa
Top Things to do in Maunaloa
What to do and see in Maunaloa, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Maunaloa or Mauna Loa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Maui County, Hawaiʻi, United States, in the western part of the island of Molokai. The population was 376 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Maunaloa
1. Molokai Mule Ride
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
A two hour mule ride down an 1800 foot cliff to Kalaupapa Peninsula.
Reviewed By Carole R - Montreal
I have to say that we were very disappointed with our day at Kalaupapa. We had been wanting to go to Kalaupapa for seven years and our visit was a big disappointment!
Going down walking was good. My husband hiked back and it was fine. My flight back was also good. No problem there. I just wonder why we were charged 79$ US when Damien Tours charges 60$ US for the same service (hiking up and down + visit). We were disappointed to know that this company (Kalaupapa Mule ride) charged us 19$ more for nothing more… Unless we are mistaken…
But most of all, we were so disappointed with our historical visit. Our guide had very little knowledge of Kalaupapa’s history. He knew very few facts and repeated them all along the visit. On top of this, when we got to the church at Kalawao, he sat us down in the church, he chanted religious chants and he preached about his religious beliefs for quite a while. I was shocked! We had to sit there and listen to him… He even admitted to us the he was « getting carried away »… After his « performance », our guide interacted very little with us for the rest of the visit. We stopped at a church and at Sister Marianne’ grave. We saw very little of the historic sites. He was more interested in showing us the wild pigs and the asian deers than the historic sites. We stayed a long time at the lookout un Kalawao (after eating our lunch on the bus!) and at the wharf in Kalaupapa. Our guide left us on our own, interacting very little with us.
We heard from people who took the tour with Damien Tours, that their guide has a master thesis on Kalaupapa and is passionate and very knowledge about the whole subject. They enjoyed very much their visit…
Overall, our visit with Kalaupapa Mule Ride company was not worth the money and was a big disappointment. I would not recommend their services to anyone... unless you really want to go up and down with the mules... I heard that Damien Tours can organise a flight down and up too, but I am not sure...
2. Post-A-Nut, Hoolehua Post Office
Overall Ratings
5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By Fay T - Long Beach, California
How fun! We sent three coconut "postcards" to family and friends! We decorated them with colorful markers, which were provided! Gary provided us with tips and was extremely helpful and kind! He told us they would be delivered in three days! We can't wait to see the reaction for this wonderful surprise from Molokai!
3. Kepuhi Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By KulaBob - Maui
Most of the Hawaiian beaches that offer solitude are way off the beaten track. That puts visitors at a high risk of car break-ins. Not so at Kepuhi Beach. There's a relatively small rental condo building behind it. Park near, but don't trespass. Then, you'll have a long walk across an old golf course fairway to the beach.You can see the entire beach from your car.
This is not always a good swimming beach. It's a walking and loafing beach. Stay out of the water if the surf's up and you're not on a board. If snorkeling is your thing be careful of the undertows and offshore currents by the rocky points. Pick-up a picnic lunch, and take whatever you want to drink. And don't try to carry one of those cheap foam coolers. They disintegrate!
4. Purdy's Natural Macadamia Nuts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By mainejac - Kennebunk, Maine
Not a lot of tourist attractions on the island of Molokai but this is one you should take time to visit. We wanted to learn about macadamias and happened to see the sign leading to this family-owned farm. One of the owners, Kammy, was already talking to a few people about growing the trees when we arrived. There is no set time for tours, very informal. We learned about the history of the macadamia nut, growing them, how to tell ripeness and how to open them, all hands-on. The sampling of their various products was fun. The small store has plenty of goodies to buy, plus there is an online store. It is definitely an experience to add to your visit.
5. Molokai Lomi Therapeutic Massage and Healing Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By iloveboston89 - iloveboston89
Allana offers the most amazing therapeutic massage. The "massage" is unlike any that I have ever experienced. It is much more focused on therapeutic and healing than just relaxation. She is very knowledgeable on osteopathic medicine and was able to focus on parts of my body that needs the most work and offer advice on stretches and reducing tightness. Not only I feel completely relaxed after the experience, I came away learning more about my body and ways to improve my physical health. She also uses an incredible variety of essential oil and explained to us the medicinal properties behind each. We were also very inspired by Allana's stories from Hawaii lore to her personal stories.
6. A Touch of Molokai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Alyssa S - Waldorf, Maryland, United States
The ferry ride was rough and not recommended for children fifteen and under, but the host was awesome. Kalani knows everything you want to know about Molokai and the Hawaiian Islands. History, tradition, music, you name it. He made a fairly boring trip extremely enjoyable. If you know nothing about Molokai but want to go there, I highly recommend this trip.
7. Kalaupapa Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By ccrowe3 - Lakeside, California
The Kalaupapa overlook is an easy walk to a quintessential south seas view. From way up on top, without knowing the sad history that occurred below you would never guess the sad story that unfolded there.
8. Moomomi Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By drmikenyc - New York
I understand the desire to see a "review", but I'm not sure it's possible to put this place in context. Nor easy to describe in words and images. This is not a developed beach (or road) *and* there's no hotel or eco-tourist lodge either. It's been tried, and the local people are proud of the natural state of the island. Swimming, fishing, hunting, water-sports, story-talk and music are, as since long ago, the way of life here. This is important. I happen to love the island and people of Moloka'i, "the friendly island" (you can read reviews of some reviews of other "destinations" including the one hotel on the one real road).
What's my point?
#1 This is close-to-sacred for the local people, as some of the nearby sites (the Peninsula, Phallic Rock, etc.) in fact are super-sacred to Hawai'ians.
#2 Know that there is a history of outsiders coming in to buy land, disrupt life, and "develop" prime ranch and water-front land. So I'd not just pop in wearing Calvin Klein shades and a t-shart saying "Where's the Party?"
#3 If you DO go, if you're not lucky enough to have friends on the island to go with, just be super-respectful of the people who own and love the surrounding land, and this water, as well as the people who live or camp there, enjoying the privileges of residency (including homestead law).
#4 - You need to drive on dirt roads to get here, after arriving by tiny plane onto the tiny island. (If you want to visit the Kalaupapa peninsula, you'll also want to reserve a mule in advance.) That's the point. This is Molokai'. Real Hawai'i. You won't (thank the gods) find beach chairs waiting.
That said (for context), this is a beautiful, beautiful beach. I'd feel guilty providing dirt-road directions (if you're close enough, ask someone!) This is where many locals enjoy themselves, a little luau time and the most amazing water you'll ever want to see. Unlike Papohaku (endless sand but treacherous waters with dangerous lava-rocks and super-tides), here the water is in fact a natural swimming hole, sheltered by a crescent of protective rock from lava, and sea cliffs. I think mostly very locals come here, families with their young children splashing and playing. I spoke with one of the dads, friendly, and he showed me some oysters (clams?) he'd just collected while snorkeling. There are some little pools of water within the larger cove, cut into volcanic rock, so a bit sharp. The kids (who likely were coming here since birth) loved running around the big rock and jumping in. There are black sand areas of beach too. Adults stayed cool in the water or nearby. As local as local can be. And as old, nearly, as the Earth itself.
What I'd suggest for anyone finding themselves in or heading to Molokai and wanting to do some beach time: Aqua Hotel Molokai for the tourist way (they have a small pool but non-usable beach). Or Papohaku if you're just looking for a beach (or selfie) often called the longest sand beach anywhere. But there, don't go in the water. This would be for beach walking and watching the spray of the weird currents. You may be the only human you see. Locals tend to be mostly at the camping and picnic area nearby except for the occasional beach-walk.
The best suggestion I can make (and still stressing the importance of respect for the land and the people) is trying to get to Dixie Maru beach, also involving dirt roads but a great beach for everything: sandy area safe for swimming or water playing, lots of shady trees (including the autograph tree - don't eat the fruit!), and some perfect spots near the parking lot and beach for a cook-out, er, luau. A nice family outing spot but the reason I found myself here one afternoon at dusk was that several very-local residents told me it's not only a nice spot for swimming, but also "made for sunsets". Yes, nice. The reason I say "trying to get to Dixie Maru" is the same as with Mo'o'momi, it's via dirt roads which tend to have forks, without signs. Definitely, whatever beach you want to visit, or scene you want to see, pick up a locally-made detailed map (you can find one at the Coffees of Hawaii gift shop, which also has some great photographs of Mo'o'momi). "Mo'better" you have a human explain the directions - not Siri, who will be useless out that way Dixie Maru is the end of the road, literally, as is Mo'o'omii. Mostly dirt, loose or packed. One paved road. No traffic lights. Friendly Market closes at 8.
Whatever beach, be mindful that you are a visitor, but be nice and friendly, and you may learn why they call this "the friendly isle", while at the same time not being keen on "development".
Mo'o'momi is magical, and in my mind one of the most beautiful coves, especially if you're into volcanic rock, some of it banded in different colors from throughout the ages. Jet black volcanic boulders. Great place for swimming and photography, still.
9. Kaupoa Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
A very isolated beach in Molokai.
Reviewed By Witch666 - Cambridge, Canada
We stayed at a very strange condo complex here. There are some good points and some bad. The condo itself was a studio,very nicely decorated and roomy with extremely high ceilings, full kitchen and a nice balcony. The complex itself used to be a golf course and there are still many of the old buildings scattered around the area, left completely abandoned. One old hut even had some golf papers stacked behind it dated from the early 2000's. Mixed along side are many separate condo buildings, also many that look abandoned. There are no restaurants or bars, just one store that sells the necessities open till 5 every day. It is about 30 minutes into town (which isn't much since this is Molokai). It is a very quiet setting. The lovely pool area overlooks the beach and while the beach is more for surfers than swimming the view is gorgeous. This is the kind of place for those that don't mind a do it yourself kind of vacation. Don't expect service, luxuries or amenities.
10. Molokai Plumeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Tupelo010835 - Denton, TX
Wasn't aware of the operation until we literally drove right by it. Huge! The White/yellow plumeria (which is my favorite) is clearly a favorite here too as there are thousands upon thousands of flowers stretching what seems like forever. OK, I exaggerate a bit but there are sure lots of flowers here!
Highly Recommended
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