Moloka'i
If you are new to learning about Moloka'i, below you will find information that I have copied from various places around the Internet:
About Molokai
Island Data
 | Location - In the heart of the Hawaiian Islands. 26
(42km)miles southeast of Oahu and 8 (13km) Miles west of Maui with Lanai 10
(16km) miles directly south.
| Size - 261 square miles (676 square kilometers) About 37
miles long (60 km) and 10 (16km) miles wide.
| Shape - Three separate volcanoes created the island.
Kamakou, in the east is the tallest with a peak elevation of 4970 feet (1813
meters). Maunaloa in the west rises to only 1381 feet (503 meters). A third,
smaller volcano created the Kalaupapa peninsula on the north shore.
| Population - About 8000. The majority live in Kaunakakai,
the largest town, which is located on the south shore about in the middle of
the island.
| Ethnicity - 45% Hawaiian or Hawaiian ancestry. 25%
Filipino. 30% everyone else including Chinese, Japanese, Caucasian, Black,
Samoan, Tongan and others. | |
Weather
& Climate
Molokai weather is wonderful year round, with temperatures averaging
about 75°F and rarely going 6 or 7 degrees above or below. In winter
(Dec. thru Mar.), the night time temperatures may drop to the lower 60s and
you're more likely to experience a rainy day.
Spring, summer and fall are all very similar with warm days (up to 85°F) cooled
by the trade winds and pleasant evenings in the mid to lower 70s. However, on
those days when the trade winds are calm, the heat and humidity will both rise a
notch or two.
Here's some climate data taken at the Molokai Airport. Located at about 21.15°N
157.10°W. Elevation about 449 feet/137m above sea level. Measurements are the
prior 25 year averages. Kaunakaka'i is East of the airport by 8 miles, and
is slightly hotter and dryer (on avergae).
Notes:
The actual rainfall has been lower over the time spanning that date of this writing (June 2008) and the previous 3 years. This has been what the locals are referring to a draught conditions.
The actual Maximum Temperatures have been higher over the time spanning that
date of this writing (June 2008) and the previous 3 years.
Average
Maximum Temperature
Average Minimum Temperature
Average Rainfall
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Getting around Moloka'i is easy. The highway crosses the island from east end to west end with a couple of roads that branch off for short distances. It's almost impossible to get lost.
Even though it's the same road, you'll note from the map that it has two highway numbers. 450 & 460. Kamehameha V Highway (450) starts at Kaunakakai and ends 27 miles (43km) east at Halawa.
Maunaloa Highway (460) also begins at Kaunakakai, passes the airport at Ho'olehua and ends 16 miles (26km) west at the village of Maunaloa. Turn at mile 15 to reach the Kaluakoi Resort area. To get to Kualapu'u, Kala'e and the Kalaupapa lookout, take Highway 470 where it branches from 460 in the middle of the island.
There are green mile posts every mile. Directions to someone's house, a resort or a great beach usually include the nearest mile marker number or landmark. For example; "My house is east 6/10s past mile 12. Mauka (mountain) side" or "Wavecrest resort is at exactly mile 13 east, makai (ocean side)."
While the driving times below may seem a little high for the distance involved, they are based on some real life-on-moloka'i factors. The highest posted speed limit anywhere on the island is 45mph (72kph) and in many places it's less.
Maunaloa to Kaunakakai - 16 miles (26km) - 25 minutes
Kaluakoi Resort to Kaunakakai - 22 miles (35km) - 35 minutes
Kaluakoi Resort to Kalaupapa lookout - 24 miles (38km) - 35 minutes
Kaluakoi Resort to Airport - 15 miles (24km) - 20 minutes
Kaunakakai to Wavecrest Resort - 13 miles (21km) - 20 minutes
Kaunakakai to Halawa - 27 miles (43km) - 50 minutes
Kaunakakai to Kalaupapa lookout - 10 miles (16km) - 20 minutes
Kaunakakai to Airport - 8 miles (13km) - 20 minutes
Transportation
While getting around the island is a breeze, sometimes getting here can be a challenge.
Airlines Serving Molokai
| Aloha
Island Air - All Islands Toll Free Reservation Line |
(808)
567-6115 800-652-6541 |
| Molokai
Air Shuttle - Oahu & Kalaupapa only http://www.iflygo.com/islands/molokai.aspx |
(Molokai)
(808) 567-6847 (Oahu) (808) 545-4988 |
Ferry Service
The 100 foot yacht Moloka'i Princess provides daily roundtrip service between Lahaina, Maui and Kaunakakai, Molokai. The trip between ports takes about 90 minutes through the Kalohi Channel and tickets run about $85.00 round trip.
Rental
Cars
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For more information, a virtual tour of Moloka'i, or even a history lesson about Moloka'i click below...
