Category: States

One Day on Island of Moloka’i

The island of Moloka’i is unlike any of the other Hawaiian islands (though they are each different). On this island the pace is very slow – there are no speed limits over 45 MPH. This is the least developed of the six major islands. There are only a handful of places to lodge, no chain hotels, stores or restaurants. This is not a touristy place. This is the place to go to just relax and not do anything (almost literally!) except enjoy the peace and quiet. The people are plenty friendly and they are very protective of their secret island. They are so tight-knit that if they do not know you, they know you are a visitor.

We flew over the west side of the Island of Moloka’i. The west coast is Pāpōhaku Beach, which is three miles long.
Hale O Lono Harbor.
Moloka’i landscape.
Moloka’i landscape.
Moloka’i landscape.
At the Moloka’i airport, our first Hawaiian rainbow!
One of the famous odd things to do on Moloka’i is to send coconuts back home! It’s called “Post-a-Nut” and all done at the Post Office!
Purdy’s Macadamia Nut Farm.
Macadamia trees.
These fronds grow into macadamia nuts.
Here are a couple nuts, not ready to fall from the tree.
Macadamia nuts on a drying screen. Mr. Purdy said they never pick the nuts off the trees. They wait for the nuts to fall, then they pick them off the ground and set them here to dry.
Crack it open, and voila! Macadamia nut!
Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove in Kaunakakai.
A lovely bunch of coconuts.
The trail at Pālāʻau State Park.
Ka Ule o Nanahoa. Also called Phallic Rock.
Kalaupapa Lookout. Kalaupapa was originally a Hawaiian fishing village. In the 1800s it was established for those afflicted with leprosy. Father Damien originally settled leper colonies on the south side of the island in the 1870s, but expanded here later. Kalaupapa is a National Historic Park, but is closed to visitors since the COVID scam.
South facing mountains.
St. Joseph’s Mission Church, built by Saint Damien in 1876.
Statue of Saint Damien.
Kanahā Rock Islet Seabird Sanctuary.
Island of Maui.
Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church built in 1874 by Saint Damien.
Island of Lanai.
Sunset on Moloka’i.

Mokulele Airlines

Flight out of Honolulu

After two nights in Kaua’i and five on Oahu, we now head for the island of Moloka’i, one of the least visited of the Hawaiian islands. Moloka’i has a very small airport, so we had to fly on Mokulele Airlines in a Cessna 208. It was a short flight, but we got some pretty good photos from the air.

Mokulele Airlines destinations.
Our plane, a Cessna 208.
Both pilots were women! Here, the co-pilot reads the safety instructions.
This is a nine-passenger plane!
Port of Honolulu.
Aerial view of Honolulu.
Great shot of Diamond Head crater.
Makapu’U Lookout and the islands of Manana and Kaohikaipu. We were there on Sunday afternoon.

Last day in Waikiki

Honolulu HI

Our last day

We had to go to famous Leonard’s Bakery, home of the best malasadas in Honolulu.
Yum!
The famous banyan tree.
This is the base of the banyan tree.
Statue of Duke Kahanamoku. He is known as the “Father of International Surfing”, between 1912 and 1932 in four Olympic Games he won three gold medals, two silver and one bronze in swimming. Surfing in 1929, he rode an enormous wave for 1.128 miles at Waikiki – likely the longest ride in modern times. He also was a movie actor from 1925-1933, and was elected Sheriff of Honolulu from 1934-1960.
Waikiki Beach.
Our last night in Waikiki, we had dinner at Duke’s.
The view from Duke’s.

Manoa Falls

Honolulu HI

Manoa Falls is a 100 foot waterfall with a 0.8 mile trail to access. The trail is pretty steep, and it is a jungle out there!

Lush jungle on the way up the trail.
Lush and green, and a little rainfall to complete the scene.
Bamboo.
Even at 100 feet tall, the falls are a little underwhelming after the steep walk to get there.

Oahu South Shore by boat

Honolulu HI

Honolulu skyline (partial). Honolulu has a very long skyline, along the coastline.
This marina was featured in the opening scenes of Gilligan’s Island TV show.
Rainbow Tower, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.
Rainbow Tower.
Waikiki Beach. Even dark clouds and rain do not keep the devoted people from the water!
Humpback whales, mother and baby.
Mama humpback.
Fish followed our boat, hoping we would feed them. We did.
Green Hawaiian Sea Turtle.
Spinner dolphins.
More spinner dolphins.
Looking through the glass bottom, coral reefs on the sea floor.