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Hoping to go to Molokai

Colorado
19 posts
8 helpful votes
Hoping to go to Molokai

Looking into going to Molokai for the first week in November. Want to go because it sounds so peaceful & quiet (unlike our trip to Waikiki) & old Hawaii. I had a place picked out at the Hotel Molokai & decided that was the best area for a first visit BUT I keep reading that the residents of Molokai really don't like guests to their island & there is some hostility. Is this going to be true even if we are respectful of them & their ways or is there still hostility? I don't really care to encounter hostility on my time away. Honest answers please. Thanks :)

33 replies to this topic
Union City...
318 posts
20 helpful votes
1. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Hi. Wife and I went to Molokai a couple years back and the worst we experienced was a shopkeeper not returning a hello. You will see signs around that say “visit, spend, leave” not the most welcoming. We had a good trip but not an island we would return to.

Colorado
19 posts
8 helpful votes
2. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Thanks for the answer. Do you mind if I ask what part you stayed in? Also, was the reason you wouldn't return the unfriendliness or some other reason? Thank you :)

Union City...
318 posts
20 helpful votes
3. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

We stayed on the west end at Kepuhi beach condos. We were treated to the most amazing sunsets there but wouldn’t recommend it. There were a lot of abandoned buildings, which we knew going in but I thought we were in a section that was away from those but they were along the walk to our unit and was kinda creepy.

I think if we had chosen Hotel Molokai or Wavecrest it might have been a better trip. The east end of the island was much more lush and the water seemed calmer.

So yeah, condo choice, lack of food options and a overall sense of unwelcomeness led us to know we would not return. But we also visited Lanai for a day trip and felt it too small and not to our liking that we also wouldn’t return.

We have been to the other islands 20+ times with Big Island being my favorite and Kauai is my wife’s fav to give you an idea of what we like.

My advice would be to maybe do a short trip first or even just a day trip to see how u like it before booking a longer one.

Honolulu, Hawaii
2,783 posts
14 helpful votes
4. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

OP, have you been to the Big Island? Just from what little you said, my first thought was that might be a good choice for you.

I haven't been to Molokai for, I don't know, maybe 30 years, but I remember thinking the landscape reminded me of the Big Island only much, much smaller.

How do you envision "Old Hawaii"? What would you like to do when you're here? Relax on a beach? Hike? Scenic drives? Or just hang out in rural, small towns?

Seal Beach...
650 posts
32 helpful votes
5. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

I know everyone's experiences differ, but I've always had the most amazing experiences with the people of Molokai. Based on my own personal experience, the locals there are the friendliest of all the islands (I've never been to Lanai, so I can't compare with that, but I've been to all the rest). Just about everyone I come across throws up a shaka and says hi. Random strangers have chatted me up for 30+ minutes. Yes, you will see some unwelcoming signs on the side of the road, but I've never had any bad interactions with anyone. In fact, the main reason I return to Molokai now is because of the people.

Westfield, New York
752 posts
2 helpful votes
6. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Yep, I agree with abyss about the locals. Never had a problem. We ignore the signs, but are absolutely respectful in every way. We spend 2 months a year on Molokai, and do not miss the traffic or parking hassles of the other islands. I like pulling right up to the beach, with no worries of where to park. Heck, I've mistakenly forgotten to lock our condo door when we were out for the day, but not a problem. But, to each his own.

Lake Saint Louis...
1,252 posts
2 helpful votes
7. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Been to MolokaI a couple of times, a week in the west end, and three nights in Hotel MolokaI. We enjoyed both stays and never had any issues feeling unwelcome. You won’t be welcomed with open arms, more like indifference, but for the most part locals were pleasant enough and very nice in Hotel MolokaI .You have to know going in that the island is is very quiet and laidback with few tourist facilities which means very few places to eat out and most of those with limited and basic offerings, perfectly adequate, but not fine dining by any means. Grocery shopping is very limited and makes staying in a condo challenging. The island is beautiful but three days is enough to see it all, a week is great if you truly want a very laid back experience and are happy with limited dining options and entertaining yourself. Make sure you rent a car as soon as you book your stay, exploring the island is impossible without one, and they can be in short supply.

Colorado
19 posts
8 helpful votes
8. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Thanks. Very helpful to know. I think we already ruled out the west side just because it seemed too remote & I had read about the abandoned & closed places. If we decide to go it would be between Wavecrest & Hotel Molokai since it's a first visit & they are both closer to services. And yes, perhaps a shorter visit at first. Your answers were very helpful.

Colorado
19 posts
8 helpful votes
9. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Another good answer! Thanks:) Only been to Oahu (Waikiki) but have been to Jamaica 10 times, which was much more quiet than Waikiki. You asked what I thought by Old Hawaii & it's pretty much slow island time without crowds of people & jet skis & parasails etc. Just like sitting on a balcony looking at beauty, walking & sitting by the beach, interacting with locals & just basic chilling out. Don't need non stop tours & entertainment just a quiet island experience.

Colorado
19 posts
8 helpful votes
10. Re: Hoping to go to Molokai

Thats why we kept going back to Jamaica. Besides the beaches it was fun in a rural setting chatting up locals. What part of Molokai do you usually stay in when you go or your favorite part? Thanks for your answer.

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