For those who love Hawaii but get surly around people and crowds/traffic, Molokai.
Been to all the big 4 several times, Lanai once and making 3rd trip to Molokai in September. Direct flight from AUS-HNL on Hawaiian, grabbed the good seats for only 4K round trip, adult kids in the back of the bus for 479/ea
Puddle jump to MKK for 136 so an extra 2,500 to bring the 4 kids is not bad at all.
We stay in the same couple of condos on the SE side, pretty nice waterfront place thats only about 150/night but would be 3x on Maui.
Coffee and sunrise on the lanai then we head to the west side where the beaches are incredible and deserted to hang and watch sunsets. Actually, all the beaches are deserted. First trip there we saw exactly zero people on the west side. Last year there were consistently 7 or 8 people on a 3 mile stretch, but only one couple one day at our favorite little spot.
There’s an old resort that was deserted the first time we went, last time a few of the units were occupied and we rented one for 60/night so we would have bathroom/shower and fridge while we hung out, plus no issue using the pool. Sunsets are pretty great, then head back, stop at hotel Molokai or paddlers for food and a bar, then back to the East side. Get up and do it again.
Molokai has its own version of the road to Hana, the road to Halawa. It’s about an hour drive and we didn’t pass a single car the last time we were there. When we got to Halawa there was a car there and this kid approached us and asks if we are there for the hike to the falls. We were not, but we chatted for a while while he waited to see if anyone showed up (they didn’t) so we went ahead and made the hike. Apparently it’s a daily occurrence now and someone from the East side ranch just waits around from 8-9 to see if anyone shows.
There’s not a lot to do if you crave schedules and nightlife. Theres a few restaurants and bars, almost everything is closed Sunday, but if you like beach bumming and 4x4 excursions with a Gillian’s island feel to things, this is the spot. Many of the beaches are accessed by jeep trails, and the car rental place has no rules other than bring it back with gas.
Sunrise over Maui
Sunset with Oahu in the distance
our favorite little beach
The 3 mile beach on the west side with its usual crowds
everyone we encountered were great, there’s a slight undercurrent with a few locals though. They like travelers but don’t like tourists, don’t act like an aggy.
and the obvious…