Molokai

Pros: the sunsets, the long beaches, the lack of touristy stuff, the solitude
Cons: probably not good for kids, and no lifeguards on beaches

My husband and I spent out first anniversary on Molokai - it wasn't that far of a trip since we live on the Big Island of Hawaii but we might as well have been going to a different world.

We couldn't fly straight through to the island, we had...

Pros: If you can't relax on Molokai seek professional help.
Cons: There's not a developed tourist industry (if that's a con to you!)

Why Molokai?

If you're looking for an undiscovered tropical paradise Molokai is the place for you. To say Molokai is not for everyone is an understatement. First thing you should do is gather up all your ideas of what Hawaii is, the post...

Pros: Quiet. Relaxing. Laid back. Few tourists.
Cons: Few places to eat or buy groceries. Windy!

A hand-lettered sign at the end of the airport road reads, "Slow Down. This is Molokai." Another sign at the entrance to Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm warns, "Falling Coconuts." Falling coconuts are about the only danger you'll encounter...

Pros: Beautiful, relaxed, has the flavor of another country
Cons: Less excitement that other islands or tourist destinations, poor snorkelling

Molokai is not for everyone.

Maybe this impression comes from having arrived on a Sunday. Maybe from the feeling I received on several occasions that I was only a visitor on the “Friendly Isle,” and that I was only permitted to visit because...

Pros: Great people on a beautiful island
Cons: Come on...

I first visited Molokai (the "Friendly Island") back in 1980 when I was a Marine in a reconnaissance unit. They had to drag me off that island kicking and screaming. If there is one island in the chain that you must visit and spend lots of time...

Pros: Sporting adventure. Close to Nature.
Cons: Can be a little too close to nature, for city-slickers.

I live in Hawaii, have visited all the major islands except Kauai, and can honestly say that Molokai offers the true Hawaiian paradise. If you want a nice, quiet vacation away from crowds and the city, go to Molokai.

I spent four days at...

Pros: Quiet. No traffic lights. Good people & food.
Cons: Windy. Rocky beaches. Ants & Mosquitoes.

Traveled to Molokai during the month of August. Found the early morning hours to be the best due to the windy conditions. Very quite island (no motorcycles making noise at 2 am). Lots of birds. I had a great time snorkeling off the island out of the...

Pros: quiet, beautiful, small enough to see in a day
Cons: If you like a lot of action, you may not like it

My husband and I spent the first week of our honeymoon on this island. We chose it because it was not as "commercial" or "busy" like most of the other islands. We wanted to "get away from it all" and enjoy the beauty of...

Pros: Quiet and stunningly beautiful.
Cons: Huh?

If you visit Molokai and fail to hike, mule-ride, or fly down to Kalaupapa, you need help.
Then, after visiting Kalaupapa, if you aren't deeply affected by the human misery combined with the stunningly pure beauty, you have been dead for months.

This island is quiet, mellow, quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and quiet. Did I mention it's quiet there?

If you insist, go to Maui, where 1.6 million folks visit per year. 60k go to Molokai. Get it?