There are many great places to visit in Kaunakakai, Hawaii. Some of these places include Halawa Valley, Papohaku Beach Park, Kalaupapa Overlook, Kanemitsu Bakery, and the Moomomi Preserve. If you don’t have time to do all of them, here are some suggestions.
Halawa Valley
Halawa Valley is a scenic valley with a twisting beach park, agricultural fields, and waterfalls. It is situated in the heart of Old Hawaii. The Halawa Valley was recently featured in the documentary Sons of Halawa, which showcases the Solatorio family and describes the history of the valley. The valley was a victim of the legendary tsunami that hit Hawaii in 1946.
Halawa Valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Molokai. The valley is home to the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Hawaii and has evidence of human activity as far back as 600 AD. The valley’s scenic road winds through rocky terrain and passes by herds of nene geese and other animals.
If you’re interested in learning about the history of the valley, you can take a cultural hike with the Solatorio family. Greg and Philip Solatorio lead tours that last about four to five hours and include swimming at Mo’oula Falls. Along the way, you can also try your hand at palm leaf origami.
The Halawa Valley is a great place to visit if you’re interested in the island’s cultural heritage. The Solatorio Ohana family offers a guided tour of their property that includes traditional Hawaiian rituals and a detailed history of the island. You can also hike through the lush tropical gardens of the Halawa Valley Flower Farm. You can also visit Halawa Beach, which is open to the public and has basic amenities.
One of the top Molokai attractions is Kalaupapa National Historic Park. This historic site was home to a leprosy quarantine for a hundred years.
Papohaku Beach Park
Kaunakakai is home to a wide sandy beach and a campground. The campground has bathrooms and showers, picnic tables, and barbecues. There is also an outdoor shower and two campsites. During the winter months, the currents and shore breaks can make swimming dangerous.
Papohaku Beach, pronounced mah-kay, is three miles long and one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. It is usually safe to swim during summer months. Another popular beach is Dixie Maru Beach, which is protected by a bar and is also good for snorkeling. To the south of Dixi Maru is Kaupoa Beach, which has two white sand beaches, but is not recommended for swimming during winter.
The west end of Molokai has one of the most scenic beaches in the Hawaiian chain. Papohaku Beach Park offers three miles of white sand. Camping here is permitted, but it does cost a fee. Papohaku Beach Park has bathrooms, fresh water showers, and picnic tables.
Papohaku Beach Park is located on Kaluakoi Road, and is a popular surfing spot. You can even camp overnight here if you have a Parks Department permit. The Parks Department also provides picnic facilities and barbecue grills. You can also camp overnight with a permit, which you can get from the department of parks in Kaunakakai. The park is about two miles past the Kaluakoi Resort.
The area is home to one of the longest white sand beaches in the world. It is located on the west end of the island and is bordered by a 300-yard ribbon of sand. While the area receives few visitors during the year, it does attract many visitors for its annual hula festival. This three-day festival features hula dancing, musical groups, and food booths.
Kalaupapa Overlook
From the Kalaupapa Overlook, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. This overlook is located on the Kalaupapa Peninsula. You can also hike the trails along the peninsula for spectacular views. You can also watch the sun set or rise on the ocean.
To access Kalaupapa Overlook, drive to Pala’au State Park from Kalae Highway 470. You can then walk along the paved trail to Kalaupapa Village. The trail has interpretive plaques explaining the history of Kalaupapa.
You can continue hiking on the trail past the last plaque to the overlook. The path is covered with soft ironwood needles and passes through the diagonal rows of trees planted during the CCC’s reforestation project in the 1930s. The hike is approximately 20 minutes.
Kalaupapa Overlook offers a magnificent view of the Kalaupapa Peninsula and is a National Historical Park. To visit Kalaupapa Overlook, you must first obtain a permit from the Department of Health. This historical landmark is an incredible place to explore on a Molokai vacation.
The Kalaupapa Peninsula is home to St. Philomena Church, which is a moving site. This church was built by Belgian priest Father Damien. He died of leprosy in Kalaupapa in 1889 and was buried in the church. However, in 1936, his body was removed and returned to Belgium. The church is located on the tip of the peninsula.
Kanemitsu Bakery
Kanemitsu Bakery is a small hole in the wall in Kaunakakai that is famous for its hot bread. Open seven days a week from 730am to 11pm, this bakery and coffee shop offers French bread in 5 flavors. The place has a similar feel to Ana Miller’s and Zippy’s. Besides offering delicious baked goods, the place also serves lunch and dinner.
Kanemitsu Bakery has been a popular attraction in Kaunakakai for over eighty years. This bakery is famous for its fresh baked goods and serves breakfast and lunch daily. It can be found at the back alley of Hotel Lane.
Kanemitsu Bakery serves a variety of local specialties, from bread and pastries to sandwiches and pastries. This bakery offers great prices and service. It is also famous for its tasty doughnuts and rolls. The atmosphere at this bakery is delightful and the decor is spectacular.
The family-owned Kanemitsu Bakery is the island’s oldest bakery, dating back over 90 years. While it’s not as large as Honolulu, it’s still an institution. Visitors can enjoy giant gooey loaves of bread filled with jelly, cinnamon, butter, and more.
Kaunakakai is home to several historical landmarks, including the Hotel Molokai, which overlooks the Kamiloloa Beach. Nearby is Church Row, where you can visit seven missionary-style churches that date back to the late nineteenth century. Also located in Kaunakakai are the Friendly Market, Molokai Pizza Cafe, Mrs. K’s Lunch Counter, Kalele Bookstore, Outpost Natural Foods, and Kanemitsu Bakery.
Restaurants in Kaunakakai
When it comes to local cuisine, Kaunakakai has it all. The local Hiro family owns and manages Hiro’s Ohana Grill, which offers amazing oceanfront views and a full menu. The restaurant’s specialties include surf-n-turf and seasonal seafood.
