07-29-2006, 11:26 PM
Erik,
My wife and I visited both Lanai and Molokai as well as other islands. Regarding snorkeling, I thought that Lanai was better than Molokai, but the Kona Coast of the Big Island is the best.
We enjoyed Lanai and found the people we met were very friendly. We only stayed for three days, but we were able to explore most of the island by renting a jeep (a little pricey). The jeep was needed because there are very few paved roads on the island. Monroe trail is beautiful and winds through the mountains. We were lucky because it was not raining. If it rains, the rental company will caution you against driving the trail. We also drove north through the Garden of the Gods on our way to a completely empty beach (forget the name right now) that must have been a mile long. Fantastic! When we were there we stayed at the Hotel Lanai. It was a bit more affordable than the resorts. I recommend their restaurant, but keep in mind that the entire island shuts down early, so plan on having dinner early.
We’ve visited Molokai during our last two visits to Hawaii and plan on visiting again this winter. We completely love the place. It is probably the least developed island, and its main “city” looks like a town right out of an old spaghetti western. It has a little more to offer than Lanai, and the people are just as friendly, if not more so. We love evenings at the Hula Shores lounge (at the Hotel Molokai) where they have pool/ocean side entertainment. Get there early for the Saturday afternoon Kapuna gathering. On Thursday evenings we visit the Kualapuu Cook House when they have a special dinner menu (nui ono!) and the some of the locals gather with whatever instruments they play, and we all have a great time. On northern tip of the island are the world’s tallest sea cliffs. With permission you can hike the trail to the peninsula below and the town of Kalaupapa. You could also schedule a mule ride down. It will save you the grueling hike back up. Kalaupapa is the place where the Hanson’s Disease sufferers were once sent. Even though it is a bit heartbreaking, I recommend the guided tour of the town. The people sent there suffered tremendously. The western edge of the island has a two-mile long beach. You will often see less that 10 people on the entire beach. The eastern end of the island is a beautiful bay. Don’t be surprised if you find that you have the beach to yourself. I could ramble on and on, so maybe I’ll just end it here. If you want more of my blather, send me an email.
Enjoy your visit,
Fred
fgsnps@comcast.net
My wife and I visited both Lanai and Molokai as well as other islands. Regarding snorkeling, I thought that Lanai was better than Molokai, but the Kona Coast of the Big Island is the best.
We enjoyed Lanai and found the people we met were very friendly. We only stayed for three days, but we were able to explore most of the island by renting a jeep (a little pricey). The jeep was needed because there are very few paved roads on the island. Monroe trail is beautiful and winds through the mountains. We were lucky because it was not raining. If it rains, the rental company will caution you against driving the trail. We also drove north through the Garden of the Gods on our way to a completely empty beach (forget the name right now) that must have been a mile long. Fantastic! When we were there we stayed at the Hotel Lanai. It was a bit more affordable than the resorts. I recommend their restaurant, but keep in mind that the entire island shuts down early, so plan on having dinner early.
We’ve visited Molokai during our last two visits to Hawaii and plan on visiting again this winter. We completely love the place. It is probably the least developed island, and its main “city” looks like a town right out of an old spaghetti western. It has a little more to offer than Lanai, and the people are just as friendly, if not more so. We love evenings at the Hula Shores lounge (at the Hotel Molokai) where they have pool/ocean side entertainment. Get there early for the Saturday afternoon Kapuna gathering. On Thursday evenings we visit the Kualapuu Cook House when they have a special dinner menu (nui ono!) and the some of the locals gather with whatever instruments they play, and we all have a great time. On northern tip of the island are the world’s tallest sea cliffs. With permission you can hike the trail to the peninsula below and the town of Kalaupapa. You could also schedule a mule ride down. It will save you the grueling hike back up. Kalaupapa is the place where the Hanson’s Disease sufferers were once sent. Even though it is a bit heartbreaking, I recommend the guided tour of the town. The people sent there suffered tremendously. The western edge of the island has a two-mile long beach. You will often see less that 10 people on the entire beach. The eastern end of the island is a beautiful bay. Don’t be surprised if you find that you have the beach to yourself. I could ramble on and on, so maybe I’ll just end it here. If you want more of my blather, send me an email.
Enjoy your visit,
Fred
fgsnps@comcast.net