5 Days In Molokai itinerary
Day 5: Halawa Valley & Beach
We’ll spend the final day of this Molokai itinerary exploring the magical Halawa Valley, followed by a refreshing dip in its twin beaches. This is yet another active day in Molokai so prepare for a fantastic (and wet) hike!
Logistics for the day
You can only hike in Halawa Valley with a guide since the trail passes through private land. Do not attempt to hike on your own, as you will piss off local residents and get a mouthful about this, which completely goes against Molokai’s true aloha spirit. So pre-book at least two days ahead with Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike and remember that leaving a voicemail is standard practice without cell phone reception in the valley. You will meet your guide just before the Halawa Beach parking at the designated time. You can also show up randomly and join the hike, but that’s pushing your luck.
The hike to Halawa Falls and back takes approx. 3-4 hours. The trail is mostly flat and involves fording the stream at least once, so I recommend wearing sandals. Bring mosquito repellent, a full change of clothes, beach gear for later, sun protection, food, snacks, plenty of water, and cash.
Driving to Halawa Valley
The coastal road, which is already quite narrow at this point, becomes even narrower around mile marker 25. It begins to twist and bend as it rises and then descends towards the valley via a forest of eucalyptus trees. Drive with extra care as you negotiate the blind spots.
As you descend to the valley, the Pacific Ocean comes back into view as the green of the lush and deep ridges meets the ocean’s blue. After a few seconds of further slow driving, the Halawa Valley itself appears, crowned by the Moa’ula and Hipuapua Falls in the distance and topped off by the valley’s twin symmetric beaches.
Once you’ve made it down, look for the picturesque Ierusalema Hou Church. Looking completely out of place, the church held Sunday services until recently shutting down for essential structural repairs. A few meters later is a nice coconut grove and a waiting area. This is where the hike will commence. At the very end of the road is the Halawa Valley Beach Park. This is where you’ll park the car and later reach the beach.
Halawa Valley Hike
Along with the hike to the Kalaupapa Peninsula, Halawa Valley was one of the highlights of my visit to Molokai. A sacred place for ancient Hawaiians, the fertile valley was once home to over 1,000 residents who mainly grew taro, much like in Waipio Valley on the Big Island. This all ended when a tsunami struck the valley in 1946, and today, very few residents remain in the most isolated of the inhabited areas of Molokai.
The guided hike in the Halawa Valley begins with a stroll through the former taro patches and irrigation ditches. There are a few working plots these days, though locals are working on a community project involving the island’s children restoring the plots and learning the ancient ways.
Fun in the rainforest
You then enter the thick rainforest, where the real fun begins. Every few minutes, your guide will point out ancient stone structures on either side – some of which are former temples (heiaus) not to be messed around with – along with at least a dozen or so fruit trees that make you understand how self-sufficient valley residents could be. There are centuries-old mangoes, avocados, cacao, breadfruit, jackfruit, papayas, passion fruit (lilikoi), nuts, oranges, and even wild coffee trees.
There’s definitely no need for a supermarket here, and heck, you can even satisfy your need for morning caffeine! And whatever the trees don’t provide, the shotgun will, with the valley’s current residents still hunting deer and wild pigs whenever they’re short on protein. It is reminiscent of another valley in the Pacific, this time the Hakaui Valley of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands and its waterfall (hint hint).
Halawa Falls
With your stomach quite full from all the tastings along the hike, you catch your first glimpse of the Moa’ula and Hipuapua Falls, and a mad dash begins to reach their source as if you’ve just discovered the final piece of some treasure map. At their source, a lovely natural swimming pool is waiting for you. You’re free to splash, cliff jump, and get a massage from Mother Nature!
Halawa Beach Park
Halawa Beach is an absolute stunner! Well, there are two beaches here that look like twins. The northern beach is much longer and a bit more secluded than its southern twin but does involve crossing a stream. From just beyond the parking lot, there’s a great wide-angle view of the valley and its waterfall, and from the beach, you can spot humpback whales in season. As with all Molokai beaches, be careful in the water and exercise caution during winter.
What’s Next?
I hope you’ve found this Molokai itinerary useful for planning your adventure! Visiting other Hawaiian islands? Sample itineraries, guides to the best beaches, and must-see highlights await you in the Hawaii Travel Guide collection. For more information about Molokai, check out these guides. Aloha!
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