Molokai: a quiet Hawaiian island of empty beaches, scenic drives and small-scale tourism

Businessinsider: Ashley Probst, born and raised on Maui, visited Molokai for the first time and described empty beaches, beautiful drives, and a lack of traffic lights that make the island feel like a paradise for the right travelers.

Molokai sits between Maui, Lanai, and Oahu and spans 260 square miles with fewer than 10,000 residents; it has no major resorts, chain stores, or traffic lights. Probst noted that a ferry route to Maui was discontinued in 2016, leaving small commuter planes—typically a short, scenic 20-minute flight from Maui—as the only public way to reach the island. Highlights of her three-day visit included nearly empty Papohaku Beach, a stay at the simple Hotel Molokai, a family-run cultural hike through Halawa Valley to the two-tiered Moaula Falls (a tour she paid $99 for), the Molokai Hot Bread tradition, and the Post-A-Nut program at the Hoolehua Post Office.

Probst wrote that Molokai's limited access and local rhythms have helped it remain the least touristy of the Hawaiian islands, but she cautioned it is not built for families seeking kid-focused attractions, nightlife seekers, or luxury travelers. Instead, she said the island is well suited to solo travelers, couples seeking a remote respite, and visitors interested in learning and respecting local culture; after three days she left feeling grounded and certain she'd return.

Key Topics

Culture, Molokai, Papohaku Beach, Halawa Valley, Hotel Molokai, Molokai Hot Bread