Molokai Sunset on Papohaku Beach

Other posts by MountainMama

While I’m not even going to attempt to be as beautifully poetic as DesertMama was in her eloquent post about the break of dawn on Kaua’i, I did want to share with you my experience watching the sunset on a deserted beach on the west end of Molokai, during my stay on the island, courtesy of the Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Hawaii’s sixth-largest isle, Molokai is known as the “Friendly Isle,” and indeed its residents are incredibly welcoming — people think nothing of hugging you hello and good-bye, even if you’d just met! But it’s also wonderfully pristine, with very limited development. Zero traffic lights!

Molokai is an ideal vacation destination for folks who want to get back to nature to discover what the rest of Hawaii was like before high-rise resorts and sprawling strip malls. Just 38 miles long and 10 miles wide, with no more than 8,000 residents, it’s easy to get to know Molokai intimately, even over the course of a short stay. (Though I did meet one East Coast couple who was on the island for 11 days in an effort to ‘drop out’ and disconnect for a while — from technology I presume, not each other…)

I read about Papohaku Beach in my trusty Frommer’s guidebook, which said it’s not atypical to find the wide, sandy bay virtually empty. No people, just footprints, the guide said.

Indeed, when i made the early evening, 20-mile drive to the westerly beach from the main town of Kaunakakai on the southeast end, I found only a handful of tent campers in the grassy stretch between the parking lot and the beach. I saw no families there cleaning up their towels and sand toys after a day at the beach, nor any couples sharing a bottle of wine while watching the sun sink into the ocean. No one. Nada. Zilch.

It was totally surreal to be walking such a large beach alone. Perhaps spooky is a better word. Just me in my own head, wishing I had my husband or someone else to share my experience with. The views were stunning: sand dunes and drifts as far down the bay as the eye could see–in both directions–totaling a three-mile stretch of beach. What a playground!

But seeing the pretty sunset — alone — just strengthened my resolve to bring my entire family back to Molokai — not only to take in the wonderful natural scenery and take part in fun excursions and outdoor adventures like snorkeling and kayaking, but to get to know “old Hawaii” and contrast it with some of the more populated resort areas we’ve visited.

For now, my photographs will have to suffice, but I do look forward to sharing this magical island with my family… some day!

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June 5, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Destinations, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways 

Comments

9 Responses to “Molokai Sunset on Papohaku Beach”

  1. CajunMama says:
    June 5, 2008 at

    Oh my gosh, it is so gorgeous and peaceful! I love the pic you took with the footprints on the sand.

  2. MudslideMama says:
    June 5, 2008 at

    It sounds so peaceful and relaxing, almost the antithesis of busy Maui. How wonderful that Hawaii has so many different types of vacation possibilities.

  3. Michael says:
    June 5, 2008 at

    That’s the great thing about Hawaii…each island offers different things for different folks. They all have it’s own personality. I love the people from Molokai…there are a very friendly bunch. Molokai is one of the islands I haven’t been to…I definitely need to go :)

  4. June Carnival of Travelers: The Photo Edition says:
    June 7, 2008 at

    [...] Williams presents Molokai Sunset on Papohaku Beach posted at Traveling [...]

  5. Travel on a Shoestring Carnival: Americas #5 « Less Than a Shoestring says:
    June 14, 2008 at

    [...] Mamas were on location in Hawaii and have a bunch of great posts on cheap experiences.  Try Molokai Sunset on Papohaku Beach, Mama on the Move – Hawaii Hiking to Petroglyphs, or, if you’re hungry, Where to Eat a [...]

  6. The Carnival of Aloha Goes to Sea says:
    October 6, 2008 at

    [...] Williams brings us even more relaxation with a Molokai Sunset on Papohaku Beach posted at Traveling Mamas.  Thank you for joining us, [...]

  7. Aloha says:
    October 7, 2008 at

    Absolutely beautiful! I am adding this place to my growing list of Hawaii places to visit.

    I agree with CajunMama, I love the footprints picture too.

    Thanks for sharing.

  8. Dr. Ralph Treder says:
    March 8, 2009 at

    Molokai’s Papahaku Beach is everything and more that is described by Mountainmama [above]. Go there for its sheer size, warmth, and beautiful isolation. “Old Hawaii” must have been something like this area; it is very easy to love and it will haunt you until you go back to it.

  9. Jane Self says:
    March 20, 2009 at

    From the first moment I set foot on Papahaku to the photos on my wall I feel in love. Molokai is certainly a magical place to visit and I have found that a piece of it stays with me, hopefully always. Aloha

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