Weather & Climate |
Island Map |
Must Do Activites
About Molokai - Data
- Location - In the heart of the Hawaiian Islands. 26 (42km)miles southeast of Oahu and 8 (13km) Miles west of Maui with Lanai 10 (16km) miles directly south.
- Size - 261 square miles (676 square kilometers) About 37 miles long (60 km) and 10 (16km) miles wide.
- Shape - Three seperate volcanoes created the island. Kamakou, in the east is the tallest with a peak elevation of 4970 feet (1813 meters). Maunaloa in the west rises to only 1381 feet (503 meters). A third, smaller volcano created the kalaupapa peninsula on the north shore.
- Population - About 8000. The majority live in Kaunakakai, the largest town, which is located on the south shore about in the middle of the island.
- Ethnicity - 45% Hawaiian or Hawaiian ancestry. 25% Filipino. 30% everyone else including Chinese, Japanese, Caucasian, Black, Samoan, Tongan and others.
About Molokai - Weather & Climate
Molokai weather is wonderful year round, with temperatures averaging about 75°F and rarely going
6 or 7 degrees above or below.. In winter (Dec. thru Mar.), the night time temeratures may drop to the lower 60s and you're more likely to experience a rainy day.
Spring, summer and fall are all very similar with warm days (up to 85°F) cooled by the trade winds and pleasant evenings in the mid to lower 70s. However, on those days when the trade winds are calm, the heat and humidity will both rise a notch or two.
Here's some climate data taken at the Molokai Airport. Located at about 21.15°N 157.10°W. Elevation about 449 feet/137m above sea level. Measurements are the prior 25 year averages.
Average Maximum Temperature
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
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| °C | 25.2 | 25.2 | 25.8 | 26.3 | 27.5 | 28.3 | 28.9 | 29.6 | 29.7 | 29.0 | 27.5 | 26.0 | 27.5 |
| °F | 77.4 | 77.4 | 78.4 | 79.3 | 81.5 | 82.9 | 84.0 | 85.3 | 85.5 | 84.2 | 81.5 | 78.8 | 81.5 |
Average Minimum Temperature
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|
| °C | 17.8 | 17.5 | 18.1 | 19.0 | 19.8 | 20.9 | 21.5 | 21.7 | 21.6 | 21.2 | 20.1 | 18.6 | 19.8 |
| °F | 64.0 | 63.5 | 64.6 | 66.2 | 67.6 | 69.6 | 70.7 | 71.1 | 70.9 | 70.2 | 68.2 | 65.5 | 67.6 |
Average Rainfall
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|
| mm | 107.8 | 85.7 | 78.7 | 55.9 | 33.3 | 12.1 | 18.4 | 17.6 | 21.4 | 57.5 | 85.1 | 114.1 | 688.6 |
| inches | 4.2 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 27.1 |
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Current Conditions
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About Molokai - Map & Driving Instructions
Getting around Moloka'i is easy. The highway crosses the island from east end to west end with a couple of roads that branch off for short distances. It's almost impossible to get lost.
Even though it's the same road, you'll note from the map that it has two highway numbers. 450 & 460. Kamehameha V Highway (450) starts at Kaunakakai and ends 27 miles (43km) east at Halawa.
Maunaloa Highway (460) also begins at Kaunakakai, passes the airport at Ho'olehua and ends 16 miles (26km) west at the village of Maunaloa. Turn at mile 15 to reach the Kaluakoi Resort area. To get to Kualapu'u, Kala'e and the Kalaupapa lookout, take Highway 470 where it branches from 460 in the middle of the island.
There are green mile posts every mile. Directions to someone's house, a resort or a great beach usually include the nearest mile marker number or landmark. For example; "My house is east 6/10s past mile 12. Mauka (mountain) side" or "Wavecrest resort is at exactly mile 13 east, makai (ocean side)."
While the driving times below may seem a little high for the distance involved, they are based on some real life-on-moloka'i factors. The highest posted speed limit anywhere on the island is 45mph (72kph) and in many places it's less.
Maunaloa to Kaunakakai - 16 miles (26km) - 25 minutes
Kaluakoi Resort to Kaunakakai - 22 miles (35km) - 35 minutes
Kaluakoi Resort to Kalaupapa lookout - 24 miles (38km) - 35 minutes
Kaluakoi Resort to Airport - 15 miles (24km) - 20 minutes
Kaunakakai to Wavecrest Resort - 13 miles (21km) - 20 minutes
Kaunakakai to Halawa - 27 miles (43km) - 50 minutes
Kaunakakai to Kalaupapa lookout - 10 miles (16km) - 20 minutes
Kaunakakai to Airport - 8 miles (13km) - 20 minutes
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Moloka'i Must Do Activities
or ten reasons why you'll want to come back
Stalking the Wild Wilderness
Perhaps the quintessential Moloka'i experience, hiking this astounding, ever-surprising island is a window into Hawai'i's primordial beginnings. On the famed Pepe Opae Trail, which is more accurately a boardwalk across the fragile eco-system, you'll see rare, endemic species that evolved here in utter isolation. And hiking on foot is the only way to explore the incomparable Halawa Valley.
At the Moloka'i Coffee Plantation, you can tour 500 acres of coffee trees in a mule-drawn wagon, then check out the processing plant to learn "how they do it." Complete the buzz by relaxing on the lanai with a perfect gourmet cappuccino, or maybe a sinfully rich, iced "Mocha Mama." Then explore the very cool boutique for unique gifts.
Kayak the North Shore
Ocean kayaking is a major craze on Moloka'i, but doing it along the North Shore is beyond belief. It's like the postcard paradise of your Hawai'i dreams, with secret beaches, exotic vegetation, flocks of sea birds, and glorious waterfalls cascading from sheer cliffs.
Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut
The best little mac nut farm experience in all of Hawai'i is, hands down, Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm. Jovial, story-filled Tuddie Purdy himself takes you into the orchard for you to see, smell and touch the clusters of nuts. You crack open your own and sample macadamia blossom honey scooped up with slices of fresh coconut. Ono-licious.
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The Hemingway Way 
If you've never met the challenge, or known the heart-pounding thrills, of deep-sea, big-game fishing, there's no better place than Moloka'i to start. And the shallow-water fishing is fabulous, too! Moloka'i boat captains are the real McCoy, take care of everything for you, and most will clean and dress your catch and bring it to your hotel or condo so you can cook it.
On Moloka'i, Hawaii's complete portfolio of watersports is available for your selective investment of time. Why selective? Because you can't possibly do it all in one trip.
Sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving (really incredible here, because of the miles of amazing barrier reefs), body boarding and boogie boarding, surfing, outrigger canoeing- you get the drift. And all of it is framed by the dazzle of the island's blue-chip beaches.
Ride 'em, Cowperson
Horseback riding is pure pleasure on Moloka'i. Guided trails take you through high mountain forests and green pastures, or go for the plateau range or the spectacular seashores.
You can even learn rodeo skills from real paniolos, the authentic Hawaiian cowboys who still work the islands ranches.
Golf, Moloka'i Style
A classic Moloka'i moment: You show up at the Ironwood Hills Golf Course but no one's around to give you a tee time or take your $14 (no, we didn't leave off a zero). No problem, bradda- a sign tells you to just go ahead and start playing. And what a gorgeous location! Originally built for Del Monte executives, and set in the cool, crisp air 1200 feet upcountry, Ironwood's open fairways, towering trees and breathtaking views make for a truly memorable round.
Bikers, Your Mountain Awaits
And your shoreline, and forest, and cliff-top, and kiawe desert- heck, Moloka'i has so many extreme terrains, there are some even we don't know about! Suffice it to say, if you've been searching for the ultimate challenge in mountain biking, Moloka'i is ready for you. Are you ready for Moloka'i?
Get in the Grove
Moloka'i sunsets are tropical treasures, stopping residents and visitors alike in their proverbial tracks.
Top viewing spots include the Kaunakakai Pier and the Ninth Fairway at Kaluakoi Golf Course. Bring your own beach chair and cooler and hang out with real Molokaians taking in the show. But perhaps the best place to end a Moloka'i day is Kupuaiwa Coconut Grove. The palm trees seem to crack open the colors like a kaleidoscope, and the mirror of reef-sheltered waters reflect the palette to stunning effect.
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