Page 148 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

HOLE IN THE WALL is named for an above-water hole in the islet. sian voyagers who came from the Marquesas Islands in the 7th Cen-
It features rare long nose hawk fish and tinker’s butterflyfish. A mili- tury. A self- sustaining community built homes, temples, terraces,
tary missile sits in the sand at 100’ depth. THE COVE is a protected and taro patches complete with a water system that existed until
half-circle cove. It is a night dive with lobsters, Spanish dancers, and several modern day disasters hit the area. Some families left the
antler coral. Other dives include valley after the 1946 tidal wave wiped out houses along the shoreline
and inundated the lower taro patches with salt. But the major blow
CAVERNS, and THE ABYSS. There is much yet to be discovered was a 1964 flash flood that destroyed much of the remaining taro
here. infrastructure. The local families were either too old or too young to
repair the damage. Many left to find work and a new life outside of
MOKU HOONIKI ROCK This island and smaller Kahana Rock are the valley. Today family members are returning to restore the taro in
cinder cones which were used during WWII for bombing practice. the valley. Fees from a cultural hike into the valley go to this project.
Today they are seabird sanctuaries, off-limits to visitors due to unex-
ploded warheads still littering the islands. HIKING IN HALAWA VALLEY Halawa Valley is private prop-
erty. Permission to hike into the valley or to visit the waterfalls is
PUU O HOKU RANCH 14,000 acres of ranch in Molokai’s lush and required. A high quality cultural tour is offered daily at 9:15am.
green east end is located off the 25 mile marker of Hwy. 450. This Contact the Halawa Valley Cooperative at (808) 553-9803 for infor-
lodge and retreat has a private setting including equestrian facilities, mation or to book reservations. Bring water, mosquito repellant,
kitchens, a pool, and beautiful scenery for patrons to escape from the and good hiking shoes. Park and meet your guide at the Halawa
real world. (808) 558-8109 Beach Park pavilion. Expect a moderate one-and-a-quarter hour
hike up muddy trails and across the river past ancient Hawaiian rock
HALAWA BEACH PARK A river exits Halawa Valley and creates work to a fantastic lookout point and to the natural swimming pool
a boulder jetty with two grey sand-curved beaches on either side. at Moalua Falls. Tours can also be arranged at the Hotel Molokai,
As you look down from the road, the smaller more sheltered beach Molokai Fish and Dive, Molokai Outdoors, or Molokai Ranch Lodge.
further away is Kamaalaea Beach. A boat-launching ramp is located Highly recommended.
there. The larger and more exposed beach is Kawili Beach. Swim-
ming can be safe near the shore in the summer time, but there are
no lifeguards. In the winter months the surf can be huge and should
be ridden by experts only. Maui County maintains a small pavilion
with restrooms and a shower. Do not drink the water.
HALAWA VALLEY Located at the end of the road on the East End
of Molokai, this is one of Hawaii’s true natural wonders. Halawa was
one of the first communities to be established by the original Polyne-