Papapa Plantation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, the initial supply of paper products are included.
No, Beach and Bath towels are provided.
Yes, Papohaku beach is just down the hill about 300 yards. It is about a 5 minute walk.
Yes, as you exit the Papapa driveway go left (north), at the end of Papapa Place (200 yards down the road) there is a service road (150 yards long) on your left (west) that leads directly down to the beach.
Summer months are usually calm, while Winter months tend to be pretty rough with rip currents etc. *Dixie Maru beach where swimming, snorkeling and boogie boarding is recommended year round is in a protected cove, just a short 2-3 minute drive from Papapa.
Dixie Maru is 2 miles south of Papapa at the end of the road. It is a sheltered cove that is perfect for kids, and snorkelers alike.
Yes, Friendly’s and Misaki’s are the two main stores and they are located in the town of Kaunakakai (see Map of Kaunakakai under “getting there” for location).
Both are usually open until 8:30pm Mon-Sat and Misaki's is open 9am to noon on Sundays. If you are coming in on Sunday or late in the evening and need groceries ahead of time, let us know.
Yes, but just in case, there are water purifying filters in the fridge and attached to the kitchen sink for drinking water.
The pool is 3 ft in the shallow end 8ft in the deep end. In the Cabana, next to the pool, there are rafts and floaties available.
Yes we do. There are many beach chairs and towels, 2 coolers and a boogie board for use at the beach.
Both the Ohana house and the Cottage have a washer and dryer, and detergent is provided.
Both have icemakers. The Ohana house's icemaker is in the door of the fridge while the cottage fridge has an internal icemaker.
Yes. Papapa has a 27” TV with a DVD/VCR combo and the Sony stereo has inputs for your MP3 player.
Yes it does. It has 200 channels and all standard (local) channels including NBC, FOX, CBS and ABC.
Yes it is. There are place settings for up to 16 people and plenty of pots and pans to satisfy all needs.
Only if you are calling internationally. All domestic long distance In the 50 US states are free of charge at Papapa. (The Cottage only has local phone access.)
Currently it does not, but as soon as it is available we will put it in. Dial up is available and since there is free long distance in the domestic US you can dial any access number at no charge.
No, the house or Cottage will be open when you arrive and Teri, the caretaker, will be up to give you the key along with here patented Papapa/Molokai orientation speech once you’re settled in.
Muanaloa and Kaunakakai are about 7 and 20 miles away, respectively, from Papapa.
It's been called that.
In the mid 1800s leprosy (today called Hansen's Disease) Many Hawaiians were stricken with leprosy. Since there was then no cure, strict isolation was thought to be the only means available to keep the disease from spreading.
In 1866 the first sufferers were abandoned on Kalaupapa, a small peninsula on the north side of Molokai. Surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean and with sea cliffs 2000 feet high on the fourth, Kalaupapa was a prison from which escape was impossible. Father Damien, a Belgian priest, came to Molokai in 1873 to minister to the needs of the population. Through his ministry and labors, order was created where there had been only suffering and chaos. He succumbed to the disease in 1889. Sulfone drugs developed in the early 1940s, put the disease in remission and the carriers were no longer contagious. Today less than 40 residents call Kalaupapa home. The peninsula is now a National Historic Site administered by the US Park Service.
While Kalaupapa is a National Historic Site, it is also the home of the few former patients who have chosen to remain there. So access, is by law, strictly regulated. Unless you are invited by one of the residents, you must take the tour offered by Damien Tours of Kalaupapa (about $40.00). The peninsula can be reached by air or by way of the trail that snakes down the sheer cliffs 1600 feet from upper Molokai. Visitors can hike in and out or ride one of the famous Molokai mules. Either way, Molokai Mule Ride can make the necessary arrangements. Visitors must be at least 16 years old.
Deserted, pristine, long, short, wide, narrow, white, tan, gray, black. Take your pick. Papohaku on the west end is the longest white sand beach in the Hawaiian Islands. Stretching nearly three miles, it is the perfect place for beach combing, jogging or just catching a few rays. If you're looking for solitude by the ocean, this could be your answer. It is never crowded and many times you'll find you have the entire beach to yourself. Also on the west end, in front of Kaluakoi Resort, is Kepuhi beach. A favorite of visitors and locals alike for surfing, sunning, fishing and when the ocean is calm, swimming. Molokai doesn't have the abundance of great swimming beaches that some of the other islands boast, but there are many beaches that offer safe, uncrowded swimming and snorkeling. Season and ocean conditions dictate which beaches will best suit your personal wishes. During the summer and fall the west end beaches, Kepuhi, Papohaku, Make Horse and Dixie Maru, are good choices. However, the winter ocean swells create monster waves that make dangerous albeit beautiful surf conditions. In this case Dixie Maru or some of the southern beaches are going to be your best bet for good swimming conditions.
Yes. Unless you plan to employ one of the few tour services, we recommend a rental car so you can visit as much of the island as possible.
No. The ferry does not accommodate cars. You will need to rent a car on island if you want to get around without using a taxi (which can be quite expensive) .
When can you get away? Anytime is a great time to visit. The weather is usually good year round with temperatures averaging about 75°F and rarely going 6 or 7 degrees above or below. In winter (Dec. thru Mar.), the nights may drop to the lower 60s and you're more likely to experience a rainy day. No Rain - No Rainbows! 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.
Molokai isn't called 'The Friendly Island' for nothing. The aloha spirit is alive and well here. It's a way of life.
Molokai has about 8,000 residents. We are part of Maui county, which consists of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. The total county population is about 128,000. Kalaupapa is in a separate county, Kalawao County, with a population of about 150.
Other population counts include:
Hawaii County (The Big Island) - 149,000
Honolulu County (Oahu) - 876,000
Kauai County - 59,000
Anything not produced on Molokai (that means almost everything) is expensive by mainland U.S. standards. Most of the items in the stores have to be shipped from their point of manufacture to Honolulu, unloaded, reloaded on a barge and shipped to Molokai. This can increase the retail price by 20 to 100%.
On the other hand, room rates are, in most cases, lower than like accommodations on the other islands. Likewise, dining out is no more expensive than at other Hawai'i visitor destinations.
Yes you can. After being closed to the public for quite a while, the trails to Moa'ula Falls at the head of Halawa Valley are again being used. Guided hiking tours are now available with resident guides who offer real historical and cultural insight. Contact http://molokaifishanddive.com/activities.html to book your trip.
According to the Hawaiian Gazette, Dec. 17, 1867 - 'Deer. - Some fine, healthy deer arrived in good order last week per Loch-Na-Garr, consigneed to Dr. Hillebrand by Mr. Magniac, a member of the well-known house of Jardine, Mathison & Co., of Hong Kong. They are Speckled Indian deer, a variety well adapted to domestication on our islands. A gentleman residing on the upper Ganges, where these deer abound, offered to supply them for transportation here, when Dr. Hillebrand was in Calcutta, and at his suggestion that His Majesty was desirous to obtain them, this consignment was made to Hong Kong.' 'Three bucks and four hinds have arrived safely.' 'They have been delivered to the king and will be sent to Molokai.'
They were and they flourished. Today there are deer on all parts of the island and it is not unusual to see them, especially in the early mornings or evenings.
You can. The 100 foot yacht Molokai Princess provides daily roundtrip service between Lahaina, Maui and Kaunakakai, Molokai. The trip between ports takes about 90 minutes through the Kalohi Channel and tickets run about $85.00 round trip. Children's prices are about half that.
Yes! Ironwood Hills is a nine hole municipal course located in beautiful, cool Kalae. It's a fun course and the rates are dirt cheap. If you're looking for championship courses, you'll love Kaluakoi Golf Course. Designed by Ted Robinson, this spectacular 6564 yard course is rated by several golf magazines as one of the top 5 courses in Hawai'i. It is never crowded and seldom busy. Your tee time is basically, when you show up. The rates are very reasonable.
Weddings are common on Molokai considering it is a perfect spot for a beach wedding (especially on pristine Papohaku beach). If you are considering getting married or renewing your wedding vows while on Molokai please visit http://www.molokai-tropical-weddings.com/ They can help you plan the perfect ceremony.
A good tip is to find out the name of the connecting flight when you are making the reservations.
If you are flying with Aloha Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines to the neighbor islands, you will depart from the Interisland Terminal Building. If you are flying with Island Air or Pacific Wings to the neighbor islands, you will depart from the Commuter Terminal Building, which is adjacent to the Interisland Terminal Building.
In general, there are two ways to get there:
- via Wiki-Wiki Express: This is a free shuttle that provides transportation around the Honolulu International Airport between terminal buildings. There will be signs directing you to the 'Wiki-Wiki Shuttle'. 'Wiki-Wiki Shuttle' bus stops are located outside each Terminal on the first level at curbside. Visitor information booths in the Main Overseas Terminal can provide additional assistance.
- a 10 - 15 minute walk: This is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the Main Overseas Terminal to the Interisland Terminal Building. There will be signs directing you to 'Interisland Flights Aloha - Hawaiian'. The Commuter Terminal is an additional 5-10 minute walk from the Interisland Terminal Building. Upon arriving at the Interisland Terminal Building, go to the ground level and walk along the roadway to the Commuter Terminal
Will I need to buy paper towels, toilet paper etc. before I get to Papapa?