Hawaiis Island of Mysteries

Each Hawaiian island is special in its own way. If you've had your taste of surfing, swimming and snorkeling, maybe you should try something a bit more land-based as well. Island hopping is a popular way to spend a lazy afternoon. Molokai, known as the mysterious island, is always a good place to start.

Molokai is the least developed of all of the islands. This is the perfect place to relax and the best chance to have an authentic Hawaiian experience. Getting around on the island of Molokai can be difficult due to lack of modernization. If you rent a car, it should be one with four-wheel drive. Or perhaps you could rent a mountain bike; this would allow you get to some remote locations not available to you by car. There are two shops on the island that rent bikes, Molokai Outdoor Activities and Molokai Bicycle.

Molokai has a small airport with planes that fly in from Oahu and Maui. If you don't want the hassle of going to the larger islands just to charter a plane, the only other way to get to Molokai is by boat. It's more convenient and scenic by boat. Maui schedules day trips to Molokai if you didn't plan on a long vacation. The trip is definitely far from disappointing.

Just off the main highway in Molokai is Twenty Mile Beach, so called because it's close to the 20-mile highway marker. It's also known as Murphy's Beach or Mile Marker 20 Beach. It has a barrier reef and is great for snorkeling.

You can also go horse-back riding in Molokai's ranches. There are two ranches that offer guides and tours of their scenic ranchlands. If horses are a bit skittish for you, try mule riding. It's a popular Molokai attraction. The well-trained mules are provided by Molokai Mule Rides, which offers guided rides through the mountain trails.

Hiking in Molokai will leave you in awe of the greatness of the vast outdoors. The mule trail to Kalaupapa Peninsula is simply stunning! Also, the Kamakou Preserve tours get you in touch with various native plants and animals, many of them quite rare. The Preserve tours are conducted only a few times a month, so it's good if you've placed a reservation at the Natural Conservatory.

Golf seems to be a great hobby in Hawaii. Molokai has two golf courses. The Del Monte built Ironwood Hills Golf Club is known for its informal environment. All comers are welcome to have fun here. The other green, the Kaluakoi Golf Course, is a part of a resort community. The resort's not very large as the island authorities and citizens have banded together to keep the island as natural as possible, vetoing any overlarge developments. It's called the Molokai Plan. It preserves the real beauty and the natural livelihoods of the island.