Posts Tagged ‘Molokai’

Maui Helicopter Tours ? Enjoy the West Maui Molokai Tour

Boasting nearly perfect year-round travel weather, thousands of acres of unspoiled natural beauty, the best beaches in the world, award-winning restaurants and cuisine, world-class golf courses, upscale shopping, luxury resorts, art galleries featuring local artists, amazing snorkel and scuba sites, and more family activities than any other Hawaiian island, it’s easy to see why Maui was named the Best Island in the World by Conde Nast Traveler 15 years in a row!

Hawaii is the most geographically remote, yet well-populated land in the world. North America, the nearest continent, lies some 2400 miles away. Maui is 727.3 square miles with 120 miles of coastline. More than 80% of the most stunning scenery and unspoiled beauty is inaccessible due to lack of roads and hiking trails leading into the interior sections. Taking a helicopter ride, like the West Maui Molokai Tour, is the most effective way to see Maui.

The Hana and Haleakala Tour is probably the most popular flight to do on the island of Maui because it covers the two main scenic points, but my personal favorite is the West Maui Molokai Tour.

The West Maui Mountains, or Mauna Kahalawai as it is traditionally known by Hawaiians, with its many peaks and ridges is the older of two volcanoes that form the island of Maui. The highest peak, Pu’u Kukui stands at 5,778 feet and is located in the upper regions of the mountain on the Western end. Imagine, a bird’s-eye view of this natural beauty via the West Maui Molokai Tour.

Pu’u Kukui is known as the second wettest spot on earth, second only to Mount Wai’ale’ale on Kaua’i. The abundance of water that flow from these mountains is the source of dozens of incredible waterfalls like the Wall of Tears that feed the streams and sparkling blue pools that run along the rainforest floor. The tallest waterfall on Maui, Honokohau Falls, is also located here A West Maui Molokai Tour expedition offers exquisite viewing of spectacular waterfalls!

This first segment of the West Maui Molokai Tour is only a prelude to even more fantastic views. With such eye-popping scenery it’s difficult to know where to begin to describe the wonders that you’ll find on the final leg of the West Maui Molokai Tour, on the remarkable “Friendly Isle” of Molokai.

The Sea Cliffs of Molokai, the tallest in the world, is the first thing to greet you as you journey across the Pailolo channel. The shear size and magnitude of these spectacular sea cliffs will leave you in awe. You can truly appreciate nature’s grandeur from a helicopter excursion, specifically the West Maui Molokai Tour.

From The National Historical Landmark Kalaupapa Settlement to the treasured vistas of Halawa Valley, the West Maui Molokai Tour may provide you a view of Kahiwa Falls (tallest in Hawaii), Papalaua Falls, Wailau Valley, Ancient Hawaiian Fish Ponds, the Molokai Reef (longest fringe reef in the US) and the archeologically rich Halawa Valley with Moalua Falls and Hipuapua Falls.

On the return home the West Maui Molokai Tour will visit Lahaina, once the home to many of Hawaii’s Royalty and the former Whaling Capitol of the World.

Your West Maui Molokai Tour concludes with a visit through Iao Valley State Park where an epic battle to unite the Hawaiian islands were fought between the armies of Kamehameha and Kalanikupule.

The West Maui Molokai Tour promises to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Hula Dance Originated in Molokai

One of the smaller Hawaiian Islands is Molokai. It is thirty eight miles long and ten miles at its widest point, you better believe that travelling around Molokai is relatively simple and getting lost is not usually an option. The Airport is located in the south region of the Island.

This island still seems to be very much caught up in the past, and to this day its local inhabitants resist the development that has swept over and changed the other Hawaiian Islands.

So if you are thinking Molokai might be able to offer you a vibrant nightlife or high rise condos laced with spas, retreats then you might want to reconsider your travel plans.

Molokai, Hawaii offers you the opportunity to get away from the daily pressures of life, and escape into simplicity and beauty. The island has one hotel, a couple of condo rentals, and one up market lodge all of which compliment this escape.

The Hotel design allows the islands beauty to casually seep in. The condo rentals have been kept basic yet functional and the Lodge is sited on an up and running fifty four thousand acre ranch.

The islands available activities go one step further in making sure you stay out under the tropical sky. One of the most notable experiences is the Mule Ride, which not only allows riders to see the inner sanctums of the island, but also takes them back in time to when Molokai was once home to one of the worlds most recognized leper colonies and introduces them to the man that treated many of the sufferers, Father Damien

Mule rides to horse rides and roundups Molokai is also home to a very strong paniolo culture. The paniolo is the Hawaiian equivalent to what many people would call a cowboy. To this very day you can see true workings in the ranch, herding cattle and walking the islands many trails.

Hiking the area around Maunaloa is home to a number of trails including, the Mountain Trail, the Temples Hike and the Ancient Trail.

Hawaii beaches are playgrounds to a whole host of water sportsmen and Molokai is no exception. Visitors to the island can enjoy a multitude of activities from open water kayaking and snorkelling to scuba diving and surfing.

The hula dance originated in Molokai and is where some of Hawaiis best dancers come from. An annual festival is held in May.