SADLY, the more controlling and militant inhabitants of Molokai have succeeded in driving yet ANOTHER major employer, provider of hope, and economy-booster from the island.

Molokai must decide rationally about providing a future for its children, which means establishing a self-sustaining economy independent of the current ideology of massive public assistance.

All of us in Hawaii have had to make difficult decisions that balance preservation with economic reality and a quality existence and future  for our families. Molokai must do the same. Here is a

Maui News Story with shocking photos of what it looks like now.

Photos:

One of the Lodge’s 22 beautiful suites; the inside of a tent cabin [the comfy beds were incredible]; TOP: the beach at the Village: Kaupoa Beach.

THE BEST

-AND WORST- OF MOLOKAI

Despite its economic ups and downs, Molokai  remains a wondrously unspoiled and unforgettable destination for the adventurous and unflappable visitor.

The Aina Momona Farmers’ Market is located on Kamehameha V Highway right in town next to the Bank of Hawaii, and offers an island-wide selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and beef from local growers. Open Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Ninety percent of the food is organically grown and all of it comes straight from the Friendly Isle.

Hotels: Wavecrest Resort, Hotel Molokai

Restaurants:Kualapu`u Cookhouse; Hula Shores at the Hotel Molokai

Beaches: Papohaku Beach; Murphy Beach Park; Kapukuwahine Beach; Kaupoa Beach

Attractions: Molokai Mule Ride [see review to the left]

Wavecrest Resort

Travel east from Molokai's principal town of Kaunakakai along the Kamehameha Highway 450. At mile marker 13 you will encounter a sign for the low-rise condominium complex WAVECREST RESORT, an ideal base for those who want to kick back and dig in on Molokai in accommodations that have all the comforts of home. The Wavecrest is efficiently managed and offers large, very clean, individually owned and nicely furnished one bedroom units with color TV, and kitchens fully equipped for meal preparation, with dishwashers, garbage disposal and ice makers. The bathrooms have bathtubs with shower and there is easy parking close to your unit, but no in-room telephones. There is a fine swimming pool at the shoreline with gorgeous views of the mountains, the sea, and neighbor island Maui across the channel, and a pool pavilion with barbecues and an extensive library of paperbacks to get lost in. Fishermen bring their catch to the shore a few yards away and will sell you something wonderful and fresh-out-of-the-water to pop on that grill. A large and lovely palm studded common lawn area makes a great place to pull up a lounge chair and have a glass of wine as the day wanes and the lights of Maui's Ka`anapali and Kapalua Resorts twinkle to life nine miles across the channel.

Kanemitsu Bakery and Restaurant

The unspecial Kanemitsu Bakery cannot compare to the dozens of genuinely terrific bakeries that dot the Hawaiian Islands, such as Liliha in Honolulu or Komoda Store on Maui. Because it is the only bakery on Molokai, it has over the years ridden a wave of positive notices based on the dearth of choices that Molokai offers.

We were seated at this nearly empty place early one morning recently and were completely ignored for 25 minutes as locals were seated and immediately waited on. Our respectful requests for service were met with an icy diffidence. We are troubled that areas with sizable local populations on both Molokai and Maui have become increasingly unfriendly to caucasians. We recommend you not give your business to those who show undeserved hostility, whether it be in Hawaii, or anywhere for that matter. Aloha sure ain’t what it used to be.

WEEKENDS ARE A BLAST at the Hula Shores Restaurant & Bar at the Hotel Molokai, located right on the water just 4 miles from town Good food, very friendly staff and guests, and live entertainment all come together to provide an experience like none other in Hawaii. You’ll think you’ve landed on Gilligan’s Island, with extras.

PAPOHAKU BEACH

The Molokai Mule Ride is surely the most exciting and unforgettable way to journey to Kalaupapa; the animals gingerly snake their way almost 1700 feet down the towering pali. It is absolutely one of Hawaii’s greatest adventures -ever- and worth every penny. Visit <www.muleride.com> for reservations and information, including tours departing from Honolulu with hotel pickup. Or call 1-800-567-7550. We got on a tour last minute due to a cancellation and the fact we snagged owner Buzzy Sproat’s personal cell phone number: 808-336-0802. Don’t tell him we gave it to you. This Google map can’t locate it exactly, but if you go directly to google.com/maps and enter “100 Kalae Hwy., Molokai Hawaii” it will show a detailed map. Just follow the  map’s yellow road [Hwy  470 / Kalae Hwy.] almost to its end, and the stables will be on your left...you can’t miss ‘em.

There’s no public transportation on Molokai...you’re gonna need a car :-)

MOAULA FALLS

DOUBLE-TIERED MOAULA FALLS lies at the end of the Halawa Valley Hike. It takes about an hour to reach, and you’ll need to reserve a place, as the entire hike traverses private lands. The last stream you’ll cross, right before Moaula Falls comes into view, leads up to towering Hipuapua Falls, which is visible from the turnout before descending into Halawa Valley. Reservations can be made at the Molokai Fish & Dive Store in Kaunakakai Town.

MOLOKAI RANCH LODGE & KAUPOA CAMP: RIP

PAPOHAKU BEACH

Here is a photo of a typical Sunday afternoon Papohaku Beach crowd. At three miles in length, and as wide as a football field, spectacular is the only word that appropriately describes it.

It is located on Molokai’s sunny west shore.