Moloka'i
Moloka'i is a small, quiet Hawaiian island known for its north shore sea cliffs and the Kalaupapa peninsula, where visits are limited to permits and guided tours.
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Moloka'i is a small island in Maui County, Hawaii, and the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Its north shore has tall sea cliffs, and the Kalaupapa peninsula is where a settlement for people with Hansen's disease, once called leprosy, was founded in 1866. The peninsula is now part of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.
Most visitors come for a quiet trip with few crowds. The island has very few hotels, so book rooms early and plan around a short flight from Oahu. Kalaupapa requires a permit or a guided tour, and visitors reach the peninsula by hiking down the cliff trail or riding a mule, so arrange that before you travel. Three to four days gives you time for the north shore and the peninsula.
Moloka'i in five
- Fly in on a short flightMolokai Airport (MKK) is served by small flights from Honolulu and Maui. Check baggage limits on small aircraft and book rooms before you book flights.Maui
- Book a Kalaupapa tour aheadKalaupapa National Historical Park needs a state permit, which general visitors get through a guided tour, and visitors must be 16 or older. Book well ahead and check the NPS page.Kalaupapa National Historical Park
- Rent a car and carry cashThere is no transit for sightseeing, and some small shops and stands are cash-only. Reserve a car early because the fleet is small.
- Respect the island's paceThere are no big resorts, and many local businesses keep short hours. Slow down, ask before you photograph, and buy from local shops.
- Treat it as its own tripA day trip from Maui is rushed because of flight times and permits. Plan two to four nights on the island, or skip it.Hawaii
Things to do in Moloka'i
See all attractions in Moloka'i
Need to know
- Airport
- Molokai Airport (MKK), small, with inter-island flights
- Getting there
- Short flights from Honolulu and Maui, about 20 to 30 minutes
- Getting around
- Rental car; the island has one main road and few services
- Best base
- Kaunakakai or the east end near the beaches
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 nights; day trips are rushed
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Quiet, showersJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, showers
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Quiet, whalesFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, whales
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Showers, whalesMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, whales
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Quiet, dryAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, dry
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, calmMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- JunePartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, summerJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, summer
- JulyPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Warm, dryJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AugustPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°HottestAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Calm, quietSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, quiet
- OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Calm, quietOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, quiet
- NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Rain startsNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain starts
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Holidays, swellsDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holidays, swells
Average daily high and low in Kaunakakai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Moloka'i
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 42 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Moloka'i
12:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°23°2%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue27°23°6%Tuesday: Clear. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed26°23°8%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu27°22°6%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri27°22°10%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat27°23°14%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun27°22°10%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 11:56 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mauiabout 20 to 30 minutes by flightResorts, Haleakalā and the Road to Hana.Read the guide
- Honoluluabout 30 to 40 minutes by flightThe main hub for connections and a bigger city.Read the guide
- Kalaupapaabout 1 day, guided tour onlyA remote peninsula visited on a guided tour with a state permit. Check the NPS page.
Before you go to Moloka'i
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Moloka'i, checked
- Kalaupapa: a state permit is required, obtained through guided tours, and visitors must be 16 or older.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Moloka'i
The nearest island, with resorts and Haleakalā
Read the guideHawaiiAll the islands and their reservations
Read the guideHonoluluThe main flight hub for the islands
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover for a US trip
Read the guideMoloka'i FAQ
Is Moloka'i worth visiting?
Yes if you want a quiet, local, low-key Hawaiian island with sea cliffs and few crowds. Skip it if you want resorts, nightlife or many activities.
How do you get to Moloka'i?
By small plane from Honolulu or Maui, about 20 to 30 minutes. Check baggage rules, since small aircraft limit the weight you can bring.
Do you need a permit to visit Kalaupapa?
Yes. Hawaii state law requires a permit, which general visitors get through a guided tour, and visitors must be 16 or older. Book tours well in advance and check the National Park Service page for current access.
How many days do you need on Moloka'i?
Two to four nights is enough for beaches, sea cliff views and Kalaupapa. One day is rushed because of flight times and the lack of services.
Moloka'i or Maui: which should I choose?
Maui for resorts, beaches and sightseeing; Moloka'i for quiet and a slower pace. They are a short flight apart, so some travelers combine them.