One of my friends favorite places to getaway and relax is on Moloka‘i, there is no  stoplights on Moloka’i so that should tell you quite a lot about this serene and beautiful pristine island. Everyone knows everyone else, and the pace of life is much slower than on all the other islands except, perhaps, for Lana‘i. Moloka‘i’s population of less than 7,000 congregate around the principal town of Kaunakakai. The island offers spectacular scenery, quiet island life, and is just a 15-minute flight from Maui. Lana‘i is even smaller– just 13 miles wide and 18 miles long, with a population of less than 3,000. It has served as a penal colony, ranch, pineapple plantation, and now as a luxury resort destination. The idyll can be reached via a short ferry crossing from Lahaina.

This is a day trip my friend took:

He a leisurely drive – there’s no other way on Moloka‘i – to the spectacular Halawa Valley on the island’s far eastern end.
Begin in Kaunakakai with a breakfast of sweet bread from Kanemitsu Bakery.
In town he stocked up  snacks and drinks for a picnic. Then from Kaunakakai, he took Route 450 heading east. He noticed all the
ancient fishponds still intact along the coastline. About 11 miles from Kaunakakai you’ll see, in quick succession, St. Joseph’s and then Our Lady of Sorrows– both built by Father Damien in the late 1800s. Step inside to experience the history. The road to Halawa is winding, narrow, and extraordinarily scenic. He took his time to enjoyed it –  he pulled over, and stopped for a picnic. He took som some photos, and enjoyed himself as he described “in the glorious surroundings” with clean fresh air. Halawa Valley is absolutely perfect: a high waterfall cascades into the stream that winds through the valley and eventually reaches the ocean. The base of the valley is a great place for a picnic if you haven’t already eaten, or to kick back and feast on the views. Once you’ve luxuriated in the tranquillity of the valley, retrace your journey back to Kaunakakai in time for an afternoon swim and dinner at the Oceanfront Dining Room.

If you really want to go back in time, ride a Mule to Kalaupapa (Molokai):
If you have only a day to spend on Molokai, spend it on a mule. The
trek from “topside” Molokai to Kalaupapa National Historical Park
(Father Damien’s world-famous leper colony) with Molokai Mule Ride
www.muleride.com) is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The cliffs are taller than 300-story skyscrapers, but Buzzy Sproat’s
surefooted mules go up and down the narrow 3-mile trail daily, rain or
shine, and he’s never lost a rider or a mount on the 26 switchbacks. Even if you can’t afford to mule or helicopter in, don’t pass up the opportunity to see this hauntingly beautiful peninsula.
If you’re in good shape and brought hiking boots with you, you can get a permit (available at the trail head) and hike down the trail. The views are breathtaking: You’ll see the world’s highest sea cliffs and waterfalls
plunging thousands of feet into the ocean. As in all parts of Hawaii you can enjoy a magnificent sunset.

Watching the Sun Set in Hawaii