VACATION INFORMATION – Molokai Vacation Rentals & Accommodations Comparison

Visitor Destinations

Visitors to Molokai find resort accommodations in three locations;

  1. On the western end of the island in the Kaluakoi area
  2. On the south side near Kaunakakai, the island’s main town
  3. On the eastern end, 13 miles from town
West Molokai Destinations

The Kaluakoi Resort area features three condominium developments that are on or near Kepuhi Beach. All have easy access to Kepuhi Beach and Make Horse Beach, both of which offer safe swimming in the summer and fall. Within a few minutes drive you will find Papohaku Beach, one of Hawaii’s longest and Dixie Maru Beach where safe swimming is available almost anytime. Consult the Beaches Page or the Beaches Map for more info.

Surrounded by the currently-closed Kaluakoi Golf Course, the Kepuhi Beach Resort, Paniolo Hale Resort and Ke Nani Kai Resort offer accommodations available to rent directly from the owner or through a rental pool. You will likely see wild turkeys and partridges meandering about the properties and Axis Deer can be seen in the early evening or early morning hours. The grounds are never crowded and the beaches offer all the solitude you’d like. Viewing the spectacular West Molokai sunsets may become your daily ritual while here.

If you’re wondering about the closed Kaluakoi Hotel that is part of the complex, you can find a short explanation halfway down the Molokai Hotels page under Bygone Molokai Hotels.

Kepuhi Beach Resort

Also known as Kaluakoi Villas or West Molokai Resort, these condos offer the best ocean views and are closest to the beach. About a dozen 2-story, tropical-design buildings with 8 apartments each, plus 8 single floor cottages. All offer ocean & sunset views with a few that are beach front. In the 2-story buildings the room choices are studio or one-bedroom with lanai and the cottages offer larger square footage in a one bedroom suite.

The grounds are nicely maintained with barbecues in the central lawn area and a lovely pool that is ocean-side directly above Kepuhi Beach.

Pros – Closest to Kepuhi beach, Great sunsets/views.

Cons – Long drive to restaurants or groceries.

Consult this map for a birds eye view or look for Rental Choices Here.

Paniolo Hale

The name means Cowboy House in Hawaiian and is an homage to the cowboys who used to work these West Molokai ranges of Molokai Ranch. Looking more like town houses than conventional condos, these units are all unique and sequestered in a tree-covered tropical garden. Very few have ocean views, but the landscaping makes up for it and the beach is only a short walk away.

Pros – Best landscaping, Close to 2 beaches, Secluded.

Cons – Long drive to restaurants or groceries.

Consult this Map for a birds eye view or look for Rental Choices Here.

Ke Nani Kai

About 120 apartments in 11 buildings encircling the pool and barbecue areas and the west end’s only tennis courts. There are one and two bedroom units all with nice lanais and some offering distant views of Kaiaka Rock and Papohaku Beach. While they are the farthest stroll from the beach, about 500 feet, Ke Nani Kai has the nicest pool area of the 3 Kaluakoi condo choices.

Pros – Best swimming pool, Short walk to 2 beaches.

Cons – Long drive to restaurants or groceries.

Consult this Map for a birds eye view or look for Rental Choices Here.

West Molokai Condo Comparison Chart
West Molokai Kepuhi Beach Resort Paniolo Hale Ke Nani Kai
Type Condominium Condominium Condominium
Location West Molokai at
Kepuhi Beach –
See Map
West Molokai at
Kepuhi Beach –
See Map
West Molokai at
Kepuhi Beach –
See Map
Rates Affordable – Moderate Moderate + Affordable – Moderate
View Ocean view all
Some beach front
Some ocean view Some distant
ocean view
View of Kepuhi Beach &
Diamond Head, Oahu
Kepuhi Beach &
Diamond Head, Oahu
Papohaku Beach
Beach Kepuhi Beach or
Make Horse Beach
Kepuhi Beach or
Make Horse Beach
Kepuhi Beach or
Make Horse Beach
Distance to beach 25′ – 500′ 25′ – 500′ 500′
Safe ocean swimming? Summer & fall with
caution
Summer & fall with
caution
Summer & fall with
caution
Snorkeling Summer & fall with
caution
Summer & fall with
caution
Summer & fall with
caution
Pool Yes – oceanfront Yes Yes
Jacuzzi No No Yes
Tennis No No Yes
Golf – Ironwoods in Kalae 20 Miles 20 Miles 20 Miles
Shuffleboard No No No
BBQ Yes Yes Yes
Kitchens Yes Yes Yes
Studios Many No No
One bedroom Yes Yes Yes
Two bedroom No Some Some
Living Area 442 – 565 sq.ft.
Plus medium lanai
740 – 1911 sq.ft.
plus large lanai
681 – 908 sq.ft.
plus medium lanai
Wheelchair access Many Some No
Internet/Wifi Wifi near the office Cable access in all Cable access in some
Laundry facilities Yes In units In units
Club house No No Yes
Rental Car Required Required Required
Restaurants nearby 19 miles to Kualapuu
22 mi to Kaunakakai
19 miles to Kualapuu
22 mi to Kaunakakai
19 miles to Kualapuu
22 mi to Kaunakakai
Grocery stores nearby 9 miles to Maunaloa
19 mi to Kualapuu
22 mi to Kaunakakai
9 miles to Maunaloa
19 mi to Kualapuu
22 mi to Kaunakakai
9 miles to Maunaloa
19 mi to Kualapuu
22 mi to Kaunakakai
Night life Stars & Moon Stars & Moon Stars & Moon
Central & East Molokai Destinations

On Molokai’s south side are three destination choices. Near Kaunakakai, the island’s main town, you will find Molokai Shores condominiums and Hotel Molokai. Located one mile east of town, Molokai Shores is a cluster of 3 three-story buildings surrounding the pool/barbeque/putting green area and offering views across the Kalohi Channel to the island of Lanai. Another mile east is Hotel Molokai, the only hotel on the island, with its polynesian funky design, beachfront restaurant and bar.

Further east, at mile 13, is the tropically landscaped Wavecrest Resort another group of 3 three-story condos, which overlook the pailolo channel and nearby islands.

Molokai Shores

The closest accommodations to Kaunakakai, the Shores is within walking distance of grocery stores and other shops in town. One and two bedroom units are available directly from owners or through the rental pool. All units have a medium size lanai and all offer ocean views across the channel. An excellent whale watching vantage point from December-April. The grounds are nicely kept and the beach fronting the complex is great for strolling, but the water is too shallow for swimming.

Pros – Central location, Great views, Walking distance to town.
Cons – No swimming beach.

Consult this Map for a birds eye view or look for Rental Choices Here.

Hotel Molokai

Molokai’s one active hotel, the poynesian-style Hotel Molokai, is on the beach about 2 miles east of Kaunakakai. A favorite hideaway spot for visitors since it was built in 1968, the hotel is kinda Hawaiian funky in style and ambiance. Very unique in the Hawaii of high-rise hotels, concrete and glass. The open-air rooms have all been recently upgraded with polynesian-style amenities befitting the hotel. One of the few places remaining in Hawaii where you can dine at the water’s edge, the hotel’s Hula Shores Restaurant serves island favorites and offers full cocktail service. While there is a narrow stretch of beach that is fun to stroll, the water is too shallow and sometimes a little murky, so swimming is not a option.

Pros – Central location, Restaurant/bar on premise.
Cons – No swimming beach.

Consult this Map for a birds eye view or look for Rental Choices Here.

Wavecrest Resort

At mile 13, Wavecrest resort is the choice farthest east, which means it receives more trade wind showers than the others. The result is a complex with lush tropical gardens and lots of morning rainbows. One and two bedroom units are available directly from owners or through the rental pool. The units all have a medium size lanai which allows views of Maui across the Pailolo Channel. From the grounds, the islands of Lanai and Kaho’olawe are also visable. No beach here, but it is only 6 miles to one of Molokai’s favorites, Murphy’s Beach.

Pros – Tropical location, Great views, Nice landscaping, Quiet.
Cons – Long drive to restaurants or groceries, 7 miles to nearest swimming beach.

Consult this Map for a birds eye view or look for Rental Choices Here.

Central & East Molokai Condo Comparison Chart
Central & East Molokai Molokai Shores Wavecrest Hotel Molokai
Type Condominium Condominium Hotel
Location Central Molokai 1 mile
east of Kaunakakai –
Map
East Molokai 13 miles
east of Kaunakakai –
Map
Central Molokai 2 miles
east of Kaunakakai –
Map
Rates Affordable – Moderate Affordable – Moderate Affordable – Moderate
View Ocean view all
Some ocean front
Ocean view all
Some ocean front
Some ocean view
View of Lanai Island Lanai & Maui Lanai Island
Beach Kamiloloa Beach 7 miles to Murphy’s
Beach
Hotel Beach
Distance to beach 50′ – 100′ 50′ – 100′ 50′ – 100′
Safe ocean swimming? OK for strolling or
wading
Year-round with
caution at Murphy’s
OK for strolling or
wading
Snorkeling No Year-round with
caution at Murphy’s
No
Pool Yes – oceanfront Yes – oceanfront Yes – oceanfront
Jacuzzi No No No
Tennis No Yes No
Golf – Ironwoods in Kalae 9 Miles 21 Miles 10 Miles
Shuffleboard Yes Yes No
BBQ Yes Yes No
Kitchens Yes Yes Some kitchenettes
Studios No No Yes
One bedroom Yes Yes No
Two bedroom A few A few No
Living Area 562 – 768 sq.ft.
plus medium lanai
604 – 835 sq.ft.
plus medium lanai
228 sq.ft.
plus small lanai
Wheelchair access Some Some Some
Internet/Wifi Cable access in some Cable access in some No
Laundry facilities Yes Yes No
Club house No Yes No
Rental Car Optional Required Optional
Restaurants nearby Several within 1 mile 3 miles to Manae
Goodz and Grinds
On premise
2 mi to Kaunakakai
Grocery stores nearby 1 Mile to Kaunakakai 3 miles to Pukoo
convenience store
13 mi to Kaunakakai
2 Miles to Kaunakakai
Night life 1 mile to Hotel or
Paddlers inn
Stars & Moon Most nights at bar or
2 mi to Paddlers Inn