Final Information to Flying to Molokai: Insider Ideas

Flying to Molokai is a sophisticated endeavor, however value it for many who have persistence and adaptability.

Right here on the HAT weblog, we speak quite a bit about issues to do on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai. These are the place most guests spend time when vacationing in Hawaii. However some make a extra adventurous trek to different much less visited islands, like Molokai. 

However visiting Molokai comes with a number of issues. First, it’s a must to be sure to’re vacationing ethically while you come to Molokai. You’ll additionally wish to work with Hawaii Aloha Travel to make sure you’re reserving a keep on the proper resort, planning the precise actions, and ready for the slowed-down way of life that makes Molokai so particular. 

This isn’t a spot the place you may merely present up and hope for the perfect. And also you undoubtedly wish to be respectful and keep “on the crushed path,” so to talk. 

However one other massive hurdle for visiting Molokai is tips on how to get there. This isn’t so simple as reserving a connecting flight (or taking a ship). Flying to Molokai is an journey of its personal – one that may be sure to’re able to trip on “The Pleasant Isle.”

How you can Entry Molokai

Molokai is just about solely accessible by airplane. And there is just one airline that provides public flights there. Right here’s what you must find out about flying to Molokai on Mokulele Airways:

• There are a number of flights every day, starting very early within the morning and ending later within the night.
• They solely fly from 2 airports: Honolulu, Oahu, and Kahului, Maui (they’re about 30-minute flights)
• Most of their fleet is made up of 9-passenger planes, however they function bigger 36-passenger plane too. 
• You’ll fly into Hoolehua (airport code MKK). It’s about 15 minutes away from Kaunakakai, the principle city on Molokai. 

So there are the fundamentals – all of it might sound fairly easy. But it surely’s not as simple as many residents and guests would really like. 

Simply over a decade in the past, you had many choices for attending to Molokai. You might take a commuter ferry from Lahaina, Maui, or select from a number of airways that join MKK to the Kahului and Honolulu airports. 

However now, flights are tougher to return by. And when you get one, it’s not a terrific assure that you just’ll make it to the island as scheduled. 

Issues to Plan For When Touring to Molokai

Since there is just one airline serving Molokai, and since they’re topic to climate, staffing, and mechanical points, there’s a excessive probability that your flight could also be delayed or canceled. 

So we advocate in opposition to planning a decent connection between your mainland and Molokai flights. 

This might go away you reserving one of many final flights of the day, and being stranded if that flight is canceled (one thing that just lately occurred to me!). 

As a substitute, e-book one of many earlier flights to Molokai. This may increasingly imply spending the night time on Maui or Oahu. And because you’re staying the night time, why not spend a few nights? Hawaii Aloha Journey may help plan an itinerary that lets you get pleasure from a while on one in every of these extra populated islands earlier than starting your journey to Molokai (possible brilliant and early one morning). 

And the identical goes in your return to the mainland as properly. Actually, this can be much more necessary because you don’t wish to miss your return flight and turn into stranded in Hawaii (though, you might resolve there are worse issues). 

So right here’s one instance itinerary that will be just right for you:

• Day 1 Afternoon – arrive in Oahu (or Maui)
• Day 2 All Day – spend the day exploring your must-see Oahu attraction(s)
• Day three Morning – head to Molokai
• Day three By 5 – get pleasure from your time on Molokai
• Day 6 Morning – return to Oahu (or Maui)
• Day 6 Night time – very late flight to the mainland (or keep in Oahu/Maui after which go away for the mainland within the morning)

See how that provides some cushion time to get your flight? Oahu sometimes has lower-cost resort choices should you do wish to keep the night time in between flights, however Maui is a superb place to hang around too! Plus, should you fly from Maui, there’s an opportunity you’ll fly by the scenic sea cliffs and waterfalls of Molokai’s northern shoreline, which we’ll speak extra about beneath. 

Packing Your Luggage

One distinctive factor about Mokulele flights is that you just don’t need to undergo TSA screening. So which means you may convey your outsized bottle of sunscreen as a carry-on (simply be sure it’s closed properly!).

However, you may’t join your baggage out of your mainland flight straight onto your Mokulele flight. So if you’re trying a direct connection on Maui or Oahu, you’ll need to get your baggage from the luggage declare after which carry them to the Mokulele boarding space (which might be a stroll and/or a bus trip away, relying in your airport). 

You’ll additionally need to pay to examine them in once more with Mokulele. 

Additionally, most Mokulele flights can’t accommodate a carry-on larger than a backpack. So that you’ll need to pay to examine the usual rolling carry-on baggage you might have introduced in your flight from the mainland. 

Interisland Flying

If you examine in for a flight on Mokulel’s 9-passenger planes, you gained’t get a ticket or boarding go. As a substitute, they’ll name out your flight quantity when it’s time after which let you know your seat quantity simply earlier than you stroll out onto the runway to board the aircraft. 

Make sure you memorize your flight quantity, as they’ll name a number of flights to Molokai, which may get complicated. 

Boarding the aircraft is enjoyable – it feels such as you’re boarding a non-public jet. They’ll decrease the steps for you, and then you definitely’ll discover your seat. Seating is usually assigned primarily based on weight, however in my expertise, they’ve normally saved households collectively (there are solely four rows, so it’s not an enormous deal).

However what’s it like when you’re onboard the plane? Flying on Mokulele’s nine-passenger planes is actually a novel expertise. The co-pilots are within the entrance row. They’ll be those serving to you onto your plane, and as soon as they’re seated they’ll flip round to provide you a fast briefing of what to anticipate on the flight, together with their forecast for turbulence. 

Within the Air…

The home windows are massive, good for the surroundings you’ll fly over throughout your journey. Many individuals treasure the flight from Maui to Molokai as a wow-worthy expertise. When situations are proper, the pilots will take you round “the bottom” of Molokai. You’ll see waterfalls, the distant space of Kalaupapa, and plush valleys as you fly eye-level with the tall, world-famous cliffs of Molokai’s northern coast. 

It’s a loud flight, so that you gained’t be chatting it up along with your neighbor. Lap infants are allowed, however kids two and older will want their very own seats. I used to be nervous about my three-year-old sitting properly in his seat throughout the flight, however he did tremendous throughout the transient, half-hour journey. 

However, typically these flights get actually tough. And at night time, when you may’t see round you, they’ll really feel actually scary. My household tries to solely fly throughout daylight. 

The bigger, 36-passenger planes function extra just like the industrial flights you’re used to. There might be a devoted attendant on board, and also you’ll get a ticket along with your assigned seat quantity on it.

The Molokai Airport

I really like speaking in regards to the Molokai airport, as a result of it’s such a novel place. When you’re used to touring to massive locations, you might not have seen an airport like Molokai’s. 

The Hoolehua Airport is positioned in a rural space, surrounded by red-dirt farmland. There’s a small store that’s typically open, a few restrooms, and plenty of seating. The Mokulele counter is the hub of exercise right here as residents and guests examine in for his or her flights. 

The runway is comparatively small, and also you’ll be escorted off the aircraft and to the terminal by a Mokulele worker. You possible might want to carry your individual checked baggage into the terminal, so be ready for that. The stroll isn’t very far in any respect. 

Rental Automobiles

As soon as on Molokai, you’ll wish to get a rental automotive to get round. Although the principle city is walkable, you’ll possible wish to discover a few of the island by automotive. 

There’s an Alamo Automobile Rental on the airport, together with native automotive leases obtainable on the island. Navigating your approach by Molokai is simple, as there’s actually only one most important street that runs throughout the island, and another that may get you to the Kalaupapa overlook. 

Ideas for Touring to Molokai

Prepared to start planning your trip Molokai? Listed below are some closing suggestions to make sure your travels go as easily as potential. 

Plan Early

Since choices are restricted on Molokai, you’ll wish to reserve your flights, resorts, and rental automotive early on. This isn’t a very good trip to wing it!

Be Versatile (And Considerate!)

With restricted flights and vehicles obtainable, you might be compelled to vary your plans. Keep in mind to be type and versatile when this occurs. 

In any case, that is affecting your trip (which can nonetheless be satisfying it doesn’t matter what). For a lot of residents, these flight shortages and other issues can stand in the way in which of getting very important medical care, entering into work, or accessing important providers. 

Perceive The place You’re Going

Whereas many Molokai residents welcome guests, it’s not a spot catered to tourism. This could be a little bit of a shock should you’re used to visiting Waikiki or Kaanapali, Maui. You’re going to a small-knit neighborhood the place folks work onerous and have a really sturdy set of values. 

When you go to with kindness, respect, and persistence, you’ll have a pleasant time soaking within the distinctive ambiance of Molokai. 

Key Issues to Know 

So, should you nonetheless suppose you’re prepared for a Molokai trip, we’re pleased to assist along with your bookings. Listed below are just a few reminders in regards to the fundamentals of Molokai journey as a way to start envisioning your trip:

• You’ll be able to solely get to Molokai by aircraft, both from Maui or Honolulu.
• There isn’t any longer a ferry service or a number of airways to select from.
• The airline known as Mokulele Airways, operated by Southern Airways.
• There’s a good likelihood your flight could also be delayed or canceled.
• Don’t e-book your return flight back-to-back along with your return flight to the mainland. 
• As soon as on Molokai, you’ll wish to lease a automotive to drive across the island.

Aloha, Molokai

Life on Molokai is easy. Getting there, then again, presents some challenges. Whereas it’s not proper that residents need to endure by the hands of the airways, it in all probability does assist weed out vacationers who aren’t prepared for Molokai’s lifestyle. 

In any case, flying to “The Pleasant Isle” requires a great deal of persistence, flexibility, and understanding. When you’ve bought that down, you’re possible prepared for a terrific trip on Molokai.