Kawa'Aloa Bay(Kawa Aloa Bay, Kawaaloa Bay, Mo‘Omomi)

Located in the northern portion of the Molokai shoreline, Kawa’aloa Beach - also called Kawaaloa Beach - is a secluded and large crescent-shaped beach with light brown sand, a few rocky portions, nearby oceanfront cliffs, sand dunes, and a few nearby shrubs. This beach is situated along a bay named Kawa'aloa Bay and it is adjacent to a preserve called Mo’omomi Preserve. Kawa’aloa Beach is a part of a larger coastal area named Mo’omomi. Interesting paleontological and archeological discoveries have been unearthed in the area around the western end of Kawa’aloa Beach including polished cooking stones, discarded limpet shells, baskets containing human remains, fossils of many varieties of birds including a flightless species of ibis and the slender-billed crow, and shells from terrestrial snails. 

Kawa’aloa Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so please plan accordingly. 

Kawa'aloa Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, and picnicking. The water near Kawa’aloa Beach is unsafe for water activities including swimming and snorkeling because it has unpredictable waves and dangerous rip currents, particularly during winters. The rocky shoreline around Kawa’aloa Beach can also cause injuries. Depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals in the water near Kawa’ola Beach including sea turtles, migrating whales from November through March, and rare Hawaiian monk seals - green sea turtles also use Kawa’alaoa Beach as a nesting site between May and December.

Getting to Kawa’aloa Beach can be difficult - the trailhead for the hiking trail for Kawa’aloa Beach is accessible from Hawaii Route 480 (which is also called Moomomi Road). We recommend being careful wearing sturdy shoes while hiking to Kawa’aloa Beach because the trail is rocky and uneven. We also recommend driving a heavy-duty four-wheel car, SUV, or jeep to visit Kawa'aloa Beach because the road to the beach is also known to be rugged. It is important to note that Kawa'aloa Beach may have a large amount of discarded trash.

There are many attractions near Kawa’aloa Beach within a 35-minute drive. Pālāʻau State Park is a popular state park that has many kinds of habitats including grasslands and koa, eucalyptus, and ironwood forests. The park offers a unique insight into the local biodiversity and cultural history. The state park has an observation area that offers fantastic views of the Kalaupapa Peninsula and it also has a phallus-shaped rock named Kaule o Nanahoa, meaning “the penis of Nanahoa” in Hawaiian - according to ancient Hawaiian legends, worshiping this rock could cure infertility-related problems in women. The state park also has a tent campground and picnic areas. Maunahui-Makakupa-ia Trail is a hiking and biking trail that offers an amazing way to explore the vibrant and rugged Molokai landscape and it passes through many kinds of habitats including grasslands and forests. The trail also has observation areas that offer an incredible view of the Molokai shoreline. Molokai Museum and Cultural Center has interesting exhibits on the vibrant history of Molokai - the museum has exhibits highlighting Molokai’s time as the site of a leper colony and its premises also have a restored sugar mill. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts, photos, personal historic accounts, videos, and a gift shop selling goods and crafts made by local artisans. If you like golf, Ironwood Hills Golf Club is a nine-hole golf course that offers a fun and challenging golf session. In addition, the golf club offers amazing views of the Molokai shoreline, the nearby island of Oahu, and the Pacific Ocean. If you are looking for another attraction near Kawa’aloa Beach, Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a national park that is only accessible via hiking or a mule ride and is set around the settlement of Kalaupapa, which was used as an isolation facility for people suffering from leprosy (also called Hansen’s disease) - you can explore this park’s premises via guided tours and these tours offer a unique insight into the history of Molokai. You can visit the Kalaupapa National Historical Park’s webpage on the National Park Service website for more information regarding the guided tour options and details. This national park also seeks to raise awareness about leprosy, which is a disease that has been often stigmatized by the general public.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Kawa’aloa Beach within a 40-minute drive. Hiro’s Ohana Grill is a waterfront restaurant that offers excellent dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner including seafood, steaks, barbecued ribs, poultry dishes, pastas, salads, burgers, loco moco, and pancakes. The restaurant also offers live music performances. Paddlers Restaurant and Bar offers amazing burgers, fries, steaks, pork dishes, poultry dishes, pastas, sandwiches, and seafood. This restaurant also offers live music performances and dancing. Kualapuʻu Cookhousealso offers delicious American and Hawaiian dishes for lunch and dinner including eggs, steaks, pork dishes, poultry dishes, seafood, lamb chops, and barbecued ribs. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Kawa’aloa Beach, Molokai Burger serves delicious burgers. In addition, it also serves excellent fried chicken, sandwiches, fries, chicken nuggets, salads, and lunch and dinner platters. As another modestly priced option, Mrs. K's Concession serves excellent hamburger steaks, eggs, burgers, and poultry dishes, along with daily-changing special dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Kawa’aloa Beach, there are many great nearby options. Pu'u O Hoku Ranch is an hour-and-30 minutes away by car and offers accommodation in exquisite cottages and a lodge that was built in 1930s-inspired Hawaiian Ranch-style architecture. The ranch also has a farm and a beekeeping facility that offer organically prepared products including honey, ‘awa root, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, the ranch also has many other amenities including hiking trails and a store and it also offers private plane and helicopter shuttle services to its own runway (for a fee). The other hotels are within a 45-minute drive. The 3-Star Molokai Shores Resort offers many amenities including barbecue grills, dry cleaning/laundry facilities, a picnic area, and a pool. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Hotel Moloka’i which offers many amenities including a pool, oceanfront hammocks, a gift shop, restaurant, and use of leisure equipment. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Kawa’aloa Beach, Ka Hale Mala is a bed-and-breakfast that offers many amenities including a tropical garden with sitting areas, a barbecue area, nearby laundry facilities, and beach towel loaner facilities.