Kaunakakai, Molokai

Kaunakakai, the largest and main town of tranquil Molokai – the Hawaiian island without traffic lights and big chain stores – is located on the south coast of the island. With a few mom and pop stores selling groceries and other supplies, Kaunakakai is the main shopping hub for the 7,400+ residents of the island.

The town is just three blocks in size and most of the stores and eateries are located at the main street called Ala Malama. Many of the buildings are still the original construction, such as the Molokai public library, which was built in 1937. It is the only library on Molokai.

Barges and tug boats deliver all essential items at the nearby Kaunakakai Wharf. In the past, sugar and pineapple plantations dotted this port town where King Kamehameha V used to spend his summers.

According to the United States Census 2000, 2,726 people lived in Kaunakakai, which encompasses a 3.1 square mile area (8.1 square kilometers). Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders accounted for 30.7% of the total population, followed by Asians (28.8%), Whites (8.6%), Hispanic or Latino of any race (5.6%), American Indian and Alaska Native (0.1%) and other races (0.2%). About 31% of population belonged to two or more races.

The median household income was $34,492 in 2000 and the median per capita income was $14, 201. Slightly more than 20% of the population lived below poverty line.

Kaunakakai's zip code is 96748.

Kaunakakai in Bullet Points

3-block-town on the south coast of Molokai
Ala Malama Street has several shops and a bakery
The town has parks and a whar

Kaunakakai Location

Kaunakakai on the south coast of Molokai is situated on Kamehameha V Highway (450) and Maunaloa Highway (460).

Kaunakakai Map (top)

Kaunakakai Weather (top)

Now
81°F
Windchill:
81°F
Partly Cloudy
Location: Kaunakakai, HI, US
Wind: 21 mph NE
Humidity: 67%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 29.94 in falling
Sunrise: 6:34 am
Sunset: 5:49 pm Sat
Hi: 83°F
Low: 68°F
Scattered Showers
Sun
Hi: 84°F
Low: 68°F
Scattered Showers