Unplugging on Molokai (Part 1)
November 9th, 2009 by MelissaThose of you who know me, know I'm quite addicted to Twitter, Facebook, texting, etc. And I'm not the only one!! So one day, one of my Twitter friends, Amber (@Tiabla) suggested we get away to Molokai for an unplugged weekend: No electronic equipment except for our cameras.
Good timing: Aqua Hotels & Resorts, where Amber works, has a sales & marketing agreement with the Hotel Molokai, which has undergone massive renovations. After a very hectic week, we packed our bags and made our way to the Friendly Isle.
My beautifully appointed single room.
My ocean view, complete with the sound of waves lapping.
Our welcome bag. Note the flat screen TV in the back!
Big mahalo to Hotel Molokai's General Manager Michael Drew, who was our host for the weekend. He was a wealth of information and took some free time to show us around one day. Michael came to Molokai about three years ago and went to work renovating the hotel inside and out. All of the rooms, in fact, were completely gutted.
Shuchi Rana (@autkast) of San Francisco, right, was one of the many tech geeks visiting us last week for [re]think Hawaii and TEDx Honolulu; however, she was the only one that made it over to Molokai for a day. It was her first trip to Hawaii and one that she won't soon forget.
Hotel Molokai is tagged as "the last authentic Hawaii experience," and Shuchi couldn't stop raving about how she was so lucky to experience at least one day of "the real Hawaii" while on Molokai. I guess when you live here, you take a lot for granted. Somehow, it was different looking at Molokai through Shuchi's eyes.
Now for the unplugging. I think it was hardest on the first day, getting used to operating without any connection to the outside world or touching our electronics.
Ed Morita (@Nctrnlbst), as you can see, adjusted quite quickly. Then again...look at his reading material! Blog Blazers?
Kaeo, Jill, Ray, and Ed spent a lot of time at the pool.
In the absence of Twitter, we ended up writing our "tweets" on pieces of paper and documenting them in photos. Ray (@zenxacred) will compile those photos and I'll post a link for you in a future blog so you can see how hilarious they were.
You know what? After the first day, I didn't even have the urge to write my tweets on those pieces of paper. Maybe I'm not the addict that we all thought I was. I survived, for the most part...but I should warn you that if you do this, it's harder to "unplug" on a weekday than on a weekend. I arrived on Molokai on Friday, which meant that several clients were still calling or emailing me during the day. I didn't have this problem on Saturday.
OK so that was how we coped with our addiction. Next up: I'm going to show you a little of what we got to do there!
Tags: Aqua Hotels & resorts, Hotel Molokai, low tech, Molokai, no tech
November 9th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Wow! What an amazing weekend! And this is only part 1! I can't wait to see part 2. Your blog is giving me ideas to travel to Molokai! I've never been there!
November 9th, 2009 at 6:57 am
That's so cool.
Hope I get that kine welcome package when I go to the Aqua Equus on Oahu with my son's Robotic team in December
Fun times with good friends in Molokai. What a life
November 9th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Great to see some fun and positive news from our island. I hope you had a chance to meet some of the locals and experience the Aloha spirit Molokai style. And check http://www.themolokainews.com to get daily news updates from the Last Hawaiian Island!
November 9th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hello Melissa!
Looks like you had a great relaxing time!
November 9th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Hi Melissa
Wea da FOOD pics
Nah
looks like you folks had a good time 
November 9th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I was gonna say the same thing as NKHEA. Wea do food? And more importantly, where was the invite for this one?
Nah!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Cindy, David, NKHEA, Ed: The food pics are coming up! I didn't really get to meet many locals this time, but I've been to Molokai before. I'm pleased to say there was enough to fill more than a weekend on Molokai!
Ynaku, I should disclose that it was a special trip--kind of like a fam tour--so I paid my way but we were hosted by the hotel. That's why we got the cool bags.
M, I left 1 day early so I did relax, but not as much as the others did!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Did you do the midnight bread run at Kanemitsu Bakery?
November 9th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Unplugging Molokai may sink the Island. Molokai people live there for
a reason.
Akua
Lokahi
Ohana
Ha' Breath of Life. ALOHA!
Simplicity.
Why Molokai is Molokai, one must leave the plug in. Leave the city where it is city.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Whenever I go back to my hometown of Kamuela, I try to limit my internet access. But my dad installed a wireless network in the house, so limiting is hard to do. Also, my hands begin to shake after a day if I can't check my email.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
U mean to tell me that u didn't drive up to Kalaupapa lookout?
There are 2 trails, one to the lookout and one to the phalic rocks.
Hawaiian legend states that women spent the night at the phalic rocks to get pregnant. Is that why u didn't go there? lol
November 10th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Ahhhh....Kanemitsuuuuuu Bakeryyyyyyy. Yum.
Looks like Hotel Molokai has done a nice job remodeling.
I miss the Midnight Inn, tho.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am
OMG. I am so so jealous and I love how Noe and Neenz "IM" & "DM" It looks liek a super fun trip! Oh and super jealous that you got to be in the nice outdoors. I hope you wore your sunscreen!
Ed's photos are to die for!! Happy you had fun!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
M, no midnight run for me....no time! The others did, though.
Michael, good point!
Marvo, you're from Molokai??? Goodness. I wouldn't have guessed!
appagom, I did drive up there, but I've been to both the lookout and the phallic rock before. I've been to Molokai a couple times already.
Kal, you should try visit on your next Hawaii vacation! Although you should really go to Oahu!!!
Jlieu you would have cracked up. seriously. it was pretty darn funny.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
A great representation of my hometown island. I'm happy the entire attendee's enjoyed their retreat--only wished I knew of this I could have made an effort to go home. Love your blog:)