The day after hosting the TechKaraoke party, most of us hopped on a plane for an unplugged retreat on the island of Molokai.  Our spacious rooms at the Hotel Molokai were comped by Aqua Hotels and Resorts and the hotel’s General Manager, Michael Drew.

Reflections of an unplugged weekend:

“This was not my first trip to Moloka’i. From age 12-14, I spent every summer camping out on the east side of Moloka’i, so I was very well acquainted with the island and local culture. It had been 17 years since I had step foot on Moloka’i, and I was happy to see that not much had changed. Amber picked me up from the airport, and I recounted some of my adolescent Moloka’i adventures during the car ride to the hotel (She is encouraging me to write about my time on the Friendly Isle). I made note of the few changes around town as we drove through Kaunakakai. The old video store had since closed and the building it was in replaced by small shops. From the looks of it, the old drive-in where I first discovered mixing Ketchup and Mustard for french fries, had been closed for a while. Less than a block away was the somewhat new looking Moloka’i Burger, and a small strip mall with a pizza parlor.” — A Weekend Unplugged, Ed Morita

Photos by Ed Morita.

Molokai inspires:

“As the end of our unplugged retreat neared it was clear that we did not want to leave.  This will be difficult to understand, but despite being in the same time zone, it seemed as if Molokai was a few hours behind.  And, it was refreshing.  If you want to rejuvenate your mind and soul; focus on team building; open up the arteries of creativity; or just escape from your usual routine — then book a flight to Molokai and a room at the Hotel Molokai and leave your phone, laptop, and agenda at home.  Molokai inspires.
” — Aqua Hotels Unplugged Retreat on Molokai, L.P. “Neenz” Faleafine

Photos by: Zen Lao