A Guide to Kauaʻi’s Charming Kapaʻa Town
The historic beachside community of Old Kapaʻa Town on Kauaʻi’s southeast shore sits in a wistful, sweet spot between the old and new.
*This story was originally published on Aug. 2, 2016 and updated on Aug. 11, 2025.
The next time you go to Kapaʻa, listen to the locals.
The 8-mile drive from the Līhuʻe airport to the district’s historic center was the only set of directions I had upon arriving to Kauaʻi, and turns out it was the only one I needed.
My day cruising through Old Kapaʻa Town quickly, but casually, filled up with recommendations by those who live, work and play there: a Kauaʻi-based musician tuning me in to a new shave ice truck; a born-and-raised resident letting me know where to get ʻahi poke (sliced Hawaiian tuna) from a longstanding favorite; a pair of gift shop owners suggesting a recently opened restaurant to eat up pūpū (tapas) and a south shore sunset.
As I was guided from place to place, following each scribbled suggestion in my notepad, it was clear how intrinsic a sense of ʻohana (family) is to this community with a notable plantation past. Its eclectic storefronts lining Kūhiō Highway are connected by more than just faded crosswalks and charming signposts—it’s the people who keep this town together and, when I visited, these were the locales on everyone’s lips.
Musubi Truck
Musubi has been the go-to lunch for generations in Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ben Ono
With three locations on Kauaʻi—Kapaʻa, Hanapēpē and Kōloa—this food truck concept is all about elevated, local-style musubi. The Musubi Truck’s original location is in Kapaʻa, and specializes in serving the signature snack that has been the go-to lunch for generations in Hawaiʻi. Here, you can get musubi stuffed with crispy chicken katsu or filled with baked tofu and fresh veggies. The most popular is the OG Spam Musubi, served with a tasty kabayaki sauce. themusubishop.com.
Lydgate Farms
Grab a sweet treat at the and learn fascinating facts about chocolate cultivation at Lydgate Farms’ new store.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ben Ono
Just a short walk from the Musubi Truck is Lydgate Farms’ new store and tasting room. Here, you can sample locally grown chocolate. Anyone interested in learning more about how chocolate goes from bean to bar can take a tour at Lydgate Farms, open to folks 7 years and older. Along with grabbing a sweet treat at the store, you’ll learn some fascinating facts about chocolate cultivation in Hawaiʻi. lydgatefarms.com
Kiko
Kiko is a hip hub for upcycled goods, locally made products and artwork.
Photo: Tiffany Hill
Tucked behind a bevy of antique shops is Kiko, a surprisingly hip oasis of upcycled goods, locally made products and artwork from Hawaiʻi-based artisans. Like the pace of Kapaʻa itself, I found myself slowing down to look at and handle every soap, candle, ceramic and unique piece of jewelry with curious interest. This mother-daughter owned boutique speaks volumes with its carefully curated inventory and inviting shopping environment. After a languid lap around the store, you’ll eventually find yourself leaving with something you didn’t even know you wanted. kikokauai.com.
Kamoa ʻUkulele Company
When I step into Kamoa ʻUkulele Co., I’m immediately drawn to the warmth of the colors of its flagship store’s ʻukulele—golden yellows, reds and browns—emanating from the showroom racks. That warmth is matched by the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, including Kamoa founder, Samuel Bonanno, who can tell you the ins and outs of every model, even offering to briefly teach the proper way to tune one up right there on the sales floor. While you can score a Kamoa off the island, and even on the mainland, this is the only place where you can see its line of Kaua‘i-built ‘ukes in person and in the company and naʻauao (wisdom) of those who pluck their strings every day. kamoaukuleles.com.
Wailua Shave Ice (Get the lilikoʻi (passion fruit), it’ll change your life.)
The lilikoʻi shave ice from Wailua Shave Ice is life changing.
Photo: Mallory Roe
When I reach Wailua Shave Ice, a vivid red food wagon parked on Kūhiō between ʻInia and Kauwila streets, it turns out the prophetic lilikoʻi wasn’t in my shave-ice destiny. That’s because this gourmet shave-ice stand uses only all-natural syrups with ingredients sourced by local farmers, and the fruit isn’t in season at the moment. Nevertheless, the Coconut x Coconut x Coconut, coconut milk with a haupia (coconut-cream pudding) foam topped with toasted coconut flakes, was super refreshing, not overly sweet and creatively balanced with a texture that melts in your mouth—the best shave ice I’ve had in my life, honestly. wailuashaveice.com.
Pono Market
Pono Fish Market in Kapaʻa serves some of the best plate lunches on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of Pono Market
The unassuming Pono Market has been feeding the locals here for more than three generations and it’s easy to see why as I’m perusing the deli: fantastic prices on an extensive variety of poke, kim chee and fresh manju (Japanese pastries) to throw in your beach bag and picnic at neighboring Keālia Beach. But get here sooner rather than later; the homemade laulau (pork and fish wrapped and cooked in ti leaves) runs out fast.
READ MORE: The Best Plate Lunch Spots on Kauaʻi
Shipwrecked Kauaʻi
If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe, believe it or not, you don’t have to scramble to a shopping mall—you can do that at Shipwrecked Kauaʻi, a new brick-and-mortar in Kapa‘a attached to Java Kai coffee shop. The store carries cool women’s bikinis from Boys + Arrows and kid’s swimwear by Oopsy Daze, labels you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. I was personally torn between leaving with a new pair of Vuori boardshorts from its men’s rack or the hand-stitched canvas artwork by local fiber artist Michelle Wong decorating the walls. shipwreckedkauai.com.
Wailua River
The Wailua River on Kauaʻi stretches 20 miles.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson
When visiting Kapaʻa, seeing the 20-mile Wailua River is a must, and it’s an experience unique to Kauaʻi. You can rent a kayak or a stand-up paddle board to explore the river, which meanders through lush landscapes.
Matthew Dekneef is a former deputy editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.
