From paniolo (cowboy) and historic plantation districts to oceanfront streets, Hawaiʻi is dotted with one-of-a-kind neighborhoods. Filled with history and charm, you can explore vibrant towns across the Islands that are home to quirky cafés, fabulous boutiques, trendy restaurants and hidden gems, too. These are the best towns in Hawaiʻi that you’ll want to add […]
Picture relaxing in Hawai‘i. We’re pretty sure you imagined a beach. Hawai‘i has some of the best ones in the world, from the glittering sands of Lanikai on O‘ahu to the jet-black sands of Punalu‘u on Hawai‘i Island. And some of these beach locales have more than just sandy shores: You’ll find great restaurants, cute
“It’s like a pad Thai fell into your mai tai.” That’s how Johnny, tiggerish bartender at Kai Maikaʻi, described the Sugarcane Blaze cocktail, an unexpected and fiery combination of smoky mezcal, Kō Hana Kea rum, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, peanuts and Szechuan pepper orgeat and mango syrup. And he’s not wrong. The cocktail, with a
The gateway to Hanalei Town and a foodie’s paradise, Postcards Café lives up to its motto as a place “where time stops and memories begin.” The small plantation-style diamond in the rough is just past the one-lane bridge from Princeville. Hanalei, the last town on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, is rich in history, peppered
Once you cross the historic one-lane steel bridge over Hanalei River, you can feel it, the magic of this rural town on the north shore of Kaua‘i. It’s laid-back in the best way. No big resorts, no chain restaurants, no stoplights. It’s just you, a two-lane road and endless ways to unwind and relax. This
Towns across the Islands are filled with their own quirky personalities. Near the coast, visitors can spend an afternoon exploring a laid-back beach town lined with surf shops, vegan cafés and yoga studios. Head to a downtown district and the vibe changes. There you’ll find trendy boutiques and hip bars, old-school eateries and historic landmarks.
Kauaʻi, also known as the Garden Isle, is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Considered by some as the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands—other sources cite Ni‘ihau, by a couple of hundred thousand years—Kauaʻi is chock-full of culture, activities and ʻono (delicious) restaurants. It’s a great place for visitors to travel to, especially
Taking a road trip might not be the first activity that comes to mind when planning a trip to Hawaiʻi. But it should be. What better way to see the Islands than by hitting the road? Just pick an island and follow the long, winding road that traces its perimeter, exposing majestic cliffs, cascading waterfalls
Kauaʻi is for those who truly want to get away. Lush mountains, cascading waterfalls, remote beaches — the island offers the Hawaiʻi vacation of your dreams. Hike through tropical rainforests or along breathtaking pali (cliffs). Kayak through verdant valleys to hidden waterfalls. Walk along more than 50 miles of beaches. If you want get away,
Walking through the Ching Young Village Shopping Center is like taking a step back in time. With mom and pop shops that have called the center home since the 1980s and ’90s, the plaza captures Hanalei’s charming mix of small-town spirit and surf culture. Generations of residents and visitors have come to cherish browsing through
The road less traveled is often the most exciting. And co-hosts Catherine Toth Fox and Grace Maeda definitely took alternative routes during their recent expedition to Kauaʻi. For those planning a trip to the Garden Isle, Cat and Grace build a 36-hour itinerary that will take you from Hanapēpē and Kōloa on Kauaʻi’s southern coasts,
Sure, the beaches and hikes and landscapes of Hawaiʻi get most of the attention from visitors, but when it comes to what gives Hawaiʻi that aloha spirit, you have to take into account the Islands’ towns. That is, after all, where the people are. From businesses to tours, shops and boutiques, it’s the positive attitudes and
