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Hanalei Town, Kauai

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Quick Facts

  • Name: Hanalei Town
  • Where: In northern Kauai, a few minutes west of Princeville
  • What: Charming small town on Kauai’s north shore

 

North Shore

West of Princeville, on Kauai’s North shore, is peaceful Hanalei Town. Graced with timeless beauty, this lovely small town is home to everything from historic places to contemporary art galleries. Hanalei is an unforgettable stop on your visit to Kauai.

Visit the Waioli Mission House and step back into Kauai’s history. Browse Hanalei’s art galleries for made in Kauai art and carvings made from rare, native Hawaiian woods. Locals and visitors come to Hanalei for ukulele concerts held at the Hanalei Community Center, a regular Kauai event.

At the foot of Hanalei’s misty green mountains you’ll also discover fields of taro (“kalo” in Hawaiian). These heart-shaped plants grow intensely green in flooded patches and are used to make poi, a Hawaiian staple starch that you can taste at any Kauai luau. You can get a good view of this emerald quilt of land from the Hanalei Valley Lookout. Note that these taro farms are on private property, so only step foot on them during an authorized farm tour.

The historic Hanalei Pier was built in 1892 and has long been a favorite gathering place for local residents who go there to fish, swim and play music on Hanalei Bay. In 1957, the pier became world famous when Oscar Hammerstein II and 20th Century Fox featured the pier in the classic film, "South Pacific." After a busy day of soaking up Hanalei Town’s history and charm, kick back, relax and watch a luminous sunset over Hanalei Bay.