12 Nicest Small Towns In Hawaii

When most people think of Hawaii, they picture big resorts or packed beaches, but the real charm is in the small towns. These places are where life moves slower, neighbors still wave, and the best meals might come from a roadside stand.

What makes a town “nice” here is simple: friendly people, quiet streets, views of the ocean or volcanoes, and good food made by locals. You can grab shave ice by the bay, watch surfers at sunrise, or wander through old sugar plantation buildings. Some towns are full of artists and musicians; others are home to paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) and coffee growers.

There are places where you can hike into a crater before lunch or find handmade shell jewelry next to a fresh mango stand. From fishing villages to upcountry farm towns, here are 12 of the nicest small towns in Hawaii. Each brings something different, but they all stick with you.

Hāna

Hāna is a remote town at the end of the Hāna Highway, known for its black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park, the red sands of Kaihalulu Beach, and the eerie Hāna Lava Tube. In 1550, King Piʻilani united Maui through a royal marriage here. The town later grew with six sugar plantations, followed by cattle ranching under tycoon Paul Fagan. Dining is low-key but tasty. Try Thai Food by Pranee for noodles. Most places close early, so plan dinner before sunset.

Kapaʻa

Kapaʻa’s history goes back to early Polynesian settlers who used water from the nearby Wailua River to grow taro and sweet potatoes. The Wailua area was once home to Hawaiian royalty and holds sacred sites like Hikinaakalā Heiau. Today, visitors still explore the region's past and natural beauty. Popular hikes include the Sleeping Giant: Nounou East Trailhead. Beach lovers stop at Keālia Beach or pick up poke and plate lunches at Pono Market. Kapaʻa keeps things simple, scenic, and rooted in both nature and culture.

Volcano Village

Volcano is a quiet town tucked into rainforest near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Locals include farmers, artists, and scientists, drawn by the peaceful forest and raw volcanic energy. You’ll find blown glass, paintings, and ceramics in small shops like the Volcano Art Center Gallery, where artists often live close to their studios. Stop by the Volcano Farmers Market on Sundays for fresh bread, flowers, and island-grown produce. The nearby Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park stretches from sea level to the top of Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. Temperatures shift fast, so pack layers and sturdy shoes.

Lāhainā

Lāhainā was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and later a major whaling port. It remained the seat of government until 1845. During the 1800s, it became a busy stop for sailors, missionaries, and sugar planters. Visitors swim at Baby Beach, stop by Ukumehame Beach Park, or take a tour at the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm. In 2023, wildfires burned much of the town. Rebuilding is ongoing, but Lāhainā remains one of Hawaii’s most historic small towns, filled with stories, resilience, and ocean views.

Waimea

Captain James Cook first landed here in 1778, and a monument now marks the spot. The town once served as a busy provisioning port for whalers and traders. Nearby, Waimea Canyon State Park lives up to its nickname, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Look for the Menehune Ditch, a lava-stone irrigation marvel. According to Hawaiian legend, it was built in a single night by a mythical race of small, skilled builders called Menehune, who lived in the islands before the arrival of Polynesians. Try local eats at Wrangler’s Steakhouse. If you're heading north, the W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters shares fascinating info about telescopes on Mauna Kea.

Hanalei

Hanalei means “lei making” or “crescent bay,” reflecting both the bay’s curved shoreline and the lush taro fields that ring it. Hanalei lies on a fertile coastal plain surrounded by emerald mountains and fed by waterfalls and streams. A must‑see landmark is the Hanalei Bay, stretching nearly two miles with golden sand and calm waters in summer. Equally iconic is the Hanalei Pier, built before 1892 to support Kauai’s rice industry and rebuilt in concrete in the early 1900s. You can still see remnants of the original rail tracks at its base. This town captured Hollywood’s eye early on. The 1957 film South Pacific and later The Descendants both used Hanalei Bay and Tahiti Nui restaurant as locations, drawing visitors and celebrities.

Pāʻia

Pāʻia is a small surf town known for strong waves, bold flavors, and a loud personality. In Hawaiian, “paia” means “noisy,” which some say is a nod to the pounding waves that crash against the offshore reef. Once a booming sugar plantation town, Pāʻia began in 1870 with 12 acres of sugar cane planted by Samuel Alexander and Henry Baldwin. Their company shaped the town’s early growth. Immigrant workers from Portugal, Korea, Japan, China, and the Philippines added to the town’s cultural mix, which is still visible today. Catch the waves at Ho‘okipa Beach Park or walk the quieter shorelines of Baldwin Beach Park and Kaulahao Beach. For sweeping views, don’t miss the Ho‘okipa Beach Lookout just up the road.

Hōlualoa

Hōlualoa, which sits on the slopes of Hualālai, is a quiet art town with deep agricultural roots. Coffee has grown here since 1828, and the soil is still perfect for farming. You can visit working farms like Sunshower Farms or explore the past at the Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, which offers plantation and roasting-room tours. Local galleries like Hōlualoa Gallery show paintings, woodwork, and ceramics by Big Island artists. Stop at Holualoa Garden and Kitchen for coffee and brunch on their garden patio. The historic Mamalahoa Highway runs through town, lined with buildings that date back to when this was the island’s main road.

Hawi

Hawi was once a thriving agricultural hub during ancient Hawaiian times. Polynesian settlers grew kalo, maia, uala, and kava along the fertile slopes of Kohala Mountain. In 1758, King Kamehameha I was born nearby. He later united the Hawaiian Islands and ordered the construction of Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, using stones carried by hand in a 14-mile human chain that passed through what is now Hawi. Today, Hawi is known for its artistic vibe and relaxed pace. Visit the Mo'okini Heiau, the Statue of King Kamehameha, and drive to Pololū Valley Lookout for epic cliff views.

Makawao

Makawao, a small town in Upcountry Maui, sits half a kilometer above sea level. It was once home to native Hawaiian canoe makers and later became known as a cowboy town. Today, it's a mix of paniolo history and a growing arts scene. Visitors can stop by the Sacred Garden of Maliko, a 10,000 square-feet nursery filled with plants and water gardens. Glassblowing demos at Hot Island Glass are worth watching. One of the town’s most loved spots is Komoda Store & Bakery, open since 1916. Their cream puffs and malasadas are always in demand. For dinner, head to Casanova Italian Restaurant, which hosts live music on some nights. The town is also one of the last major stops before reaching the summit of Haleakalā volcano.

Kēōkea

Kēōkea is a small farming town sitting at 2,860 feet above sea level along Hawaii State Highway 37. With rich volcanic soil and cooler weather, this upcountry spot grows everything from coffee to protea flowers. Stop at Grandma’s Coffee House for strong brew and house-made pastries, then wander through the nearby Kula Botanical Garden, filled with exotic plants and quiet paths. Just up the road, the nearby Sun Yat-Sen Park honors the Chinese leader with a statue and sweeping views. Kēōkea Park is a local hangout with ball fields and peaceful shade.

Lānaʻi

Lānaʻi is the only town on Lānaʻi and sits around Dole Park, a quiet green space where locals gather. It was built in the 1920s by James Dole, who turned the island into the world’s largest pineapple plantation, giving Lānaʻi its “Pineapple Isle” nickname. The town’s history includes early Hawaiian fishing villages, King Kamehameha I’s unification efforts, and major land changes during the Great Mahele. Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center shares these stories through artifacts and photos. Archaeological sites like the Kaunolū Village Site, once a sacred retreat for royalty, show early Hawaiian life. You can visit Mike Carroll Gallery for paintings of island life, and learn about the kapu system, fishing traditions, and how immigrant workers shaped the town.

These towns are known for their small cafés, historic landmarks, black sand beaches, old churches, and hiking trails that aren’t packed with crowds. If you enjoy visiting places that feel lived-in and real, where people still stop to talk story, these towns are worth exploring. Don’t rush through them. Take your time. That’s the point.