These 10 Towns In Hawaii Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
The island state of Hawaii consists of eight major islands: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau. Situated roughly 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland, these Pacific islands have small towns that are a little off the beaten path at times. Travelers often feel like they've made a real discovery, with local cultural eccentricities, activities, shops, eateries, and festivals unlike what is available in bigger places. In 2025, these were some of the Hawaiian towns often praised by travelers as don't-miss favorites.
Hōlaualoa, Hawaiʻi
Known for its coffee farms, including Mauka Meadows Coffee Farm, the small town of Hōlualoa, along the western side of the Big Island, also sits along the Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor. This coastal road showcases ocean views, historic coffee country, and old lava flows that helped shape the landscape and the local culture. Hōlualoa is also home to the Hōlualoa Inn, a long-running bed-and-breakfast set amid coffee trees and tropical gardens. Guests can choose from guestrooms or cottages and enjoy amenities such as strolling through the gardens, relaxing in a hot tub or pool, and starting the day with a gourmet breakfast, all within an easy drive of the Kona Coast.
Hanalei, Kaua’i
At the northern end of Kauaʻi, the small town of Hanalei offers mountain and bay views without the press of big-city crowds. Hanalei Bay Beach and the historic Hanalei Pier are major draws, while nearby hikes lead to lookouts over the Nāpali Coast. Along the Kalalau Trail, hikers can see waterfalls such as Hanakoa Falls, one of two major cascades along this world-famous route.
Hanalei is also within driving distance of several other towns with their own attractions. East along the coast lies Kīlauea, home to the Kauai Sugarloaf Pineapple farm, where visitors can learn about and sample a low-acid white pineapple variety. Further around the upper east side of Kauaʻi, the town of Anahola is home to Anahola Beach, a local favorite for swimming, surfing, and shoreline walks.
Waimānalo, O’ahu
Twenty minutes across the island of O’ahu from Honolulu, the town of Waimānalo is known for its long stretch of white-sand shoreline at Waimānalo Beach, one of the island’s widest and longest beaches. Here, visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, picnicking under ironwood trees, and views toward offshore islets.
Within and near Waimānalo, outdoor options include Waimānalo Beach itself, Bellows Field Beach Park next door, and other shoreline spots. The county park section offers beach access and camping on public-access days. There's also a nearby military recreation area but it requires authorized entry. Hiking opportunities within driving distance include popular Oʻahu trails such as the Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge Trail) and Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail, which offer sweeping coastal views. For longer stays, Waimānalo Beach Cottages provide vacation rentals with full kitchens a short walk from the sand, and nearby Kailua has dining options such as Kalapawai Cafe & Deli.
Hāna, Maui
Quaint Hāna, almost isolated on the eastern side of Maui, rewards travelers who venture down the famous Hāna Highway. Just outside town, Waiʻanapanapa State Park offers eye-catching coastal scenery with black sand at Honokalani Beach, sea arches, blowholes, lava formations, and culturally significant sites, along with a coastal trail and campground. Other nearby attractions include Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, tucked in a rugged cove east of downtown, and several waterfalls and viewpoints scattered along the highway. The Hāna-Maui Resort sits less than a mile from Hāna Bay and offers amenities such as a spa, fitness center, pool, and on-site dining, making it a comfortable base for exploring this quieter side of Maui.
Lāna’i City, Lāna’i
Lānaʻi City, the main town on the island of Lānaʻi, serves as a hub for relaxation and adventure alike. In town, the Lānaʻi Bamboo Garden Retreat provides a calm place to stay surrounded by landscaped grounds and local shops. A short distance away, Lānaʻi Adventure Park offers zip lines, aerial adventure courses, and other guided activities with views over Kaiholena Gulch. This is a chance to experience the island’s upland terrain, a much different biosphere than the coast.
Guests staying at Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort, can unwind at the Koele Garden Bar or dine at Sensei by Nobu, where menus emphasize seasonal ingredients and Japanese-inspired cuisine. Between the town, the adventure park, and the resort, visitors can mix spa time, outdoor excursions, and evenings of fine dining.
Waimea, Hawaiʻi
Toward the northern interior of the Big Island, the town of Waimea (also known as Kamuela) offers cooler temperatures and easy access to the Kohala Coast. Several excellent beaches are within driving distance, including Waialea Beach (often called Beach 69), Mauʻumae Beach, and Mahukona Beach Park. Waialea Beach is known for soft sand and good snorkeling, Mauʻumae for its quieter, crescent-shaped bay, and Mahukona for clear water and shoreline entry into a former harbor that is now popular with snorkelers and divers.
Visitors can stay in Waimea at lodgings such as Waimea Country Lodge or Belle Vue Waimea Bed & Breakfast, then head west to coastal resorts like The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort near Hāpuna and Waialea Beaches. In town, Dom De Luca’s Restaurant on Māmalahoa Highway serves Italian fare using local ingredients, giving travelers a sit-down dining option after a day at the beach.
Kapa’a, Kaua’i
On the eastern shore of Kauaʻi, the town of Kapaʻa serves as a convenient base for exploring the island’s windward side. Inland, the Kuilau Ridge Trail leads through green forest to views of the interior mountains, while along the coast, the multi-use path known as Ke Ala Hele Makalae (often called the Kauai Coastal Path) runs for miles beside the ocean, popular with walkers and cyclists.
Kapaʻa is home to attractions such as Lydgate Farms, where visitors can take tree-to-bar chocolate tours, and the oceanfront Wailua Golf Course, a respected municipal course that draws locals and visitors alike. Near the shoreline and within walking distance of downtown shops and eateries, the Hotel Coral Reef provides rooms with ocean views and easy access to the coastal path.
Hale’iwa, O’ahu
On the North Shore of Oʻahu, Haleʻiwa blends surf culture with historic plantation-era buildings and modern amenities. Nearby beaches include Waimea Bay Beach Park, known for calm swimming in summer and big surf in winter, and Laniakea Beach, where green sea turtles are frequently seen resting on the sand. Waimea Valley, just inland, offers botanical gardens, cultural sites, and a waterfall reached by a paved walking path.
From Haleʻiwa Harbor, several operators run shark-viewing tours that may include cage diving with Galapagos sharks and other species in open ocean waters. Visitors can also attend a traditional Hawaiian luau in the area or spend time surfing and snorkeling along the North Shore. For dining, Stonefish Grill on Kamehameha Highway in Haleʻiwa Town Center serves seafood and other dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Kaunakakai, Moloka’i
Along the southern coast of Molokaʻi, the small town of Kaunakakai maintains a slower pace and a distinctly local feel. East of town, Murphy’s Beach (also known as Kumimi Beach) offers clear water and good snorkeling conditions when the ocean is calm. Closer to town, Waialua Beach and Kakahaiʻa Beach Park look out over the Kalohi Channel toward Lānaʻi, and Kakahaiʻa National Wildlife Refuge protects coastal wetlands behind the shore.
Downtown Kaunakakai includes practical services along with places to eat and stay. Paddlers Restaurant and Bar on Mohala Street is a popular gathering spot with casual food and live music on many evenings, while Molokai Shores, a condominium complex just west of town, offers one- and two-bedroom vacation rentals with kitchens, a pool, and lawn areas that front the ocean.
Pa’ia, Maui
On the north shore of Maui, near towns such as Kahului and Wailuku, Paʻia was once a plantation town and has grown into a lively community with surf shops, cafes, and beach access. Just outside town, H. A. Baldwin Beach Park has long stretches of white sand and a family-friendly cove area, while Ho‘okipa Beach Park, a short drive east, is famous for windsurfing and expert-level surf. Nearby, Paʻia Bay and Lower Paʻia Beach provide additional places to swim, bodyboard, or sit on the sand and watch the waves with your phone set to "silent," or better yet, left in your car. Sea turtles are often spotted resting near Ho‘okipa, and it is not unusual to see seabirds, the occasional mongoose, and other wildlife along this stretch of coast.
The Gentle, Slower Side of Hawaii
First-time visitors and returning travelers alike will find that each of Hawaiʻi’s major islands has small towns that offer the gentle, slower side of Hawaii. The combination of history, local cuisine, and outdoor access makes these communities appealing to travelers seeking more than a quick resort stay. The activities, scenery, and local businesses found in these places are hard to match anywhere else in the Pacific. These towns show why the Aloha State remains one of America’s favorite places to explore.
