This Hawaii Town Has The Most Walkable Downtown
Hanapēpē, located on the lush island of Kaua’i, is home to a downtown where visitors can easily walk between storefronts, including a tattoo shop that emphasizes Polynesian art. For a unique twist on your typical downtown stroll, start with the Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge, a rustic pedestrian bridge spanning the Hanapēpē River. From there, visitors can check out the Aloha Theatre and the Taro Ko Factory, both located within a five-minute walk of one another. The perfect time to explore this area is the Friday Art Night, where your walk will be accompanied by live music in the courtyard, which is the perfect way to end a successful day out and about.
Where To Start Strolling
Hanapēpē sits on Route 50 near Lihue. Take Awawa Road from the highway to Hanapēpē Road, which serves as the town’s main street. Most local businesses are found here, as well as some on the streets that intersect with Hanapēpē Road.
Start by parking in the middle of town near the Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge. The iconic suspension bridge once connected the town to the nearby fields for workers. It has a bit of a bounce as you cross, which adds to the aloha spirit you’ll feel as you take in your tropical surroundings. Nearby, a mural to the side of the Art Deco-style Aloha Theater building pays homage to the inspirational role Hanapēpē played in Disney’s animated version of Lilo and Stitch.
Banana Partch Studio is about a 2-minute walk from the bridge. Here, take a hand-painted pottery workshop to create your own souvenir, or purchase one-of-a-kind pieces to remember your time in Hanapēpē. Afterwards, go ahead and grab some shaved ice at Longies, then head to Taro Ko Chips, where you’ll find the crispiest, yummiest sweet potato chips you’ll ever taste. Lastly, you will surely enjoy viewing the colorful collection of original art at Kalakoa Kaua’i Fine Art Gallery or getting inked with Polynesian art at Kulture Tattoo.
Best Time To Visit Hanapēpē
Most of the businesses in downtown Hanapēpē are only open in the late morning and early afternoon, typically from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Plan accordingly, but remember: You’re on island time, so always double-check that stores and galleries are open.
Every Thursday, a farmers' market is held at Hanapēpē Community Park. It’s open from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (or sooner if the produce and flowers sell out). The town’s galleries are open a little later for Friday Art, a celebration of local artists and craftsmen from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. There’s also street entertainment during this weekly event.
More South Shore Towns
Old Kōloa Town is another walkable town with colorful buildings from Kauai’s plantation era that now act as storefronts. Support the local businesses selling wood jewelry, ukuleles, and other Hawaiian specialties, then walk along the 10-mile Kōloa Heritage Trail. It has 14 different sites of cultural, historical, and geological significance. Ooh and ahh as Spouting Horn shoots seawater as high as 50 feet above the blowhole. Also along the route, you will be able to take a moment of reverence at Kōloa Jodo Mission and even listen to birds chirping above the fossil beds at Makawehi & Pa‘a Dunes.
Some of the sites on the Kōloa Heritage Trail are actually in the neighboring town of Poʻipū. This town isn’t as small as Hanapēpē and Old Kōloa Town, but it is still walkable. Several high-end hotels are located in Poʻipū, including Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa and Ko'a Kea Resort. Poʻipū Bay Golf, an award-winning 18-hole course, is adjacent to the Grand Hyatt. Get your steps in there while watching for whales and monk seals in the ocean below. Nearby shops, restaurants, and bars typically stay open until 9 p.m. in Poʻipū.
Don’t Just Fly Through Lihue
On your way back to the airport, be sure to spend some time in Lihue. Its downtown area is also pedestrian-friendly. Those who are interested in culture and history will enjoy the 1.3-mile Lihue Loop, which begins and ends at Kalena Park. Scan a QR code at each of the 19 stops on the loop to listen to interesting stories about the area. You’ll find several coffee shops, food trucks, and smoothie stands along the route if you want to sip while you stroll. For something more substantial, sit down at Kiibo Restaurant for sushi, ramen, donburi, or teriyaki.
Each of these towns showcases the enduring and endearing Hawaiian culture unique to The Garden Isle. Come for the waterfalls and rainforest, but be sure to spend some time walking through Hanapēpē, Kōloa, Poʻipū, and Lihue. Mahalo and aloha.
