Top 10 Charming Towns and Neighborhoods in Hawaiʻi

Some of Hawaiʻi’s best-kept local secrets can be found along the streets and within the structures of the unique neighborhoods and towns of the Hawaiian Islands. Visitors looking to immerse themselves in local culture and lifestyle will appreciate the many hidden gems to be found in Hawaiʻi’s towns, from creative gelato shops and a myriad of inventive bakeries to resident artisan galleries, cherished multi-generational and modern-cool eateries, and more.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority released the following list of a few of Hawaiʻi’s iconic, can’t-miss attraction destinations that feature charming restaurants, shops, as well as new spots and fun finds from each island.

Maui

Image: Chris Archer / Kula

Kula – An authentically rustic and picturesque district ascending the west slope of Haleakalā volcano, Kula is where much of the fresh, grown-on-Maui produce served at the island’s best farm-to-table restaurants originates. While in Kula, reserve a spot on a farm tour at Surfing Goat Dairy, Hawaiʻi Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery, Aliʻi Kula Lavender, MauiWine or other area producers. Inns and bed and breakfasts, such as G&Z Upcountry, allow guests to fully enjoy everything Kula (aka Upcountry Maui) has to offer, yet stay close to their island home-away-from-home.

Wailuku – Nestled at the foot of the West Maui Mountains, this relaxed residential town is known for its locally beloved assortment of family-owned cafes, restaurants and bakeries. In addition to these mom-and-pop eateries, Wailuku is also home to an assortment of contemporary bistros and coffee cafes offering a robust array of eats and drinks popular with both visitors and residents.

Wailuku Town photo by Wendy Osher.

HTA recommends: Haʻikū Mill (tour a historic sugar mill), Native Intelligence (Hawaiʻi-made arts and crafts celebrating Hawaiian culture), Wailuku Coffee Co. (try a cup of Maui-grown joe), Stillwell’s Bakery and Café (sandwiches made with house-baked bread, Tokyo Tei (family-run local Japanese food), Maui Coffee Attic (for java and live music), Sam Sato’s (try the famous dry mein), Tiffany’s Bar and Grill (local-style bar food, open late), Tasty Crust Restaurant (resident-favorite breakfast spot), The Mill House (creative grown-on-property farm-to-table menu), 808 on Main (more than your average sandwich café)

What’s new: Wai Bar (cool community tavern), Kwai-Sin’s Noodle Shop (for a late-night ramen fix)

Hawaiʻi

Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi in Hawi during the bike portion of the 2014 IRONMAN World Championships, presented by GoPro. Photo courtesy: Malika Dudley.

Hawi – On the way to the famed Pololu Valley Lookout, be sure to stop and explore the quiet haven of Hawi. Perhaps best known as the bicycle turnaround for the annual IRONMAN World Championship before triathletes pedal back south to Kona, this historic town, located on the northernmost tip of the island, is home to homespun boutiques and lively restaurants, as well as exciting outdoor adventure activities like farm tours, kayak tours, ziplining, ATV tours, and the original Kamehameha I statue.

Hilo – Brimming with local flavors and culture, residents of this midsize bayside city boast of its tasty multiethnic comfort foods, diverse attractions, rainforest escapes into nature and accessible waterfalls and the state’s largest farmers market, all of which keep visitors returning again and again.

HTA recommends: Liliʻuokalani Gardens (a 24.6-acre ornamental Japanese garden), ʻImiloa Astronomy Center (connects culture to science), Waianuenue Falls (aka Rainbow Falls), Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens (the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the US, and its free), Sig Zane Designs (one of Hawaiʻi’s premier fashion designers), Hilo Farmers Market (a daily gathering of local vendors), Moon and Turtle (an innovative farm-and-ocean-to-table focused neighborhood restaurant), Suisan Fish Market (for fresh, local-style poke bowls), Café 100 (famous for its many varieties of the comfort food dish loco moco), Moonstruck Patisserie (try the lilikoi cheesecake), Kawamoto Store (a popular okazuya-style lunch shop and to-go breakfast favorite), Two Ladies Kitchen (for incomparable mochi)

What’s new: Grand Naniloa Hotel – a DoubleTree by Hilton, Killah Grindz (shave ice and local comfort food)

Oʻahu

Haleiwa town sign. PC: Floyd Manzano

Haleʻiwa – On Oʻahu, visitors can experience both town and country with vibrant Honolulu and the iconic North Shore, known for big waves and trendy food trucks. The first stop along the North Shore is the historic surf town of Haleʻiwa filled with local style and country ambiance, as well as cool surf shops and boutiques, charming art galleries and understated restaurants housed in plantation-era buildings. Home to some of the most world’s prestigious surf competitions, there are also a number of art and cultural festivals held throughout the year.

Kaimuki – Urban explorers searching the streets just outside of Waikiki for food, drinks and interesting stuff should head mauka (towards the mountain) and past Leahi (Diamond Head) to the eclectic Honolulu neighborhood of Kaimuki. From all manner of appealing bakeries and healthy cafes to craft brew pubs and trend-setting eateries big on international inspiration, this walkable hood offers the ultimate in tasty discoveries.

View of the neighborhood Kaimuki. PC: Travis Thurston

HTA recommends: Lily Lotus (an eco-friendly clothing boutique), Surf ‘N Hula Hawaiʻi (a vintage surf shop), HI Bred Kollective (for intriguing novelty art), Koko Head Café (a popular brunch spot), Mud Hen Water (for its menu of inventive small plate eats crafted with locally-sourced ingredients), Via Gelato (a meeting of natural ingredients and unique dessert flavors), Kaimuki Superette (a cafeteria-style eatery), Café Miro (a dessert café), Chocolate+Vanilla Bakery (a groovy boutique bakery), BREW’d Craft Pub (for craft beer and eats), Town (Kaimuki’s most award-winning eatery), Jewel or Juice (acai bowls)

What’s new: Shop Toast (for island-made party and wedding favors), Sugarcane (a local-themed retail boutique), Vegan Hills (an eclectic approach to dining vegan), Pipeline Bakery (for its malassada bread pudding, need we say more?)

Kauaʻi

Kōloa – This appealing town on Kauaʻi’s south shore honors its sugar plantation past with restored, old-fashioned storefronts, quaint Kōloa History Center and annual Koloa Plantation Days Celebration each July. Don’t miss the Kōloa Heritage Trail, a 14-stop, self-guided 10-mile tour of the Koloa and Poipu area’s most important cultural, historical and geological sites.

Serikawa Building, Ko Rd. at Hanapepe Rd., Hanapepe, Kauai. PC: Joel Bradshaw

Hanapepe – Affectionately known as “Kauaʻi’s Biggest Little Town,” Hanapepe’s historic buildings are home to a small collection of enchanting cafes and local eateries offering a diverse array of culinary delights. Craving a Hawaiian plate lunch? Or perhaps authentic Mexican tacos? You’ll have a number of delicious options to ponder while admiring the many artisan galleries scattered throughout this west Kauaʻi town.

HTA recommends: Hanapepe Art Walk (THE Friday night thing to do in town), Hanapepe Swinging Bridge (Instagram-worthy), Talk Story Bookstore (for new, used and out-of-print beach reads), Aloha Spice Company (for local-style gourmet foods), The Bright Side Gallery (an ocean-inspired art gallery), Lappert’s Hawaiʻi (for Kauaʻi-made ice cream), Little Fish Coffee (java and healthy eats), Paco’s Tacos, Bobbie’s (local-style plate lunches), Midnight Bear Bakery (organic artisanal breads), Wong’s Restaurant and Omoide Bakery (where Chinese food and local dessert items meet), Taro Ko Farm (killer taro chips), Unko’s Kitchen (more local-kind grinds)

What’s new: Blu Umi (island-friendly women’s fashions, accessories and home decor), Japanese Grandma’s Café (modern healthy Japanese food), Family Grinds (local-style barbecue)

Molokaʻi

Downtown Kaunakakai. Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Kaunakakai – Folks looking to explore Hawaiʻi at an even calmer pace will feel right at home in this central Molokaʻi town, which, despite appearances, is also the island’s largest. To walk Kaunakakai’s main street, Ala Malama Avenue, is to take a step back in time, exploring its weathered West-style storefronts and mom-and-pop stores. The residents of Kaunakakai? They have their town no other way.

HTA recommends: Molokaʻi Artists and Crafters Guild (features work from Molokaʻi artisans), Kanemitsu Bakery (famous for its late-night alley-distributed hot bread), Molokaʻi Pizza café (the one-and-only on island)

What’s new: Hiro’s Ohana Grill (dining with a view at Hotel Molokaʻi)

Lānaʻi

Lānaʻi City – Founded in the early 1900s as a plantation town whose residents worked for the island’s then nascent pineapple industry, Lānaʻi City remains the island’s residential gathering place with most of its shops, restaurants and business forming a town square around Dole Park. Though pineapple production on Lānaʻi ended in 1992, the island once produced 75% of the world’s pineapples. Bring a light sweater as you explore the town. Situated at an elevation of 1,700 feet, Lānaʻi City is noticeably cooler than coastal areas of the island.

Lānaʻi City. Photo credit: Jason Fabrao.

HTA recommends: Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center (everything you’d want to know about the island, and more), Local Gentry (eclectic clothing boutique), Lānaʻi Art Center (works by island artisans), Blue Ginger Café (try the breakfast bento, with Spam), Lānaʻi City Bar and Grille (unofficial liveliest bar in town)

What’s new: An array of ocean experiences at Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi including a snorkel sail, whale-watching cruise, private charters and more.