Kapaa
Around Kapaa
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Town and around · Hawaii · 73k people
Kapaa
Locals say Kauai · “Garden Island”
Lush, laid-back, and full of aloha.
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E komo mai to Kauai, where the pace is slow and the aloha is real. Whether you're chasing waterfalls or just soaking up the sun, this island has a way of making you feel at home. Come talk story with us and share your favorite spots.
Clubs for Kapaa
No clubs for Kapaa yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kapaa. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kapaa. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Waimea Canyon State Park The 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific' with stunning overlooks
- Na Pali Coast State Park Dramatic cliffs and the Kalalau Trail
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Historic lighthouse and seabird sanctuary
- Spouting Horn Natural blowhole with a dramatic water spout
- Wailua River Scenic river with kayaking and boat tours
- Hanalei Bay Iconic crescent beach with mountain backdrop
- Outdoors Hike the Kalalau Trail
- Outdoors Snorkel at Tunnels Beach
- With kids Lydgate Park
- With kids Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Evenings Sunset at Poipu Beach
- Evenings Stargazing at Koke'e State Park
- Locals love Farmers markets
- Locals love Shave ice stands
Through the year
- Waimea Town Celebration February Community festival with food, music, and games
- Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair September Annual agricultural fair with livestock and local produce
- Kauai Marathon September Scenic road race through the east side
- Kapaa First Friday First Friday monthly Monthly street festival with art, music, and food
- Kauai Coffee Festival November Celebrates the island's coffee harvest with tastings
Kapaa has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, moderated by trade winds. The windward side gets more rain, especially in winter, while the leeward side is drier. Best time to be out is April through October when the weather is sunniest. Best: April to October brings sunnier skies and calmer seas, though trade winds keep it comfortable year-round.
Talk like a local
- “Howzit”
- Hello / how are you
- “Brah”
- Friend or brother
- “Shaka”
- The 'hang loose' hand gesture
- “Talk story”
- To chat or catch up
Getaways
- Honolulu (Oahu) City life, Pearl Harbor, and Waikiki
- Kahului (Maui) Road to Hana, Haleakala, and beaches
- Hilo (Big Island) Volcanoes National Park and waterfalls
Local flavour
Rooting for University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
Eat and drink
- poke Raw fish salad, a staple of Hawaiian cuisine.
- plate lunch A hearty meal with rice, macaroni salad, and a protein like kalua pork or chicken.
- shave ice Finely shaved ice with flavored syrups, often with ice cream or azuki beans.
- loco moco Rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy.
- Kauai coffee Locally grown coffee, known for its smooth, rich flavor.
Where people go
- beaches Golden sand and turquoise waters, from Poipu to Anini.
- taro fields Ancient terraced patches growing the staple of poi.
- rainforests Lush, misty forests with native flora and waterfalls.
- waterfalls Dramatic falls like Wailua and Opaekaa, often seen from the road.
- Na Pali Coast cliffs Towering sea cliffs carved by erosion, accessible by boat or hike.
- farmers markets Weekly markets with local fruit, vegetables, and crafts.
- shave ice stands Small roadside stands serving the iconic frozen treat.
- plantation towns Historic communities like Hanapepe, once home to sugar workers.
- heiau (ancient temples)
Heritage and traditions
Kauai, the Garden Island, is proud of its deep Hawaiian heritage, its lush natural beauty, and the tight-knit community that preserves the traditions of taro farming, hula, and the aloha spirit.
Say it like a local: “Brah” — Brother / friend
Festivals
- Prince Kuhio Celebration March Commemorates the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole with parades, hula, and canoe races.
- Koloa Plantation Days July A week-long celebration of the sugar plantation era with historical reenactments, food, and live music.
- Kekaha Lei Day May A lei-making contest and Hawaiian music event held in the town of Kekaha.
- Kauai Mokihana Festival September A celebration of Hawaiian music and hula, featuring workshops and competitions.
- Festival of Lights December A holiday light display at the Lihue Civic Center, with local performances and family activities.
- Hanapepe Art Walk Fridays year-round A weekly Friday evening event where galleries stay open late and artists demonstrate their craft.
Landmarks with a story
- Wailua Complex of Heiau A National Historic Landmark with several ancient Hawaiian temples (heiau) along the Wailua River.
- Russian Fort Elizabeth Ruins of a 19th-century fort built by the Russian-American Company in Waimea.
- Waioli Mission House A restored 1837 missionary home in Hanalei, offering a glimpse into the island's Christian mission era.
- All Saints Episcopal Church A historic church in Kapaa with beautiful stained glass and a welcoming community.
- Lihue Hongwanji Mission A Buddhist temple built by Japanese immigrants, reflecting the plantation-era cultural mix.
- Kōloa Mission Church One of the oldest churches on the island, dating to the 1830s.
Food traditions
- Taro and poi Taro patches in Hanalei and elsewhere produce the staple of traditional Hawaiian meals; poi is made by pounding cooked taro with water.
- Laulau Pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed, often served at luaus and family gatherings.
- Okazuya A Japanese-style deli tradition where locals pick up a variety of prepared side dishes like teriyaki chicken, sushi, and spam musubi.
- Manapua Steamed buns filled with char siu (Chinese BBQ pork), a popular snack from the plantation era.
- Fresh fish from the harbor Locals buy ahi, ono, and mahimahi directly from fishing boats, often grilled or eaten raw as poke.
Music and arts
- Hula and Hawaiian music Kauai has a strong hula tradition, with halau (schools) and slack-key guitar players carrying on the island's musical heritage.
- Hanapepe art scene The town of Hanapepe is known for its galleries, studios, and Friday night art walks, showcasing local painters, sculptors, and crafters.
- Kauai Community Players A local theater group that stages musicals and plays, involving community members of all ages.
- ʻUkulele music The ʻukulele is a staple instrument, played at family gatherings, festivals, and in casual jam sessions.
A little history
- 1778 Captain Cook's arrival
- 1835 First sugar plantation in Hawaii established at Kōloa
- 1817 Russian Fort Elizabeth built at Waimea
- 1946 Tsunami devastates coastal areas of the island
- 1992 Hurricane Iniki strikes Kauai, causing widespread destruction
- Game day Surfing at Hanalei Bay
- Game day Kauai Marathon
- Outdoors Surfing at Hanalei Bay
- Outdoors Stand-up paddleboarding on the Wailua River
- With kids Smith's Tropical Paradise
- With kids Kauai Plantation Railway
Locals speak a relaxed mix of Hawaiian Pidgin English and Hawaiian words, with a melodic, laid-back tone. You'll hear 'da' for 'the', 'brah' for 'brother', and 'pau' for 'finished'.
Only here
- The Na Pali Coast is only accessible by foot, boat, or helicopter – no roads reach it.
- Kauai is the only island in Hawaii with navigable rivers, like the Wailua River.
- The 'Blue Room' is a sea cave at the base of the Na Pali cliffs that glows with blue light.
- The Menehune, legendary 'little people,' are said to have built the Menehune Fishpond overnight.
New here? A few tips
- Bring rain gear for the east side (Kapaa, Lihue) – it's lush and rainy; the west side (Waimea) is drier and sunnier.
- Learn a few Hawaiian words: 'aloha' (hello/goodbye/love) and 'mahalo' (thank you) go a long way.
- Drive slowly for wild chickens – they cross roads everywhere and are a beloved local quirk.
- Respect the land and sea: don't take rocks, sand, or coral, and always ask before entering private property.
- Try a plate lunch and shave ice early on – they're local staples you'll crave.
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Nearby
Every areaKapaa, HI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.