Kapaa: Kauai's Most Practical Town for Visitors
Kapaa: The Working Center of the Island
Kapaa is not the most scenic town on Kauai and it does not try to be. It is the largest town on the east coast — the Coconut Coast — and it functions as the practical hub of the island for residents and visitors alike. Grocery stores, hardware stores, laundromats, the best selection of inexpensive restaurants on the island: Kapaa has the infrastructure that the more glamorous north shore towns do not. For visitors who want to explore the whole island without paying resort prices, Kapaa is the most sensible base.
The Coastal Path
The Ke Ala Hele Makalae is a paved multi-use path that runs along the coast between Lihue and Anahola — about 8 miles in total, with the stretch through Kapaa being the most populated and serviced section. It is one of the few places in Hawaii where you can walk or bike along the ocean without navigating traffic. Sunrise walks on this path are exceptional. Several sections pass directly over rocky coastline with views down into the water. Bicycle rentals are available in Kapaa town.
Old Town Kapaa
The old town section of Kapaa along Kuhio Highway preserves the wooden storefront architecture of the plantation era. The buildings are occupied by restaurants, surf shops, clothing boutiques, and galleries that lean toward the practical rather than the souvenir. Pono Market is a local institution for plate lunch — poke, lau lau, loco moco, all priced for residents not tourists. Kauai Juice Co. does cold-pressed juices and açaí bowls and is perpetually crowded in the morning. Mermaids Cafe is a small Thai-influenced counter that does excellent fish wraps.
Wailua River and Fern Grotto
The Wailua River is the only navigable river in Hawaii and flows into the ocean just south of Kapaa. Kayaking up the river to the Wailua Falls or the Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls) is one of the best half-day activities on the island — the falls require a kayak-and-hike combination and are genuinely spectacular. Several outfitters rent kayaks in Wailua: Kayak Kauai and Wailua Kayak Adventures are both reliable. The Fern Grotto boat tour, operated by Smith's Motor Boat Service, is the traditional alternative — a 30-minute river cruise to a lava cave draped in ferns that has been a wedding venue since the 1940s. It is touristic but pleasant.
Sleeping Giant
Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) rises immediately behind Kapaa and its ridgeline profile, when seen from the east side of the island, does resemble a reclining figure. The Nounou Mountain East Trail is 3.5 miles round trip and gains about 1,000 feet to the ridgeline — it is a real hike with good elevation gain and rewarding views of the coast and Wailua Valley from the top. Trailhead is clearly marked off Haleilio Road in Kapaa. Bring water; the trail is exposed in the upper section.
Farmers Market
The Kapaa Saturday Farmers Market runs in the park on the south end of town and is one of the larger and more varied farmers markets on the island. Local vegetables, tropical fruits, prepared foods, and crafts from island residents. This is the market that locals actually shop at, not the curated tourist-facing events. Get there when it opens.
Practical Advantages of Staying in Kapaa
Kapaa is almost exactly equidistant from the airport in Lihue (15 minutes south) and the north shore towns of Princeville and Hanalei (30-35 minutes north). It is the most central location on the island for exploring both coasts. Accommodation prices in Kapaa are consistently lower than Poipū or the north shore resort areas. There is a Safeway and a Walmart nearby in Lihue for stocking a vacation rental kitchen.
- Traffic: Route 56 through Kapaa can back up significantly in the late morning. If you are heading north, leave early or wait until early afternoon.
- Rain: The east coast gets more rain than the south shore. Mornings are often clear; afternoons can bring brief showers. This is what makes the east coast so green.
- Food and budget: Kapaa has the best concentration of affordable, good food on the island. Do not leave without eating at Pono Market.
What Kapaa Actually Is
Looking for things to do in Kauai? Browse upcoming Kauai events →
Related Reading
Stay in the loop
Get the Friday Hawaii events email
Free. One email a week with what's happening across the islands. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.