Neighborhood guide
8 guides
Poipu: Kauai's South Shore and Why It's Often the Best Base on the Island
Poipu gets more sun than any other part of Kauai, has the island's most reliable swimming beaches, and is close enough to Waimea Canyon to make it a practical base.
Hanalei Bay and Kauai's North Shore: What to Know Before You Go
Hanalei Bay is Kauai's iconic crescent beach backed by taro fields and mountains. The north shore is the island's most beautiful and its most remote — here's how to use it.
Kapaa: Kauai's Most Practical Town for Visitors
Kapaa on Kauai's east shore is not the most glamorous town but it's the most useful — affordable accommodations, good food, and the bike path that connects the east side.
Waimea: The Big Island's Upcountry Ranching Town
Waimea sits at 2,670 feet in the saddle between Mauna Kea and the Kohala mountains — cattle country, farm-to-table restaurants, and a genuine community removed from the coast.
Kona Town: Where to Eat, What to Do, and How to Use It as a Base
Kailua-Kona is the Big Island's main tourist hub on the dry west coast — snorkeling, coffee country, and a walkable waterfront that rewards exploring on foot.
Hilo: The Big Island's Rainy Side and Why That's a Good Thing
Hilo gets more rain than anywhere else in the US and uses it well — waterfalls, botanical gardens, farmers markets, and one of the most genuine towns in Hawaii.
Makawao: Maui's Upcountry Town Where Cowboys Meet Art Galleries
Makawao sits at 1,500 feet on the slopes of Haleakala where the old paniolo culture and a thriving arts scene share the same Main Street.
Paia: Maui's Coolest Small Town Has a Short Main Street and That's the Point
Paia is a one-street surf town on Maui's north shore with better food, better coffee, and better people-watching than anywhere else on the island.