Planning a trip to the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai? Make sure to carve out some time to explore the delightful town of Kapaa, Hawaii. Nestled on the southeastern coast, Kapaa offers a unique blend of history, culture, and delicious food, making it a must-visit destination for any Kauai itinerary.
Recently, a friend of mine embarked on her own Kauai adventure. Before she left, I was thrilled to share some of my personal recommendations for the best places to eat and drink on Kauai, as well as exciting options for ziplining, tubing, snorkeling, and kayaking.
One of my top suggestions for a memorable day trip, or even just an afternoon excursion, was a visit to the historic town of Kapaa.
🌋 Adventure Activities in Kauai
- Explore the island by joining a half-day kayaking and waterfall hiking tour.
- Embark on a thrilling kayak trip along the Wailua River, culminating in a scenic hike to a breathtaking waterfall.
- Create your own personalized adventure with audio tours highlighting Garden Island’s most scenic spots,
historical landmarks, and magnificent beaches.
🏖 Discover the Charm of Kapaa, Hawaii
Kapaa, also known as Kapa’a, is a captivating town situated on Kauai’s southeastern shore. Often referred to as Old Kapa’a Town, it exudes a unique historical charm that sets it apart.
Located less than 10 miles from Lihue Airport and nestled at the foot of Nounou Mountain, famously known as the Sleeping Giant, Kapaa is an ideal destination for a delightful meal and a leisurely stroll along its main street, Kuhio Highway.
As a smaller town, Kapaa radiates a strong sense of community pride. While it welcomes tourists, the pace of life here feels noticeably slower compared to larger, more bustling tourist destinations. You’ll instantly be enveloped by an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.
There’s no need to rush in Kapaa. Take your time to explore the unique shops, soak in the picturesque scenery, engage in conversations with local artisans about their handcrafted creations, and indulge in the delectable local cuisine.
🍧 Kapaa, Hawaii: A Culinary Paradise
Kapaa, Hawaii, boasts an array of dining options to satisfy your cravings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My personal favorites are the vibrant food carts and conveniently located walk-up food stands clustered near the heart of town.
Here, you’ll discover a fantastic selection of culinary delights, including mouthwatering pizza, authentic Mexican dishes, traditional Hawaiian specialties, and delightful desserts.
Indulge in the Sweetness of Wailua Shave Ice
No visit to the Hawaiian Islands is complete without savoring the iconic shave ice. It’s the quintessential treat for staying cool and refreshed on those balmy Hawaiian days. If you’ve never experienced shave ice before, imagine a snow cone taken to an entirely new level of deliciousness!
Wailua Shave Ice stands out because they craft their shave ice using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. Their shave ice is free from artificial flavors, dyes, and high fructose corn syrup.
The result is simply AMAZING.
During my visit, I treated myself to a strawberry shave ice adorned with juicy, fresh strawberries and luscious coconut cream. It was an explosion of flavor that left me craving more!
Their menu is a dynamic reflection of the seasons, changing daily based on the availability of fresh ingredients. However, some flavors seem to be permanent fixtures on the menu, including:
- “Wailua Sunrise” – A zesty blend of Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, and Pineapple Orange Fruit Topping.
- “Kauai Orange Dream” – A creamy concoction of Orange Juice, Coconut Milk, Haupia Foam, and Fresh Cut Orange.
- “Almond Joy” – A decadent fusion of Nutella, Coconut Milk, Almonds, and Roasted Coconut Flakes.
For those fortunate enough to reside in Portland, Oregon, or San Diego, California, you’re in luck! Wailua Shave Ice has expanded its reach and now has locations in these vibrant cities.
Wailua Shave Ice – Kauai Location
4-1306 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
808 634 7183
HOURS: Open daily 11am – 8pm
For more locations and info: WailuaShaveIce.com
🛍 Retail Therapy: Exploring Kapaa’s Unique Shops
After satisfying your culinary cravings, take a leisurely stroll through Kapaa and indulge in some local shopping. You’ll discover a diverse range of stores, from scuba shops equipping you for your next Kauai adventure to music shops and charming gift shops brimming with locally crafted items.
One of my favorite discoveries was Kiko, a delightful shop that we stumbled upon by chance.
Kiko: A Treasure Trove of Local Art and Craftsmanship
A vibrant yellow building, adorned with a charming courtyard featuring twinkling string lights and lush greenery, beckons you into one of the most enchanting shops you’ll ever encounter: Kiko Kauai.
Here, you’ll uncover a treasure trove of handmade creations, including art, jewelry, clothing, home goods, toys, furniture, gifts, as well as a carefully curated collection of books and stationery.
I could have easily spent hours browsing through this captivating store. The women who manage Kiko have an exceptional talent for curating their product selection. It would be surprising if you couldn’t find at least one item (or even more than 20, like I did!) that you absolutely loved and wanted to take home. Shopping at Kiko is also a wonderful way to support local artists and artisans.
Kiko – Simple Goods
Old Kapa’a Town
Right next to Jim Saylor Jewelers
4-1316 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
Hours: open daily, 10 am to 6pm
(808) 822-5096
For more info: kikokauai.com.
🏝 Plan Your Visit to Kapaa, Hawaii
Reaching Kapaa is a breeze. Simply travel along the Kuhio Highway, the main thoroughfare that traces the coastline around Kauai. Kapaa is conveniently located just north of Wailua and south of Kealia. Keep an eye out for the signs indicating Kapaa – you won’t miss it! Kauai is the fourth largest Hawaiian island, but it’s still a relatively compact paradise, measuring only 25 miles long by 33 miles wide at its furthest points.
Where to Stay in Kapaa: Top Hotel Picks
- Fern Grotto Inn (⭐9.3)
- Islander on the Beach
352 OCEANFRONT (⭐9.9) - Lae Nani Resort
Penthouse Oceanfront Pool (⭐10) - Waipouli Beach Resort (⭐9.6)
Share the Aloha: Pin it for Later!
✈️ Discover More of Kauai: Additional Travel Resources
- Outdoor Adventures in Kauai
- Merriman’s Fish House – Poipu Beach, Kauai
- Where to Eat in Kauai
- Limahuli Garden & Preserve
My visit to Kauai was part of a sponsored press trip with “What’s Cooking in Kauai”. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.