7 Eclectic Small Towns In Hawaii

Looking for the weirdest, most transcendent corners of Hawaii—the ones hiding in plain sight within lava fields, rainforests, and tide pools? This distant island chain stretches 1,500 miles across the mid-Pacific, with eight major islands formed by volcanoes and characterized by dramatically different landscapes. A former independent monarchy, Hawaii joined the United States as the 50th state in 1959, bringing a fraught history of native culture, colonial conflict, and passionate local pride. Tucked along its beaches and upcountry slopes are small towns brimming with oddball charm—alien parks, paniolo rodeos, lava tubes, and black sand beaches among them. If you’re game to trade resorts for something real, these seven off-the-beaten-path towns fit the bill.

While Lāhainā was formerly one of the most eclectic towns in Hawaii, much of it was lost in the 2023 wildfires. Though it’s not included on this list, its spirit of art, history, and resilience lives on—and it remains a symbol of everything that makes these towns so unforgettable.

Pāhoa, Big Island

Wild and wonderfully offbeat, Pāhoa celebrates its lava-born roots and counterculture attitude. Start at the Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum, where the town’s fiery past is chronicled in vintage photos and bizarre memorabilia. Don’t miss the otherworldly Raëlian UFO Peace Park, a roadside shrine to alien creators—no joke. At Kaleo’s Bar & Grill, garlic shrimp and live music draw a revolving crowd of locals and visitors.

Just out of town, stop at the spooky Lava Tree State Monument, where lava-petrified trees appear frozen mid-eruption. Head to the Puna End of the Road, where hardened lava devours the road—a strange, post-apocalyptic testament to nature’s power.

Hāna, Maui

The drive to Hāna is half the fun—the Road to Hāna packs in over 600 turns and waterfalls, but the real reward is what awaits at the end. Start at the Hāna Cultural Center, where plantation-era artifacts and family heirlooms offer a glimpse into the Hawaii of old. Then snorkel at Hana Bay (Uakea), a peaceful black sand beach ideal for beginners and shallow-water divers looking to spot reef fish and sea turtles.

Visit Waiʻanapanapa State Park for the otherworldly pairing of black sand beaches and lava caves, and follow the cliffside trail to Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, a secluded cove with rust-colored sands and roaring waves behind a rock ridge. Hikers should be careful though as access is hazardous due to erosion.

Hāwī, Big Island

Hāwī is laid-back—but not dull. Begin the day with a free fall over the coast at B.I.G. Air Skydiving, where the drop includes cliffs, cane fields, and wild Pacific scenery. On the ground, head north to Pololū Valley Lookout, where a short hike brings you to a black sand beach ringed by tall cliffs and crashing surf.

Along the coast, stop at Lapakahi State Historical Park, a rocky shoreline where stone foundations mark the remains of an ancient fishing village. When you’re ready to trade lava rock for turquoise water, spend the afternoon snorkeling at Waialea Beach (Beach 69)—serene, secluded, and tucked behind a grove of twisted trees.

Makawao, Maui

Makawao is the place where Hawaii trades surfboards for saddles. Start in the Makawao Forest Reserve, a cool, shaded haven with redwoods and wild guava trees. Bike trails here are fast, curvy, and a whole lot more fun than they have any right to be—especially if you’re tearing downhill through fog.

In July, the Makawao Rodeo allows the whole town to go wild with bull riding, barrel racing, and a sea of dust and cowboy hats. Buy spicy pickles and locally made honey at the Upcountry Farmers Market, then visit the Oskie Rice Arena, where cowboys and cowgirls continue to practice with determination, boots, and a bit of Upcountry attitude.

Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i

Hanapēpē isn’t trying to impress you—it just does. Walk across the swaying Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge, where every step feels like a dare and the river rolls slowly beneath you. Wander into Talk Story Bookstore, the westernmost bookstore in the U.S., where you might leave with a novel, a comic, or a slice of gossip from the owner.

Fridays hit differently with Hanapēpē Art Night, when the streets fill with fire dancers, ukulele jams, and locals selling everything from hand-poured candles to banana lumpia. Before sunset, head to Salt Pond Beach Park, where tide pools, soft waves, and pink skies do all the heavy lifting.

Volcano, Big Island

This town is on the edge—literally. On the border of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the town of Volcano sits near the continuously active Kīlauea, which erupted again just this week—a reminder of how alive this land is. Start with a stroll through the Nāhuku Lava Tube, a damp, echoing tunnel formed by molten lava centuries ago.

In town, the Volcano Art Center hosts bold, lava-inspired works by local artists. Walk the sculpture garden at Volcano Garden Arts, or have coffee at Volcano House, where the windows gaze directly into the crater. Few places in Hawaii feel this raw, this close to the Earth’s shifting power.

Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i

Kapa‘a isn’t trying to be cool—it just is. Downtown is full of hand-painted murals, surfboard fences, and shops that sell everything from vintage vinyl to glass jellyfish. Rent a cruiser and ride the Ke Ala Hele Makalae, a coastal bike path that runs past tide pools, palms, and families grilling lunch on the beach.

Snorkel in the clear shallows at Lydgate Beach Park, then dig into pineapple sausage and Hawaiian plate lunch at the open-air Pono Market. Wrap the day with a hike up the Nounou East Trail, where switchbacks and ironwood trees lead to a ridge with panoramic views stretching to the sea.

The Good Kind of Strange

From the windy valleys of the Big Island to the beach towns of Kaua‘i covered in murals and tide pools, Hawaii’s small towns are as varied as the islands. Dotting a chain of volcanic peaks in the middle of the Pacific, these towns follow their own rhythm, flavor, and sense of humor. Their stories are shaped by lava flows, sugar mills, rainforest trails, and homegrown legends that never made it into guidebooks. What they have in common is that nothing here feels mass-produced—just real people, real landscapes, and a dash of weirdness in the very best sense. If you’ve made it this far, your next move is simple: rent the car, pack the bag, and go.