9 Towns In Hawaii That Were Frozen In Time
Few places in the world inspire you to return to nature, quite like the island state of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Island chain is largely considered to be one of the best possible nature getaway locations. Visited by millions every year, Hawaii tends to leave a lasting impression on those who choose to experience the wonder and awe of its incredible beaches, thriving valleys, and bird’s-eye lookouts. But Hawaii isn’t only for nature lovers—it also has some serious appeal for those who want to do a deep dive into the town's history and experience its communities that have seemingly remained the same for decades. These nine picturesque towns in Hawaii offer an exceptional window into Hawaii’s past and appear to be “frozen in time.”
Lahaina, Maui
A town that looks straight out of an artist’s imagination, Lahaina is a truly alluring place. With a population of just over 13,000, this charming small town offers lifelong memories to both eco-nuts and history buffs. Nature lovers should be sure to visit the Wahikuli Wayside Park, a coastal picnicking area that’s a convenient entryway to the water and its wildlife. Here, in their natural habitat, you can see crabs, stingrays, dolphins, and turtles. History enthusiasts will not miss the Pioneer Mill Smokestack. Built by plantation workers in 1928, this historic 225-foot tower stands as a tall watchman over Lahaina. The surrounding grounds offer sweeping views of the town and a free open-air museum with train cars and pieces of the old sugar mill. For a spiritual experience, visit Lāhainā Hongwanji Mission. A Jodo Shinshu temple that hosts holiday festivities, bazaars, Obon festivals, a Dharma School, and more—all within its pleasant, grassy grounds. No matter who you are, Lahaina offers a little for everyone to enjoy. Lahaina’s historical architecture, famous Banyan trees, and abundant coastal wildlife are popular subjects for photographs.
Hana, Maui
Located on the eastern coast of the island of Maui, Hana is a serene little town best known for its scenic location and lush vegetation. If you want to truly appreciate its natural landscapes, visit Hana Bay, a beautiful black-sand tropical cover that was once a traditional fishing village. Accessible by foot, the bay offers a few hiking trails at the nearby park and Pu‘Ukū Islet Seabird Sanctuary. For those who want to take a deeper historical adventure, visit Pi'ilanihale Heiau, the largest Hawaiian temple complex, now preserved as a sacred site inside the Kahanu Tropical Gardens. If you want to get a taste of the town’s culture, visit the Hana Coast Gallery, a place that offers a colorful walk-through of local Hana artists’ exquisite paintings, woodwork, and hand-crafted jewelry. Nearby, Waiʻānapanapa State Park and Kaihalulu Beach make fine subjects for photographs with their rock formations, turquoise waters, and vegetated cliffs, giving all visitors the opportunity to create cherished memories.
Koloa, Kauai
Koloa is a little town located on the southern coast of Kauai. Despite being quaint, it is anything but boring. In fact, Koloa is one of the most important towns in the Hawaiian Island chain. To see why this little town is so significant to the islands, you must visit Old Koloa Town. This exceptional walking market area still retains plantation-style architecture from Kauai’s prime sugar plantation era, bordered by a magical array of flowers and trees. If you want to appreciate the area’s scenery, visit the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail. Self-guided, easy hikes take you along the magnificent coastline and its rugged cliffs, leading eventually to beaches and caves where you can see crabs and sea turtles. If inclined, travelers can also appreciate the Koloa Missionary church while they're here, experiencing a family-oriented spiritual experience with deep ties to the local community. If you’re a nature lover through and through, then be sure to visit the Spouting Horn. Watch as jets of water shoot through lava tubes at this scenic coastal blowhole. If you want to impress your family and friends back home, take pictures of Koala’s historic buildings. For beautiful nature images, the vibrant landscapes and the dramatic blowhole settings are more than ideal.
Paia, Maui
Known as “the world capital of windsurfing,” Paia has certainly developed a reputation as one of the top towns to visit in Hawaii. A lovely town on the northern shore of Maui, Paia, with a quaint population of just over 2000. Paia is mostly popular with windsurfing enthusiasts (hence the nickname), so if you want to enjoy some windsurfing yourself, head over to Baldwin Beach Park, a place popular with windsurfers due to its panoramic, soft white sand beach views. If you want a milder and more religious experience, visit the Maui Dharma Center. This colorful Buddhist temple is adorned with Tibetan flags and its peaceful grounds are accentuated by the soft claps of enormous tropical plant leaves jostling in the wind. History lovers can learn about the area’s sugar-production-era machinery and local laborers’ communities at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum. Photographers will find Paia’s brightly colored buildings and temples perfect subjects to capture and a coastline where they can capture nature at its best.
Hawi, Big Island
Hawi, the Big Island’s northwestern coastal town, is best known for its historical landmarks and its abundant bright scenes of tropical plant life. If you want to learn more about the origin of the Hawaiian Kingdom, visit the nearby Statue of King Kamehameha, erected in honor of the first king of Hawaii, King Kamehameha I. The statue’s manicured grounds, shaded wraparound porch, and special veterans memorial all add to its splendor. If you fancy an immersive local experience, visit the Lokahi Garden Sanctuary, where guided tours teach you about the efforts it takes to successfully farm the local terrain in a vibrant organic garden setting. Visiting Mo'okini Heiau, a secluded area of ruins from the ancient Hawaiian past riddled with Mauritius hemp plants where you can sometimes glimpse whales frolicking offshore. All art enthusiasts can’t forget to visit the galleries lining Hawi’s Mahukona-Niulli Road, including Olena Gallery, L Zeidman Llosh Winne Gallery, and Elements Jewelry & Fine Crafts. While visiting Hawi, remember to snap photos of the beautiful scenic valley views, historic architecture, and cultural landmarks.
Kaunakakai, Molokai
A town that embodies the spirit of Molokai Island, Kaunakakai is known for being perfect for those who want to relax amid an area rich in culture. For a taste of the region’s religious history visit the beautiful open-air St. Damien of Molokai Church, built in the 19th century by Belgian Sacred Hearts priest Saint Damien. Rainforest adventurers must not miss Kamakou Preserve. Over 200 species of native plants call this vibrant ecosystem home, and it’s a sanctuary for fluttering songbirds, various insects, and the kaleidoscopic shells of banded tree snails. A welcoming boardwalk ushers visitors into this moss-draped rainforest, where visitors can experience the tranquility of the ancient Pēpēʻōpae bog. If you want to see the region’s development in aquaculture, visit the Kaloko Fishpond, where you can find ancient structures built and used by ancient Hawaiians to manage water inflow and harvest incoming fish. This area’s large rainforest preserves and historic fishponds are ideal photographic subjects for some nature-inspired pictures. For a more mesmerizing and nostalgic touch, photograph the rustic churches and step back in time every time you look at them.
Honokaa, Big Island
No authentic Hawaiian experience is truly complete without visiting Honokaa on the Big Island. It is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a happy medium between natural sights and historic experiences. If you’re a theater lover, be sure to check out the Honokaa People’s Theater, a local theater from the 1930s with Western-style architecture speaking to Honokaa’s horse town past. For a phenomenal view that is steeped in culture, visit the Waipio Valley lookout, where you’ll be mesmerized by the phenomenal panoramic views of the valley that open onto a black sand beach. The walk to the lookout is speckled with colorful markets as well. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Honokaa Heritage Center, which features carefully curated exhibitions about the history of Honokaa and the cultures that helped the town grow. The Waipio Valley’s stunning beauty and vintage theater create a nostalgic atmosphere around Honokaa, providing excellent opportunities for some stunning photography.
Makawao, Maui
Also known as the “cowboy capital” of Makawao, Maui is a town truly “frozen in time.” The concept of streetlights is alien to this place, where you might see a Paniolo—Hawaiian cowboy—riding a long-horned bull down the main street! But despite this, life in Makawao is certainly not boring in the least. Find out more about this place’s iconic Paniolo culture by visiting the nearby Maui Historical Society, an old mission turned into an exhibition of historic items and artifacts with highly knowledgeable staff. If you consider yourself a jungle explorer, visit the Kahakapao Loop Trail, which has dense and misty forests filled with tall eucalyptus trees and ferns bordering its hiking trails. For an uplifting and immersive wildlife experience, take a trip to Maui Alpaca, an unforgettable, hands-on opportunity to connect with kind alpacas and the beautiful Hawaiian countryside. The charming ranch-style buildings of Makawao and its bordering dense forests are picture-perfect, appearing as if they’ve popped off the page of a storybook.
Lanai City, Lanai
Last on the list of frozen-in-time Hawaiian towns is Lanai City, a serene, tropical wonderland where the spirit of old Hawaii welcomes all travelers. A paradise for both nature adventurers and history enthusiasts, Lanai City succeeds in consistently attracting visitors from every walk of life to its namesake, Lanai Island. Fruit connoisseurs must visit the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center for some insight into the island’s history of pineapple plantations and local culture, all highlighted and celebrated with amazing quality through intriguing, curated exhibits. If you want the feeling of going back in time, visit Kaunolu Village, which is only a short 15-minute drive south of the city. Not only a National Historic Landmark, but it's also an ancient Hawaiian fishing village that is preserved to this day, where you can see native petroglyphs and ancient ovens built into the rocks. If a walk in the park helps you relax, then stroll Dole Park, Lanai City’s central park surrounded by old storefronts and plantation-style homes. Beautifully maintained, the park has large grassy areas perfect for relaxing or having a picnic under the shaded atmosphere of towering Cook pines. The old-style visuals of the plantation-era buildings and the ancient villages offer diverse photo opportunities.
Travel Back in Time in Hawaii’s Small Towns
These nine towns pay homage to Hawaii’s beauty through their charming views, unmatched parks and trails, and historic artifacts. From the rugged cliffs of Waipio Valley to the serene rainforests of Molokai, these destinations invite visitors to step into a world of breathtaking, timeless tradition while providing unbeatable settings for picture-taking and memory-building. Every town may be different, but each brings Hawaii’s cultural heritage to life in a special way through well-preserved buildings, cultural landmarks, and scenic beauty that provide visitors with a memorable look into the Hawaiian Islands' storied past.
