These 11 Towns In Hawaii Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2024
Many folks have a reasonable picture of Hawaii. Jungles, mountains, beaches, waves, and obviously Pearl Harbor. Plus, it has a proud Polynesian culture, which is prominent throughout the Pacific Ocean. But in each of the famous groups of eight main islands—Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau—are some of the best small towns ranked among US favorites in 2024. Once you start visiting all of these stellar, surprising, and insightful small towns, you will definitely gain a better understanding and appreciation of Hawaii rather than the cliché tourist ideals. Step into a wild and primordial landscape formed by oceanic volcanoes, and seek out the fiery spirit of Hawaii in these small towns ranked among US favorites in 2024.
Hale’iwa, Oahu
On the island of Oahu and an hour’s drive from Waikīkī, the small town of Hale’iwa (from the words Hale for "house" and iwa for “frigate bird”, hence "house or nest of the frigate bird") is the artistic and cultural nexus of Oahu’s North Shore. With its famous beaches like Sunset Beach beside Waimea Bay and its ʻEhukai (Banzai Pipeline), you will not be disappointed by all the surfing activities and sun-tanning lounges on Hale’iwa’s sand. Laniakea Beach, in particular, is a popular site for its many species of turtles, as females bury thousands of eggs on the golden sandy shores. Not all the attractions in Hale’iwa are purely located on the beaches, so travelers can visit the Waialua Sugar Mill to learn all about Hale’iwa’s sugarcane plantation past. Stop by the historic Rainbow Bridge, which spans the Anahulu River, or walk about at Pua'ena Point to see the former landing field airports that serviced World War II American aircraft in refueling and repairs.
Hōlualoa, Hawaii Island
Hōlualoa, located on the western beaches of the Island of Hawaii or the Big Island, derives its name from the exhilarating Hawaiian practice of sledding down mountain slopes with wooden sleds. The town, alongside the historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona) and Keauhou, is the fiery heart of the best and purest Kona coffee that will keep you energized, excited, and enthusiastic for more exploration. Vast acres of coffee orchards and farmlands dominate the volcanic slopes of Kona and the dormant Hualalai volcano, one of five volcanoes forming the Big Island of Hawaii. Mauka Meadows is one of the many coffee farms located on the Kona Coffee Belt that you can explore, while the Honuaʻula Forest Reserve and the Pu'u Wa'awa'a Forest Reserve serve as untamed and wild contrasts to the more organized landscapes of Hōlualoa’s coffee farms. The best period to visit Hōlualoa is during the Hōlualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll in November.
Makawao, Maui
As the hub of Upcountry Maui on the Island of Maui, the eccentric and ecstatic small town of Makawao will wow and woo you with its rural wonders. The paniolo—Hawaiian cowboys—have been roaming and ranching in Makawao’s streets and agricultural communities since the 19th century, wrangling cattle like long-horned bulls and even Maui alpacas across the rolling hills and slopes of Haleakalā volcano.
Those of you curious and intrigued by these non-Wild West cowboys can attend Hawaii’s largest paniolo competition, the Makawao Rodeo, on the Fourth of July. Admire native and international aesthetics at the Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center, and get to learn all about glassblowing through numerous glassblower shops like Hot Island Glass. Individuals who love the outdoors will definitely approve of the Kula Botanical Garden and the jungles of Ko'olau Forest Reserve. Even more of Maui’s wilderness awaits in the Twin Falls Maui Waterfall and Jungle Zipline Maui-HI.
Kaneohe, Oahu
Get to experience more of nature and wildlife in Oahu’s wilderness in the small town of Kaneohe. Only 12 miles north of Honolulu and stretching from the foothills of the Koolau Range to Kaneohe Bay, Kaneohe means “bamboo man” or “bamboo husband” in the Hawaiian language and used to be the former home of some of Oahu’s olden kings. Roughly 30 royal fishponds can be found in this small town, such as the Waikalua Loko fishpond, each with its own Piscean species and other featured attractions to admire.
Travelers can admire the bird sanctuaries and nature preserves of US Senator Hiram Fong’s Plantation and Gardens or admire Oahu’s marine ecosystems at the Moku-o-loe Island (Coconut Island) Marine Laboratory Refuge. You might also fall in love with Kawainui Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, the Waiāhole Forest Reserve (‘Ioleka‘A Sector), and Heʻeia State Park. Those with nondenominational inclinations can explore the Byodo-In Temple, which is similar to a temple in Kyoto, Japan. Finally, there is the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens, with plants hailing from Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Polynesia, Melanesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi
Lānaʻi City may be the main hub and community on the island of Lānaʻi, but with its small population of about 3,100 citizens, it is still a small town with a lot of big attractions and surprises to cherish. Built atop an extinct volcano called Lanaihale, both the island and town of Lānaʻi (which means “Conquest Day” in Hawaiian) was once the largest pineapple plantation in the US. It also served as a royal retreat for King Kamehameha I, the greatest Hawaiian king who united all the islands in the early 1800s, and the remnants of a 15th-century Hawaiian village and a heiau (a ceremonial and religious structure) can be explored at the village of Kaunolu.
Meanwhile, the Palawai Basin contains a number of Luahiwa petroglyphs from the 18th century. Whether you are gallivanting through the Japanese-themed Lanai Bamboo Garden Retreat, petting the beautiful feline companions of the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, or taking photographs of Keahiakawelo, the Garden of the Gods, there are several memorable areas for you to explore in this one island, one town community in Hawaii.
Honokaʻa, Hawaii Island
About an hour away from Hōlualoa, the historic small town of Honokaʻa welcomes and entreats newcomers to a bevy of beautiful beaches on the northernmost segment of Hawaii Island. Head over to the Hamakua Coast for the surf and the sun that the Pacific Ocean promises. Watch a modern movie or even a classic one at the historic Honokaʻa People’s Theatre. But most of all, you should naturally go exploring Honokaʻa’s surrounding landscapes, preserves, and parks. Among these lush and diverse biomes are the Waipi'o Valley, the Kohala Watershed Forest Reserve, and the Pu'u O Umi Natural Area Reserve, which are all to the west of Honokaʻa. Meanwhile, east of the town, you can venture into the Hilo Forest Reserve (Humu‘Ula Sector and Laupāhoehoe Sector), the Kalōpā State Recreation Area, and the Hāmākua Forest Reserve, among others.
Hanalei, Kauaʻi
One of the most popular and attractive tourist destinations on the island of Kauaʻi is the charming small town of Hanalei. With its crescent-shaped beach overlooking Hanalei Bay—replete with several beachside areas for fun excursions, such as the Pine Trees surf area at Waioli Beach Park—Hanalei will keep anyone and everyone preoccupied with merry activities and remarkable experiences. At the Hanalei Valley Lookout, one can admire huge swathes of taro fields in the mountains used to make poi, a Hawaiian staple starch that you can sample at any Kauaʻi lūʻau. Consider touring Lumahai Beach and historic Hanalei Pier, which were beautiful film settings for the classic movie South Pacific. Or you can always seek out and admire rare water birds at the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, the Hono'Onapali Natural Reserve Area, and dozens more wilderness areas along the Hanalei River that dominate the wild island of Kauaʻi.
Hāwī, Hawaii Island
Feel the adrenalin kicking in when you are traversing the dynamic lands and features around the small town of Hāwī, located in the Kohala District of the Big Island. Whether you are trekking through the towering Kohala Mountains or sauntering through the remnants of an old fishing village at the Lapakahi State Historical Park, you will not feel so remiss when discovering more of what Hāwī has to offer. The most competitive bicyclers among you seeking to earn rewards and accolades can participate in the annual IRONMAN™ World Championship held every October since the town is one of many stopovers along the bike route. In the nearby village of Kapaʻau, one can admire a statue of King Kamehameha I. The Kohala Forest Reserve, Kapa'a Beach Park, and Mo'okini Heiau (a secluded temple) are among many other attractive destinations near the beautiful small town of Hāwī. More stupendous wonders await in this small, secluded town in the mountains.
Pāʻia, Maui
Feel totally tubular and radical when you are surfing in Pāʻia, the windsurfing capital of the world. While winter makes everywhere else a frozen and often unfun experience, the big north shore waves splashing on Hoʻokipa Beach will be at perfect—though often dangerous—heights for windsurfers and professional kite surfers. Much calmer beaches in Pāʻia include Kaulahao Beach, which overlooks the placid Mantokuji Bay and Ku’au Bay.
People seeking leisure and relaxation will definitely be interested in sunbathing at Baldwin Beach Park and Pāʻia Secret Beach. One of the many intriguing attractions in town involves the Great Paia Lha Bab Peace Stupa at the Maui Dharma Center, dedicated to the late Venerable Lama Tenzin, who was the first full-time resident spiritual director of the Center. There is also the Sacred Garden of Maliko in the nearby and interconnected village of Haiku (not the Japanese style of poetry, though), which Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin visited while filming Rainbow Bridge.
Hāna, Maui
Considered the “Real Hawaii” due to its mostly unchanged sceneries and atmosphere, the small town of Hāna in Maui is one of the most isolated communities in all of Hawaii. Visitors ought to traverse the famous Road to Hāna, which meanders through 52 miles of Maui countryside starting from Kahului. Beachgoers will be mesmerized by Koki Beach, which legends claim to be where the fire goddess Pele fought her older sister, Namakaokaha'i, the goddess of the ocean. Then there are the hills at Ka'uiki, situated on the southeastern side of Hana Bay, which have rarely been touched by passing clouds due to the mythic figure of Maui and other local deities.
More solid attractions in the town include the Hale Piʻilani, the largest heiau (Hawaiian temple) in Hawaii, and the Kahanu Garden, one of five National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Feel relaxed at ease while strolling through the Sunbathe at Waiʻānapanapa State Park, the Hāna Lava Tube, Hāna Beach Park or Hāmoa Beach, the Hāna Forest Reserve, and Waioka Pond (Venus Pool). Finally, get to know more about the culture and history of Hāna at the Cultural Center and Museum.
Waimea, Hawaii Island
As the center for the Big Island’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture, Waimea—also known as Kamuela and whose Hawaiian name means “reddish water” as a reference to the red clay soil found in the area—promises a diversity of activities for everyone coming from everywhere. The history of Waimea’s ranching operations can be found at the Parker Ranch, established about 1815 as one of the largest Hereford cattle ranches in the US to uphold King Kamehameha the First’s kapu or royal taboo on the killing of the cattle.
The slopes of Mauna Kea are riddled with skiing resorts and other activities for you to try out, as well as the renowned Mauna Kea Observatories for you to admire the unspoiled night sky. Those wanting to wade about in the water can head over to the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area or to the black sand beaches at the Waipiʻo and Pololu valleys. Whether you are traveling through Waimea on horseback or on an ATV, you will nevertheless find new and spectacular features to savor in this highly-praised small town in Hawaii.
There are many Polynesian myths about the formation of the Hawaiian Islands. There are legends of the mythic hero Maui, who reeled islands from the ocean’s depths up to the surface. Then there are stories of two rival sisters, the fire goddess Pele and the sea goddess Namakaokaha'i, whose volcanic battles formed the islands many tourists will deem a tropical paradise. But while you are living your own personal stories and writing your own narratives about Hawaii, do take into consideration the numerous attractions, spectacles, and landscapes of Hawaii’s best small towns ranked among US favorites in 2024. From learning all about the paniolo in Waimea and Makawao to tasting exquisite Kona coffee at Hale’iwa, each island in Hawaii has its jewels and joys for you to experience. These towns in Hawaii were ranked among US favorites in 2024 for a good reason, so journey to this famous state in the US to find out why.
