These 9 Towns Are Hawaii's Best-Kept Secret
The Aloha State of Hawaii may be one of the United States’ most famous vacation destinations, but there’s much more than meets the novice tourist’s eye. In fact, Hawaii (or Hawaiʻi) has a wide variety of beautiful small towns full of unique charm. From the ultimate laid-back surfer town on the North Shore of O‘ahu to a perky village at the heart of Kona coffee country, Hawaiʻi has more to offer adventurous visitors beyond the typical name-brand resorts. And yes, there really is a Volcano Village worth visiting as well!
The Hawaiian Islands might seem like a place everyone already knows everything about, but these islands have some surprising secrets awaiting your discovery. To get started, check out these nine towns that are Hawaii’s best-kept secrets.
Haleʻiwa
When folks think of the North Shore of O‘ahu, they probably conjure up images of the perfectly cool surf town. They might not realize they’re dreaming of the very real town of Haleʻiwa. For Haleʻiwa’s most iconic surf spot, head to Waimea Bay for massive 30-foot waves to watch expert surfers navigate during the winter season and much calmer and smaller waves suitable for swimming, bodyboarding, and snorkeling during the summer. Just across the highway from Waimea Bay, you’ll find Waimea Valley. This gorgeous park preserves natural forest habitat, lush waterfalls, themed botanical gardens, and a series of cultural treasures sacred to indigenous Hawaiian people.
Heading into the main village, grab a spot in line to get your own cup of edible Hawaiian art at Matsumoto’s Shave Ice, a local institution that’s been crafting and serving these colorful, icy sweet treats since 1951. Nearby, you can also shop for local souvenirs (and, if needed, pick up some surf gear) at Haleʻiwa’s T&C Surf Designs. If you’d like to stick around for a little longer, book a stay at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows for comfy vacation rentals near Waimea Bay.
Kōloa
Situated on the southern end of the island of Kauaʻi, the town of Kōloa provides wondrous throwbacks to old-school Hawaiian life just minutes away from several of Kauaʻi’s popular beach resorts. To get a better sense of this special place, take the Kōloa Heritage Trail to discover historic sights like the Sugar Mill Monument, which commemorates the opening of Hawaiʻi’s first commercial sugar mill in 1835, Kōloa Jodo Mission for a Buddhist temple that’s been providing spiritual enlightenment since 1910, and the Hapa Trail that’s connected Kōloa to the nearby fertile farmlands and the beaches of Poʻipū for over 150 years.
Back in town, Old Kōloa Town has a collection of vintage plantation buildings that now house some popular tourist gift shops, as well as more locals-oriented businesses like Sueoka Market that carries a number of Asian and Hawaiian grocery goods, and Koloa Mill for delectable ice cream and coffee shop treats. Though you’ll find many more hotels and resorts to the south in Poʻipū, Marjorie’s Kauai Inn offers a more intimate bed-and-breakfast experience just a short drive away from Old Kōloa Town.
Hōlualoa
Need a little pick-me-up? Perhaps, you can use a visit to this charming town in Kona coffee country on “the big island” of Hawaiʻi. This is the perfect launch pad for touring local growers like Mauka Meadows, Uluwehi Coffee Farm, and UCC Hawaii to see where coffee is made and to try some high-quality, 100% authentic Kona coffee. For a walk on the wilder side, make a reservation to visit Three Ring Ranch Exotic Sanctuary, a fully accredited sanctuary where animals like flamingos, zebras, alpacas, and tortoises are cared for by licensed professionals.
Though Hōlualoa is close to the inviting shores and lush resorts of Kailua-Kona, it is possible to enjoy more quality time in Hōlualoa. In fact, you can book a stay at Holualoa Inn for a cozy yet posh bed-and-breakfast on 30 acres of working coffee farmland sporting spectacular mountains and coastal views.
Makawao
If you’ve ever wondered what “Cowboy Country” is like on the Hawaiian Islands, head over to the town of Makawao in Upcountry Maui. More specifically, paniolo is the Hawaiian word for cowboy, and you can catch the paniolo spirit every July when Makawao hosts its annual rodeo. Year-round, it’s possible to explore the wondrous wilderness of Makawao Forest Reserve by hiking (or riding horseback) on the Kahakapao Loop Trail.
Over the years, Makawao has also developed a reputation as an artists’ village, and the Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center is great for catching exhibitions featuring local artists and interactive classes to create your own. For more local art, drive back into town and stop at Hot Island Glass for one of Maui’s premier glass art studios and galleries. Nearby, you can also check out the Komoda Store and Bakery for delectable treats like donuts on sticks, butter rolls, and their famous cream puffs. A short drive away, the Banyan Tree Bed & Breakfast is a lovely historic home welcoming visitors to their two-acre oasis of lush gardens.
Volcano Village
With a name like Volcano Village, it’s easy to see this town as an explosive destination to experience. Indeed, this village on the island of Hawaiʻi sits right by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, an expansive park that includes two massive volcanoes—one of the world’s most active volcanoes at Kīlauea and the planet’s largest active volcano at Mauna Loa (rising some 13,679 feet above sea level). While at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, you can also catch unique natural treasures like Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), or a cave created by a river of molten lava during past eruptions, along with the stunning Hōlei Sea Arch on the Pacific coast.
Beyond the park boundaries, Volcano Village has even more to offer. At Volcano Winery, discover a rare spot on Hawaiʻi (over 4,000 feet above sea level) between the lush jungles to the east and the desert to the west, where splendid wines and teas are made. At Volcano Art Center, peruse special works by local artists and sign up for classes and workshops where you can make your own. And for a surprisingly relaxing paradise this close to active volcanoes, check into Volcano Village Lodge for a comfy bed-and-breakfast nestled in an inviting stretch of high-elevation Hawaiian rainforest.
Hāna
Located on Maui’s eastern shore, Hāna is not only a beautiful place to explore upon arrival, but even the journey there can be legendary. Yes, the Hāna Highway (or Hawaiʻi Route 360) stretches out for over 64 miles and takes over two hours to complete. Still, the slow ride feels worthwhile with its 59 bridges, 620 curves, and overall winding journey through the verdant tropical rainforest. (Just check in advance to ensure no road closures during your visit.)
In town, feel free to take your time strolling along the magnificently rugged coastline of Waiʻānapanapa State Park and enjoying its intimate yet gorgeous black sand beach. For a bigger pop of color by the sea, head down to the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach and find one of the world’s only naturally red sand beaches, though keep in mind that this beach requires a strenuous hike to access. For an easier beach to access, Hāna Bay Beach Park is a great spot for canoeing and fishing. If you’re hoping to spend even more quality time exploring this special place, consider a stay at the Hana-Maui Resort for a boutique luxury hotel with all the amenities you’d expect from a Hyatt-affiliated property alongside the charm of a cozy small-town ranch.
Hanalei
Nestled on the north shore of Kauaʻi, Hanalei is a unique town where old and new peacefully coexist. For the old, go to Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church, which began for missionaries to Hawaii by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions in the 19th century, and it’s gone on to serve as a spiritual refuge (and wedding venue) for the local community. Also, check out Hanalei Pier, first built in 1892, which gained worldwide fame when it was featured in the classic 1958 musical film South Pacific. While there, take a little more time to enjoy Black Pot Beach and its generally gentle waves for swimming, paddling, and learning how to surf.
For the new, walk around town and discover several cool art galleries, including Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art for an extensive array of traditional Polynesian art from the State of Hawaiʻi and across Oceania, as well as aFeinberg Gallery for award-winning photography art. Just a short drive from town, you can experience contemporary style, eco-friendly elegance, and a beautiful oceanfront location by the historic Fort Alexander at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
Nāʻālehu
Hawaiʻi may be famous for its black sand and red sand beaches, but did you know the Aloha State also has a green sand beach? Located near the southern tip of the big island of Hawaiʻi, Nāʻālehu has one of the world’s four known green sand beaches. As long as you can handle the 5.6-mile hike to reach it, it’s possible to get to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, experience its ethereal beauty that was created by a volcanic eruption over 49,000 years ago, and touch the iconic green sand that got its special hue from a mineral called olivine that’s present in the Big Island’s lava. If you crave more coastal adventures, Whittington Beach Park is great for fishing, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is picture-perfect for spotting sea turtles and basking in the Hawaiian sun.
For a different (yet complementary) side of Nāʻālehu, book a tour of Manadina Farm to see all kinds of fresh produce, herbs, and native Hawaiian plants grow on an eco-friendly and community-centered farm. For nearby accommodations, check into Hawaii Island Resort, which offers cozy bed-and-breakfast-style rooms on an eight-acre macadamia farm with a solar-heated pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi internet.
Pāʻia
Located on Maui's north coast and near the Hāna Highway's northern terminus, Pāʻia is a delightful small town with a colorful history. The town began with the opening of the Paia Sugar Mill in 1880 and long functioned as a plantation town, but the energy began to shift with the influx of hippies in the 1970s. And when some young upstarts began setting sail at Ho’okipa Beach Park in 1978, Pāʻia cemented its reputation as the “Windsurfing Capital of the World.” Today, windsurfers and kite surfers from all over continue to gather at Ho’okipa Beach Park for prime surf conditions, especially during winter. For more fun at the beach, visit Baldwin Beach Park for a long stretch of white sand and fun waves for body-surfing and boogie boarding.
Though Pāʻia has gradually been drawing in more discerning travelers, you can still catch some old-school hippie vibes and great grub at Mana Foods, one of Maui’s top natural foods grocery stores for organic produce and freshly prepared meals to go. If you prefer to sit down and enjoy some local cuisine, Paia Fishmarket serves up some of the Aloha State’s best fish burgers along with plenty more seafood specialties. And for the ultimate Pāʻia retreat, treat yourself to a stay at the Paia Inn, a boutique luxury hotel that’s mere steps away from the beach.
The Secret May Be Out of the Bag, But These Towns Still Fit the Bill for a Great Hawaiian Escape
When you’re aiming to explore more of Hawaiʻi beyond the typical tourist hotspots, these nine towns have long served as some of the state’s best-kept secrets for travelers in the know. Fortunately, you now know where to go for the ultimate surfing trip on the North Shore of O‘ahu and soak up the unique beauty of Haleʻiwa. Also, keep in mind the quintessentially Hawaiian “cowboy country” of Makawao, the serene scenery of Hāna, and the delightful hippie-dippie energy of Pāʻia. Hawaiʻi may draw a lot of tourists year-round, but you now have some good ideas on where to go to escape the maddening crowds and discover more of what this excellent state has to offer.
