These Small Towns in Hawaii Have the Best Historic Districts
For most individuals, vacationing in Hawaii means relaxing by the world-class beaches, hiking the lush tropical forests, or exploring the sweltering volcanoes. However, the Aloha State has a wealth of small towns highlighting its rich history and cultural heritage in their historic districts. From beautifully restored historic buildings to quaint cobblestone streets and ancient museums, these small towns in Hawaii have the best historic districts.
Hilo
Hilo is one of the oldest-founded towns in Hawaii, with a population of 45,248 as per the 2020 census. It has a rich history dating back to 1100 CE when Polynesians settled in the town. Christian missionaries arrived in 1822, followed by trade ships that did business in Hilo’s port. Tourists began coming to Hilo in the 19th and 20th centuries due to the active volcanoes.
Hilo has a well-preserved history, with many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown Hilo features century-old wooden storefronts, shops, restaurants, and cultural sites. It also has futuristic art galleries featuring unique glasswork, woodwork, jewelry, and paints, highlighting the town's charm and unique history.
History buffs can visit the East Hawaii Cultural Center for Creative and Traditional Arts and the Pacific Tsunami commemorating the victims of the 1946 and 1960 Tsunamis. Lyman Museum and Mission House display artifacts from the early missionary and whaling periods.
Paia
Paia is a vibrant small town in Maui with a population of 2,285 as per the 2020 census and is one of the most beautiful towns in America. Alexander Baldwin founded the city in 1880 when he established a sugar plantation. However, the town prospered in 1905 when he built a sugar mill. Paia was divided into two: Upper Paia on Baldwin Avenue and Lower Paia on Hana Highway. Although a fire destroyed most Paia structures in 1930, the town retains its historic character with picturesque storefronts, unique boutiques, and rustic art galleries.
Paia has several historic sites, including Maui Dharma Center, which showcases the history of Tibetan Buddhism, and Paia Peace Stupa, which serves as its gateway. The Mantokuji Temple Mission of Paia is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple established in 1906. Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is also a few minutes from Paia and preserves the town’s rich sugar history.
Honokaa
Honokaa is a quaint small town on the Hamakua coast in Hawaii. It is home to generations of Hawaii natives and was once a sugar production town. Rickard started a sugarcane plantation in 1873, later becoming Honokaa Sugar Company after three years.
Today, the city mainly thrives in agriculture, tourism, and fishing. Honokaa's Mamane Street is a significant historic site showcasing Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese architecture. Most buildings feature imported wood frames, double walls, and post-and-beam construction. The most notable historic buildings include the Honokaa People's Theater, one of the few surviving buildings from the plantation era. The Ferreira Building is an example of single-wall Vernacular architecture common in Honokaa from 1890 to 1940. Honoka’a Public Library is a plantation-style building hosting a photocopy of the original ship logs that brought the Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii.
Waimea
Also known as Kamuela, Waimea is a small inland town south of Kohala in Hawaii, with a population of 10,969 based on the 2020 census. It has a rich cowboy history and is widely known for the Paniolos (Hawaiian Cowboys) of Mexican Origin. The town is the headquarters of the 175,000-acre Parker Ranch, with over 30,000 heads of cattle and 250 horses. The ranch is a center of cowboy culture, offering activities like rodeos, horseback riding, and hunting.
Isaacs Art Center and Gallery hosts inspiring Pacific art, including woodwork, oil paintings, and statues, while Paniolo Heritage Center in Pukalani Stables highlights the town's rich history. Camp Tarawa Memorial on the western side of Mamalahoa Highway is a significant reminder of the 2nd and the 5th Marine Divisions, who trained in Waimea during World War II.
Hanalei
Hanalei is a small town on Kauai North Shore with a unique old-world charm and a population of 408 people, as per the 2020 census. Native Hawaiians originally populated the town and mainly practiced farming in the 1700s. Hanalei was a thriving community due to the area's natural resources, including fertile soil and a rich marine life. European explorers arrived in the town in 1778 and brought new technologies and plants. Christian missionaries followed in the early 19th century who introduced Western education, Christianity, and new agricultural methods.
Hanalei has preserved its history and cultural heritage in sites like Hanalei Pier, a steel-reinforced finger pier in Hanalei Bay restored in the 1920s. Waioli Mission House highlights 19th-century education, 20th-century restoration, and 21st-century preservation.
Hanalei is one of the most picturesque towns in Hawaii, with many historic art galleries and vintage shops. The shops host unique made-Kauai arts and carvings from native Hawaiian wood. Hanalei has several historic buildings, including Wai’oli Hui’ia Church, which was initially built by Christian missionaries in 1837 and restored in 1921.
Kapaa
Kapaa is a vibrant coastal town in East Kauai with a population of 9,961 in the 2020 census and is one of the best small towns in Hawaii. It was a fishing village before becoming a sugar production hub in the mid-1800s. There were sugarcane, pineapple, and rice plantations throughout the town, with Chinese merchants dominating the commercial center. Unlike other towns, ordinary families, plantation owners, and field laborers lived together in a thriving community, leading to the establishment of the first churches, theaters, and courthouses.
During World War II, soldiers arrived by boats in Kapaa, prompting locals to open new shops to support the new population. However, there was a decline in the town's economy when the war ended and most plantations closed. Kapaa residents turned to tourism as their new source of livelihood. Today, the city blends unique history with modern charm and atmosphere.
The Kamokila Hawaiian Village above the Wailua River recreates the old Kapaa with several exhibitions from the old Polynesian customs. It holds cultural demonstrations of Hawaiian food, dance, and past activities. Kapaa has several historic sites, including Holoholoku Heiau, a sacred temple built in the 1300s, serving as a sacred place for human sacrifice to the gods. Hikinaakalu Heiau is one of Hawaii’s oldest Heiaus, originally built as a sacred place to worship the sun. The Lihue Civic Center Historic District in the town of Lihue is also only 10 miles from downtown Kapaa.
Travel Back In Time In The Aloha State
Hawaii is a top destination for vacationers and adventurous alike. However, it is also a hub for history buffs, with a wealth of small towns highlighting its rich history and cultural heritage in enchanting historic districts.
