Hanalei

 

Located between Princeville and Haena on Kauai’s epic North Shore, Vogue calls Hanalei “Kauai’s hippest town.” This idyllic setting is great combination of a funky, but chic beach town and a world class beach and bay. From your board floating in the middle of the Bay, the magnificent palm studded beachfront is framed by glorious green mountains covered in cascading waterfalls, much the same as it was when the first Polynesians paddled into it. The homes are ocean-centric and everything is walking distance to everything else. The community is intimate, but it's a gathering place for locals and visitors alike with a great surf chill vibe. Farmers market, shave ice, board swap, boutiques, shops and restaurants all make Hanalei a great hang. Don't miss the Hanalei Pier - great spot for sunsets, selfies and a leap (at high tide) into the Bay.

Hanalei’s real estate ranges from charming vintage cottages and postcard-prefect beachfront vacation homes - many of the beachfront lots are an acre in size which makes for a spacious big sky setting. Insofar as beach living is concerned Hanalei is pretty tough to beat.

 

• Iconic endless stretch of golden sand
• Hanalei Saturday Farmers Market
• Hanalei Pier
• World-class watersport setting<
• Great variety of food & umbrella drink settings
• Epic scenery
  
  

Hanalei is a small but eclectic community. Though many residents have moved here from other areas, there is also a strong sense of the local island-style culture. The town itself is often sleepy during the day, as locals disappear to the many private beaches or mesmerizing mountainsides. Hanalei Bay is renowned for its varied surf, and visitors and Kama’aina alike, big and small, can be found carving up the waves. One of the original stand-up paddling locales and now an incubator for foil surfing. The Hanalei & Namolokama Canoe Clubs (insert links) also call Hanalei Bay home and help perpetuate the art, culture and competition of the ancient sport of Hawaiian canoe paddling.

 

Hanalei’s small, delightful shops mix the chic and stylish with the offbeat and idiosyncratic. The full gamut of Hawaiian heritage is on display, from the spectacular tribal art at Haiviki to the vintage surf miscellanea at Yellowfish Trading Co. I Heart Hanalei is full of warm-weather fashion items, while The Barn 808 and Sand People are stocked with unique home decor items. Big Save Hanalei is a one-stop shop for all your groceries, and Hanalei Surf Company has all you need to enjoy the area’s world-famous surfing beaches.

The culinary scene is just as diverse, with Bar Acuda and Ama being the star attractions created by San Franciscan chef Jimmy Moffat. The Dolphin boasts Kauai’s freshest and largest seafood selection, with a sushi lounge and fish market. For more intimate fare try Postcards Cafe romantic setting. Kalypso Island Bar & Grill is the local sports bar with cocktails and casual food at its bamboo bar. The Tahiti Nui featured in the movie The Descendants is a great spot for Mai Tai's (translates to the "very best" in Tahitian), hula and local music.

There is also a wonderful food truck scene next to the iconic (and bustling) Hanalei Liquor Store, with delectable sandwiches and bowls at Fresh Bite Kauai, fantastic Mexican fare at Tropical Taco, and others serving everything from Hawaiian-style poke to authentic Asian dishes. Hanalei Bread Company is a local hotspot for baked goods and coffee. Akamai Juice is another local favorite, providing a delicious vitamin fix with drinks concocted from the island’s fruits. Locally-sourced produce can also be found at the don't miss-it Saturday’s Farmers Market, which is full of fresh exotic fruits, produce and local crafts and take-away food.

 

Hanalei’s centerpiece is the two-mile crescent Hanalei Beach--undoubtedly one of Hawaii’s most loved beaches. Waioli Beach Park fronts Hanalei Bay and is known as a world-class surf spot. This is the place where famous local brothers Bruce and Andy Irons first learned to surf. Oceanfront events include the Na Pali Challenge coastal canoe race and May Day by the Bay’s lively celebration of local culture.