Kapaa

 

Midway along Kauai’s east coast lies Kapaa--a bustling town with a lot to offer. Kapaa is Kauai’s largest community and consequently has the island’s widest selection of shops and restaurants. Kapaa is nestled at the base of the Nounou “Sleeping Giant” mountain, with captivating views and wide-ranging outdoor activities.

Real estate includes oceanfront vacation rental condos, inland single-family homes, and spacious, large acreage plantation-style properties. Kapaa’s homes are typically designed to maximize the wonderful views and island paradise feeling with open verandas and outdoor relaxation space.

 

• Major commercial hub
• Excellent restaurants
• Exciting events
• 8-mile Bike Path
• Numerous beach access
  
  

Kapaa’s population is diverse. Descendants of the island’s original inhabitants still fish off the ocean’s reefs, while many more trace their heritage to other countries through the international workforce recruited by the Makee Sugar Company in the late 19th century. 40% of Kapaa’s approximately 10,700 residents are living with children under the age of 18, while 20% of residents live alone. The varied and diverse demographics give Kapaa a wonderfully inviting energy. Kapa'a is often mentioned as one of America's Best Small Towns.

 

Kapaa is one of Kauai’s main hubs of retail and restaurants. The eclectic dining choices include excellent farm-to-fork produce and fresh seafood at The Local, tremendous fish tacos and burritos at Sleeping Giant Grill and Monico’s Taqueria, and craft beers and gourmet burgers at Street Burger.

Lava Lava Beach Club serves great Hawaiian food and mai tai's in a beachfront setting with live music, while JO2 is a repeat TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner, with chef Jean-Marie Josselin infusing French flare into creative takes on Japanese and Hawaiian-style seafood dishes.

For groceries, Papaya’s Natural Foods has a wide selection of local produce, along with a salad bar and café. There’s also a Safeway just a few blocks from the beachfront at the Kauai Village Shopping Center. Other shopping destinations include Coconut Marketplace, which has a wonderful selection of boutique shops plus live music and hula performances.

 

Residents and visitors have many events and festivals to look forward to. June’s long-running Taste of Hawaii features dozens of chefs tasked with creating the ultimate brunch. August’s Tahitian Festival is a lively celebration of island culture, with the centerpiece being the Heiva I Kauai International Tahitian dance contest. October’s Coconut Festival showcases cultural demonstrations, plentiful entertainment, and–of course–delicious coconut-based foodstuffs.

Kapaa is surrounded by great beaches. The white sands of Kealia Beach are a favorite among sunbathers, surfers, and body-boarders, while Kapaa Beach Parks is good for snorkeling, swimming, and kite surfing. Lae Nani is a peaceful beach with rock pools surrounded by resorts and vacation condos, and secluded Donkey Beach is the most spectacular spot in Kapaa to watch the sun rise. The Kappa Bike Path runs along the oceanfront, connecting many of the community’s beaches.