Hanalei
🌺 Things to do
3 curated experiences
Hanalei Town Lunch & Stroll
Hanalei
Small plantation-era town on Hanalei Bay with taro-field views, galleries and casual lunch options; pairs well as a half-day stop with a Hanalei Bay beach visit.
Okolehao Trail
Hanalei
The Nā Ala Hele ridge trail climbs about 1,230 ft in 2.3 miles to Kaukaopua, with the best view there is of Hanalei Valley's taro fields and the bay. Go early before the heat and clouds, and skip it the day after rain: the red dirt turns steep and slippery, and there are landslide-prone cliff edges. Hunting is allowed in the area, so stay on the trail.
Hanalei Bay Sunrise & Kayaking
Hanalei
The most photographed beach in Hawaii — a perfect 2-mile crescent of golden sand backed by fluted Na Pali ridgelines, with Hanalei Pier (built 1892, rebuilt 2023) stretching into the bay as the iconic foreground. Calm and swimmable May–September; powerful north swells transform it into a serious surf break October–April. Kayak and paddleboard rental at Kayak Kauai in Hanalei town. Hanalei town itself has the island's most charming main street — surf shops, galleries, and excellent restaurants within walking distance of the beach.
🥾 Hikes
1 trails
🏨 Where to stay
1 vetted properties
🍽️ Where to eat
2 places our scouts eat
Hanalei Nourish
Hanalei
Hanalei Nourish (Hanalei, on Aku Rd) — don't miss it. Healthy, creative cuisine using local Kauai ingredients with a magnificent view of Hanalei Bay from the terrace. Smoothie bowls, fresh fish dishes, and the best açaí bowl on the island. The view alone is worth the detour.
Hanalei Poke
Hanalei
Hanalei Poke (Hanalei, on Aku Rd) — some of the freshest poke on Kauai, made daily with locally caught fish. Small shop, limited quantity. Arrive before noon or it sells out. Get the ahi shoyu and one daily special.
📅 Events
16 on the calendar
2026-01-03
Quadrantid meteor shower (peak)
The Quadrantids are one of the year's strongest meteor showers, with a brief, sharp peak in early January that can produce 40 or more meteors per hour under dark skies. Because Hawaiʻi has some of the clearest, darkest skies in the U.S., the islands are a superb place to watch. Look in the hours before dawn, away from town lights — a high-elevation spot or a dark leeward beach is ideal. No telescope needed; just let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes.
2026-02-21
2026 Waimea Town Celebration
2026-02-21
Na Heihei A Ola - Waimea Town Celebration Fun Run
2026-04-22
Lyrid meteor shower (peak)
The Lyrids are an annual April meteor shower, active for about a week and peaking around April 22 with roughly 15–20 fast, bright meteors per hour and the occasional fireball. From Hawaiʻi, the best viewing is after midnight into the pre-dawn hours, away from city lights. Find a dark, open sky — upcountry or a leeward shore — and give your eyes time to adjust.
2026-05-06
Eta Aquariid meteor shower (peak)
The Eta Aquariids are debris from Halley's Comet, peaking in early May. Hawaiʻi's low latitude makes it one of the best places in the United States to watch this shower — from the tropics it can deliver 40+ swift meteors per hour, many leaving glowing trains. Look toward the eastern sky in the hours before dawn from a dark location. A standout event for island stargazers.
2026-08-12
Perseid meteor shower (peak)
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year, peaking in mid-August with up to 60 bright, fast meteors per hour and frequent fireballs, all on warm summer nights. Debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, they are easy to enjoy from Hawaiʻi under dark skies. Watch after midnight, away from town lights, from a high-elevation site or a dark beach; no equipment needed.
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