James Pycha
Overview
Located in Kauai’s north shore is the beautiful and peaceful town of Hanalei. A relaxing retreat with a picturesque white sand beach, stunning verdant mountain scenery and excellent weather, Hanalei is a dream location for any type of nature lover. One can walk the entire length of the town in about half an hour, but it’ll take much more time than that to experience and savor everything this small town has to offer.At the foot of Hanalei’s misty green mountains you’ll also discover fields of taro (“kalo” in Hawaiian). These heart-shaped plants grow intensely green in flooded patches and are used to make poi, a Hawaiian staple starch that you can taste at any Kauai luau. You can get a good view of this emerald quilt of land from the Hanalei Valley Lookout. Note that these taro farms are on private property, so only step foot on them during an authorized farm tour.
Hanalei Homes for Sale, Condos and Vacation Rentals
Spacious homes amidst lush foliage or overlooking verdant valleys, or condo units with a majestic view of the pristine ocean are all available for those looking to purchase property here. Much of the residential real estate in Hanalei is built in the classic plantation style that blends easily with the landscape.
Must-sees
The heart of Hanalei Town features many historical buildings that have been converted into boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Travel back in time and know more about Kauai’s rich history at the Waioli Mission House. Drop by Hanalei’s art galleries and see some authentic art made in Kauai as well as carvings and sculptures created using rare and native Hawaiian wood. Satisfy your taste buds at one of the many restaurants – pizza, tapas, fresh fish, burritos, sushi – to name a few, are all available in the diverse assortment of restaurants at Hanalei. And then cap it all off by enjoying a ukulele concert at the Hanalei Community Center, a regular activity most residents and visitors enjoy.
Hanalei Bay
An absolute gem of a location for anyone who loves sun, sand, and surf, the nearly three-mile long crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay is considered one of Hawaii’s most scenic and pleasant beaches. Nestled beneath the majestic mountain ranges directly inland from the bay, just lounging around at the beach and taking in the gorgeous 360-degree view is already a pleasure in itself. Beachgoers can also partake of different activities as the crystal clear waters and sun-kissed sand are perfect for activities like swimming, surfing, body boarding, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, volleyball, fishing, and more. Walk to the end of the bay and you’ll come across a private cove. The historic Hanalei Pier was built in 1892 and has long been a favorite gathering place for local residents who go there to fish, swim and play music on Hanalei Bay. In 1957, the pier became world famous when Oscar Hammerstein II and 20th Century Fox featured the pier in the classic film, “South Pacific.” After a busy day of soaking up Hanalei Town’s history and charm, kick back, relax and watch a luminous sunset over Hanalei Bay.