A stroll through historic Hanapepe on Kauai’s west side is always a pleasant experience. There is so much to take in at “Kauai’s biggest little town.” The charm of yesteryear is alive in Hanapepe, which was once a bustling town filled with busy workers from the nearby sugar plantations and salt ponds and G.I.s stationed on the island during war times. Today the historic buildings are home to art galleries, book stores, local eateries and other creative merchants. On Thursdays, the town hosts a farmer’s market beginning at 3PM and Friday nights are Hanapepe Art Night which features local artists.
You can imagine the Aloha Theater was once the centerpiece of Hanapepe Town, showing classic movies to the local community and servicemen and women from the nearby base.
Hanapepe Town served as the inspiration for the town in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch movie.
In addition to the Lilo & Stitch mural on the Old Aloha Theater, someone has painted “film posters” of The Thorn Birds and Flight of the Intruder, both filmed in the Hanapepe area and elsewhere on Kauai
A number of shops, cafes, art galleries and bookshops can be found in Hanapepe, including the Talk Story Bookstore, the westernmost bookstore in the United States!
This mural can be found near the intersection of Ko Road and Hanapepe Road.
The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is a popular attraction in Hanapepe.
You can take a stroll along the Hanapepe River and get another view of the bridge.
Ko Road follows the Hanapepe River for a bit.
This simple abode has location, location, location. We certainly wouldn’t mind living on this piece of paradise next to Hanapepe Road.
