There is something beautifully nostalgic and tranquil about a small town in Hawaii – as though the town itself is urging visitors to slow down, relax, and take it all in. The cute boutiques, fantastic eateries, and stunning scenery found in these seven charming Hawaiian towns will have you wanting a simpler way of life. Without further ado, here are the best small towns in Hawaii everyone should visit ASAP:

1) Haleiwa, Oahu
Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
Kurt/Flickr
Voted as Hawaii’s favorite small town by Hawaii Magazine, Haleiwa seems like a world away from bustling Waikiki. The streets full of retailers, shave ice stands, restaurants, and surf shops serve as the gateway to infamous North Shore beaches and big waves during winter surf season.

Explore Haleiwa Beach in this relaxing 4K walkthrough:
2) Paia, Maui
Paia, HI 96779, USA
Tony Webster/Flickr
This beautiful surfing town in Hawaii is not only the epicenter of Maui’s north shore surf spots, and the gateway to the Road to Hana, but a hip place to explore – with a variety of boutiques, eateries, galleries, coffee shops, antique stores, and – of course – surf shops.
3) Hawi, Big Island
Hawi, HI 96719, USA
Blake Handley/Flickr
Two decades ago, a new generation of entrepreneurs and artists flocked to the former plantation village known as Hawi and, with the help of longtime residents, moved bookstores, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants into the town’s decaying storefronts.

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4) Lanai City, Lanai
Lanai City, HI 96763, USA
Terence Faircloth/Flickr
The only town on Lanai sits at 1,645 feet above sea level, boasting a population of just 3,200. The historic plantation village was built in 1924, and not much has changed since then, preserving the town’s original charm – but increasing the home prices, of course.
5) Hanalei, Kauai
Hanalei, HI, USA
Kevin Oliver/Flickr
With a small one-lane bridge leading into town, and an unusual mix of shopping and dining options, the very small town of Hanalei – approximately 0.8 square miles – is full of old-world charm. Fun fact: If you’re a musical junkie like me, you’ll love to know that scenes from the 1958 musical South Pacific were filmed in this town and at a neighboring beach.

Explore beautiful Hanalei Bay in this awe-inspiring walkthrough:
6) Lahaina, Maui
Lahaina, HI, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
Once a bustling whaling town, and the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii between 1820 and 1845, Lahaina is a beautifully scenic town with a ton of old-world architecture from the town’s plantation era.
7) Kaunakakai, Molokai
Kaunakakai, HI, USA
Kristina D.C. Hoeppner/Flickr
Kaunakakai, the largest town on the island, has a population of approximately 3,400 residents and was once the location for King Kamehameha V's royal summer residence. The port town was bustling back in the days of pineapple and sugar exports but has since calmed down tremendously.

There you have it! What towns would you say are the best small towns in Hawaii? We know we missed several, so please share your beautiful towns with us in the comments – and don’t forget to include photographs!

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More to Explore

Best Small Towns in Hawaii

Tori Jane | March 10, 2023
  1. What are some of the best small towns in Hawaii?

Hawaii is a stunningly beautiful state, as most everyone knows, but what lots of folks don’t know is that it’s also got plenty of places that have that small-town charm. Some of the best small towns in Hawaii include:  

  • Hana – This stunning little town is absolutely perfect for nature lovers!  
  • Naalehu – Home of the truly unique green(ish) sand beach known as Papakolea Green Sand Beach. Oh, and it’s close to a black sand beach too. Cool!  
  • Na'alehu – Literally the southernmost town in the United States with a working Post Office, this little town is home to some amazing shopping and dining, plus that classic Hawaiian beauty.  

 

Learn more about our favorite small towns in Hawaii.  

  1. Which small beach towns in Hawaii should I add to my bucket list? 

Speaking of small towns in Hawaii, what about small beach towns? Of course, this beautiful little paradise has plenty of those, and you’re sure to love them. Some of the best beach towns in Hawaii are:  

  • Hanalei – We're pretty sure this is the place everyone thinks about when they picture Hawaii.  
  • Haleiwa – This one is world-famous for its amazing surfing, and it’s so ridiculously beautiful that even locals can’t get enough of it.  
  • Koloa – Hoping to see something like a wild sea turtle in person? Lounge on the beaches of Koloa and see what you can see.  
  • Pa’ia - This small town is located right on the beaches of Maui, and it’s the perfect getaway destination.  

 

Learn more about all of these amazing beach towns in Hawaii, plus a lot more!   

  1. What are some fun things to do in Hawaii? 

There's so much to do, see, and experience in Hawaii that it might just take an entire lifetime to do it all. Some things are definitely more bucket-list worthy than others; some of the best things to do in Hawaii include:  

  • Pipiwai Trail – We're pretty sure this incredible hike through numerous unique landscapes, including a bamboo forest and a rainforest, might actually be heaven.  
  • The Glass Beach of Kauai – This beach is exactly what it sounds like (just not as sharp). It’s covered in tons of beautifully smooth sea glass in various colors. You need to see it to believe it!  
  • Kalapana Lava Flows – One of the few places on earth where you can safely watch lava pouring from the earth.  

 

Learn more about all of these amazing natural wonders in Hawaii, plus many more!   

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