Meaning “crushed bay” in Hawaiian,
Hanapepe is a great little town that has a lot to offer. This town’s slogan is
the “Kauai’s Biggest Little”, and you’ll see it on their sign upon entering.
Hanapepe is located around 18 miles west of Lihue.
Hanapepe has a history of growing
rice in the 1800’s when the Chinese farmers moved to Hawaii. It turned into a
large economic center of Kauai after the early 1900’s and WWII.
The artist scene really thrives in
this town in Hawaii. You’ll find a very large concentration of artists
throughout the city, and if you’re lucky you may even be able to take a little
bit of Hawaiian street art home with you. You’ll find numerous bars and shops,
theaters, and even three skating rinks that you can enjoy for a more city-like
experience in Hawaii.
A don’t-miss in Hanapepe is the
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, leading across Hanapepe River. You’ll also find Salt
Pond Beach Park nearby if you want to take a dip or go on a picnic.