Haena Luxury Vacation Rentals and Villas

Popular Kauai neighborhoods

Anini | Haena | Hanalei | Kapaa | Kilauea | Lihue | Poipu | Princeville | Kukui’ula

North Kauai’s Heavenly Haena

Just down the hill from the exclusive resort area of Princeville, visitors
pass acres of scenic taro fields and cross a historic one-lane bridge to enter
Hanalei, a charming small town reminiscent of old Hawaii. Situated at the
northernmost end of Kauai’s Kuhio Highway, Hanalei and the neighboring region
of Haena are surrounded by lovely beaches and mountains with plentiful
waterfalls. Their lush, untouched beauty made them the ideal location for the
filming of scenes from movies such as South Pacific, King Kong, Jurassic Park,
and The Descendants.

Along with striking natural beauty, Hanalei is known for its quaint downtown,
featuring a variety of restaurants, shops, and art galleries with a laid-back
vibe. Visitors can begin their day in a morning session at
Yoga Hanalei, try an acai bowl
breakfast from
Hanalei Harvest Market, take a
stand-up paddleboard or kayak trip down the peaceful and picturesque Hanalei
River (through Kayak Hanalei), and then
linger over lunch at
Hanalei Bread Company</a >. After a stroll through unique galleries and boutiques like On the Road to
Hanalei and
Yellowfish Trading Company</a >, a mai tai at Tahiti Nui may be in
order, followed by a casual dinner at
The Hanalei Gourmet (also known
as Big Tim’s), delicious tapas at
Bar Acuda, or outstanding
sushi and seafood at
The Dolphin Restaurant.
On Saturday mornings, get a true glimpse of small-town Hawaii by stopping in
at the farmers’ market for locally-grown produce.

Head north from Hanalei towards Haena to find quiet, breathtaking beaches like
Bali Hai and Lumahai. Just past these two gems, visitors can pick up snacks
and beverages at Wainiha General Store, or drive just a little farther to find
Napali Art Gallery & Coffee House</a >, Opakapaka Grill and Bar,
and even some pampering at
Hanalei Day Spa. Tunnels Beach (known
for its excellent snorkeling) comes next, followed by Haena Beach Park (which
allows camping and has a lifeguard station and bathrooms), Maniniholo Dry
Cave, and
Limahuli Garden and Preserve
(which provides an opportunity to see endangered plants and birds native only
to north Kauai).

At the end of Kuhio Highway lies Haena State Park, the Waikanaloa and
Waikapale caves, and Ke’e Beach (a fantastic spot for snorkeling in the summer
when the ocean is calm). The
Kalalau Trail, an 11-mile hike along
the stunning Na Pali coast that draws visitors from all around the globe, also
begins here.

The north shore areas near Haena and Hanalei also host a number of notable
events throughout the year. The
Princeville Night Market</a >, which includes live music, local food vendors, and work by a variety of
local artists, takes place in Hanalei’s neighboring town every second Sunday,
and in the nearby town of Kilauea on the last Saturday of each month. Each
March, the nearby town of Anahola holds a
Prince Kuhio Day Celebration</a >, which involves live music, hula performances, food, and craft booths. The
annual
Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge,
named one of the top 100 open water swims in the country, takes place each
July.