Each island in Hawaii has areas that are slow-paced and quiet as well as other busier areas that are more frequented by residents and visitors alike. The island of Kauai – known as the Garden Island – offers many opportunities to take in some true peace and calm. Still, because so many vacationers book their Hawaii rentals with a hope for tropical tranquility in mind, how do you know that the solace you seek won’t be inundated with a ton of travelers? Is there a road less travelled?
While Kauai’s ‘hidden’ gems have been often publicized over the years, the little town of Kilauea on Kauai’s north shore seems to have stayed immune from the downside of mass marketing. You may not be the only visitor there but somehow this small town maintains a certain quaint feeling even in peak tourism times. It may be that its main hub (a mere city block of buildings and a post office) is situated just far enough off the highway as to avoid swarms of crowds. Maybe its lack of any access to beaches from the heart of town keeps droves of touring beach goers to a minimum.
However, its not as though travelers don’t come there. The town is most famous for the Kilauea Lighthouse and Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge, which draws tens of thousands of visitors every year. With so many passing through Kilauea town, it is a wonder how it keeps its small town charm. Whatever the reason, Kilauea makes for a mellow place to get a feel for the community on Kauai’s northernmost shore, sample local food and peruse unique shops (no chain retail stores here).
Easily accessible from many Kauai vacation rentals located around the north shore, Kilauea is a perfect spot to come for a quick morning treat. Or you can make it a destination for the day, spending time at the Lighthouse, the farmer’s market and enjoying a meal there. No matter how long you stay, make sure you park the car and walk around this fun but small town. Here’s a brief overview of this island-style village.
There are two main clusters of buildings in Kilauea – Kong Lung Center on the right side as you’re heading north on Kilauea Lighthouse Road and the ‘Stone Buildings’ on the left hand side.
In the Stone Buildings you’ll find Healthy Hut, a natural foods store, featuring a huge array of natural and organic products and produce. Next door is Kilauea Video and Ice Cream where you can rent DVDs to take back to your rental and grab a cone of gourmet ice cream. There are several boutiques featuring original gifts and clothing here – Oskars KTown Underground and Nest. The ever-popular Kilauea Fish Market is also located here, where you can purchase fresh fish and seafood to take home and cook yourself or you can order from a selection of wraps, fish plates and salads featuring local ingredients.
Wander across the expansive lawn from the Stone Buildings to Kong Lung Center. Here, the Kong Lung store features fine home accessories and gifts, often with an Asian flare. The Banana Patch Studio highlights local artisans pottery and custom tiles. The Lighthouse Bistro has a cocktail bar and dining as well as live music most every night. Step into the courtyard-like enclosure at Kong Lung and sit at outdoor tables in front of a Kilauea mainstay – Kilauea Bakery/Pau Hana Pizza. This bakery provides fresh coffee and baked goods to both locals and visitors in the morning hours and at night it offers soups, salads and pizza. Island Soap and Candleworks resides next door to the Bakery, featuring handmade soaps and candles. Nearby Lotus Gallery sells ancient Asian statuary and jewelry.
The parking lot at Kong Lung extends and connects to Kilauea Town Market, which has a deli on the premises that makes sandwiches and offers the best hand-picked wine selection on the island. All of the ingredients for a gourmet picnic can be found in this funky general store with sophisticated taste.
Come to Kilauea for farmer’s markets on Saturdays at 11:30 am or Thursdays at 4:30 pm. You can enjoy meeting island farmers and sampling the cornucopia of delicious fruits and vegetables. A great way to soak in the sun, mix with the locals and learn about the exotic produce and flowers of the area. (Don’t forget to bring your own reusable bags.)
There are many small towns on Kauai, each with their own unique feeling and sense of aloha. When you’re ready to step out of the car and meander, Kilauea offers a special place worth experiencing.