11 Picture-Perfect Hawaii Towns That Capture The True Spirit Of The Islands, According To Reddit

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As one of the most iconic vacation destinations in the U.S., it's understandable why basically every traveler has the urge to visit the beautiful land of Hawaii. There are six main islands in this state that welcome millions of visitors every year, and scattered across them are 163 flourishing communities. Of course, these places include well-known cities like Honolulu. However, Hawaii also has plenty of quaint towns that are home to a few thousand residents (or fewer) and lots of personality.

It's these sorts of destinations that really encapsulate the genuine spirit of the islands with their activities, food, and nature. Instead of getting stuck at all the biggest tourist traps in Hawaii, you could spend your trip getting to know the local culture by learning how to surf, wandering gorgeous tropical gardens, drinking regionally-made coffee, and even witnessing sea turtles protecting their nests before their eggs hatch.

The Islands team was curious to know the best places across Hawaii to explore these intriguing aspects of local culture. To figure it out, we carefully examined Reddit mega-threads of Hawaii town recommendations. Then, we conducted further research into each town on that same beloved forum website to decide which ones provided the most authentic local experiences. If you're eager to get a taste of the true Hawaii, you're going to want to stick around and hear about these mesmerizing towns we uncovered in our research.

While Hawaii is predominantly known for its vast nature, it also happens to be one of the best destinations in the U.S. for coffee lovers. You can find places to appreciate the caffeinated beverage all over the state, but one of the most incredible towns to dive into the Hawaiian coffee culture is Kailua-Kona. This area produces the world-famous Kona coffee, a brew known for its high price, as it's grown in volcanic soil at ideal, high-altitude conditions that allow them to get very high-quality beans. 

As expected, there are endless adorable cafes around town where you can indulge in a cup of the heavenly brew. Kona Coffee & Tea is a fantastic place to start, as it's owned by a local family and serves espresso from the nearby farms. You can take it a step further by joining a coffee tour to see where the drink is produced from start to finish. One person in r/BigIsland recommended, "Greenwell is our top recommendation for casual laid back tour feel where you get the sense of really being on a farm. Love watching the chickens chase insects. Hula Daddy for a nice tour with a little more luxury image and sense of coffee selection. Choose your location and elevation if you want that in your coffee orders."

Besides the coffee, the other amazing thing about staying in Kailua-Kona is that it's one of the best towns for visiting national parks in Hawaii. From here, you'll have access to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is two hours away by car. Along with closer natural attractions like the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, which is less than ten minutes from the town. 

With a population of just 239 people, Hanalei is one of the smallest towns in all of Hawaii. Despite its limited size, there is still a palpable energy running through the Kauai community, and it can be a very pleasant, low-key place to spend time as a visitor. Luckily, there are a handful of amazing places to stay. One individual in r/VisitingHawaii described, "Hanalei is a cute little town, very chill. Nice shops and farmers market. I'm glad you're considering Hanalei Colony Resort over an Airbnb, you'll have a better experience imo. Only negatives to note are that you'll be far from most of the rest of the island."

The accommodation that the Redditor mentions — Hanalei Colony Resort — is indeed a fantastic place to shack up for your vacation. It even won a Travel + Leisure World's Best Award in 2024. Another incredible option is the Hanalei Bay Resort, with one former guest raving in r/VisitingHawaii, "We stayed last summer. It's located on a hillside with views of Hanalei Bay and mountains in background. Stunning!"

In addition to having luxurious accommodations, Hanalei is big on surfing. This is actually one of the best places in the whole country for people to learn the sport. There are a bunch of reputable schools around town that can teach you how to get up on a surfboard, including Aloha Surfing School, Hanalei Surf School, and Hawaiian Surfing Adventures. 

As Hawaii's third most populous municipality with just over 48,000 residents, Hilo is definitely on the larger side. Even though it's bigger, there is still a somewhat intimate, cozy environment around this enchanting Big Island town. There are so many opportunities to become familiar with everyday life in Hawaii around Hilo. This makes it the ideal place to stay, offering the combo of convenience and Hawaiian culture.

Hilo is known for its amazing local farmers market (every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.), but the best times to go are Wednesdays and Saturdays when the market has the most vendors peddling their goods. At this bustling marketplace, there is a diverse array of merchants selling everything from handicrafts and flowers to art and delicious delicacies. One individual shared in r/VisitingHawaii, "The Hilo Farmers' Market is the best place for a wide assortment of tropical fruits, especially on Saturdays." It's the ideal place to try out Hawaiian food staples straight from the source, and you may even stumble across a one-of-a-kind souvenir you fall in love with. 

When you're done roaming the market for products, check out some of the state's legendary nature. Hilo is one of the easiest bases for reaching Volcanoes National Park. As one person in r/VisitingHawaii explained, "If you want to visit Volcano National Park, you'll want to stay in Hilo. The drive is around 30 to 40 mins from Hilo vs two hours drive from Kona." The stunning Liliuokalani Gardens is also located in downtown Hilo, the largest Edo ornamental garden outside of Japan. 

The adorable town of Paia on Maui's North Shore is the ultimate Hawaiian destination for appreciating all things ocean. The town has beautiful beaches (such as Baby Beach and Baldwin Cove,)and the waters are calm enough for young kids to enjoy the sea. Even more amazing, you have the opportunity to witness a miracle of nature when you visit Paia's beaches from the middle of April through November; this is when the sea turtles nest.

One Paia local recommends searching for the nesting turtles on the further shores of Baldwin Beach in r/MauiVisitors. They shared how they catch a glimpse of the little guys almost daily when cycling. However, the writer warns that tourists should stay at least 10 feet away from the turtles, stating that "they are an endangered species and should be given a wide berth."

When you're done soaking up the sunshine and seeing sea turtles on Paia's seashores, you have stuff to look forward to within the tiny town. As one person in r/MauiVisitors described, "Paia is a thriving, colorful, community of local galleries, restaurants, boutiques, yoga studios, etc. It's small — only a few blocks." One of the best things to do around here is the food, with many people giving special regard to Mama's Fish House. One Redditor said plainly in r/MauiVisitors, "It's expensive but it's amazing. Far from overrated. One of the best dining experiences I've ever had."

Haleiwa is one of the most underrated small towns in Hawaii and the perfect destination for surfing on Oahu's coast. The beaches here produce large enough waves for professional surfers to enjoy themselves out in the waters, and one person in r/surfing even gushed, "love haleiwa such an epic wave with an even more epic current." There are lots of opportunities for travelers to learn the art of surfing in Haleiwa as well, even if they're complete newbies. For instance, this Surf Lesson in Haleiwa excursion with Viator can accommodate anyone from solo travelers to families of four, and you'll be taught by expert surfers with over three decades of experience. 

There are plenty of activities around Haleiwa besides surfing, and many of them are adventures that take advantage of the surreal surroundings of Hawaii. Visitors can go horseback riding along the beach or set off on an adrenaline-pumping ATV excursion around the island, depending on their tastes. Someone in r/Oahu also proposed, "I recommend Haleiwa. Nice beaches good food (Food Trucks) and bakery (Ted's or Pupukea) If you enjoy hiking great locations. Beaches include Waimea Bay Pipeline and several locations on the North side."

You probably wouldn't expect to find a Wild West-feeling town in Hawaii, but that's exactly what you'll get on a trip to Makawao on the island of Maui. A commenter disclosed in r/MauiVisitors, "It's an old cowboy town. With a lot of history, also the drive getting to there is pleasant." The general vibe is reason enough for Makawao to be one of the top small U.S. towns for a summer getaway.

There are also plenty of artsy things to do in Makawao to keep you thoroughly entertained throughout your stay. Redditors are very enthusiastic about their favorite things to do around town, with one individual on the same post in r/MauVisitors saying, "I enjoyed the town. Komoda bakery was a hit for me as was hiking in the makawao forest reserve. You can plan it with other things. I went to Ho'okipa beach afterwards." Another poster specifically urged visitors to check out a unique shop called Makai Glass, where you can actually watch glassblowers creating their masterpieces in real time when the hot shop is open. 

A comprehensive Redditor summed up the beauty of visiting Keauhou in a few sentences on r/VisitingHawaii, writing, "The "town" is only about half-a-mile long. And the area tourists care about is quite small. Everything is easily walkable — and mostly flat. There's night manta snorkeling at Keauhou Bay, day snorkeling trips to Kealakekua Bay, and a fishing charter boat which means "lines-in" as soon as you leave the harbor. Keauhou has a few inexpensive restaurants, a pub, a KTA grocery and Long's Drugs (CVS) all in one shopping center, which is an easy walk from all the resorts and timeshares. I like it so much here that I moved just down the road." They're definitely correct about snorkeling being a primary activity around the town. Out of all the amazing places to snorkel in Hawaii, the peaceful waters around the town of Keauhou on the Kona Coast are up there with the best.

As the local on Reddit explained, the outdoor adventures don't stop once the night falls upon Keauhou either. On the contrary, one of the most popular things to do around the area is go swimming with manta rays in the darkness of the evening. This Guided Manta Rays Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor (with Viator) takes you out to see the sea creatures in an ethical way that doesn't harm them and even promises you another tour if you don't come across any manta rays while you're in the water. 

The Oahu town of Kaneohe is a playground of untouched natural wonders waiting to be explored. The main attraction is the gigantic 400-acre Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, which features a tropical plant collection from Sri Lanka to Polynesia. In addition to this enchanting garden, Kaneohe offers plenty of other outdoor activities, such as the short hiking trail to Likeke Falls and the kayak rentals at Heʻeia State Park.

As well as being one of the most breathtaking places to visit in the area, Kaneohe also happens to be located on one of the cheapest islands you can visit in Hawaii. That affordability extends to the town. One person advised in r/MovingtoHawaii, "In general Kaneohe is great, a bit more affordable than Kailua too. I'd say the downside is that there isn't really a quaint "downtown" area of Kaneohe." 

While it doesn't have a true downtown environment as the commenter explains, there are still plenty of spots to eat mouthwatering food around Kaneohe after a long day of appreciating nature. One person in r/VisitingHawaii suggested an eclectic mix of Kaneohe restaurants, including "Kāne'ohe Pancake House, Masa and Joyce, Kāne'ohe Dim Sum Station, El Mariachi/Javi's, Sikdorak II, Whiskey Smoke 808, Kizuna's." For breakfast, another traveler on the same post urged that Cinnamon's restaurant is well worth venturing a bit outside of the way to the next town over, Kailua. 

The tranquil town of Hāwī in North Kohala is the perfect place to rent a car in Hawaii (keep coins handy!) and set off on gorgeous drives weaving throughout the region. One of the most well-known scenic drives in the area is along Kohala Mountain Road, which takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire state, high praise given the epic Hawaiian topography. The journey spans just 19 miles, but within that space there is so much raw beauty to witness and plenty of pull-offs to take in the views or snap a few photos. As one person characterized it in r/VisitingHawaii, "The Kohala Mountain Road drive is spectacular. It will feel like you are in Northern California or Ireland, not Hawaii." 

Hāwī is also known for being the halfway point during the yearly IRONMAN World Championship, so that's an event to keep in mind if you're planning on visiting in October. Outside this window of time, there are still lots of things to do around the town. You can peruse the community's boutique shops, cute little art galleries, and a wealth of yummy eateries that are bound to keep you satisfied throughout your vacation. A local advocated for dining with Kohala Grown specifically, stating in r/Hawaii, "I definitely recommend Kohala Grown. Great food and they source a lot of their ingredients locally. Their roast Beef and Rosemary chicken are delicious!"

Right on Hawaii's Hamakua Coast, Laupāhoehoe is a picturesque town that features a perfect mix of interesting cultural sites and opportunities for adventure that you won't find at home. One of the area's under-the-radar attractions, where you can appreciate the state's emblematic nature without as many overwhelming crowds, is Laupāhoehoe Point. A Redditor in r/VisitingHawaii admitted, "Laupāhoehoe Point was very dramatic with big waves crashing against black rock. We regretted not having more time to hang around there."

While swimming isn't necessarily recommended because the waves can be rather rough, it's possible to catch a rush in other ways when you're spending time in Laupāhoehoe. For instance, you can go zip-lining down the coast past wildlife, volcanoes, and waterfalls from this area. There are a number of more chill ways to dive into the local culture when you need a break from all the intense activities, such as wandering around the Laupāhoehoe Train Museum and introducing yourself to the rescued animals of the town's Magical Creatures Sanctuary. 

Anyone who decides on the fun little Kauai township of Koloa as the setting for their dreamy Hawaii trip will be spoiled for choice when it comes to activities. There are so many exciting tours nearby that'll whisk you away on an escapade you'll never forget. Koloa is only about 15 minutes away from the meeting point for the Na Pali Coast Super Raft and Snorkeling Trip (with Viator), or you can take in the region from above by strapping into this Private Doors-Off Kauai Helicopter Ride.

With so many tours and experiences to choose from, Koloa can be a fantastic destination for solo travelers to meet friends in Hawaii. Even if you don't want to shell out the cash for a pricey organized tour, the town has access to plenty of lovely beaches that don't cost a dime to visit all day long, such as Poipu Beach Park. Once you've built up an appetite and thirst, get ready to become familiar with the town's breweries and restaurants. 

In Koloa, you'll find plenty of places to get a taste of what meals in Hawaii are like. While there are many culinary choices, one person in r/VisitingHawaii suggested Eating House, saying they "had my wedding and first anniversary dinners there. The view is amazing at sunset and the food is top knotch you really can't go wrong. It's owned by Roy Yamaguchi who is a world renowned chef." If you want to combine drinking Hawaii's best beverages with experiencing the local culture, you can also join an organized coffee or rum tour in town. Another individual shared in r/VisitingHawaii, "The Koloa rum & coffee tours are fun- Koloa rum does a free rum tasting if you don't wanna do a whole tour."

This list of top Hawaii towns was determined through a three-step process. First, we reviewed the official list of all the towns in Hawaii and their population size on the Hawaii Demographics website. Then, we consulted the opinions of real travelers and residents on Reddit and Quora mega threads about the best Hawaii towns to create this list of picturesque destinations.

We did a deep dive into official tourism websites and Reddit threads that were almost exclusively less than two years old to gather the most up-to-date information on the best things to see in and around each town. This helped us determine which destinations truly captured the spirit of Hawaii that travelers often hope to find. Finally, we used the detailed insights from these Redditors to develop a useful guide of things to do around each of these towns in Hawaii.