What to do in Hanalei
Hanalei is a very interesting and fun place to visit. Almost everything that you can do in the other districts of Kauai, you can do in Hanalei. Although other places in Kauai are easily accessible from Hanalei, especially with a rental car, you would not want, and you would not need to leave Hanalei. All the activities that you can think of doing, you can surely do within the district of Hanalei. So what exactly can you do while in Hanalei? Read on.
Visit the beaches
Of course, a visit to Hawaii wouldn't be complete without having felt the sand of its scenic beaches in between your toes. You have probably heard that Hanalei is home to one of the best beaches in the world—the Hanalei Bay. The Hanalei Bay has recently been placed on top of Dr. Beach's list of the best beaches. The ranking was based on over 50 criteria on climate, water condition, and overall environment and ecosystem. So if it’s beach fun that you’re after, one of the best places to be in Kauai is Hanalei Bay.
So what can you do in Hanalei? From a simple romantic stroll along the peaceful beach line, to more adventurous water activities like surfing and snorkeling, Hanalei Bay offers a lot of distractions and activities for visitors. Other beaches that you can visit are the Kee Beach, Black Pot Beach Park, Lumahai Beach and Waioli Beach Park. Most of these beaches have been featured on TV and in the movies. Once in Hanalei, expect an endless treat from the sight of beautiful coastlines, green vegetation on the mountain peaks, and the engulfing horizon of the Pacific Ocean. The beaches in Hanalei are also perfect for lounging around and taking it easy. They are the best places to have a leisurely rest and to just be secluded from the rest of the world, at least for a while.
Explore the local nature and culture
As colorful and as beautiful as the natural surroundings of Kauai is its local culture and history, and you can find a lot if it in Hanalei and surrounding districts.Hanalei has several places where you can see the local culture and history of Hanalei. Hanalei has several places where you can see the local culture and history of Hanalei - from the ancient times, to the arrival of the first Europeans, and to its present state.
For some ancient history, you can visit the Ka Ulu o Laka Heiau where you can find the ancient temple dedicated to Laka, the Hawaiian goddess of hula. You can see the altars, and you can also catch the hula dance that is still being performed there to this day. You can take the guided tour to learn more about the local folklore and legends surrounding the temple, and generally, about ancient Hawaiian religion.
Speaking of things of the past, two of the most historic places in Kauai are found in Hanalei. These are the Waioli Mission House that was constructed in 1837 and the Waioli Huaii Church founded in 1834. Being two of the earliest buildings erected by European settlers, both buildings are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, both buildings are being preserved and renovated to recapture their original look and appearance. So if you want to see how Hanalei was during those periods, you can visit these two historic landmarks.
Then to see local art and culture, one can go to the Hanalei Galleries in the town of Hanalei. There you can find artworks by local artists, including wooden sculptures, handmade jewelries, and other trinkets that are made by locals. Aside from that, you can also visit different establishments that offer local cuisines for a taste Hawaiian food as prepared by Hawaiians. It is also a great place to shop for souvenirs and beachwear.
To see the local landscape, there are three places you should not miss visiting. First, you can go to the Hanalei Taro Farm to see how taro is grown, and even to taste poi, the staple Hawaiian food, and an essential component of every authentic luau. Then to see local wildlife, and even observe endangered species in the wild, drive yourself to the Limahuli Gardens where you can see plants labeled for identification, and see wild birds and other animals native to Hawaii. You can also hike up the trail to the overlooking point for a sweeping view of the gardens and the local landscape. The gardens are designated as a National Tropical Botanical Garden, so you can see nature at its preserved and pristine state.
Golf
Hawaii is also known to be a golfing paradise. Hanalei contributes to that by having two renowned and awarded golf courses in its vicinity. These golf courses are managed by the Princeville Resort. These are the Prince Golf Course and the Makai Golf Course. Both courses have been recognized by golf publications like Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as being included in the list of best golf courses in Hawaii and the US. These courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and they feature a challenging course design combined with the natural scenes of the area. Not only will your golfing skills be tested, you would also be treated with a nice view of the surrounding beauty of Hanalei. And these are the reasons why some PGA events were held in these golf courses, and why any golfing aficionado should visit these two golf courses.
Air tours
Though not unique to Hanalei itself, another popular activity in Kauai is to ride a plane or helicopter to get an aerial view of the island. Nothing can quite describe the experience of seeing the island from above. Nothing describes the experience better than the word "memorable". It is a unique experience that can’t be compared to anything else. From up there, you would get a good idea on why Kauai is called the Garden Island. To get an air tour, most of the services can be found in Lihue Airport. It is from there that you can ask around for air tour services. You can also ask the hotel, resort, or inn that you’re staying in for more information. Sometimes, they can also arrange this tour for you.
What to do is not the problem
How to spend your time would not be a problem when you are in Hanalei. With all of these interesting things to do, even a week’s vacation is not enough to fully experience all that Hanalei has to offer. If you want to just lounge, relax, and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, then let the beaches take care of you. If you want to learn about the local culture and history, just get into a vehicle and start driving to the different historic and cultural locations in Hanalei. For wildlife and nature, feast your eyes on the farms, gardens, and lookout points found in Hanalei. And for shopping and dining, the town of Hanalei has several establishments that can offer you a lot of the local flavor when it comes to food, clothes, art, and souvenirs. So the issue is not about what things to do there, it’s more about whether you’ll have enough time, energy, and resources to experience, explore, and enjoy the interesting things, fun activities, and captivating sights that can only be found in Hanalei. When going to Hanalei, better plan your trip well, and stay for a while, surely you’ll have one of the best times of your life.