Best Neighboring Towns of Hawaii

Hawaii’s beautiful communities and neighboring towns offer heavenly places to visit that are a bit far from the main town. These  towns are a blend of culture and history.

Hawaii has faced many difficulties and still the city survived  and presents the enchanting views to the visitors. The neighboring towns of Hawaii are also worth visiting and you will really enjoy roaming around Lahaina, Hilo, Kailua, and Hanalei.

Some of the most beautiful neighboring Towns of Hawaii are listed in this article.

Best Neighboring Towns of Hawaii

Hanalei, Kauai

Hanalei is located at the center of the north shore of Kauai. It is the land of mountains and aqua water. It is a small town with breathtaking views. The Hanalei Bay is another beautiful place in the town that allows the visitors to swim and snorkel. It was previously used to trade sugar but now is open for tourists to enjoy the view,

Limahuli Garden is another lovely place to visit that offers the unique fauna and flora of the area that is preserved for the centuries. 

You can also visit Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge that contains a variety of migratory birds. As I like birds, I really enjoy these kinds of places. An interesting thing is that some parts of the famous movies like Jurassic Park and Descendants were filmed here, so children will be particularly interested in this place.

Lahaina, Maui

Lahaina was the capital of Hawaii in the past and it retains the town’s cultural heritage and also provides the modern touch of Hawaiian society. So, here you can find both history and modernism and enjoy both.

One of the greatest things about the town is its front street that is fully covered with the  banyan tree planted in 1873 that spreads over the area of two acres. It is a shady tree that is the main attraction for the tourists.

Moana Glass is an important art gallery that showcases the talent of the local people and also contains the cultural heritage. Annual art festivals are held in the town that attract people from various locations and enhance the vibrance of the town.

Lahaina Jodo Mission, with its Japanese-style pagoda, is also worth visiting.

Hilo, Big Island

Hilo is a lush green place because rain falls over the town throughout the year. It enhances the greenery and enchants the visitors. It is a land of botanical gardens, waterfalls and rainbows. You can enjoy the bright rainbows on sunny days that are hard to find elsewhere.

Lyman Museum is a great place for history lovers that is full of the local artifacts and depicts the true picture of the past of Hawaii. The Tsunami Museum is also a good place to visit to see the impact of Tsunami on Hawaii.

If you are fond of Hawaiian dance then the Merrie Monarch Festival is highly recommended. It offers the big hula competitions and people around the world participate in it. 

You can find fresh food from the local farmers market of the Hilo and also roam around the Tropical Botanical Garden to see the tropical plants.

Kailua, Oahu

Kailua, Oahu, is one of the best places in Oahu and is located only 30 minutes away from Honolulu. It is one of my favorite places because there are various fun things to do at its beautiful beaches, islands, hiking spots, lush mountains, busy markets, local breweries, and multiple shopping spots.

If you are planning to go to Oahu, must visit Kailua and keep this carefully curated list of activities with you for a fun filled time.

Lanikai Beach is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful snorkeling spots! You can peacefully swim in the serene, turquoise water and see a lot of corals, tropical fish and other sea creatures.

Another interesting activity at Kailua is a 1.3-mile hike at Lanikai Pillbox Trail. Trail starts near the Lanikai Beach and you will get the superb panoramic views of the Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Ko’olau Mountains, and Mokulua Islands.

There is an awesome chocolate bar company in Kailua (Mānoa Chocolate Factory) and I came to know about it from a local friend. The company allows you to taste its chocolates freely and believe me this is an ultimate fun!

There are a lot of shopping opportunities in Kailua, you will find various shops downtown and near Grace in Growlers. Whether you are looking for jewelry, souvenirs, trendy clothes etc. you can easily find them in the local markets.

Waimanalo, Oahu

It is one of the hidden gems of Hawaii and a very ignored place by the visitors. However, those who visit this place really enjoy its beauty. The beaches here are not very crowded so nature’s true experience of serene water and golden sand can be found here.

It is a chief fishing site and fresh fish can be easily found here that is very tasty. Local life of the town, handicrafts, and organic food, can be spotted in the farmers market.

Makapu’u Point is the main attraction of the town that looks like a lighthouse and presents the greatest view of Oahu’s southeastern coastline. Although it is located just 10 minutes away from the main city, it is a much calmer place and offers tranquility and peace.

Experience Hawaii’s Hidden Gems

The modest communities of Hawaii offer something other than charming views. They present guests a genuine feeling of local culture and a break from the hustle of routine life. Here, you will encounter a welcoming community along with the natural beauty and delicious cuisine. They are the sort of spots that welcome you to relish each experience, reconnect with nature, and embrace the mood of island life.

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