Coastal beauty and plentiful amenities in Kauai County’s largest city
On Kauai’s ‘Coconut Coast,’ Kapaa is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle, thanks to its natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities and a lively, historic downtown. There are no skyscrapers to ruin the views of the Pacific Ocean or Nounou Mountain, known locally as the ‘Sleeping Giant.’ The island’s largest city, Kapaa, has a diverse cultural mix and over 10,000 year-round residents, according to 2020 Census data. “As you head out of quieter Anahola into Kapaa, you’ll see more activity. There’s a bunch of places to eat and grocery shop, and you can enjoy farmers markets on different days of the week,” says Mark Goodman, a Realtor with Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty and Kauai resident. “There’s a lot of outdoor activity in the Kapaa valleys, and locals love the hiking trails that go all throughout the Sleeping Giant Mountain. And there’s a 15-mile bike trail that follows the coastline.”
Downtown Kapaa and Kuhio Highway aerial view
Kapaa Beach coastline view
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Kapaa New Town Park, the Wailua River and the Kauai Hindu Monastery
Kapaa New Town Park has baseball fields, a football field and a basketball court, as well as tennis and pickleball courts at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex. The city has several white-sand beaches, including Kealia Beach, which is popular for bodyboarding and surfing. Kapaa Beach Park is a favorite for sunbathing, but swimming can be tricky due to strong currents. It’s also where the International Tahitian Dance Competition, a celebration of traditional Tahitian culture, is held each summer. Kayaking down the Wailua River allows people to see sacred ceremonial sites without disturbing them. The Ke Ala Hele Makale is a paved multi-use trail along Kapaa’s coastline. The Sleeping Giant Mountain has hiking trails that lead to stunning views at the top.
The Kauai Hindu Monastery’s grounds cover over 350 acres with gardens and streams at the base of an extinct volcano. The monastery offers self-guided tours of a massive Banyan tree, a religious statuary and the Kadavul Temple. Kapaa First Hawaiian Church was founded in 1836 when Queen Deborah Kapule converted to Christianity and built a grass hut for worship at the mouth of the sacred Wailua River.
Old Kapaa Town, art walks and farmers’ markets
Dining in Kapaa lets residents choose from mom-and-pop poke shops, upscale seafood restaurants and diverse international fare. Old Kappa Town is a lovingly maintained part of downtown with specialty stores, eclectic restaurants, entertainment options and groves of ancient coconut trees. Art galleries stay open late for downtown’s First Saturday Art Walk each month. The event features food vendors, live music and local performers. Four farmers’ markets are around town, showcasing local produce, artworks and flowers.
Waipouli has a wide range of shopping centers five miles south of Kapaa. Kinipopo Shopping Village is a small open-air mall with local retailers, restaurants and bakeries. Coconut Marketplace is arranged around a central stage where hula dance and ukelele classes are held throughout the week. In addition to clothing, eateries and locally made goods, the marketplace also has spas, pottery classes and a martial arts gym.
Island Craves exterior building photo
The town has a diverse mix of shops, offering everything from surf gear to unique souvenirs.
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The Kapaa Homes Community, new subdivisions and rising property values
Kapaa's most common housing options are single-family homes, including Hawaiian plantation-styles, and condominiums. Over 66% were built between 1970 and 1999, thanks to a boom set off in 1966 by the Kapaa Homes Community, the city’s first housing development. In March of 2024, the Kauai Council approved redeveloping the community to expand affordable housing options in the area. Other new developments are going up around the city as well. Property values rose by 3% over 2024, and homes sell for a median price of $925,000. Some outliers, like luxury homes at higher elevations, can sell for around $3 million.
multi-story single family home near ocean
yellow plantation style home with white fence
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The Hawaii State Department of Education and Kauai Community College
Public schools in Kapaa are part of the Kauai District of the Hawaii State Department of Education. The department has an A-minus rating from Niche. The Kauai District is known for its after-school activities, Hawaiian language immersion program and dual enrollment courses in conjunction with Kauai Community College. The community college offers two-year associate degrees and professional certificates across a variety of subjects.
bleachers and football field at Baptiste Sports Complex
Kapaa High School sign and main building
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Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, The Clinic at Kapaa and area industries
The island’s oldest medical center, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, provides Kapaa 24-hour emergency services, psychiatric care, physical therapy and more. The Wilcox Medical Center, Kauai Medical Clinic and The Clinic at Kapaa are also significant healthcare providers for the city. It’s no surprise then that healthcare is one of the city’s most significant industries, along with hospitality, retail and public administration.
Route 56, The Kauai Bus and Lihue Airport
Cars are a requirement to get around Kapaa. Route 56 is the city’s main roadway, leading north to Princeville and south to Lihue, two of Kauai’s commercial centers. The Kauai Bus operates throughout the island, with stops in Kapaa. Many of Hawaii’s islands don’t have significant sidewalk networks. Kapaa’s subdivisions are primarily without them. However, downtown has sidewalks and is accessible for those with and without mobility devices. Kauai’s only airfield, the Lihue Airport, is 10 miles south.
Clear skies, rising oceans and FBI crime data for the Coconut Coast
Kapaa is warm year-round, with mostly clear skies. It faces flooding risks from the rising ocean levels and occasional tsunamis. According to 2023 FBI crime data, violent crime rates in Kapaa are 27% below the national average, while property crimes are 29% higher.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
