Hanalei, Census-designated place in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States.
Hanalei is a settlement on the north shore of Kauai island, surrounded by mountains and positioned at the mouth of the Hanalei River. The land slopes from steep ridges down to a flat coastal plain where the river meets the ocean.
In the early 1900s, Chinese farmers transformed the coastal plain into rice fields, followed by Japanese and Filipino agricultural communities. This farming history shaped the local population and its relationship to the land for generations to come.
The name comes from Hawaiian and refers both to lei making and to the crescent shape of the bay that defines the shoreline. Visitors can experience this connection between language and geography while walking along the coast.
The area is relatively remote and takes time to reach from other parts of the island, so planning ahead is helpful for a visit. Visitors should explore the local roads and take note of natural features like the river and bays.
The area preserves several ancient Hawaiian fishponds and temples that document traditional island fishing and spiritual practices. These structures show how early Hawaiians used local resources and shaped their relationship with the environment.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
