Drive 15 miles west from our Kauai vacation rentals at Poipu Beach to Hanapape for Art Night every Friday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. It has been an island tradition for over 20 years. Also not to be missed is the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge which is a fun activity for all ages.
Watch our Kauai video above and see the charm that awaits you. This quaint community offers a glimpse into an era long gone with weathered storefronts that are now housing art galleries, antiques, gift shops, clothing stores, restaurants, books and a coffee bar.
Kauai Movie Trivia: Hanapepe was also the inspiration for the hometown in Disney’s Lilo and Stich and featured in the TV miniseries, The Thorn Birds.
There are more than fifteen galleries and stores that stay open late on Fridays including restaurants and food trucks. Many local artists set up kiosks to show their work and local performers play Hawaiian music in the streets.
Hanapepe Store Sampler.
Aloha Spice Company – Seasonings and rubs made on Kauai in small batches.
The Bright Side Gallery – Carefree fine art. Owned by Kate Enoka, a previous manager at Nihi Kai Villas.
Talk Story Bookstore – Western most bookstore in the USA. New, secondhand and out-of-print books.
Banana Patch Studio – Hawaiian ceramic tiles and art. Look for discounts in back room.
Taro Ko Factory – Taro, Potato and li hing mui Sweet Potato chips.
Keiki Kovers – Children’s clothing made on Kauai. One of a kind!
For a complete listing of stores and galleries, visit Hanapepe online.
Places to Eat in Hanapepe.
Food trucks and street vendors on Friday night offer everything from Thai to vegetarian Persian cuisine prepared by Harmonious Roots. You can also dine at the following restaurants.
KP (Kauai Pasta) Westside. Opening in January 2018 in Eleele Shopping Center, where The Grinds restaurant used to be, this will be the third location of the popular Kauai eatery.
Bobbie’s Hawaiian Restaurant. On Art Night there is usually a singer out front performing a selection of Hawaii songs, the outdoor grill is fired up and outside dining is available.
Hanapepe Cafe. Currently closed but Chef Helen sells her homemade soup outside. Opening in the same location soon will be Pasta Paraiso.
Japanese Grandma’s Cafe. Fresh Japanese cuisine and sushi bar. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Thursday through Monday.
Little Fish Coffee – Sandwiches, wraps, smoothies and coffee. Sometimes closed on Friday nights.
Midnight Bear Bakery. Fresh baked artisan breads, croissants and pastries. Stop by Friday night for hot pizza. Open daily except Sunday and Tuesday.
Popo’s Cookies. Homemade cookies from 14 original recipes. Located behind Little Fish Coffee.
Directions to Hanapepe: Located approximately 10 miles from downtown Koloa. Take Koloa road to Highway 50 and turn left heading towards Waimea Canyon. Follow the sign to “Kauai’s Biggest Little Town” on your right.
8 Responses
The step massage was amazing. Change your outlook on life amazing. This guy only asked for a hug and hand shake for payment. You can tip him if you would like.
We were in Hanapepe for art night about 18 months ago and discovered a gallery with lots of large sized/panorama photographs on metal (aluminum?), rather than photo paper. We cannot remember the name of the gallery. Can you provide the name and/or website? Many thanks.
Aloha Marc –
I think the artist you are trying to remember is Dan Harries who does abstract photography of Kauai. His work is exhibited at Amy-Lauren’s Gallery in Hanapepe. Their phone number is 808-335-2827. If it turns out that you are looking for someone else, please let us know and we can try another source for you. We hope to see you back again on Kauai!
Best Wishes,
JP and the Parrish Kauai team
We have visited Kaui every four years or so and in January 2014 we will be making our fifth visit. Hanapepe on a Friday night is high on our list of places to go to, we have always had fun there. So sorry that Helen has closed the Cafe, we had some great meals there, maybe this time it will be soup and pizza!
There is good news, Sam! Hanapepe Cafe has reopened every Friday night. Chef Helen is back. Same location but a smaller space. Glad to hear you enjoy Hanapepe Art Night. Aloha from Parrish Kauai
I’m sorry to say that the Hanapepe Cafe closed late last year. The owner made the decision due to health reasons.
Mahalo, Daniel. There may be good news ahead. The kitchen is still used by a vendor selling homemade pizza and bread in front. Half the building is now an art gallery and the other half carries the Hanapepe Cafe sign. It opened briefly as a restaurant several months ago and then closed. We’re waiting to hear more. In the meantime, the former owner (Helen) sells her soup at Little Fish Cafe in Hanapepe. Aloha from the Parrish Kauai team.
We recently visited Kauai, and leaving the Waimea Canyon, decided to spend some time in Hahapepe for the art event. on Jun 29th. It was a great way to experience the local flavor and enjoy the artistic creations and small-town shops of the area. We strolled through town, listened to live music, and ate a wonderful meal from one of the favored local eateries, and truly enjoyed the evening. In one shop, we purchased a copper humuhumanukanukapua’a fish by artist Gary Anthony and purchased a book about Kauai n the bookstore. We will remember it as a highlight of our trip. Thank you.