I think this is where we are going to stay. I hear it is a laid back place that is very casual yet a beautiful area. Who has stayed in this area? Any suggestions or comments that would help plan our trip? There will be 6 of us in age group 40-50 years.

anyone been to Hanahei ?

We stayed in Princevile..but loved Hanalei. Laid back, casual is accurate.

It's and old hipppie town and is where Puff the Magic Dragon lives.

We stayed on POipu and on Hanalei and we loved Hanalei becuase it is much more scenic and green and tropical. I have stayed at Hanalei Bay Resort. The town of Hanalei is fun to walk around. Recommend Zelo's Beach HOuse for a nice casual dinner.

we loved it - didn't stay there but did poke around and had lunch/dinner a couple of times. yes, it is very laid back, 60's timewarp but that was ok with us (we're in your age bracket but upper end). Dolphin comes to mind as a fun restaurant, also a deli that is housed in an old school house and another place just across the street from it.

Zelo's is the place I remembered for dinner across from the old school house deli. Don't know if Charo's is still in business or not.

Hanalei is our favorite place. We enjoy renting kayaks and going for a relaxing ride down the Hanalei river.
A walk thru town is a must. Quaint shops and the locals are very friendly. The Dolphin is one of our favorite places. There was a neat gift shop next door. Zelo's is fun too! The entire area of Hanalei and Princeville is majestic. ENJOY!

If you want a slice of "local life" in Hanalei, be sure to visit the Hanalei Gourmet (in the old schoolhouse). Sit at the bar and listen to all the area gossip while you eat or drink (always fun), or have your meal outside in the front (no liquor served outside, however), and watch the world go by.

We love their Hanalei Waldorf Salad (fresh local greens, glazed walnuts, chunks of gorgonzola, chopped green apples...yum!), and their hamburgers don't skimp on the size of the burger, or the choice of fixin's (how about burger/pepper jack cheese/avocado, plus bacon??). Fish 'n chips aren't like anywhere else -- fresh caught, daily (ahi or ono or opah or...?).

They're open for lunch & dinner daily -- with live semi-Hawaiian music Sunday nights at about 7p.m.

No...I don't work for them, nor am I related to anyone there. Just love the place!