Kapaa and Wailua

Old Town Kapaa was once a plantation town, which is no surprise—most of the larger towns on Kauai once were. Old Town Kapaa is made up of a collection of wooden-front shops, some built by plantation workers and still run by their progeny today. Kapaa houses the two biggest grocery stores on the island, side by side: Foodland and Safeway. It also offers plenty of dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and gift shopping. If the timing is right, plan to cruise the town on the first Saturday evening of each month when the bands are playing and the town’s wares are on display. To the south, Wailua comprises a few restaurants and shops, a few mid-range resorts along the coastline, and a housing community mauka. Following extensive flooding in early 2018, areas along the Wailua River, including the state park, are undergoing repairs. Please check before visiting to make sure places are open.