Kapaʻa Community & Planning
Events, Nightlife, Accommodations & Insider Tips
Written by a Local Expert
Kalani MillerWhen the Sun Goes Down
First Saturday Art Walk: The Heartbeat of Community
On the first Saturday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m., Old Kapaʻa Town transforms. The First Saturday Art Walk, organized by volunteers from the Kapaa Business Association, brings about 100 local artisans to line the streets with paintings, pottery, woodcarvings, and handmade jewelry.
The main drag fills with food aromas from dozens of booths and trucks while live entertainment—mariachi bands, electric violinists, rock music—inspires spontaneous street dancing. Arrive early for parking and bring cash in small bills for vendors. Pro tip: use the extra parking at Restore Kauai on Lehua Street and walk to the festivities.
Don't miss ICKY LOVE Art Loft + Gallery in the Kapaa Quarry Industrial area. This gallery showcases rotating works from over 30 local Hawaii artists, with a mission to support women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ creators.
Art Walk Essentials
- When: First Saturday of every month, 5-9 p.m.
- Where: Old Kapaʻa Town main drag
- Parking: Arrive early or use Restore Kauai on Lehua Street
- Bring: Cash in small bills for vendors
Live Music and Local Spots
NaPali Brewing Co. serves as a community hub with handcrafted beers and regular live music that welcomes everyone. Mamahune's Tiki Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn offers classic tiki cocktails with panoramic ocean views in a retro-aloha setting.
For high-energy nights, Johnny's Wingz N Tingz delivers live music, karaoke, DJs, big-screen sports, and award-winning wings. Oasis on the Beach provides upscale oceanfront dining with live music and Hawaii Regional Cuisine made from fresh local ingredients.
🍺 NaPali Brewing Co.
Community hub with handcrafted beers and regular live music in a welcoming atmosphere.
🍹 Mamahune's Tiki Bar
Classic tiki cocktails with panoramic ocean views in a retro-aloha setting at the Hilton Garden Inn.
🎵 Johnny's Wingz N Tingz
High-energy spot with live music, karaoke, DJs, big-screen sports, and award-winning wings.
🌊 Oasis on the Beach
Upscale oceanfront dining with live music and Hawaii Regional Cuisine from fresh local ingredients.
ℹ️ Planning Tips
- Art Walk: 1st Sat 5-9pm
- Avoid Traffic: Use bypass
- Parking: Beach parks
- Cash: Bring small bills
🎨 Events
- First Saturday Art Walk
- Live music nights
- Farmers markets
- ICKY LOVE Gallery
Making Kapaʻa Your Base
Where to Rest Your Head
Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa offers luxury amenities including a spectacular pool complex with water slides and multiple hot tubs. Kauai Shores Hotel brings vibrant, retro-chic design with beachfront yoga and family-friendly atmosphere. The ISO provides modern, boutique experiences with oceanfront settings and complimentary morning yoga.
For budget-conscious travelers, Hotel Coral Reef delivers clean, comfortable accommodations with unbeatable direct oceanfront location.
Vacation rentals and condos dominate the accommodation landscape, offering more space and kitchen facilities. Properties like Kapaa Shore Resort, Kauai Kailani, and Plantation Hale Suites provide hundreds of options through sites like Zillow, HomeToGo, and local property management companies.
Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa
Luxury amenities with spectacular pool complex, water slides, and multiple hot tubs.
Kauai Shores Hotel
Vibrant, retro-chic design with beachfront yoga and family-friendly atmosphere.
The ISO
Modern, boutique experiences with oceanfront settings and complimentary morning yoga.
Hotel Coral Reef
Budget-friendly, clean, comfortable with unbeatable direct oceanfront location.
Beating the Traffic
The secret to enjoying Kapaʻa is timing. Avoid driving through town center from 7 to 9 a.m. southbound and 3 to 6 p.m. northbound. Use the Kapaa Bypass Road when simply passing through to the North Shore.
For exploring Old Town, park at the north entrance and walk in, or use public lots at Kapaʻa Beach Park or Kealia Beach, then walk or bike into town via the coastal path. This strategy turns the parking challenge into part of the adventure.
Traffic Tips
- Morning rush: Avoid 7-9 a.m. southbound through town
- Evening rush: Avoid 3-6 p.m. northbound through town
- Bypass option: Use Kapaa Bypass Road when passing through
- Parking strategy: Park at beach parks and walk/bike to town
Kapaʻa remains true to its name—"the solid one." This town has weathered economic shifts from sugar to pineapple to tourism while keeping its multicultural heart intact. The entrepreneurial spirit of immigrant families who left plantation fields to build their own businesses lives on in every food truck, family shop, and community gathering. To really know Kapaʻa, you have to slow down and listen. Park the car, rent a bike, taste the food that carries generations of stories, and feel the community spirit that comes alive when neighbors gather. This isn't just a charming town—it's the authentic, resilient heartbeat of Kauai's East Side.