7 Reasons to Stop in Kōloa on Kauaʻi
Don’t skip this little town on your next trip to the Garden Isle.
The quaint Kauaʻi town of Kōloa stretches from Old Kōloa Town all the way to Poʻipū on the island’s sunny south shore. It was the site of Hawaiʻi’s first commercial sugar mill, which opened in 1835, and its rich history is evident all around the small town. Walk around and see cute boutiques and art galleries occupying refurbished plantation buildings along Kōloa Road, or explore Kōloa Heritage Trail, which covers 14 cultural, historical and geological sites from Old Kōloa Town to Poʻipū.
Many visitors may drive right through Kōloa to Poʻipū and miss all this town has to offer. Here are a few things to do if you find yourself in Kōloa. (Lucky you!)
1. Eat an Açaí Bowl at Little Fish Coffee
An açaí bowl from Little Fish Coffee in Kōloa.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Right on Poʻipū Road, en route to the beach, is a charming roadside coffee shop, washed in teal with a welcoming lānai. Little Fish Coffee Kauaʻi serves organic, fair-trade coffee; smoothies using locally grown fruits and veggies; and a variety of bagels and house-made cream cheese spreads. But if you’re into açaí bowls—like I am—this is one of the best I’ve had on the island. The P.K. Bowl (above) is simply açaí topped with seasonal fruit, including local bananas. But other varieties include peanut butter, chocolate chips and coconut flakes. The Little Fish Bowl has your choice of Greek yogurt or poi topped with fruits, coconut flakes and coconut condensed milk. Opens early at 7:30 a.m.
2. Stay at Kōloa Landing Resort
The pools at Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū
The pools at Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū on Kauaʻi. Photo: Courtesy of Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū
Poʻipū is home to many of the island’s hotels and resorts. But Kōloa Landing Resort isn’t right on the beach—and that’s part of its charm. It’s nestled on 25 acres, the buildings and pools surrounded by lush foliage that makes you feel like you’re truly in a tropical paradise. The resort is within walking distance to Poʻipū Beach, but you may just want to stay here and enjoy its three pools, including a 350,000-gallon main pool voted Best Pool in America complete with waterslides, swim-through and walk-through waterfalls and multiple hot tubs. All rooms have private lānai, kitchenettes, washers and dryers in the unit; larger villas boast full kitchens and living and dining rooms. There’s really no reason to leave!
3. Visit Keiki Cove Beach
Poʻipū Beach is popular, and for good reason: this crescent-shaped beach boasts aquamarine waters, golden sands, even a playground. But 2 miles west is a smaller, less-crowded beach that’s great for families, especially with small keiki. The aptly named Keiki Cove is a very small cove with a shallow pool that’s protected by lava rocks and safe for kids. There are no lifeguards or amenities here, but you might get the whole place to yourself.
4. Eat a Kauaʻi Beef Burger from Kenji Burger
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Bored with your average burger? Kenji Burger, which has a location in Old Kōloa Town, is a major upgrade, serving 100% Kauaʻi beef and a slew of toppings including Japanese barbecue sauce, spiced tomato jam, Sriracha pineapple slaw, Japanese mushrooms and caramelized onions. There are meatless options and sandwiches, too. Another popular item are its sushi burritos, filled with soft shell crab, lobster, ʻahi and more. Fries get an upgrade, too, with Japanese seasonings.
5. Shop at Warehouse 3540
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On Kōloa Road Warehouse 3540 is a marketplace for Kauaʻi creatives, makers and entrepreneurs. It opened in 2015 in a former pineapple canning factory—a nod to Kōloa’s agricultural roots. This open-air market houses more than a dozen locally owned small business, selling everything from jewelry to soaps. The coffee trailer, Kind Coffee Co., is a popular stop, and there are food trucks outside, too, serving shave ice, cocktails and elevated Mexican fare.
6. Enjoy Craft Beers at Mucho Aloha Brewery
Located in historic Kōloa Town, Mucho Aloha Brewery offers more than just craft beers. (And those are worth stopping by for!) The pub serves Baja-Mexi-style food like tablitas, Barbacoa tacos and smash burgers. Sit back and relax on the outdoor lānai—it’ll feel like a true vacation.
7. Get a Shave Ice at The Fresh Shave
Shave ice from The Fresh Shave on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Situated inside the former Kōloa Hotel, The Fresh Shave serves all-natural shave ice—a healthier alternative to the sugary-sweet version you can find all over the Islands. You won’t find high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colorings here. Just finely shaved ice saturated with natural syrups in flavors like chia tea and cream, pineapple and coconut, strawberry and banana, and cold-brew coffee and cream.
