The One Small Town In Hawaii With More Historic Buildings Than Any Other
By Megan McDonald|Published October 03, 2022
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
Hawaii has a ton of fascinating history, including sacred sites, beautiful ruins, and stunning natural formations. This historic town in Hawaii is one of the most fun places to visit on Kauai! Old Koloa Town has been revamped and renovated into a series of charming shops on a tree-lined street downtown. The perfect place to spend the heat of the day, you’ll love this gorgeous peek into the past!
If you’re looking for a glimpse into Hawaii’s past, head on over to Kauai.
Old Kōloa Town is located in the town of Kōloa, on Kaua‘i’s south shore and near Po‘ipū Beach. This small town is filled with history, including Kōloa's first sugar mill.
The sugar mill was opened in 1835 and became the standard for all future sugar mills in the Hawaiian islands.
The famous Tree Tunnel leads you into Old Kōloa Town, and it’s a fitting welcome that is as charming as the town itself. It sets the scene with a little bit of Hawaiian magic as you enter the beautiful tree-lined community.
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The plantation buildings lining Kōloa Road have now been turned into a series of shops.
The majority of the buildings were built in the 1920s, except The Okumura Building, which was built in 1905. In fact, the Okumura Building is the only two-story building that is left from the original plantation.
The eleven historic buildings are worth examining in detail, and you can enjoy the food and wares each building now offers.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the famous July event, the week-long Kōloa Plantation Days Festival. All of Kōloa celebrates the heritage of this charming historic town in Hawaii each year, and it’s an amazing event worth attending.
While you’re visiting, the Kōloa Heritage Trail is a must-see.
The 10-mile trail stretches from the South Shore of Kauaʻi through Kōloa and Poʻipū. This 14-stop, self-guided tour takes you through the area’s most important cultural, historical, and geological sites.
If you have the chance to explore this old historic town in Hawaii, don’t miss out.
Whether you want to do a day of shopping or just stroll and enjoy the sites, there’s no better way than to visit Old Koloa Town. You’ll love every minute spent here!
Have you ever visited this historic town in Hawaii? What did you think? Did you find it charming, too? Let us know in the comments below!
