Hanapepe

Slow down and take a walk around friendly, historic Hanapepe. Here building fronts are reminiscent of the American West and more than 43 locations qualified to meet State or National Historic Register criteria. That's got to be close to the community's entire business district and then some.

Behind those charming frontier facades, there's a host of equally charming, independent and spunky business people bubbling with aloha. Stop for coffee, a haircut, an aloha shirt, a painting, pottery or a portrait. And once you're out of the car, take a walking tour of this teeny town. Many people start their walk at the swinging bridge on the east side of the business district, but you can begin your tour anywhere.

Hanapepe is a town that has held tenaciously to its roots. It looks just as it did when Asian immigrant entrepreneurs developed it over a century ago. Moviemakers love Hanapepe. Visit the merchants in the building that doubled for a hotel in Thornbirds. Walk the streets that doubled for the Filipino Olongapo City in Flight of the Intruder. The town was the backdrop for Disney's Lilo & Stitch animation and you see the historic buildings and architecture in many scenes.

Listen for footsteps of the ancients at nearby Salt Pond. Everywhere you turn, Hanapepe welcomes you across the centuries and in the tradition of aloha — with 'plenny talk story time.' Self-guided Historic Hanapepe Walking Tour maps are available from most Hanapepe merchants. Find a rack card at the Lihue airport for a free Historic Hanapepe Walking Tour map.