Lihue Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled on the eastern coast of the island of Kauai in Hawaii, Lihue is a charming census-designated place that offers a delightful mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventures. With its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and rich history, Lihue attracts travelers from all over the world.

Lihue is home to some of the most picturesque beaches in Hawaii. Hanamaulu Beach Park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, with its calm waters and golden sands providing the perfect setting for swimming, sunbathing, and beach picnics. For those seeking a more secluded escape, Wailua Beach is a hidden gem, surrounded by towering cliffs and swaying palm trees.

Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in Lihue. The iconic Wailua River, known as the only navigable river in Hawaii, offers kayaking and boat tours that take you through lush rainforests and past cascading waterfalls. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Opaekaa Falls, a majestic waterfall that plunges into a tropical valley, offering breathtaking views and great photo opportunities.

Lihue also boasts a rich cultural heritage. Immerse yourself in the local history by visiting the Kilohana Plantation, a restored historic estate that offers a glimpse into the island's sugar plantation era. Explore the grounds, take a train ride through the plantation, and indulge in a traditional Hawaiian feast at their luau.

For a taste of local cuisine, head to Lihue's vibrant food scene. From fresh seafood and traditional Hawaiian dishes to international flavors, the town offers a wide range of dining options. Don't miss the chance to try some authentic poi, a staple of Hawaiian cuisine, or indulge in a plate of loco moco, a delicious combination of rice, hamburger patty, and gravy.

Alternative names: Population: 6.5 thous.Area: 7.45 mi²Elevation: 187 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 21°58'19"N, 159°21'54"W

Location

HawaiiUnited States

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Lihue Top Attractions

Lihue Attractions - What to See and Explore

Lihue offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Kipu Falls, Kukui Heiau, Kauai Museum, Nawiliwili Beach Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Outdoor activities
Kipu Falls
Kīpū Falls is a waterfall in East Kauaʻi, Hawaii. Kīpū Falls has a dangerous reputation due to drowning deaths of five people in a five-year span, as well as numerous other injuries.
Archaeological site
Kukui Heiau
The Kukui Heiau, near Wailua, Hawaii, also known as 'A'A Kukui is a historic archeological site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Natural history museum • History museum • Museum
Kauai Museum
The Albert Spencer Wilcox Building is a historic building in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaii. Originally a library when it opened in 1924, it was later converted into the Kauaʻi Museum. It has exhibits on the history of the island of Kauaʻi.

Bay • Park
Nawiliwili Beach Park
Nawiliwili Beach Park is a beach park and port on the south-east coast of the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. It is located on Nāwiliwili Bay at 21°57′33″N 159°21′10″W, about 1.9 miles south of Līhuʻe. It is at the south end of Hawaii Route 51, known as Rice Street. Just to the west is Niumalu Beach Park.
21°57'40"N • 159°21'7"W
Kauai Beach Boys
Beach • Outdoor activities
Specialty museum • Museum • History museum
Grove Farm
Grove Farm is a historic agricultural site on Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands.
Church • Hanama`ulu Ahupua`a
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lihue is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaii in the United States. Located in Lihue on the island of Kauai, the church falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Honolulu and its bishop.
Shopping • Universities and schools
Kauaʻi Community College
Kauaʻi Community College is a public community college in Līhuʻe, Hawaiʻi and it is the only institution of higher learning on the island. It is part of the University of Hawaiʻi system and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
21°59'33"N • 159°19'55"W
Ahukini State Recreation Pier
Piers and boardwalks • Hanama`ulu Ahupua`a
21°58'46"N • 159°22'19"W
United States Post Office
The U.S. Post Office-Lihue, also known as Lihue Post Office, in Lihue, Hawaii, was built in 1939. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Neighbourhood • Kalapaki Ahupua`a
Kupolo
Kupolo is a populated place in south-east Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands.
21°58'37"N • 159°21'54"W
Lihue Public Library
Library • Kalapaki Ahupua`a

Day trips

Lihue – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Lihue, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Kilauea Light (Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge), Fern Grotto (Kauai), Waioli Mission District (Hanalei).

18 milesN
Gear rental, Outdoor activities, Lighthouse
Kilauea Light, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kīlauea Lighthouse is located on Kīlauea Point on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi in the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
4.6 miN
Natural attraction, Cave, Park
Fern Grotto, Kauai
Fern Grotto is a fern covered, lava rock grotto located on the south fork of the Wailua River, which is on the eastern side of Kauai in the Hawaiian archipelago. Several boat companies give river tours which lead to the grotto.
18 milesNW
Museum, History museum, Gothic Revival architecture
Waioli Mission District, Hanalei
The Waiʻoli Mission District at Hanalei Bay, on Route 560 along the north shore of the island of Kauaʻi, is the site of a historic mission. The first permanent missionaries to the area arrived in 1834, and the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
6.7 miSW
Natural attraction, Park, Trail
Makauwahi Cave, Koloa
The Makauwahi Cave is the largest limestone cave found in Hawaii. It lies on the south coast of the island of Kauaʻi, in the Māhāʻulepū Valley close to Māhāʻulepū Beach, and is important for its paleoecological and archaeological values.
21 milesNW
Natural attraction, Waterfall, Park
Hanakapiai Falls, Kauai
Hanakapiai Falls or Hanakapi'ai Falls is an approximately 300 feet high waterfall located in Hawaii, United States on the Na Pali side of the island of Kauai. It requires a hike of approximately 2 miles from Hanakapi'ai Beach. The waterfall is described as "gorgeous but challenging".