Old Koloa Town
Koloa Road, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii
If you want to see what life was like, or at least how the architecture looked, on Kauai in the 19th century, Old Koloa Town is the place to go. Established in 1835, this former plantation town features a long thoroughfare lined with red-painted buildings occupied by gift shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
While the old-style plantation architecture alone is worth seeing, many people visit Old Koloa Town to browse its cute boutiques and art galleries. There are a few other local attractions, too. The most noteworthy is the Old Koloa Jodo Mission, a historic Japanese temple built in 1909 on the eastern end of the main thoroughfare.
Old Koloa Town is a must-visit for travelers interested in shopping or browsing art galleries.
The shops in the town are generally wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly.
Area restaurants are casual and don’t usually have a dress code or require reservations.
Old Koloa Town is about 20 minutes from Lihue along the Kamaulii Highway (Highway 50). It is best accessed by car or taxi, as public transportation can be arduous and take nearly two hours. However, once you’re in the town, it’s easy to explore on foot.
The best time to visit Old Koloa Town is during the day, between late morning and late afternoon, when most shops are open. July is a particularly good time to visit Koloa, when the annual Koloa Plantation Days festival takes place, and guided heritage walks through the historic town are held.
Old Koloa Town is at its most vibrant during the annual Koloa Plantation Days, a 10-day celebration that honors the many cultural groups that originally came to Hawaii to work on the plantation and the indigenous traditions of Hawaii. Activities include musical and dance performances, educational workshops, parades, food booths, and art displays.
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