With approximately two-thirds of the Hawaiian population residing in the consolidated Honolulu City and County, the islands are home to countless charming small towns. These small towns in the Hawaii countryside are full of old-world Hawaiian charm, history, adorable shops, and are often in rural locations. While we love all of Hawaii’s towns – regardless of size – these 13 charming small towns in rural Hawaii have a special place in our hearts.

1. Makawao
Makawao, HI, USA
Frank Hamm/Flickr
Located in upcountry Maui on the rural northwest slopes of Mount Haleakala is a charming little town worthy of a visit – and a little recognition. With a population of approximately 7,100, Makawao is one of Hawaii’s biggest little towns. The town is famous for its Hawaiian cowboy, or paniolo, history, and is a haven for artists of all kinds. Easily one of the best small towns in Hawaii. As rural areas in Hawaii go, it's a stunner.
2. Hawi
Hawi, HI 96719, USA
Ewen Roberts/Flickr
Often described as one of Hawaii Island’s best-kept secrets, Hawi is perched along the northern coastline of the Kohala coast, and is home to some incredible skydiving, ziplining, farm tours, and a pretty charming vibe. Two decades ago, a new generation of entrepreneurs and artists flocked to the former plantation village and, with the help of longtime residents, moved bookstores, galleries, boutiques and restaurants into the town’s decaying storefronts. We love this rural area in Hawaii.
3. Waialua
Waialua, HI 96791, USA
brookpeterson/Flickr
Located on Oahu’s north shore, past Haleiwa is the small community of Waialua. With a population of 3,800, this rural community has little more to offer than gorgeous beaches, charming farms and the always delightful Waialua Sugar Mill. Well known as peaceful, this rural Hawaii town is a great place to visit!
4. Hanalei
Hanalei, HI, USA
Jeremy Hall/Flickr
Deep in the heart of the lush, picturesque Hanalei valley is this tiny town, home to the famous Hanalei Pier, which was once used for loading sugar, taro and cattle. Fun fact: In addition to the town’s plantation history, from 1817 to 1853, three Russian forts near Hanalei were part of the tsarist Russian America. Rural Hawaii never looked so good!
5. Waikapu
Waikapu, HI 96793, USA
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Nestled near the West Maui Mountains, this quiet plantation town was once home to the Waikapu Sugar Mill, opened in the 1830s by a New York transplant and his brother-in-law. But before sugar took over the Hawaiian Islands, this area was home to pineapple production, and one of the first coffee plantations in Hawaii. The Hawaiian countryside is a gorgeous place to visit.
6. Lanai City
Lanai City, HI 96763, USA
Jenna Szerlag / Design Pics via Getty Images
The island’s only town sits at 1,645 feet above sea level, boasting a population of just 3,200. The historic plantation village was built in 1924, and not much has changed since then, preserving the town’s original charm – but increasing the home prices, of course. Small and sparsely populated, this rural Hawaii town is tiny!
7. Laie
Laie, HI 96762, USA
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
This small town on the northeast shore of Oahu is home to two major institutions: the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Brigham Young University’s Hawaii campus. Other than that, you’ll find basic necessities, beautiful beaches, and a retreat from the bustling capital city of Honolulu – even though it’s just an hour’s drive away. This charming small town in rural Hawaii is a must-see!
8. Waimea
Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
The first European settlers to reach Hawaii landed in Waimea in 1778, and I’m sure they were absolutely blown away by the stunning coastline. The historic town is home to approximately 1,700 residents, and is full of charm. It’s hard not to love rural Hawaii when visiting here!
9. Hanapepe
Hanapepe, HI, USA
Terry Straehley/Flickr
With the greatest concentration of artists on the island, Hanapepe is known as "Kauai’s Biggest Little Town." Its historic, plantation-style buildings are now home to charming shops, eateries and a surprising amount of art galleries - and it’s a beautiful place for a weekend retreat. One of the best small towns in Hawaii, there is so much to see and do!
10. Waimanalo
Waim?nalo, HI 96795, USA
David Siu/Flickr
World-renowned for the amazing Waimanalo Beach, this census-designated place is as about as country as it gets on Oahu. The community is so small that the public library is actually housed inside of the local school. This rural Hawaii area is one of Hawaii’s best-kept secrets! You can't imagine a more gorgeous slice of the Hawaiian countryside.
11. Hana
Hana, HI 96713, USA
M.M. Sweet / Moment Collection via Getty Images
They say that it’s not the destination, but the journey that it takes to get there, and nowhere is this more true than Hana. The infamous Road to Hana is full of twists, turns, several one-lane bridges, waterfalls, and incredible vistas - and as one of the most isolated communities in the state, Hana will certainly appeal to anyone who truly wants to experience small town life. The Hawaii countryside is always a pleasure to explore!
12. Kaunakakai
Kaunakakai, HI, USA
John Hyun/Flickr
The largest town on the island of Molokai has a population of approximately 3,400 residents. When pineapple and sugar exports were huge in Hawaii, Kaunakakai was a bustling port town. King Kamehameha V’s royal summer residence was once in this ancient canoe landing, and now the Old Western-style storefronts paint the picture of a town stuck in time. Rural Hawaii is a beautiful place to explore.
13. Koloa
Koloa, HI 96756, USA
John Elk / The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images
Home to Hawaii’s first ever commercially successful sugarcane plantation, Koloa is a relic of days gone by. Home to less than 2,200 residents and shops that now occupy the plantation-style buildings, Koloa is located along Kauai’s southern shores. This rural area in Hawaii is absolutely worth visiting!

What did you think of these charming towns in rural Hawaii? Would you visit? Have you already? Let us know in the comments below!

Love exploring small towns in rural Hawaii? You’ll adore these 16 delightful small towns in rural Hawaii, and these 16 small towns in Hawaii where everyone knows your name.

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More to Explore

Rural Hawaii

Megan McDonald | July 29, 2022

How many people live in Hawaii?

Approximately 1.42 million people live in Hawaii; just over 25% of how many tourists visit the island of Oahu each year. The tourists beat out the locals 4 to 1! In fact, Hawaii’s population density has dropped from 220 people per square mile to only 212 people per square mile.

How much of Hawaii's population lives in rural Hawaii?

Rural land in Hawaii makes up almost 94% of Hawaii’s land mass, covering over 6,000 square miles. And only just over 100,000 residents reside in the rural Hawaii areas.  The rest of the 1.36 million live in urban areas.

Which Hawaiian island is most rural?

The Big Island has the most rural areas of any of the islands, coming in at 38% rural compared to Maui: 14.6% percent rural, and Kauai, 12.9% rural. If you’re looking for plenty of space, and not too many people, you need to head to the Big Island. You’ll find plenty of solitude!

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