Top 5 Things to Do in Lihue

Lihue is located near natural reserves, including the lush Kalepa Mountain Forest Reserve and the Ahukini Recreation Pier State Park. The city's culture embraces the many natural spaces, including beaches and tropical forests, which offer plenty of opportunities to get active and enjoy the plentiful outdoor playgrounds that Kauai’s tropical landscape has to offer.

Luckily, the beaches in the area are relatively safe to tread and beautifully clear and blue. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take a boat out onto the ocean to feel truly free! Other beach activities include a number of sports, perfect for those who want to experiment. Equipment rentals allow you and your family to try surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, boogie boarding, and more!

Directions to Lihue

Kauai’s town of Lihue is found on the southeast corner of Kauai, mere minutes from the coast. If you’re flying into the Lihue Airport, Kauai’s main airport, you’re in luck! With just 6 minutes in the car, you can step off the plane and be in the center of everything that you’ve been waiting for in Lihue. Simply head west along Ahukini Road into the center of the town.

A Brief History of Lihue

The area that is now Lihue was initially established as a result of the growing sugarcane industry Kauai, leading to the formation of the Lihue Sugar Plantation by German colonists in 1849. The industry continued for several decades but eventually declined as a result of the industry’s high costs in comparison to other sugarcane sources abroad. Today, evidence of the city’s sugarcane past lingers. Many abandoned sugar mills are maintained so that tourists can visit and explore a little bit of Kauai’s history.

Grove Farm Homestead Museum was built in 1864 and open as a living museum in 1978. It is situated in the former plantation home of a sugar-mill owner.

Kauai Museum

Learn about the charmed and checkered history of Kauai and the town of Lihue at the Kauai Museum. The museum is a great place to explore the heritage and indigenous culture that has created a foundation for modern-day Kauai. As well, the museum offers the opportunity for modern local artists to display their creations that are inspired by the island and culture of Kauai.

The Kauai Museum can be found in the center of Lihue, just along Rice Street. From the center of Lihue, take Highway 56 south, and turn left onto Rice Street. Soon, the destination will be on your left.

Lihue Did You Know? 

Another very interesting element of the area’s past pertains to ancient Hawaiian chiefs. According to historical records, Hawaiian chiefs would prove their courage by diving over the cliff at Wailua Falls! These falls, while popular among many visitors today, prove to be a very scary feat. Wailua Falls is approximately 85 feet high, dropping into a pool that is over 30 feet deep.