Hanapepe, Kauai

Hanapepe at a Glance

Meaning “crushed bay” or “bay crushed by landslides,” Hanapepe is a historic, art community situated in the southern coast of Kauai. Located on Highway 50, the town occupies a total land area of 2.5 square kilometers. A sign on the highway turnoff to the village says “Kauai’s Little Big Town,” Hanapepe was the location of Hollywood films such as “The Thornbird” and “Flight of the Intruder.” Considered an “Art Colony,” Hanapepe has rows of art studios or galleries. Rustic storefronts and old but well-maintained historic buildings, and craft and specialty shops contribute to the rustic feel of the town.

In its glory days, Hanapepe was a commercial center and entertainment hub lined with theaters and bowling alleys. On the other hand, Hanapepe was also widely associated with bars, brawls, and opium dens. Started by Chinese rice farmers in the 1800s, the town soon attracted other businesses turning Hanapepe into a commercial hub in no time. However, the town showed a decline in 1970s and 1980s. In 1992, Hurricane Inki ravaged the city, a tragedy from which the town was never able to fully recover. Today, tourism and a coffee company provide a significant contribution to the per capita of the town, which is $18,320.

Based on the latest 2005 data, Hanapepe had a population count of 2,256 residents and a population density of 955 people per square mile. Representing 48.58% of the entire population, Asians (Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese, among others) were the most numerous in the village. Caucasians, Pacific Islanders, and Latinos also constitute a significant percentage of the population.

Hanapepe’s zip code is 96716.

Hanapepe in Bullet Points

Hanapepe Location

Kauai

Hanapepe Map (top)

Hanapepe Weather (top)

Now
72°F
Windchill:
72°F
Light Rain
Location: Hanapepe, HI, US
Wind: 16 mph N
Humidity: 66%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.02 in rising
Sunrise: 6:46 am
Sunset: 6:49 pm Wed
Hi: 75°F
Low: 60°F
Partly Cloudy
Thu
Hi: 74°F
Low: 59°F
Partly Cloudy