While we love Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu, as well as the various cities and resort towns that populate the islands’ shores, we are slightly obsessed with the charming small towns that can be found across the islands — from Kauai’s western shores to the southern tip of Hawaii Island. None of the towns you’ll find in the Aloha State, however, are as remote and isolated as the charming town of Kaunakakai.
Tucked away far off-the-beaten-path on the tiny island of Molokai, Kaunakakai is full of history, charm, and serenity. With a population of 3,400, you won’t find any big chain stores — or even a single traffic lights — in Kaunakakai.
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Located on the southern shore of Molokai, Kaunakakai was once a bustling port town back in the days when pineapple and sugar exports were a major industry.
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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.
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As the largest town on this small island, Kaunakakai is the main shopping hub for the 7,300 island residents with just a few mom-and-pop stores selling groceries and other supplies.
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At just three blocks in size, many of the buildings found within Kaunakakai are still the original construction, like the Molokai Public Library, which is the only library on the island and was built in 1937.
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Today, Kauanakai is home to a handful of charming shops and restaurants, including the famous Kanemitsu Bakery, where locals and visitors alike line up after nightfall to devour piping-hot loaves of bread.
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Kaunakakai is also the site of one of Hawaii’s last royal coconut groves — Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove — as well as the longest pier in Hawaii and Church Row, where you will discover seven small missionary-style churches, some of which date back to the late 19th century.
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Have you ever enjoyed a visit to the charming and isolated town of Kaunakakai? Share your experiences and favorite spots with us in the comments below, and if you’ve yet to experience this historic gem, add it to your Hawaii bucket list.
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Address: Kaunakakai, HI, USA
