I am at Kauai this week. It is the northernmost island of the Hawaiian islands where tourists can go. I checked worldmappin and I see that there are 3 pins only! I have been here many times but I haven’t pinned it myself so guilty as charged! It’s not hard to come here, but boy, this is awfully expensive! Probably one of the most expensive places in the world! But hey, it’s stunningly pretty.
We come here often, but often is not entirely correct because the last time I was here was in 2017. Anyways, a bit of background..
The name "Hanalei" is said to translate to "lei-making bay" or "crescent bay," referencing both its beautiful shape and traditional lei-making practices. For centuries, Hanalei Valley was a center for thriving Native Hawaiian communities. The fertile wetlands were intensively cultivated for kalo (taro), the foundation of the Hawaiian diet and culture. Traditional taro farming remains an active practice in the valley today.
While sugar briefly took hold, the valley's agriculture was dominated by rice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming a major export. This era brought Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Portuguese immigrants who established a vibrant farming community.
The need to transport these agricultural goods (first sugar, then rice) led to the construction of the Hanalei Pier in 1892. Originally built of wood, it was reconstructed in concrete in the 1920s. Though no longer a working port, it has become a cherished community gathering spot, fishing hub, and historical landmark.
You can still see the pier today. In fact the pin in right next to the pier.
My daughter surfs right next to it at the crescent shaped bay where I sit down at the beach and watch time slowly creep away.
Today, Hanalei is known globally for its stunning bay, surf culture, and historic town, but its heart remains in its deep connection to the land, its history of agriculture, and the strong spirit of its people.
I am again traveling light on this trip and only have my phone with me, so my writing will be short and perhaps with a lot of typos but hopefully you will be able to catch some island vibes!
Aloha!
