Kapaa is one of Kauai's most quaint and active towns. This is one of the best locations to stay during you vacation on the island. There are a lot of places to stay and you'll never get bored with all the great places and activities.

Kapaa is a wonderful town with avenues lined with chic art galleries and boutiques, several full-dinner restaurants, and coffee shops. Shopaholics love to stroll downtown Kapaa during comfortable windy afternoons, the perfect time to discover one-of-a-kind and reasonably priced knickknacks stashed inside bazaars and the open shops of the Coconut Marketplace. The Coconut Marketplace was built in 1972 and is the hub of Kapaa town.

To understand Kapaa a little better before you visit it is helpful to understand the history of its colorful terrain, legendary deities, and mythological intricacies. The meaning of the word Kapaa (Kapa'a) is from the local Kauai dialect that literally translates to "solid" or "the closing." The town's name refers to the bountiful coconut laced coast of Kauai (Ka'Ohi'a, which means "the 'ohi'a lehua trees are tabooed"), aptly called the Kapaa Coastline, that gracefully depicts the cascading waters of the Pacific in the east.

Kapa'a is considered to be within the ancient district of Puna. Kawai Nui, slightly to the north of the town, was once known for its burly mud fish commonly called the 'o'opu ku'ia. It was believed that the Makalei tree, the legendary fish-luring brush brought to the land by the ancients of Pali'uli, called on to the 'o'opu fish, but since it ceased to exist, the fish seemed to disappear along with it. The peaceful Kawai Nui waters were also believed to be protected by Hauwahine, the mo'o goddess. The misty hills further north, also called the more pleasant Kapa'a, was the sacred land of its allegorical ruler, Olopana.

Through time, what used to be known as a mythical land slowly evolved into a plantation town. Today, Kapaa is not only a charming community by the sea; it is also quickly turning into a vacation hub. The crazy rush hour traffic and the steady influx of tourists all year round exhibit Kaapa's potential to be one of Hawaii's main tourist spots.

There are so many things to do while visiting Kapaa but be sure to check out these activities, all conveniently located in town: Kayaking the Wailua River, eating treats on the steelglass Chocolate Farm Tour, zening out at the Hindu Monastery, taking pictures of the Sleeping Giant, Taking the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum and taking in the site of the amazing Ho'olalaea waterfall.

A vacation spent in Kapaa will be one that is loved and well remembered for many years to come.