Hanapepe

Every Friday night from 5pm-9pm, you’ll find a community festival and art walk in the cute little town of Hanapepe, stocked with local vendors and food stalls. There are more than a dozen art galleries, too, where local artists mingle, along with live music (and gorgeous sunsets). Kids love it, too.

A natural lava rock ridge protects this crescent beach, meaning its gentle lagoon makes for safe, easy swimming and snorkeling with kids. (Plus, its glimmering red-and-gold sand is too pretty to miss.) Located close to Hawaii’s last remaining traditional salt-gathering ponds (hence the name), it’s known to be a preferred hangout for Monk Seals, as well as local families. That said, in order to protect the fragile natural environment, the namesake salt ponds are off-limits to the public.