The charm and unique way of life found in a small town is undeniable, and even the smallest of towns deserve recognition. These 16 Hawaiian towns are some of the tiniest– less than 800 residents in each, some even have a population of less than one hundred. We think these are the best small towns in Hawaii!

  1. Kapalua, Maui

Rick Dereven/Flickr With a population of 353, Kapalua is located along Maui’s northwest coast, and is home to Kapalua Resort. This small town in Hawaii is home to tons of great outdoor fun! Kapalua, HI 96761, USA

  1. Kalihiwai, Kauai

Robin J Phillips/Flickr At the 2000 census Kalihiwai was home to 717 residents, but the town has since decreased in population to 428, as of the 2010 census. It’s a wonderful place to find a little peace and quiet. Kalihiwai, HI, USA

  1. Honomu, Big Island

Ruthdaniel3444/Flickr With a population of little more than 500 people, Honomu is small – we’re talking approximately 0.5 square miles. This is one of the best small towns in Hawaii, and offers plenty of things to do. Honomu, HI 96728, USA

  1. Manele Bay, Lanai

John Hyun/Flickr One of only two census-designated places on the island of Lanai is Manele, which is the least populated city in Hawaii with 29 residents. It is home to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. It’s gorgeous though, calming and serene at the smallest town in Hawaii. Manele Bay Road, Manele Bay Rd, Hawaii 96763, USA

  1. Makena, Maui

David Winnie/Flickr Prior to 2010, Makena was grouped into Wailea-Makena, but now is considered its own census-designated place with a population of fewer than 100 individuals – 99 residents, to be precise. With volcanoes and beaches, this is one of the best small towns in Hawaii. Makena, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753, USA

  1. Haena, Kauai

Adam/Flickr Often referred to as the “end of the road,” this location marks the end of the Kuhio Highway. It is also home to several ancient Hawaiian sites, and sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old. Talk about one of the best Hawaiian towns to visit! Haena Beach, Hawaii 96746, USA

  1. Kawela Bay, Oahu

Robert Linsdell/Flickr Located adjacent to Oahu’s popular Turtle Bay Resort is Kawela Bay, with a population of 330, which is a 19 percent decrease from the 2000 census. It’s a wonderful place to escape to! Turtle Bay, Kawela Bay, HI 96731, USA

  1. Paauilo, Big Island

Tandy Penn/Flickr Home to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, Paauilo is 1.2 square miles, and has a population of 595. This Hawaiian small town has plenty to see, including a vanilla farm! Paauilo, HI 96776, USA

  1. Maalaea, Maui

riNux/Flickr Despite its small population – just 352 people live here – Maalaea is home to a small boat harbor, as well as the popular Maui Ocean Center. This Hawaiian town is one of the smallest and most beautiful. Maalaea, HI, USA

  1. Pakala Village, Kauai

Eric Richardson/Flickr Once home to the temporary living quarters for employees of the Gay & Robinson sugar plantation, the village now has a population of 294. While mostly empty, there’s plenty of big sky to view. Pakala Village, HI, USA

  1. Olowalu, Maui

Todd Nappen/Flickr Located a mere four miles south of Lahaina, this tiny town with a population of 80 is under consideration for a major real estate development, which would dramatically increase the town’s population. There’s so much history in this small town in Hawaii. Olowalu, HI 96761, USA

  1. Paukaa, Big Island

Ludovic Hirlimann/Flickr Located near Hilo, Paukaa is a small town with 425 residents located within just half of a square mile. The Big Island is home to many small towns in Hawaii. Paukaa, HI 96720, USA

  1. Maunaloa, Molokai

Andy Beal/Flickr Located on the western side of Mollokai is Maunaloa, population 376, not to be confused with the Big Island volcano. Maunaloa , one of the smallest towns in Hawaii, is still worth a visit! Maunaloa, HI 96770, USA

  1. Waikane, Oahu

Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Encompassing 7.2 square miles on Oahu’s windward coast is Waikane, a census-designated place with a population of 778. If you’re visiting Oahu, it’s a beautiful small town to visit. Waikane, HI 96744, USA

  1. Wainiha, Kauai

Alexander Rabb/Flickr With a population density of 14 people per square mile and an overall population of 365 people, Wainiha is actually quite large in area. This Hawaiian town is filled with beautiful natural history. Wainiha, HI 96746, USA

  1. Waiohinu, Big Island

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr With a population of 213, this town is located near the southern tip of the Big Island. Mark Twain supposedly visited Waiohinu in 1866, and allegedly planted a monkey pod tree here. This quiet small town in Hawaii is absolutely beautiful. Waiohinu, HI 96772, USA

Tell us, do you hail from one of the best tiny towns in Hawaii, or did we miss your small town? Share your hometowns in the comments below!

Rick Dereven/Flickr

With a population of 353, Kapalua is located along Maui’s northwest coast, and is home to Kapalua Resort. This small town in Hawaii is home to tons of great outdoor fun!

Kapalua, HI 96761, USA

Robin J Phillips/Flickr

At the 2000 census Kalihiwai was home to 717 residents, but the town has since decreased in population to 428, as of the 2010 census. It’s a wonderful place to find a little peace and quiet.

Kalihiwai, HI, USA

Ruthdaniel3444/Flickr

With a population of little more than 500 people, Honomu is small – we’re talking approximately 0.5 square miles. This is one of the best small towns in Hawaii, and offers plenty of things to do.

Honomu, HI 96728, USA

John Hyun/Flickr

One of only two census-designated places on the island of Lanai is Manele, which is the least populated city in Hawaii with 29 residents. It is home to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. It’s gorgeous though, calming and serene at the smallest town in Hawaii.

Manele Bay Road, Manele Bay Rd, Hawaii 96763, USA

David Winnie/Flickr

Prior to 2010, Makena was grouped into Wailea-Makena, but now is considered its own census-designated place with a population of fewer than 100 individuals – 99 residents, to be precise. With volcanoes and beaches, this is one of the best small towns in Hawaii.

Makena, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753, USA

Adam/Flickr

Often referred to as the “end of the road,” this location marks the end of the Kuhio Highway. It is also home to several ancient Hawaiian sites, and sea caves estimated to be more than 4,000 years old. Talk about one of the best Hawaiian towns to visit!

Haena Beach, Hawaii 96746, USA

Robert Linsdell/Flickr

Located adjacent to Oahu’s popular Turtle Bay Resort is Kawela Bay, with a population of 330, which is a 19 percent decrease from the 2000 census. It’s a wonderful place to escape to!

Turtle Bay, Kawela Bay, HI 96731, USA

Tandy Penn/Flickr

Home to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, Paauilo is 1.2 square miles, and has a population of 595. This Hawaiian small town has plenty to see, including a vanilla farm!

Paauilo, HI 96776, USA

riNux/Flickr

Despite its small population – just 352 people live here – Maalaea is home to a small boat harbor, as well as the popular Maui Ocean Center. This Hawaiian town is one of the smallest and most beautiful.

Maalaea, HI, USA

Eric Richardson/Flickr

Once home to the temporary living quarters for employees of the Gay & Robinson sugar plantation, the village now has a population of 294. While mostly empty, there’s plenty of big sky to view.

Pakala Village, HI, USA

Todd Nappen/Flickr

Located a mere four miles south of Lahaina, this tiny town with a population of 80 is under consideration for a major real estate development, which would dramatically increase the town’s population. There’s so much history in this small town in Hawaii.

Olowalu, HI 96761, USA

Ludovic Hirlimann/Flickr

Located near Hilo, Paukaa is a small town with 425 residents located within just half of a square mile. The Big Island is home to many small towns in Hawaii.

Paukaa, HI 96720, USA

Andy Beal/Flickr

Located on the western side of Mollokai is Maunaloa, population 376, not to be confused with the Big Island volcano. Maunaloa , one of the smallest towns in Hawaii, is still worth a visit!

Maunaloa, HI 96770, USA

Daniel Ramirez/Flickr

Encompassing 7.2 square miles on Oahu’s windward coast is Waikane, a census-designated place with a population of 778. If you’re visiting Oahu, it’s a beautiful small town to visit.

Waikane, HI 96744, USA

Alexander Rabb/Flickr

With a population density of 14 people per square mile and an overall population of 365 people, Wainiha is actually quite large in area. This Hawaiian town is filled with beautiful natural history.

Wainiha, HI 96746, USA

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

With a population of 213, this town is located near the southern tip of the Big Island. Mark Twain supposedly visited Waiohinu in 1866, and allegedly planted a monkey pod tree here. This quiet small town in Hawaii is absolutely beautiful.

Waiohinu, HI 96772, USA

Looking for small towns in Hawaii with great amenities? These Hawaii small towns also have vibrant downtown areas.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Towns In Hawaii July 29, 2022 Megan McDonald How many small towns are in Hawaii? With 119 small towns in Hawaii, there are so many charming nooks and crannies to be able to be found. There are over 30 towns with populations more than 10,000 people, but these small towns are beautiful to visit! Where is the least touristy place in Hawaii? Molokai is considered one of the least touristy islands in Hawaii, with lots of small towns on the island. Many of the people on Molokai each year are residents, and it tends to be a much quieter island

The OIYS Visitor Center

Towns In Hawaii

July 29, 2022

Megan McDonald

How many small towns are in Hawaii? With 119 small towns in Hawaii, there are so many charming nooks and crannies to be able to be found. There are over 30 towns with populations more than 10,000 people, but these small towns are beautiful to visit! Where is the least touristy place in Hawaii? Molokai is considered one of the least touristy islands in Hawaii, with lots of small towns on the island. Many of the people on Molokai each year are residents, and it tends to be a much quieter island

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

With 119 small towns in Hawaii, there are so many charming nooks and crannies to be able to be found. There are over 30 towns with populations more than 10,000 people, but these small towns are beautiful to visit!

Where is the least touristy place in Hawaii?

Molokai is considered one of the least touristy islands in Hawaii, with lots of small towns on the island. Many of the people on Molokai each year are residents, and it tends to be a much quieter island