Peaceful windward-side village along Anahola Bay
From the aqua waters of Anahola Bay to a vast inland backdrop of forest reserves, the fabric of Anahola is serene and green. It offers those who choose this northeast edge of Kauai a haven that feels healing. Mark Goodman, Kauai resident and Realtor with Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty, who’s been a top-ranking agent in Hawaii since 2014, says, “I came here in 1999, and my first experience in Anahola was transformative. I was standing at the ocean, and the tradewinds were blowing, and it was as if the wind blew off my covers, and I was revealed to myself. There’s a powerful spiritual magic here, and it attracts people who are seeking meaning and want to get down to their core. It also offers refuge for those who might be very successful and recognizable because the locals won’t look twice at you.”
Long revered by esteemed figures such as the Dalai Lama as “the place where souls enter,” Anahola’s pace is restful. Residents enjoy tangible sanctuary and are privy to peaceful beaches and trails, sequestered away from the buzz of tourist areas elsewhere on Kauai. For a time in history, it was actually called Anehola, a fusion of two Hawaiian words meaning breath of life.
Local markets, a village post office and bright cafes dot the neighborhood, and locals bike and walk to parks and beach paths. Illustrating the neighborhood’s aura, Goodman adds, “It’s not who you are, it’s what you are in Anahola. And if you’re caring and considerate, you attract that same goodness. Anahola is a special place that’s all about kindness. It’s really our power here.”
Swim Anahola Bay, snorkel in Aliomanu Reef, play in Village Park
Anahola residents appreciate the lively Anahola Bay surf that rolls toward uncrowded beaches. The water meeting the beach is clear, inviting waders to venture. Behind the beach, thick trees mingle with mountain mist, and residents walk their dogs in near seclusion.
“Just north of the nightlife you’ll find in Kapaa,” says Goodman, “Anahola offers a wonderful day-life. Residents here surf, snorkel, canoe, and just live all day to the fullest on the bay.” Aliomanu Reef in the northern part of Anahola Beach holds calmer waters, so residents take to this lifeguarded spot to snorkel and swim. Anahola also sits in the foothills of the majestic Kalalea mountain, famous for the hole in its prominent peak that signifies the channel of life. Hikers find their bliss here, away from the shore.
In Anahola, locals know the way through the forested Kalalea trail that leads to the water’s edge at the northernmost tip of Anahola Beach. Anahola Village Park is also walkable, just behind the streets of a small subdivision. Kids enjoy the playground here, run in the open grass or meet for pickup basketball.
Homes for under a million inland, several million along the coast
Modest ranch-style homes gather on curved streets near the coast, and newer single-family homes are often painted in pleasant hues that reflect the Anahola landscape. Larger homes lining the beach feature balconies, turrets and windows for ocean-gazing, and smaller cottages are nestled oceanfront as well. Large farm-style estates gush with palms, and multi-story plantation-style homes sit atop the rocky coast. Single-family homes inland range from $900,000 to $1.5 million, and homes overlooking the beach ask between $2 million and $5 million.
Burgers at Anahola Café or Ono-Char, Vegetarian at Kalalea Juice Hale
In late 2021, Anahola Café opened at the Anahola Marketplace on Kuhio Highway. Within a rustic ambiance, Anahola Café specializes in saimin and burgers. It’s run as a non-profit, giving 100% of profits to help create jobs and boost rural economies. The Anahola Marketplace was launched by the Anahola Hawaiian Homestead Association, a group of native families living on trust lands who encourage entrepreneurism.
Other eateries include the casual Duane’s Ono-Char Burger stand, painted lychee-red. Residents relax here over burgers, corn dogs and ice cream. Across the street, the citrus-orange Kalalea Juice Hale offers al fresco seating, serving healthy breakfast and lunch fare, including vegan and vegetarian options. Groceries, spirits and essentials are convenient at Whalers General Store.
Kapaa High football champs
Public schools are within the Hawaii Department of Education District which gets a B-plus on Niche. Kids can start at Kapaa Elementary School and move on to Kapaa Middle and Kapaa High schools. The elementary and middle schools get a Niche C-plus, and Kapaa High earns a B-plus. In 2021, the Kapaa High Warriors football team won the first state championship for the island of Kauai. In the neighborhood, not far from the coastal surf, students can also apply to attend the Kanuikapono Public Charter School, given a Niche C-plus.
Commute by car, bike around town
Public transit is limited on Kauai, however Hawaii’s award-winning The Bus offers a stop in Anahola. There’s also The Kauai Bus, a door-to-door shared ride service for those with special needs. For shorter trips, locals can rent bicycles to explore the neighborhood.
Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
