Lifelong residents find homes along the southwest shore
Situated on the west side of Kaua’i between the rugged Waimea Canyon and the sparkling southern coast, Kekaha is a laidback community where residents can enjoy the natural beauty of the island at a suburban pace. This beachside town has a population of just over 2,000, making it a small but scenic enclave of tight-knit neighbors. “A lot of people who live in Kekaha were born and raised there. It can be more affordable, but there’s not much inventory,” says Yvonne Summerfield, a Kaua’i resident and Realtor with Re/Max Kaua’i Living. “The homes are older and it’s got a drier climate. But it's right on the beach, and the sunsets are gorgeous.” While residents here might have to travel to the next town over for necessities, most people don't mind the trade-off in exchange for serene living with stunning views.
Brightly colored bungalows and waterfront views
From quaint to grand, Kekaha’s homes are an eclectic mix. Amid lawns bursting with tropical flora are beachy cottages in an array of fun colors, as well as traditional post-war bungalows and ranch-style houses. Some are built on stilts, and many are situated across the road from the coast, where balconies invite residents to linger and savor the sunsets and sea spray. “Some homes facing the roadway are in a flood zone,” Summerfield adds, noting that this can be an important consideration for homebuyers. While a modest three-bedroom bungalow with roughly 1,000 square feet can be priced at around $600,000, sprawling two-story coastal properties can sell for nearly $2 million.
Rugged outdoor adventures for locals and tourists
Although a four-wheel drive is recommended to tackle the bumpy roads to get there, residents pack gear and goodies and travel the tree-canopied dirt road to Polihale State Park’s beachfront. Locals and visitors alike can have lunch at the picnic tables just steps from the surf or wait until the evening to watch the sunset over the waves. For more adventures off the beaten path, residents can lace up their hiking boots and make the trek up Waimea Canyon to the north of Kekaha.
Sunsets on the coast and everyday sports in the park
Waterfront recreation is even closer to home at Kekaha Beach, a popular spot for casting a line, catching a wave or relaxing in the sun. The waters can be rough, so this stretch of shore isn’t recommended for swimming, but it does offer views of the island of Ni’ihau in the distance. The closest marina lies on the eastern end of town at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor and is an ideal place for launching out into the sea. For family fun and athletics, most folks head to Kekaha Faye Park and Neighborhood Center, which has outdoor facilities for sports fans of all kinds.
A Navy testing range west of town employs hundreds
Kekaha is known for being home to the US Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility, considered the largest testing range of its kind. The PMRF is also the third-largest employer on the island and brings a number of Service Members and contractors to Kekaha.
Families can choose between public and private schools
Students can attend Kekaha Elementary and Waimea Canyon Middle, both of which score a C grade from Niche. Waimea High earns a B and has its own Academy of Health, Agriculture, Hospitality and Tourism. Alternatively, students can attend the public charter school Ke Kula Ni’ihau O Kekaha, where students are immersed in the Ni’ihau culture and language. For a private alternative, parents can elect to send their kids to St. Theresa Catholic School. The associated St. Theresa Parish, an architectural marvel with broad columns, is the westernmost Catholic church in the United States and the second oldest on Kaua’i.
Most everyday needs are just east of Kekaha
The Menehune Food Mart is a convenient stop-in for snacks, and residents can find fresh produce at the Kekaha Farmers Market, held on Saturdays in Faye Park. While there aren’t many places to dine out in town, folks can head to tropical eateries like the Shrimp Station, Island Taco or L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Waimea, which is less than 10 minutes from most homes along the Kaumauli'i Highway. Other necessities can be found there, like a Big Save Market grocery store and emergency care at Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital. Further east, residents can reach Lihue in about 40 minutes, where they’ll find big-box stores like Costco and departing flights between the Hawaiian Islands and the US mainland from Lihue Airport.
Photography Contributed By
Harry Antipala
