Kauaʻi day trip: Waimea Canyon and the West Side

Head west from Poʻipū or Līhuʻe through Hanapēpē's art town and historic Waimea town, then climb to the Waimea Canyon Lookout, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." After Hurricane Lowell, only the main Waimea Canyon Lookout reopened (Oct. 24, 2026); Kōkeʻe Road and the Kalalau Lookout were closed.

1. Poʻipū
2. Hanapēpē
3. Waimea town
4. Waimea Canyon Lookout

• 1. Hanapēpē: Kauaʻi's "biggest little town": galleries and historic storefronts.
• 2. Waimea town: where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaiʻi in 1778; JoJo's Shave Ice is a classic stop.
• 3. Waimea Canyon Lookout: non-residents pay $5 per person and $10 to park; daylight hours.
• Status (Oct. 2026): other lookouts and Kōkeʻe Road were closed after the hurricane; check DLNR notices before driving up.
• Bring water and a jacket; it's cooler at the canyon rim.
• Return the same way; there are few services above Waimea town.
• Tap "Open all stops in Google Maps" for the whole route. Phone browsers may show only the first few stops; the Google Maps app shows them all.

Sources: Hawaiʻi Guide: Best shave ice on Kauaʻi · Hawaiʻi DLNR State Parks: notices (closures after Hurricane Lowell, Oct. 2026)

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.