Waimea is a small sleepy seaport town on Kauai’s southwestern shore, home to around 2,000 people. While most tourists drive past Waimea on their way to beautiful Waimea Canyon, the town is worth a visit.
Waimea is the place Captain Cook first stepped foot on the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. There is a commemorative statue of the famed British explorer in the middle of town, a replica of the original found in Whitby, England.
The area has a rich agricultural history and was a prominent sugar cane growing area. Much of the town reflects the history of that era and has an interesting architecture, cozy shops, and is home to some good restaurants.
