Kapa’a Town is located on the east side of the Kaua’i Island.  According to the United States Census Bureau it is the most populated town on the island. having approximately  11,652 residents in 2020. It is probably the largest geographically too. Because of this there are different sub-neighborhoods that range from beach areas to areas nestled in the hills. Here is a list of those areas.

Wailua Houselots:

Aerial of a portion of Wailua Houselots

This is the area that you enter at Haleilio Road stoplight right before the Wailua Plaza Shopping Center where the Napali Brewing Company and the highly rated restaurant Naisla. Shortly after you drive up there is a fork in the road. If you stay to the right  you stay on Haleilio Road , if you veer left you start traveling on Nonou Road. These are the 2 main feeder roads to this neighborhood. There are no commercial areas in Wailua Houselots. There is a large park in the middle of the neighborhood. It is host to many softball, baseball, and  soccer games. It also boosts basketball courts, a handball court and tennis/pickleball courts. The covered pavilion is popular for hosting birthday and other parties. Most of the Houselots is level. It is also a drier area than the more mountainous areas of Kapa’a. I own a rental house in Wailua Houselots. A client sold me on the area when he explained that the Houselots was close to Kuhio Highway, where his teenage children could catch the bus or ride their bikes to the beach. The drive was also convenient for him for work. Located on the south side of Kapa’a, it’s a quick drive to Lihue and even quicker drive to Kapa’a town. In other words you get to skip the Kapa’a crawl. One extra bonus ,  On the back side of Wailua Houselots, there is the beginning of one of the two Sleeping Giant hiking trails. Here is a link of homes for sale in Wailua Houselots.

Fujii/Baby Beach:

If your coming from Lihue this area starts at the  corner of Kuhio Highway & Keaka Road and ends at the beach or Moanakai Road. It then extends north and ends at the Kapaa boat harbor. The area obtained its name Fujii Beach comes after the late physician Kenneth K. Fujii of Kapaa. His medical practice was two very short blocks away from the beach. Later that house was the home of the first cable company on the island. The area is also named Baby Beach due to a low limestone shelf along the beach that creates a shallow wading pool making it a popular safe spot for Keiki and family.

Fujii/Baby Beach Neighborhood

The neighborhood has a vintage Hawaiian feel with many homes originally built in the 1930s. Every home on this community area is walking distance to the beach and the walking/biking/multi-use path. One resident told me her teenager was able to walk to work at the Kapa’a Shopping Center. It’s definitely one of Kapaa town’s most walkable areas.

If you’re a fishing enthusiast, the Kapa’a Harbor or Lihi Boat Ramp is just north of Fujii Beach. You can not dock a boat there but you can launch your trailered small craft boats. Maybe if your lucky you can catch a fisherman as he’s coming in and ask him if he’s willing to sell any of his catch.

Here is a link of all Active listings in the immediate area.

Baby Beach, Kapaa town listings.

Lower Kapaa Hills/Lower Kapahi Area:

Homes along Hauaala Rd Kapaa

By Lower Kapaa, I’m referring to the properties labeled as Kapa’a heights, Hudley Heights, as well as the subdivisions, Kawaihau Estates, Pu’u Kaa Subdivision, Hulu Manu subdivision, Wailaleale  Estates, Kapa’a Meadows and all the areas makai (towards the ocean) of Ka’apuni Road and Kapahi Park but mauka (towards the mountains) of Kuhio Highway. This area of Kapaa has some of the most affordable homes from the South shore all the way to the North shore. The reason being the subdivision lots can be smaller. However this Kapaa area is still desirable due to its walking/bike riding distance to Kapa’a Elementary School & Kapa’a High School. There is a  paved path along Kawaihau Road from the school area all the way up to Kaapuni Road where Kapahi park is. Besides students you will often see residents walking their dogs or pushing a stroller. The old pineapple cannery is still on Kawaihau Road and carries lots of memories for those who worked there. Now it’s contains a number of businesses. One of my favorite businesses is there, the Kauai Athletic Club. Here’s a link of affordable (under 1 million) in Kapaa.

 Upper Kapahi:

My lemon tree may be small but it’s very prolific for February.

This is the area mauka of Ka’apuni Road and Kapahi park as you travel up Kawaihau Road. The lots tend to get bigger the farther mauka you go. The homes are a mix of old and new, Kama’aina & Malihini. The area is green and lush due to the evening Hawaiian tropical showers. It’s a great area for those who love plants and horticulture as well as wanting some space between their neighbors. I live in this area and our fruit trees grow without having to water them. We also have beautiful views of the Makaleha waterfalls which feed into streams and watering holes. Because the lots are larger, CPRs tend to be more prevalent in this area. It’s a unique way of ownership on Kauai.

Wailua Homesteads:

The beginning of Wailua Homesteads

This is the area usually access by going inland (mauka) on Kuamoo Road. Kuamoo Road starts at the light next to the old Coco Palms hotel. The elevation quickly rises as you past Opaeka’a Falls. Once you approach the falls the residential areas begin. Wailua Homesteads contains many subdivisions and larger parcels of land. The subdivision lots in general are bigger than the subdivision lots in the lower Kapaa area. The subdivision of Wailua Estates, Wailua Riverview, Opaeka’a Gardens, Kauai Gardens and others have lot sizes ranging from 8,000 sq.ft to 15,0000 sq.ft. while the subdivisions of Wailua Rise, Wailua Haven, Wailua Mountain View, Pu’upilo Subdivision, Sleeping Giant Half acres all have approximately half acre lots. The south side of Wailua Homesteads is perched above the Wailua River, giving some homes awesome valley & river views.

Often I get asked about the best neighborhood to buy in or the best area. My usual response is that you need to look in all areas and see what the best fit for you is. You may prefer one area of Kapa’a but your dream home is located in another area. Here is a link to a list of all  residential homes in the Wailua Kapa’a areas for sale.

I would love to help you find your dream home. To begin the process, please call me at 808 652-6174 or email me kauaidreams97@gmail.com.

I look forward to working with you. Aloha Julie

Kaua’i Best Places to Live, The Different Kapa’a Neighborhoods List.