Where is Kapaa, Hawaii, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Kapaa Located? - Kapaa is a city located in the Kauai County of Hawaii, United States. Kapaa lies between 41.8850317 Degrees North latitudes and 87.7845025 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Kapaa, Hawaii

Where is Kapaa, Hawaii

Kapaa Map, Hawaii, USA

Where is Kapaa?: The Google Map showing the location of Kapaa in the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Where is Kapaa Located?

Kapaa is a city located in the Kauai County of Hawaii, United States. Kapaa lies between 41.8850317 Degrees North latitudes and 87.7845025 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Kapaa city is 11652 people and the city has a total area of 10.03 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Kapaa, Hawaii Quick Facts

PropertyDetails
CityKapaa (Census-Designated Place)
CountyKauai County
StateHawaii
State CapitalHonolulu
US RegionWest
Latitude22.0752° N
Longitude159.3190° W
Elevation16 ft (5 m)
Land Area5.28 sq mi
Water Area0.18 sq mi
Total Area5.46 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)11,652
Population DensityAbout 2,206 per sq mi
ZIP Code96746
Area Code808
Time Zone StandardHawaii–Aleutian Standard Time (HST, UTC−10:00)
Time Zone DaylightNot Observed
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code15-34950
Congressional District2nd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Kapaa

CategoryDetails
Airport NameLihue Airport
IATA CodeLIH
PortNawiliwili Harbor
Major HighwaysKuhio Highway (HI-56/HI-560)
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service in Hawaii
Local Bus/Transit ServiceKauaʻi Bus
  • Kuhio Highway (HI-56) is the primary roadway connecting Kapaa with Lihue, Wailua, Princeville, and Hanalei.
  • Lihue Airport, located about 8 miles south, provides scheduled flights to the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. mainland.
  • Nawiliwili Harbor serves as Kauai's principal commercial seaport and cruise ship terminal.
  • Kauaʻi Bus operates public transit services connecting Kapaa with communities across the island.
  • The Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Multiuse Path) offers scenic walking and cycling access along the eastern coastline.

Top Places to Visit in Kapaa, Hawaii

Landmark NameType
Ke Ala Hele MakalaeCoastal Multiuse Trail
Lydgate Beach ParkBeach Park
Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain)Hiking Area
Wailua RiverRiver
Smith's Tropical ParadiseBotanical Garden
Opaekaa FallsWaterfall
Kapaa Beach ParkBeach
Wailua FallsWaterfall
Keahua ArboretumNature Preserve
Downtown KapaaShopping & Dining District

Driving Distances from Kapaa, Hawaii to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
WailuaHawaii25 min
LihueHawaii815 min
KoloaHawaii1525 min
PoipuHawaii1730 min
KalaheoHawaii1930 min
HanaleiHawaii2540 min
PrincevilleHawaii2745 min
KilaueaHawaii1830 min
WaimeaHawaii2845 min
KekahaHawaii371 hr

Colleges and Universities in Kapaa, Hawaii

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Kauaʻi Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeUniversity of Hawaii System campus offering associate degrees and workforce programs
University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaPublicUniversityFlagship public research university (main campus on Oahu)
Hawaii Pacific UniversityPrivateUniversityUndergraduate and graduate degree programs
Kapaa High SchoolPublicK–12 SchoolCollege preparatory and career education
Island SchoolPrivateK–12 SchoolIndependent college preparatory education near Lihue

Waterbodies in Kapaa, Hawaii

Kapaa is surrounded by several notable natural water features, including the Pacific Ocean, Wailua River, Kapaa Stream, Makaleha Stream, Opaekaa Stream, Lydgate Lagoon, Wailua Reservoir, and nearby Kealia Beach.

Golf Courses in Kapaa

Golfers visiting Kapaa have access to several excellent courses, including Wailua Golf Course, Puakea Golf Course, Ocean Course at Hokuala, Kukuiolono Golf Course, Poipu Bay Golf Course, and Kiahuna Golf Club.

Kapaa, Hawaii — Key Historical Facts

  • Kapaa developed as an agricultural community during the nineteenth century, with sugarcane plantations becoming the area's primary industry.
  • The town served as an important commercial center for eastern Kauai, supporting nearby plantations and local residents.
  • Following the decline of Hawaii's sugar industry during the late twentieth century, tourism became a major driver of Kapaa's economy.
  • The construction of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal path enhanced recreational opportunities and improved public access to the shoreline.
  • Today, Kapaa is one of Kauai's largest communities, known for its beaches, outdoor activities, shopping districts, and scenic coastal setting.

References

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