The Coolest Neighborhoods In Hawaii

Whether you’re visiting Hawaii for a vacation or making a permanent move, you’ll want to know the coolest places and neighborhoods. The Aloha State is so diverse that you can go from the bustling area of downtown Honolulu to the peaceful shorelines of Oahu in less than an hour. If you’re searching for something quiet or trendy or looking for a place perfect for surfers or families, there is bound to be a cool neighborhood to suit your needs in Hawaii. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Haleiwa

Haleiwa, located on the North Shore of Oahu, is a hippie’s and surfer’s paradise. Indeed, it produces some of the best surfers in the world and is home to Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach, which also makes it a great place to relax on the sand and spend the day with your family and friends. Haleiwa town also has plenty of restaurants and places to shop and attracts both locals and tourists. No matter where you go, you’ll find plenty of smiling and familiar faces if you decide to hang around Haleiwa, which means house of the ‘iwa bird.

Black Point

Pupukea

Pupukea is a small ahupuaʻa (land division) nestled along the famous North Shore of Oahu. It is home to Waimea Bay, where the infamous and most prestigious surf competition “The Eddie” takes place every year. Sometimes the bay closes out with 50-foot (15.2-meter) swells, leaving big wave surfers frothing and watchers amazed.

Driving up Pupukea, you’ll find the state park Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau. A heiau was a place of worship, where Hawaiians could offer sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors. There is a lookout at the top that offers panoramic views of Waimea Bay, Waimea Valley, and all of the North Shore.

Hawaii Kai

Watching sunset over Diamond head from lower China walls

Another affluent suburb located on the southeastern coast of Oahu is Hawaii Kai, also known by its Hawaiian name, Maunalua, which means two mountains in Hawaiian, referring to Koko Head and Koko Crater. This neighborhood is good for raising a family as it is safe and has many parks, sports fields, schools, skate parks, farmers’ markets on the weekends, shops, a movie theater, restaurants, and the list goes on.

A favorite destination in Hawaii Kai is China Walls, where locals love to jump into the ocean from the sea cliffs. If you would rather stay on land, try hiking the infamous Koko Head stairs. Do this right before sunset—you’ll be amazed.

Hawaii Kai, Honolulu, HI, USA

Mānoa

Mānoa lies in the valley and rainier part of Honolulu. It is home to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where students from all over the globe flock to experience paradise while studying in college. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to a “college town” in Hawaii, with restaurants, bars, and numerous shops lining University Avenue.

Hanalei

Hanalei is a beautiful little town nestled on Kauai’s North Shore. It is a very quiet, family-oriented locale, with plenty of shops and restaurants that both locals and visitors love. There are cool hangouts and beautiful beaches located in the area too, including Haʻena Beach, Hanakapiʻai Beach, and Hanalei Bay.

Lanikai

Lanikai is a beautiful town located on the east side of Oahu. It is home to the infamous Lanikai Beach and Mokulua Islands. This area seems to attract those people looking to move to Hawaii, and locals and tourists flock to its beautiful beach parks. Lanikai is a suburb within Kailua, and it has plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance. Don’t miss your opportunity to check out this beautiful town on your next visit to Oahu.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.