Hanalei Tourist Attractions

Waioli Mission House, built in 1841 and located on Route 56 on the edge of the village, is one of Hawaii's best-preserved mission houses and therefore well worth visiting. While most mission houses are built in the New England style (including the interiors), the exterior of this house shows a definite influence of the Southern States. This can be attributed to the fact that the missionary William P. Alexander came to Kauai from Kentucky. Five years later, the Wilcox family, who were also missionaries, moved in. The rooms have been kept as far as possible in their original state and show the Hawaiian style of home decoration of the malihin (non-natives). A large part of the missionary Abner Wilcox's library can still be seen in his study including some of the earlier schoolbooks printed in Honolulu.On the left-hand side of the street is the old Waioli Huila Church, with its roof of green shingles and stained-glass windows. It is now a community center, where Hawaiian hymns can occasionally be heard on Sundays.The mission is undergoing some restoration work.

The finest view of Hanalei Valley is experienced from Hanalei Lookout, on road 56, which is indicated by one of the customary Kamehameha signs. Hanalei River flows like a silver thread through the whole valley, which is a patchwork of sugar cane and taro fields. Mountains, 3938ft/1200m to 4923ft/1500m high, form a backdrop.It is possible to drive down into the valley. Crossing a bridge built in 1912 and fortified after a strong tsunamis in 1957, a road is reached which follows the river as far as the entrance to the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, from where it is possible to continue on foot.

The Limahuli Garden is spread over 1,000 acres and three ecological zones. It provides a resource for research and educational programs in watershed protection and plant and animal conservation.

Picturesque Lumahai beach, featured in the movie "South Pacific" is a popular place for swimming in the summer but dangerous in the winter.