It's not uncommon for Kauai visitors, hurrying either north or south in rental cars along Kuhio Highway, to buzz straight through Kapaa Town, a small community on the Garden Isle's eastern coast.
North Shore attractions like gorgeous Hanalei Bay or the stunning Napali coastline are must-sees for any first-time visitor, and the Poipu-area resorts on the island's south shore are often in high demand, making day trips from one end of the island to the other a component of many Kauai itineraries.
But rushed schedules often limit Kapaa sightseeing to a quick look at the town's eclectic shops and restaurants, not to mention the region's dramatic beachfronts, from behind the rolled-up windows of a sedan.
Kauai's little east coast community earned an impressive accolade, however, when Forbes magazine last year named it one of America's prettiest towns. Kapaa was the only destination west of the Rockies to make the list.
"I think what surprises people sometimes about the east side is there are so many beaches," said Margy Parker, a Kauai resident who handles media for the region's Royal Coconut Coast Association. "If you take a look at the resorts over there, pretty much all of them are on a beach."
A collection of lodging properties on the island's east coast, ranging from upscale accommodations to more moderate options and bed-and-breakfasts, the Royal Coconut Coast Association saw nine of its resorts undergo more than $20 million in renovations over the past two years.
"When people tell me they don't want to stay in a big megaresort, I'll look in that Kapaa area," said Chuck Brook, a Kauai Master Specialist and co-owner of Express Travel in Medford, Ore. "One of my clients just fell in love with the [beachfront] Hotel Coral Reef, which is real quiet, not too big. You park your car, and one minute later you're inside your hotel room."
Brook also sells Kapaa-area properties because of their convenient location about halfway between many of Kauai's North Shore and South Shore attractions. Kayaking on the east side's Wailua River is a hugely popular activity he books regularly for clients, and the town offers an array of shops, art galleries and eateries, featuring everything from fish taco trucks to fine dining.
According to Parker, Kapaa stands out, in fact, as a destination where visitors often connect with residents.
"If you go to Kapaa, and get out of the car and walk through the town or the marketplace, you will see the greatest mix of locals and visitors on Kauai," she said. "That's probably why people who stay in Kapaa feel like they're really part of the island."
Visit www.royalcoconutcoast.com.