HAWI The wooden sign reading “Welcome to Hawi” appears suddenly as I round a bend in the northern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island. My rental Jeep slows instinctively. Unlike the resort-clogged beaches 30 miles south, this hamlet of just 1,934 residents feels suspended in time. Colorful plantation-era buildings line the single main street, with zero chain stores in sight. I’ve explored 38 Hawaiian towns over the years, but something about Hawi’s authentic charm stops me mid-thought. This might be the only town in Hawaii with 100% of its historic core preserved, creating a living museum that few mainland travelers ever discover.
The wooden sign reading “Welcome to Hawi” appears suddenly as I round a bend in the northern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island. My rental Jeep slows instinctively. Unlike the resort-clogged beaches 30 miles south, this hamlet of just 1,934 residents feels suspended in time. Colorful plantation-era buildings line the single main street, with zero chain stores in sight. I’ve explored 38 Hawaiian towns over the years, but something about Hawi’s authentic charm stops me mid-thought. This might be the only town in Hawaii with 100% of its historic core preserved, creating a living museum that few mainland travelers ever discover.
