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Highway 520 and Highway 530,

South Kauai

Koloa, sometimes called Old Koloa Town or Homestead, was the site of the first sugar plantation in the Hawaiian Islands. King Kamehameha III leased the land to Duncan McBryde in 1835. The remains of the sugar mill along with a plaque to the workers is located across the street from the shops in town. Every year the town celebrates Koloa Plantation Days which features a parade, fair, music, games, and storytelling. The town got a face-lift in the 1980's with new paint and some restoration, but it still has some of the oldest buildings in Hawaii. Downtown is centered around a huge banyan tree. South of town, the Koloa Landing was once the main port of entry to the island and was a favorite of the Yankee Pacific whaling fleet. Today the little city boasts numerous specialty shops, restaurants, and a history center.

Sugar cane fields are still in production around the town of Koloa.

Useful Information:

Restaurants and shops abound.

Historical site with some of the oldest buildings in Hawaii.

Ruins of the first sugar plantation are located in town.

Waita Reservoir located north of town is a great fishing spot.

DIRECTIONS:

Take Highway 50 east to Lawa'i. Turn right on Highway 530 (Koloa Road). This road takes you into town.