Today we’re visiting Hanapepe in Hawaii, the town that inspired the original Lilo & Stitch movie. Along with our daughter, friends Jack and Lisa, and their kids we’re all huge Stitch fans! Check out all the must-sees for a Stitch fanand more while visiting Hanapepe.
Make sure to check back regularly for all of our adventures in Hawaii.
Planning Visiting Hanapepe
After doing a NaPali Coast Boat Tour and Snorkeling on Kauai, we are less than a mile from downtown Hanapepe. So, we have to make a stop! But if you’re on Kauai, you need to go to the south part of the island. From Lihue airport, it’s about a 50-minute or 20 mile drive on HI-50 West.
When visiting Hanapepe, the 1st thing we want to do is walk over the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge. It’s a historic suspension bridge over the Hanapepe River. It’s located in the middle of downtown which also has many shops. But our must-do is taking a picture in front of the Lilo & Stitch mural. So we’ll take our time shopping and taking pictures. Also only a few miles away is the Kauai Coffee Estate. So after visiting Hanapepe, our plan is to get some coffee.
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
Though the bridge is not in Lilo and Stitch, it’s a Kauai historic landmark that you can experience for free. So once we park downtown, we look for a sign for the bridge.
The sign is easily seen from the main street, though the bridge isn’t. But we can see we need to take a left turn. And it’s just a short walk past a few buildings toward the river.
We are not going to lie, this bridge looks a little questionable at first. Made from wood, the suspension bridge allows locals to cross the Hanapepe River to easily get to the other side. But we’ve come this far.
The 2 young kids are not fazed, and are the 1st to start walking up to the bridge. It’s called the swinging bridge because it moves when you walk across the wooden planks. But the railings on each side keep us safe even when we jump around shaking the bridge. It’s fun and only takes us a few minutes to get to the other side. Though not much to see, so we turn around and head back to downtown.
Shopping in Hanapepe
Once back the 1st building we see is the Aloha Spice Company. This place has spices you can buy, many with blends of Hawaiian sea salt. They also have locally-made popsicles that we have to try. Next door is Banana Patch Studio which makes hand-painted pottery. Becky was able to get some beautiful items custom made and shipped back home.
There are many cute shops in Hanapepe with local artisans and treats. But the store we want to visit is JJ Ohana’s. Like the bridge, from the outside it doesn’t look very inviting. But inside the gift shop is all kinds of Lilo and Stitch memorabilia. And the people are very nice and helpful.
Outside are some other Lilo and Stitch things you have to see. There’s a huge Lilo and Stitch backpack out front as big as our daughter. And of course, there’s also a Lilo and Stitch cut-out great for a photo op.
Another great shop is across the street a little ways called Island Stickers & More. But on the way we see the Lilo & Stitch Mural, and have to stop for pictures.
Lilo & Stitch Mural and other signs
Like the cutout, the mural is another hand-painted picture of Lilo, Nani and Stitch surfing. Though a little worn, the sign welcomes visitors to Historic Old town Hanapepe “Home of Lilo & Stitch”.
The mural is painted onto some wood covering a building being restored. Also here is another area painted with a landscape with “Aloha from Hanapepe Kauai” on it. So after a few pictures we walk across the street to check out Island Stickers.
Inside the store are all kinds of cool stickers designed by the shop owner. She is very talented, and we talk to her while buying some of them. She then asks us if we have taken a picture in front of the mural. And we say we did across the street, but she says we have to go outside.
Outside the store and around the side of the building is a huge picture of Stitch! And the shop owner comes out and takes multiple pictures of us in front of him. We are so glad we stopped inside the sticker shop because we had no idea this was even here! So after some stickers and lots of pictures, we are ready to head to the Kauai Coffee Estate.
Kauai Coffee Estate
If you’re visiting Hanapepe, it’s just an 8 minute drive to the Kauai Coffee Estate. Open daily, they have a gift shop, museum, walking tour, and free tastings. You can check out more at: Visit the Kauai Coffee Plantation | Hawaiian Coffee Estate | Kauai Coffee Tour.
When we arrive there is plenty of parking right in front of the gift shop. In the shop there are lots of souvenirs, but more importantly lots of coffee. But before we buy anything, we head outside for free coffee tastings.
Between the gift shop and the museum is a breezeway with a counter full of jugs of coffee. They have about 10 varieties to try including specialty coffees only found here. One that we found interesting is a barrel aged coffee collaboration with Koloa Rum. After we sampled just about every one, we check out their small museum. And next to it is a coffee shop where you can buy a large cup or other treats.
We didn’t realize Kauai Coffee Estate is the largest in the United States. With 4 million trees on this 3100-acre farm, they provide coffee all around the world. And behind the gift shop is a free walking tour through their farm. Along the paved walking path are informative signs that explain how they grow coffee from seed to cup.
Though coffee is for adults, there is plenty for the kids to do. Not to mention all the goodies in the gift shop. And if you spend $100, they will ship it all home for free. This is perfect for souvenirs, since our luggage is already full. After over an hour here, we are ready to go find dinner.
Summary of Visiting Hanapepe
When visiting Hanapepe we parked downtown and walked to the historic swinging bridge. It was fun walking across and back, and then we checked out some of their cute shops. For Lilo & Stitch fans, JJ Ohana’s is a must-stop. Not only do they have all kinds of merchandise, but check out the backpack and cut-out in front for picture opportunities. But of course you have to take a picture at the Lilo & Stitch Mural. And there is another larger Stitch painted onto the side of the building with Island Stickers. Visiting Hanapepe is a fun stop for any fans of the movies! And don’t forget just down the road is the Kauai Coffee Estate which is also great for coffee lovers.
Make sure to check back regularly for all of our adventures in Hawaii.