My husband and I are in the midst of a week-long stay on the island of Kaua’i in Hawai’i. The Garden Isle may be smaller and less populated than Maui or Oahu, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to see and do.

Last night we traveled down to the south shore to attend Friday Art Night in “Kauai’s Biggest Little Town.” Unlike most of the towns on the island, Hanapepe was built by Japanese, Filipino and Chinese immigrants, not a sugar plantation. Storefronts built in the early 20th century that housed small businesses have retained their character but now feature restaurants and art galleries. Established in 1997, Friday Art Night, held every week from around 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., hosts all manner of food trucks and artisans’ booths alongside established businesses that stay open late.

It’s a very popular draw, and we arrived just before 5:30 to find a parking place tucked behind a shop on Hanapepe Road, the main drag, and the street already filling up with visitors. We found an extremely friendly vibe, with shopkeepers very welcoming and happy to chat.    Locals and out-of-towners both seem to attend, for there was plenty of banter between folks who appeared to know each other well. Apparently, Art Night provides a nice way for the locals to wrap up the work week, ease into the weekend and catch up with their neighbors.

Before it got dark (and with small population centers and lots of jungle, it gets very dark here!), I checked out another of Hanapepe’s attractions, the Swinging Bridge. This wooden suspension bridge over the Hanapepe River, originally built in 1911 and rebuilt after Hurricane Iniki in 1992, provides a scenic vantage of the river     and a bouncy ride for kids. 

As the sky darkened, the lights strung between and over the shops and stalls provided a festive glow,          and a musician performing halfway down the street provided a pleasant soundtrack. We strolled the three or four blocks, considering which spot might provide our dinner and examining the tables of wood crafts, jewelry, art and photography. Harry settled on a mixed plate from one of the vendors while I opted for the hulihuli chicken from Bobbie’s, an established favorite (half a smoked chicken, rice and salad for $14). We bought some cookies for later snacking and spent the rest of the evening perusing the galleries and their wares up and down the street.

Of course, we also had to stop in at Talk Story, the westernmost bookstore in the United States. Carrying new and used books, comic books, vinyl records and more, it reminded me a bit of Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon. It’s the kind of place where you could spend hours browsing books and chatting with the owners about shared favorites and new titles to check out.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening in Hanapepe. If you visit Kauai, be sure to add Friday Art Night to your itinerary.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor