Guides|HI|Molokai|Neighborhoods|Kaunakakai

Last Modified: February 2, 2026

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Kaunakakai Neighborhood Guide

1of 8 Molokai Neighborhoods

Where Stoplights Fear to Tread

🧭Generally defined as the area: Stretching along Kaunakakai Harbor west to Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove and east toward Kaunakakai Wharf, with Ala Malama Avenue as the main drag running through the Old West-style downtown strip.

📌Well known for: Being the main "big city" on Molokai (all three blocks of it).

👕You can spot a Kaunakakai local by: Their truck parked diagonally in front of Misaki's.

👍Move here for: The only place on island with actual streetlights.

👎The downside to Kaunakakai is: Everything closes by 6 pm and Sundays are ghost town.

✨The general vibe is: Slow, real, small-town Hawaii.

Neighborhood Tags:
WalkableSafeFamily orientedYoung professionalsGreat schoolsQuiet

Pros & Cons of Kaunakakai

Kaunakakai strengths (top 5)

Urban EnergyGrocery OptionsLocal EateriesFarmers MarketsEvents & Festivals

Kaunakakai tradeoffs (top 3)

Public TransitBreweriesCocktail Lounges
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Neighborhood Quiz

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Kaunakakai Neighborhood DNA

Anyone who thinks Honolulu has too much traffic.

Kaunakakai neighborhood photo collage
Some of the Kaunakakai hotspots include: Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, Kanemitsu Bakery, Friendly Market Center, and Molokai Public Library.
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Moving to Kaunakakai - Make Sense Of Your Next Move

Whether you're new to Molokai or deciding which part of the island fits you best, Snappy Scout cuts through the noise and shows you what living here is really like. If you're still finding your way, start with our Moving to Molokai guide for the big-picture view — or compare Kaunakakai against other parts of the island in our Molokai neighborhood guide.