koloa

Koloa is a census-designated place and historic town located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii, United States. It sits near the Poipu area and serves as a commercial and cultural center for the region, with a historic core that reflects its plantation-era origins.

The name koloa derives from the Hawaiian language, generally associated with wealth, goods, or treasure. While the exact origin of the town’s name is not definitive, it is linked to the prosperity brought by early industry in the area.

Historically, Koloa is notable for Kauai’s first successful sugar plantation, established in 1835 by Ladd & Co. The plantation spurred the growth of a compact town with storefronts, housing, and services for workers. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Koloa developed as a regional commercial hub on the island. After the decline of the sugar industry in the late 20th century, the district shifted toward tourism, agriculture, and heritage preservation.

The historic town center retains a collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture and is associated with the Koloa Town Historic District. Notable sites include the Koloa Missionary Church, established in the 1830s, and several preserved storefronts that line the streets, with interpretive markers along the Koloa Heritage Trail. The Old Sugar Mill site near the town remains a landmark and now serves as a venue for events and dining.

Today, Koloa blends its historical character with modern commerce, offering shops, galleries, and eateries while providing access to nearby beaches and resort areas along Kauai’s southern coast.