Unique Things to do in Kauai: Talk Story Bookstore
I had the privilege to live in Hawaii for two years, and in traveling all over the state, I can say that Kauai might be my favorite Hawaiian island. Everyone already knows about Kauai’s pristine beaches and gorgeous green mountains, but how about some more unique things to do in Kauai, or what to do in Kauai when it rains?
My top suggestion is to make a journey to Kauai’s only bookstore, Talk Story Bookstore.
Visiting local bookstores is one of the best ways to be a responsible traveler to the Hawaiian islands. It allows you to support the local economy, plus you’re likely to stumble across some great reads (make sure you check out of my list of the 15 books set in Hawaii you must read) that will give you insight into and appreciation for local culture and history.
I’ve been to some fantastic bookstores on Hawaii’s Big Island and some must-visit indie bookstores on O’ahu, but I have a special place in my heart for Kauai’s Talk Story Bookstore.
In this guide, I’ll tell you all about this unique indie bookstore, why you should visit, and how to get there.
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As always, this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, shopping from them may generate small commissions to support the operations of this blog.
Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.
What makes Talk Story Bookstore Unique?
Talk Story Bookstore is an awesome independent bookstore located in Hanapepe, on the southern coast of Kauai. It's honestly a delight to browse around in here and makes a perfect rainy day activity in Kauai. You’ll find so many charming details in this beautiful indie bookshop, including a tape outline of a body in the mystery section, a door-turned-Tardis, and even an electrical box disguised as a flux capacitor.
If you haven’t lived in Hawaii before and aren’t familiar with the expression “Talk Story,” it’s a phrase used commonly in Hawaii meaning to slow down, chat with friends and family, share stories, and develop friendships and community. In a culture that has largely been an oral storytelling culture, talking story is an important and beloved tradition in Hawaii even today.
At this Kauai bookstore, you can expect to find both new and used books at very reasonable prices. You can find any of the major book genres here, including a great children’s book selection, and an impressive selection of local fiction and Hawaiiana. You’ll also find records, comic books, and DVDs.
As I mentioned, Hawaii has some really cool bookstores, but there are a few things that make Talk Story Bookstore unique:
It’s the westernmost bookstore in the US
It’s the only bookstore in Kauai
It’s run by a bookstore cat
Alright, let’s break these points down a little further.
The Westernmost Bookstore in the US
Talk Story Bookstore is, in fact, the westernmost bookstore in the United States. Kauai is the westernmost of the main Hawaiian islands, which is the westernmost state in the US, so Talk Story Bookstore gets to boast that title (and they do!).
On that western theme, just looking at the outside of Talk Story Bookstore, you’d think it came straight out of Tombstone, Arizona rather than Hawaii. This Hawaii bookstore has a distinctly western facade, with a saloon-like wooden exterior. It’s actually an ode to Kauai’s plantation town history, although Hanapepe itself was one of the few towns on Kauai that was not created by sugarcane plantations.
An interesting fact about Hanapepe is it was supposedly the real-life inspiration for Lilo’s hometown in the Disney movie, Lilo & Stitch. Hanapepe is a cool town to visit, because it still retains that authentic old feel of old world Kauai.
Kauai’s Only Bookstore
Owner Ed Justus opened up Talk Story Bookstore in 2004 when met with an interesting proposition: he was offered a month’s free rent to open up a business, any business, in the then-vacant Hanapepe building. As Ed had a lot of books and records already, he decided to open up Kauai's only bookstore. Almost twenty years later, it still stands, attracting visitors from all over the globe.
Other bookstores have opened and closed during that time, but Talk Story has remained a constant for Kauai residents and tourists. Owner Ed has won 19 business awards, and Talk Story Bookstore has become the #1 shopping destination on Kauai according to tripadvisor.
Talk Story Bookstore is Run By a Bookstore Cat
Okay, obviously the cat doesn’t really run Talk Story Bookstore, but it is the boss. If you visit this Kauai bookstore, you’ll notice a cat throne behind the register letting everyone know that the cat is the boss in this bookstore.
At the time that I visited, Talk Story Bookstore was still ruled over by cat Mochi-Celeste. Celeste, as she was known for short, inspired a line of sassy cat stickers stickers, a cute children’s book, and even her own dedicated instagram page. Sadly, this beloved bookstore cat passed away in 2022. After a period of mourning for Celeste, the owners brought in a new feline bookstore boss, Natalie, to keep workers in line and customers company.
Talk Story Bookstore is everything you want from an indie bookshop: it’s well-curated, aesthetically creative, and it just feels welcoming. The owner, Ed, works right there in the shop (he was our cashier), and the store sells original artwork by local artists, including the owner’s wife (he personally thanked me for supporting his wife’s artwork when I purchased one of her old dictionary art prints).
How to get to Talk Story Bookstore
Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe is just 20 miles from Kauai’s airport in Lihue. It’s easy to reach Talk Story Bookstore, just a 30-minute drive from the airport via Kaumualiʻi Highway.
Talk Story Bookstore is a great, unique thing to do in Kauai and makes a natural stop on your way to Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii.
This independent bookstore is also only a 4-minute drive from Kauai's Glass Beach, popular because it is covered in tiny pieces of colored sea glass (if you visit, make sure you leave the sea glass behind; don’t take it with you!).
Finding Accommodations in Kauai
As you look for somewhere to stay in Kauai, I recommend checking for lodging on Hotels.com. I almost always book my accommodations through Hotels.com, because you can earn rewards for every night you stay without having to choose only one hotel chain to be loyal to. You can even book locally owned aparthotels and bed and breakfasts.
Travel Resources At-A-Glance
All of the following are links to sites and services I actually use to book and plan my travel or to purchase books or travel gear.
For flights: Skyscanner is my number one go-to resource for booking flights. I love using the “explore” function to find the cheapest places I can fly during a given time, or using the fare calendar to identify the cheapest days to fly.
For hotels and lodgings: For hotels, hotels.com and for vacation rentals, VRBO.com. I’ve had much better experiences with private rentals through this website than through other popular private vacation rental websites.
For car rentals: Kayak allows comparisons across a wide range of booking agencies and lists reviews of companies as well. I’ve found this to be the most user-friendly and efficient way to compare car rental prices.
For tours & excursions: Viator is my top choice for booking excursions and tour experiences in a new destination.
For travel gear: Amazon.com and REI for more outdoorsy items. Check out my travel gear recs here.
Best travel credit card: My favorite travel rewards credit card has been the Chase Sapphire Rewards card. Some of the travel benefits I love on the Chase Sapphire include free TSA pre check or Global Entry (worth it every time), an annual $200 travel credit, an annual $200 hotel benefit, built-in rental car and trip insurance, and points are worth 50% more when used to book travel.
For books: Bookshop.org often has prices as good as Amazon or sometimes better, but profits go to indie bookstores all over the country. Whenever possible, consider buying your books from this online indie bookshop resource.
Talk Story Bookstore is a great place to pick up a beach read for your Kauai vacation, or to find a unique souvenir from Kauai. So whether you’re looking for what to do in Kauai when it’s raining or you are a bibliophile who always hunts down the best indie bookshops when you travel (like me), add Talk Story Bookstore to your Kauai itinerary.
If you want to support this independent bookshop from afar, you can shop their books and unique merchandise like Mochi-Celeste merch online.
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