Kauaʻi’s new stay brings local culture to the table

Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi has opened as Curio Collection by Hilton’s first resort in Hawaiʻi. Hilton’s 1 October announcement introduces a 210-room property overlooking Nāwiliwili Bay and neighbouring Kalapakī Beach, with a proposition that brings dining and local cultural connections into the centre of an island stay.

An island setting with a design story

The hotel includes 23 suites and private lānais, with architecture by Hart Howerton and AHL and interiors by Looney & Associates. The design draws on the island’s landscape, while the E Ala Ka Pilina programme was developed with local practitioners, historians, educators and community organisations.

A Portuguese-Hawaiian connection

Figueira, the signature restaurant, explores Portuguese influences within Hawaiʻi’s food culture. Hilton highlights dishes including Portuguese fisherman’s stew, bacalhau no forno, pastel de nata and malasadas. For readers interested in the stories behind a meal, that creates a distinctive angle on a new resort opening.

Let the island set the pace

Our editorial suggestion is to choose a few experiences that invite a closer look at the destination, while keeping enough time for the coast and the hotel itself. Ask what cultural activities are scheduled during your dates and whether advance booking is needed. An island holiday becomes more memorable when the plan includes people, food and place, as well as the view from the room.

Hilton • 2026-10-01