Pono Kai, Kauai

Pono Kai Resort, located in the historic town of Kapaa on Kauai's east side, offers a picturesque 12-acre property with meticulously manicured grounds and a koi pond. The resort is within walking distance of various restaurants, shops, and grocery stores, and is just 15 minutes from Lihue Airport. Guests can enjoy numerous on-site amenities, including a pool, hot tub, tennis and pickleball courts, workout room, BBQ facilities, herb garden, and a 7-mile multi-use coastal path. The resort also provides free parking, 24-hour front desk service, and an activities desk for arranging island adventures.

In addition to its convenient location and extensive amenities, Pono Kai Resort is situated along the scenic Ke Ala Hele Makalae walking and bike path, providing easy access to the beautiful coastline and nearby attractions. With a range of activities and facilities available, Pono Kai Resort is an ideal choice for vacationers seeking a relaxing and enjoyable stay on the Garden Isle of Kauai.

    Pono Kai Quick Facts:


  • Address: 4-1250 Kuhio Hwy,Kapa?a, HI 96746
  • Property Size: ~12.0 acres (241 units)
  • Reviews: 4.72 / 5.0 (from 1776 reviews)
  • Average Price: $311/night for 1 bedroom units
  • Rentals: Pono Kai Vacation Rentals

Pono Kai Average Rates


As of September 2025, the average price of a 1 bedroom unit at Pono Kai is $311. The average price of a 2 bedroom unit is $484. These averages include Hawaii's 18% accommodation tax as well as the cleaning and booking fees rentals charge. Also note that prices vary depending on the specifc unit and season (holiday rates are usually higher). Visit the Pono Kai Rentals page to see specific unit prices for your dates.

Pono Kai's Best Rentals

View All 38 Pono Kai Rentals (with vacancy and search options)

What Do Guests Think? An AI Analysis of 1000 Guest Reviews


Reviewer Portrait

The following executive summary is based on a comprehensive and impartial AI analysis of guest reviews. Keep in mind that all units are individually owned, and review scores among units can vary considerably.

It seems like guests have had a positive experience staying at the Pono Kai condo resort on Kauai. Many appreciate the central location, which allows for easy access to restaurants, shops, and sightseeing spots. The oceanfront views and proximity to the beach are highlights for many, with guests enjoying sunrises and the sound of waves from their units. The resort's amenities, including pools, family activities, and well-maintained grounds, are well-received. Units are described as clean, comfortable, and well-equipped, offering everything needed for a pleasant stay, including beach gear. Some guests mention minor issues such as noise from neighboring units or the need for updates in some condos, but these do not seem to detract significantly from the overall positive experience. The convenience of walking and biking paths, as well as the friendly and responsive property management, are also appreciated. Overall, guests recommend Pono Kai for its beautiful location, comfortable accommodations, and the excellent value it provides for a memorable stay on Kauai. This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 guest reviews.

Recent Pono Kai Reviews


We (two couples) stayed for 5 nights in early May. The condo was clean, comfortable, and had all the necessities. We loved the location facing the ocean and enjoyed sunny mornings on the patio. The beach chairs, umbrellas, cooler, and other beach gear were appreciated along with the well-supplied, updated kitchen. We'd gladly return. Highly recommended.
Kim C.
May 2025

Quiet Place in a quaint little town. Ocean view was beautiful.
Katherine S.
May 2025

We had an ocean view room that was awesome. Paved walking trail between the resort and the ocean. Nice clean rooms and well maintained yards.
James A.
May 2025

Just imagine walking into your condo, pulling back the curtains from wall to wall and all you see beautiful palm trees and the ocean surf, this view will take your breath away. You could not ask for a better location. This condo is just steps from the beach and located 30 min from Poipu and Hanalei, what more can you ask for. We had a great time and would give it 10 stars. All the pictures are accurate in the listing.
Richard H.
May 2025

Very nice location and all of the amenities! The host was very responsive and accommodating! Clean and comfortable! We wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again!
Charles L.
May 2025

Our family had an excellent stay. The property is beautiful, well maintained and equipped. Beds were really comfortable. The view is amazing and worth the stay alone. The hosts are top notch. Would love to stay here again next time we're in Kauai!
Casey H.
May 2025

The condo was updated and very clean. The outside of the property looked a little old. I would recommend staying here to others. Nice sunrise view in the morning from the porch!!!!
Elizabeth P.
May 2025

Super beautiful clean resort with lots of amenities!
Tom R.
May 2025

We were just boarding our flight in California when we received a message that the property had water damage & they were canceling our reservation.
Nicci C.
May 2025

This 2 bedroom/2 bath unit had everything we needed for our perfect stay. The kitchen is outfitted almost perfectly with even a hot pot to make tea water, crock pot. Our only suggestion would be for a pizza pan and cutter. (No big deal.). What really set this place apart from the rest is the full compliment of masks, fins, snorkel, 3 boogie boards, beach towels, beach mats, beach umbrella and even a beach chair. The location was excellent for a family with Mexican, Thai, Greek, Shave Ice, Smoothies, Cafes. All at reasonable prices. Best of all, this is a ground floor unit that opens to the lawn, bicycle path then beach. Sunrises were great! We hope to return next year.
Thomas M.
May 2025

We really enjoyed our stay in Kapa’a! The location was fantastic, just steps away from the water and right along the scenic 8-mile trail. The unit had everything we needed, and we especially loved the balcony where we could relax and watch the waves.There were a couple of minor issues to note. We experienced some torrential rains during our stay, and one window leaked each time. Additionally, the room we stayed in was one of the older units that hadn’t been updated yet, and the floors were quite noisy.The air conditioning didn’t quite reach the bedroom, but we found that opening the windows helped keep the space comfortable. Overall, we had a wonderful time and would recommend this place for its location and amenities!
Kari K.
May 2025

The place was clean and the location was perfect as a base to explore Kauai.
Quyen N.
May 2025

Condo was clean and had everything we needed for a great stay. The included pack in play, beach chairs, umbrella and wagon were great.
Weslee C.
April 2025

We absolutely loved the Pono Kai Resort and the condo unit we stayed in. The location was excellent, the view was stunning, the condo was very clean & uncluttered, the promenade along the beach was perfect and Kapa'a Old Town was a great place to shop, eat, browse or just plain stroll. The accessibility to the other shores made the location ideal. Staying at Pono Kai is definitely a "do-over".
Douglas M.
April 2025

Operating the TV is way too complicated. We needed two remotes to make it work.
Michael G.
April 2025

We had an incredible vacation on the Garden Isle. Our accommodations were A Very clean and centrally located.They had everythi g we could have possibly needed in the way of dishes, utensils etc....We would absolutely stay there again. Highly recommended. 5 stars
Steven H.
April 2025

This is a wonderfully updated and well appointed condo in a great location on the island. The unit was more than accommodating for me, my wife and two teens. Wonderful ocean view directly from the unit. The unit's location is walkable to a number of shops and eateries in Kapa'a (or a very short drive). Grocery locations are also close by for provisions. We had a number of excursions booked for both the Southern and Northern parts of the island, so Kapa'a did not disappoint as a centralized location of sorts to serve as a home base. And don't sleep on Kapa'a itself as it has great eco tourism activities like kayaking and hiking. We would not hesitate to stay here again and I hope we get the opportunity to do so!
Christopher D.
April 2025

Thank you so much
Renata B.
April 2025

Location was fantastic, beachfront with access to a great trail to walk or bike. Centrally located on the island if that’s what you want, and we did. Easy to get to north, south, airport, etc. Quiet, well-maintained complex with good amenities (we only used pool, nothing else). Our door code didn’t work but local manager was easily reachable and helped immediately. Owner didn’t answer a text on an unrelated question until next day so good that there is a local contact. Great shower, kitchen, supplies, etc. The unit and complex grounds were all clean and nice. Only minor suggestions for improvement:Bikes were a nice perk but need some maintenance- rusty chains and gears. Only two beach towels for Kauai where it’s reasonable to expect people will go to beach or pool daily and things take forever to dry. More beach towels!!Bedroom TV with multiple remotes, no instructions, none of them seem to work. One didn’t even have batteries. A DVD player with a single movie and no remote seems silly. Living room furniture is pretty uncomfortable for evening TV sessions.
Marc T.
April 2025

We loved our stay and the condo was perfect for our family. The view from the lanai is stunning! The rooms were spacious and comfortable. The kitchen had everything no needed. The hall closet was stocked with beach chairs, sand toys, snorkels and so much more. Brooke and Betsy were very responsive to our questions. We would definitely stay here again.
Carolyn F.
April 2025

This was a great unit in Kapa'a. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms were spacious, and the kitchen had everything we needed. Loved the ocean view from the living room and the easy access to the beach to watch the sunrise. Each room had its own air cooling system which was nice - we could choose what comfortably cool meant for each of us. The laundry room is not far from the unit, so doing some laundry wasn't a big endeavor when I had a couple loads to do (machines takes quarters, about 1.50/load)We did a lot of sightseeing and hiking, so we didn't use the bikes provided or spend much time in the pool. The hot tub was a nice place to socialize. BBQ's are located in different areas, so that was handy - we didn't have to wait for a BBQ at all. We have been to various places in Hawaii and have always had little bugs to deal with - but not here. Unit was bug-free and reasonably clean. It is a well-used unit, but overall a great place to stay that was central location for all our day-trips. Thankful for the provided coolers and beach chairs!Any questions we had were promptly answered and we'd be happy to stay here again.
Ken W.
April 2025

Amazing stay. The only 2 items to point out are the rear bedroom was quite hot, the ac did not reach that room, which was not ideal. Also, the unit next door was being renovated. The workers were great and did their best. The shared hallway was a very dusty our entire stay.
Todd V.
April 2025

My wife and I stayed at the Pono Kai resort for our honeymoon several years ago in a different unit and loved our stay. We decided to come back and upgrade to an oceanfront unit this time. The location of this unit is amazing - sitting out on the deck with the ocean-front view everyday was so lovely, and the ocean-breeze kept the unit from getting stuffy in the afternoon, no AC needed. Overall, the unit is comfortable (great bed), but a few details dragged down the experience. First, the bathroom sink was not draining upon our arrival. I had to clean (de-clog) the drain to get it working, which looked like it hasn't been cleaned in over a year (yuck). The carpet in the unit seems to be the original probably from the 90s and was also a bit gross, not sure carpet is a good material to use in general for humid island conditions. Other little details like cracked and peeling kitchen cabinets that had been taped up with painters tape and other poor quality fixes throughout the unit detracted from the experience. I hope the owner will address these issues for the sake of future renter's stay.
Sebastian B.
April 2025

Enjoyed our time in Kauai. Beautiful island, friendly people
Caroline B.
April 2025

Wonderful property - Mahalo
John Holladay F.
April 2025

Amazing view, great location, would definitely go back!
Jonathan A.
April 2025

The view was breathtaking. The condo was well decorated, stocked and comfortable. I spent a lot of time sitting at the table on the lanai listening and watching the waves. The property is lovely with a lot of activities. The pool was fabulous. We would definitely stay here again!! Mahalo!
Natalie C.
April 2025

The host was out of town traveling so we didn't hear from him until the day before so that was stressful but everything went smoothly from there. Great location and all amenities you'd need are provided with a Safeway nearby. Furniture was made of cane and a but uncomfortable for sitting. Bed was way too soft for us but glad we had a king.
Colette C.
April 2025

Great place to get away from the heavy resort area.Easy walking distance to coffee and Nick nacks.Used the kitchen to save money, everything was there to cook. Loved waking up to the sunrise
Leah G.
April 2025

Nice ocean views
Wendel D.
April 2025

This condo was beautiful. It was perfectly situated to everything on the island. The condo itself had a stunning view and was beautifully decorated. The amenities on the premises were great. Our family played pickleball everyday and relaxed in the pool and hot tub.The check-in was easy and communications with the host was great. Highly recommend. Thank you Lena and Ivan!
Kris B.
April 2025

It was an amazing location. Loved the place!!
Candia F.
April 2025

We enjoyed our stay at Pono Kai A201. This is a recently remodeled two bedroom two bathroom condo. Perfect for our family of four with plenty of room for everyone to spread out. The balcony overlooks the ocean as does the master bedroom. And the location of the condo is protected from the high winds in Kapaa. We appreciated the split AC units during the night. Although there aren’t any laundry machines in the unit, they are nearby in the complex.Thank you!
Kyrsten W.
April 2025

Great location, beautiful view, well maintained unit. It was equipped with everything you could think of! The owner was a delight to deal with as well!
Heather A.
April 2025

This condo is in beautiful Pona Kai Resort with full use of equipment and facilities. Watch the sunrise over the ocean from patio or bedroom. We enjoyed walking along the ocean walkway every morning. Centrally located in Old Town Kapaa
Dorothy P.
April 2025

Older property, but well maintained. We enjoyed the 3rd floor with elevator access and great view of the Ocean! Kauai is changing as always, this place is well located to get to the locations we love on this island. Great hot tube and pool. A functional unit at a reasonable price. Thank you for sharing this space with us.
Lea M.
April 2025

Our family stayed here on our visit. The location is perfect. You can walk to town if needed, close to restaurants, bakery, etc. The little beach in front of the property is often empty. It feels like you have your own private piece of paradise. The bike/walking path is fabulous! There’s a bike rental place nearby and my teens loved riding along this pathway. The condo is clean and well stocked with dishes and pans. There’s also pool towels and other beach items there to borrow. We had a hiccup at check-in and the owner called me back right away and fixed it promptly. We had a great time here and would highly recommend.
Amy D.
April 2025

This was indeed a remarkable treasure on The Garden Isle. It was a perfect stay and I appreciated having such a wonderful option RIGHT ON THE BEACH! The owners were extremely helpful throughout the process. Centrally located and walkable to a lot of great coffee and dining options (and two grocery stores), I hope to be able to return to paradise some day. Mahalo!
Rondal R.
April 2025

This Villa is well situated on the beach. Walk right out to the beach and a rolling surf. The villa is clean, roomy and comfortable. Good bed, eating area, kitchen is well stocked. I would stay here again.
Kevin A.
April 2025

The location and amenities are amazing. It is located by many restaurants, shops and of course it is right on the beach with a gorgeous view of the ocean. The condominium was very spacious and beautifully decorated. Sadly, there was a musty smell from dust and possible mold so we needed to leave after one night.
Randy S.
April 2025

Wonderful time on Kaua’i. The condo in Kapaa was in an excellent location, a few steps from the beach. Great place to barbecue or catch a bite at Pacos Tacos nearby. We took many walks along the beach and enjoyed swimming right off the shore. The condo was great, fully stocked with everything you need to enjoy the beach life, comfy bed, great lanai and a kitchen with every gadget needed.
Diane H.
April 2025

Overall I would rate:Resort 8 out of 10The unit 7 out of 10Vacassa 3 out of 10The issues were:1. Inadequate noise insulation (hear every step from above).2. We were treated as second class citizens at the pool. Pool towels are available for "guests". We however were considered owners and thus had to bring towels from the unit.3. Clearly cleaning costs are built into the rate. If the average stay is 5 days, the cost to clean every five days is built into the rate. Yet we had a three week stay and had to pay for the two cleanings we needed.4. There are two beach umbrellas in the unit. The one we took on our first beach day had a broken spoke which adveresely impactated that beach day. The second beach umbrella is fine.5. We had to purchase beach chairs. The ones in the unit seated you too close to the ground (about 2 inches) for us to use them.6. No safe in the unit7. Support for resolving issues is VERY DIFFICULT. The chat refers everyting to "the local team" who is not responsive.
Miles L.
March 2025

To say this property is beautiful is an understatement!! The condo was clean, well kept and the view of the Pacific was amazing to wake up to each morning!! So many amenities and things to do at the resort and lots of restaurants and shops within walking distance.
Christopher N.
March 2025

This is a lovely unit and the location is superb. Perfect sunrise view. Well-appointed unit in lively Kapa'a. Great communication with the hosts. Grounds at the complex are beautiful!hosts
Dawn W.
March 2025

This was our second stay at Pono Kai. First time in this unit. Really enjoyed this two bedroom with a loft. Lots of amenities. Comfy beds. Fully stocked kitchen. Great owners. Would love to return. Indeed, my daughter is lobbying for me to buy a unit. That’s high praise!
Catherine O.
March 2025

We have stayed at Pono Kai many times. Our stay in C102 was nothing short of excellent. This was the most well stocked unit. Every single thing you could ask for in the kitchen! Such a lovely place to just listen to the waves.
marilynn p.
March 2025

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This place was everything we could have hoped for! Location was amazing and condo was perfectly laid out for myself and my two adult kids. Thank you for a wonderful week!
Jodi R.
March 2025

Rating Details: The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We stayed here for two weeks. The view and roar of the ocean was spectacular. Everyone on the property was helpful and friendly. We would gladly recommend this unit.
Shirley G.
March 2025

Feels like the authentic Kauai experience.
Tom H.
March 2025

It was very nice. Lots of room. Only downfall the hot water was not hot very long.
Jennifer S.
March 2025


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