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: 4.71 / 5.0 (from 1856 reviews)
  • Average Price: $327/night for 1 bedroom units
  • Rentals: Pono Kai Vacation Rentals

Pono Kai Average Rates


As of October 2025, the average price of a 1 bedroom unit at Pono Kai is $327. The average price of a 2 bedroom unit is $535. 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 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.

Travelers love Pono Kai’s oceanfront, central Kapaa location. Most reviews rave about waking to the sound of waves, unforgettable sunrise views from lanais and even bedrooms, and instant access to the paved coastal path for walks, runs, and bike rides. The resort grounds feel tropical and well kept, with a laid‑back, family‑friendly vibe and plenty to do: pool and hot tub, pickleball/tennis, putting green, hammocks, BBQs, koi ponds, lawn games, and easy walks to food trucks, cafés, shops, and groceries. As a home base, Kapaa’s mid‑island position makes day trips north or south straightforward.

Units are generally clean, comfortable, and often updated, with well‑stocked kitchens and lots of thoughtful extras like beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, and snorkel gear. Many hosts are responsive and proactive, and check‑in is usually smooth (with front desk registration for resort amenities). Some condos include split A/C (not universal), and laundry is typically a nearby coin‑op, though a few units have in‑suite machines. Guests highlight quiet evenings, spacious layouts (some with lofts), and that “home away from home” feel, all at a more relaxed price point than big resorts.

Common trade‑offs reflect the property’s age and mixed ownership. Sound can travel between floors—ground and mid‑level units sometimes hear footsteps above—so light sleepers may prefer a top floor. Not every condo has full A/C (bedrooms can run warm), and while oceanfront, the beach out front is better for sunrise strolls than consistent swimming; many guests drive to nearby swim beaches. Kapaa traffic can be busy, roosters are part of Kauai’s dawn soundtrack, and privately managed units may not get resort pool towels. A few guests hit minor hiccups (door codes, elevator outages, dated furnishings) but most issues are resolved quickly. Overall, expect a classic, well‑kept, low‑key condo resort with stellar views, strong value, and unbeatable convenience.

This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews

Recent Pono Kai Reviews


This place is amazing. Pictures don’t do it justice.
mike f.
July 2025

Next to ocean. Ocean has a good current.
Peggy G.
July 2025

This was our first time to Kauai as a family and were so relieved to find our condo was so centrally located, peaceful, well maintained and comfortable. We felt at home right when we walked in the door and loved all the amenities that the complex offered. To wake up to beautiful sunrises pretty much every morning was so special! Got an amazing view of the full moon as well! Great space for our family of four!
Mathew and Melissa B.
July 2025

My husband and I recently stayed is here. The place is great and has everything you need. Beach towels, small ice chest and chairs were in the closet. There were also starters of necessities. It is in the Pono Kai resort. We were on the ground floor. Walk right out on the patio (with lounge chair and 4 chairs with table) on to the grass leading to the beach. Easy access to the 6.5 mile or so bike path that we walked each day. There were 2 bikes available in the condo if you like to ride. There were lots of restaurants within walking distance of our condo as well. It was located right in the heart of Kapa’a. We could walk to grocery and shops as well. This place really had it all. The owner was quick to respond when we had a question. We would stay here again in a second!
Bobbie C.
July 2025

We had a wonderful stay in Kapaa. Our plans were taking us all over the island and we really were centrally located to get everywhere quickly. The apartment was located in a nice resort with a lot of amenities and easy access to a beachside walking path. Inside it had everything you would need to cook with a fully stocked kitchen, beach with chairs, umbrella and cooler or relax. Our only other wish would be a TV in the bedroom as we like to watch movies before bed. The living room did have a nice TV and a furniture for lounging and dining. We had everything we needed to go out and explore and come “home” and relax. A perfect vacation spot.
Nicole M.
July 2025

My family and I just love this condo. No AC? No Problem... just open the sliding door and windows and the Sea Breeze will keep you nice and comfy. Well kept grounds, and as mentioned literally 100 paces from the Sand and Ocean. Easy walk into town for Shave Ice, Coffee or just to check out the local scene. We have stayed here probably half a dozen times, and will certainly do so again !
C Benjamin C.
July 2025

My wife and I love staying at Pono Kai. There is restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance. I highly recommend staying here.
Carol
July 2025

We enjoyed the condo at Pono Kai. Helpful staff, nice amenities like tennis, pool and hot tub. We cook a lot so it was nice to have a kitchen. Not a ton of dishes and accessories, but enough to cook several meals. Overall - a very nice place for the money.
Tisha S.
July 2025

The property was spacious for a family of 4 and we were very comfortable. The kitchen had what we needed. It was super clean but I was told because it’s a privately owned property, house keeping was an additional charge which we did not opt to pay (and didn’t feel we should) for a 7 day stay. So the floors got a bit grubby and it would have been nice to have fresh towels. It’s important to note this property is NOT beach front. It is definitely ocean front where the property looks directly to the ocean with no obstruction. There is a retaining wall with very choppy waters. The beach was close by and visible from the unit but the waters were not safe and we never saw anyone in the water. In general this side of the island was not the best in terms of weather or water conditions. This was our 3rd visit and the least favorable location.The overall property grounds are well maintained with a lot of activities. We did not experience any bugs. You can hear the neighbors upstairs walking around (sounds like stomping) and flushing the toilet. We also had to deal with the water being turned off for 4 hours which is not ideal when you are on vacay at a resort and could not get late check out due to our unit being fumigated. We just don’t expect this from vacationing at a resort property. This was not related to Garden Island Properties who are terrific. but the actual property.
Claire P.
July 2025

Loved the location, clean unit, friendly tenants, great beaches and restaurants nearby.
Kristina M.
July 2025

Shirley & Tony’s place checked all of the boxes! The condo was clean, had great working AC, a well equipped kitchen making meals at home easy, and a very nice bathroom/shower. The balcony is beautiful with top tier views of the ocean and mountains to the left. The views were even more spectacular in person than any listing photos could ever show. The grounds at the resort are very well maintained, with local plants, common areas with the pool, ping pong, mini golf, a robust herb garden, beautiful koi pond & more. The location is also top notch with walkable restaurants and a public beach just a short walk away. It was perfect for us, as we were visiting mainly to do the Kalalau trail and explore the island. Kapa’a is a great central location for accessing the North & South. Our only regret is that we didn’t book a longer trip for more time at the condo when we weren’t hiking - we could have spent weeks here and felt right at home with all of the amenities. Shirley & Tony’s communication was top notch as well, and we would love to stay again in the future!
Z
July 2025

The location of this condo in the complex and on the island was ideal. We loved having an ocean view and the walking and biking trail right out our door. And the condo is fully stocked with everything you could need.
Lorelei W.
July 2025

Rating Details: The property manager was more than helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was more than happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: The unit had everything we needed, very well stocked and very clean. The only thing is the glass sliding door was vary hard to move.
A guest from N/A, CO
July 2025

This was a wonderful condo. The location was close to the beach, slops and restaurants. The condo was clean, well stocked with beach chairs and everything we needed to make our vacation memorable. The Air Conditioner works amazing. The view from the balcony while we ate our breakfast was picturesque Thanks for making our 25 wedding anniversary a memorable celebration.
Missy S.
July 2025

Listen to the ocean waves. Beach is footsteps away. Walk to quaint Kapaa shops and taco trucks, restaurants. Located perfectly between North Shore and Waimea. This condo is stocked with spices, and needed items, boogie boards, snorkel equipment, etc... Great Stay.
Sheryl G.
July 2025

This property is located in the heart of Kapa’a. Central location is prefect for traveling around the island. Perfect location to walk to nearby shops and food. The path along the coast was perfect for morning walks. The property is very well maintained and has nice resort features.
Desiree J.
July 2025

Nice property, gorgeous view. Close to town and restaurants. Good hot tub. Lots to do on site. Cono had lots of amenities and very clean. Laundry available close by.Front desk staff were not help but concierge was delightful.Bed was rather high if you are short
rosemary m.
July 2025

Clean condo that is perfect for two people. Great view of the beach. This condo has everything you would need to make your stay feel like home... kitchen cookware, spices, and beach essentials. The room is on the second floor so we did hear the people on the third floor moving around. Good location to drive to the north or south parts of Kauai.
Nhung N.
July 2025

While this is an older building, it has been upgraded and has all the comforts. The location is superb, right on the water with walking path, Swimming pool, hot tub. beautiful grounds, and lots of extras to do., Activities abound at the pool, pingpong, games, and covered patio. I even read a really good book supplied by the owner. Has chairs, coolers, towels for pool available. The location is centered in Kapaa and makes it easy to travel to all corners of the Island. The only improvement I can suggest, is fixing the entrance door so it doesnt stick.. Moisture over time has made it warp in one corner. it takes a little extra force to open and is noisy.. Otherwise it was a great place for us to stay and celebrate our birthdays. Laurie & Gary
Laura M.
July 2025

Great property. Room updated. Location and amenities are great! Would rent again.
Ronald D.
June 2025

This unit has the best views at the resort and is well maintained. The location is excellent, with restaurants and stores in walking distance. Parking is also plentiful. The host is responsive. Highly recommended.
Louis B.
June 2025

We had a great stay in this condo. The resort area has lots of fun things, and the location is excellent for exploring the island. The sunrise views cannot be beat!
Jill H.
June 2025

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: This was a very nice condo. The view is lovely...if only there was a comfortable way to view it. Every other lani had a chase lounge, except this one. The King bed was comfortable (though a bit hard to turn in as it is memory foam). We barely used the kitchen so can't speak on that, but it seemed to be well stocked. The water pressure in the shower was not great, but it was a nice big walk in shower. You can't use the towels at the pool because this condo is privately owned. There are only 5 beach towels provided, so you have to wash the towels if you're doing a lot of swimming. The amenities on the property are wonderful, especially for a family: ping pong, putt putt golf, crochet, tennis. Plus the condo provides some coffee and plenty of laundry and first aid supplies. There are also several beach chairs and an umbrella available. All in all, we loved the property, but a comfortable place to put your feet up on the lani would have been preferable. If we go again, we would probably choose a different condo that was owned by the resort as there is a slight feeling you get from the staff that you are not really part of the resort because you are in a privately owned condo.
Mary L.
June 2025

Loved the thoughtfulness throughout this condo- every beach item we could possibly need, lots of towels, fully stocked kitchen, and plenty of room for our group of 5. The teenagers enjoyed having their own space upstairs, which even has a little mini fridge. This is the first time we have stayed in a top floor unit which we enjoyed. The view is beautiful and it was very quiet, no noisy neighbors upstairs. Great location at the Pono Kai with all the fun amenities there. We regularly used the beach path for biking, walks, and going to the bridge for fishing. Walking distance to great restaurants, shops, and food trucks. I can’t say enough great things about this unit. Book it and you won’t be disappointed!
Amanda P.
June 2025

Great amenities and location on the Island. Great host!
Stacy C.
June 2025

By the beach, wonderful stay! I can feel and smell the breeze. Walking distance to stores and restaurants/food trucks! We had a great time.
Carmen R.
June 2025

Dave and Nancy are great! They made everything so easy and helpful it took the burden off of us with no worries at all on the property. They are very very responsive and gave us tips and pointers when asked-fast. Everything about the property is well thought out, even a spice rack. We used the kitchen a lot and for us after a tired day was very helpful to have all the conveniences of home. They extended our checkout time because of a late departure and provided “last day” suggestions. I will stay here again on my next Kaua’i trip. Thanks Dave and Nancy!!
Ed W.
June 2025

Location, view, cleanliness, condo, and property rental company were all perfect!. Had a problem with a screen door and the safe and they were fixed in under an hour. Everything we needed was in the condo for a day at the beach. There is no AC but we totally didnt need it, there were fans in every room and the ocean breeze kept us comfortable. We will definately stay here again if we ever come back to this magical island. Thank you for a fabulous vacation!
Melissa N.
June 2025

This condo was a great space for our first trip to Hawaii. Our family of four (2 adults and 2 teenagers) each had our own beds and space. The master bedroom and bath is very spacious. The beds were comfortable. The condo is very beautifully updated and well appointed with all of the cooking utensils needed for cooking meals. It was so nice and generous of the owners to allow use of their bikes. We enjoyed riding them down the path and to the beaches a few times on our trip. The condo was very clean and the A/C was a nice cool down from the heat. The location was a great middle point of the island and places we explored while there. The lanai was so peaceful to sit out on for dinner in the evenings. We had a check in delay due to issues with the door code not working but it was remedied by the owner and local contact in a reasonable time frame. Thanks Lena and Ivan for sharing your place with others. We loved Kauai and can't wait to come back!
LINDSAY F.
June 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: Spectacular in every way! Location, location, location! Right in the heart of Kapaa and walkable to all points of interest. Being on the bike path was a definite plus. For those concerned with too much foot or bike traffic, it's not an issue. This was our 5th time on Kauai but first stay at Pono Kai. Spoiler alert - it won't be our last! This particular unit was very clean, spacious, and has everything you need for your stay. The master bedroom has unforgettable sunrises every morning. Do yourself a favor and don't hesitate to book this unit for your stay!
Chris M.
June 2025

It was absolutely beautiful ! Our condo was on ground floor , perfect location to everything . Had everything we needed to cook with. Can’t wait to go back . It’s a place to stay .
Kathy Miller F.
June 2025

Hearing the Ocean made it a dream while falling asleep! Watching the Sunrise was so incredible also!
Danny W.
June 2025

The condo is amazing. We stayed 5 days as part of a 10 day trip to the Hawaiian islands. The condo is perfect for touring both north and south. Kapa’a has a nice relaxing feel. Condo was a prime spot with a breathtaking view of the sunrise whether enjoying from the Lanai, living room, or from your master suite. Condo well stocked and has a great touch of class. Nice cool AC and ceiling fans makes your stay very comfortable. 10 out of 10!
Adam W.
June 2025

I can’t envision staying anywhere else on the island. We stayed for 10 nights at this place, being steps away from the beach is the highlight. Well maintained, lots of extras they provide.
Dominick R.
June 2025

We had a great time! The view from 307 is AMAZING! Loved sleeping all night with the sound of the ocean coming in with the trade winds. Condo was perfectly clean, offered many extras like beach chairs and umbrellas, plenty of toiletry products, cleaning supplies, etc. The pool and hot tub were clean and juat thw right temperature. We grilled on thw propane grills and played shuffleboard while grilling. Check in and check out were easy! Thank you!
Denise S.
June 2025

The place seemed more spacious than we expected, and the view was awesome. This is a great location and is walking distance to downtown Kapaa.
tom t.
June 2025

I absolutely loved the location and appreciated all the amenities as listed. Everything was exactly as described, which made my stay even more enjoyable and stress-free. Wished we could have stayed longer.
Jessica S.
June 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: We enjoyed our stay and would recommend this property to travelers looking for a relaxing and convenient spot. The condo is well equipped with a ground level ocean view. While we made good use of the property’s pool, hot tub, and pickleball courts, we mostly enjoyed the convenience of the short walk to great local restaurants like Fish Bar Deli. The condo is a short drive from the airport and kayaking Wailua River.Everything else we wanted to do was within a 30 minute drive.
Jalynn S.
June 2025

Great
Tami H.
June 2025

Fantastic location. Place was clean and had nearly everything we needed! View was incredible and the resort had a lot of fun activities for us (pool, golf putting, horse shoes, etc) Having air conditioning was great! Walking distance to many restaurants and shopping. Will be back in the future! Highly recommend!
Shonna T.
June 2025

It was great!! We were there for our granddaughters graduation. So very convenient. Our daughter lives in Kapaa, that was walking distance. The room was excellent, with everything you needed. Had five other family members stay with rooms as well. Enjoyed the pool with all the games, great for family and kids. I would love this same room again. Thank you for providing a great stay.
Kristie M.
June 2025

We had a wonderful vacation. This unit was clean, comfortable and the locatoon was perfect. The hosts were very responsive to any questions we had. We will be returning
Laura B.
June 2025

We used VRBO to book and somehow my name didn’t show up on their system. This resulted in troubles checking in on a Saturday night. We were put in a temporary room so that our issue could be sorted out the next day. When we moved to our booked room the next day, my little one forgot her Bluetooth speaker in the first room. We were never able to recover the speaker. Either the next guest took it, our housekeeping took it.
Norman L.
June 2025

Very well supplied.Good communication with local property manager. No issues during our stay
Dan E.
June 2025

Our stay was wonderful
Charlotte H.
June 2025

This was one of the best equipped condo we have ever stayed in and it was fantastic.
Dan J.
June 2025

Excellent location and immaculate home. We’ll come again soon.
Chris M.
June 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: We had a wonderful stay at this property! Check in and check out was very smooth. Beautiful sunrises and views from the balcony, perfect location with the bike path out front and shops nearby. The condo had everything we needed for our stay and the layout of the condo worked perfectly for 3 of us. I would recommend this property and would stay here again!
Diana C.
June 2025

Loved the central location of the condo. Friendly residents and beautiful amenities.
Michelle S.
June 2025

We loved the view and the laid back relaxed pace of the property.
Kirk J.
June 2025


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