A Look Back at the History of Port Allen
When you arrive at Port Allen, nestled on Kauaʻi’s southwest shore in Hanapēpē Bay, in the town of Eleʻele, to begin your magical voyage with Holo Holo Charters, you’re stepping into more than just a boat harbor—you’re entering a place with a deep, rich, and resilient history, a history that is still unfolding.
From the early Polynesian settlers who relied on the port for sustenance, a rugged sugar plantation landing, its role in early aviation, hurricanes that nearly wiped it out, to today’s tourism-driven economy, Port Allen has endured, adapted, and continues to thrive.
Port Allen’s popularity over time is primarily based on accessibility, perseverance, and versatility. This bustling port has supported communities, created jobs, and defined the rhythm of life on the southwest shore of Kauaʻi since the earliest inhabitants. Port Allen isn’t just a harbor—it’s a symbol of resilience, identity, and economic vitality.
From Eleʻele Landing to Port Allen
Our historical look back begins in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when Kauaʻi’s booming sugar industry needed a reliable way to move its product from plantation to ship, and EleʻEle Landing became a bustling waterfront hub.
Sugar cane was harvested inland, hauled down by carts and trains, and loaded onto ships bound for Honolulu, the West Coast, and beyond. In 1906, the Kauaʻi Railway was built, connecting sugarcane fields and mills in Kōloa and Kalāheo directly to the landing. The railway operated roughly 19 miles of track at its peak, carrying cane, passengers, and freight across the south shore.
In 1909, the landing was renamed Port Allen in honor of Samuel Clesson Allen, a Honolulu businessman and shipowner originally from Maine, who invested in its development. With his support and the expansion of the Kauaʻi Railway, Port Allen became more than a plantation pier—it became an anchor of commerce for Kauaʻi.
Port Allen as a Lumber Port
The port wasn’t just about sugar. In those early decades, it was also a lumber port. In this place, raw timber, building materials, and supplies were offloaded. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps required lumber to construct their camp in Kōkeʻe, and the wood was shipped into Port Allen, demonstrating the port’s resourcefulness and historic versatility. Today, it remains the second-largest commercial harbor on Kauaʻi. It is a lifeline for the island’s residents, visitors, and local economy.
Harbor Construction & Expansion
By the 1930s, Port Allen had proven itself essential, and the federal government stepped in to formalize and expand the harbor. The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1935 and 1945 authorized major projects here, and in 1948, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed significant construction.
This included building a 1,126-foot breakwater, excavating a 35-foot-deep basin measuring 1,500 by 1,200 feet, and cutting a 500-foot-wide entrance channel. These improvements transformed Port Allen into a modern harbor, capable of serving not just plantation needs but also commercial shipping, petroleum suppliers, military vessels, and eventually tourism.
From then on, the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation, State of Hawaiʻi, assumed responsibility for maintaining and overseeing Port Allen, ensuring it remained safe, functional, and ready for its various uses.
A Surprising First: Port Allen Airport
Most people don’t realize that Kauaʻi’s first passenger air service started at Port Allen. On November 12, 1929, Inter-Island Airways (which later became Hawaiian Airlines) began offering twice-weekly flights from Honolulu to Port Allen Airport, located one mile southwest of Hanapēpē.
At $20 a seat, these flights were a luxury, but they marked the beginning of regular air travel to the island. Later, when Līhuʻe Airport opened in 1950, Port Allen’s role as an air hub began to fade. Today, Port Allen Airport (PAK) is used for scenic helicopter tours, ultralight aircraft traffic, and skydiving. It’s a reminder that this harbor has always been about connection—whether by land, water, or air.
Hurricanes & Rebuilding Efforts
Kauaʻi’s story is never complete without discussing resilience, and Port Allen has seen its share of natural disasters. On November 23, 1982, Hurricane Iwa slammed into Kauaʻi, sinking 44 of the 45 boats in Port Allen and causing widespread destruction. Just ten years later, on September 11, 1992, Hurricane ʻIniki—the most powerful storm to hit Hawaiʻi in recorded history—devastated the south shore again.
Each time, Port Allen and the community of EleʻEle picked up the pieces and came back stronger. New facilities, reinforced infrastructure, and renewed commitment from the Harbors Division and local businesses ensured the harbor could continue to serve Kauaʻi and its people for generations to come.
What’s Happening at Port Allen Today?
- Commercial Charter Vessels: This is where the majority of charters launch daily adventures to the Nāpali Coast and Niʻihau. Guests board catamarans, sailing yachts, and fishing boats, taking advantage of the harbor’s sheltered basin and direct access to the open ocean.
- Fuel Lifeline: Port Allen receives vital shipments of fuel (diesel, gasoline, ethanol, and naphtha) that power Kauaʻi’s cars, homes, and electrical plants. It plays a critical role as a backup lifeline if the main harbor at Nāwiliwili is disrupted.
- Military Support: The harbor also supports military vessels servicing the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), located further west. This makes Port Allen strategically crucial for both local defense and national security.
- Recreation & General Aviation: With Port Allen Airport nearby, the area also supports skydiving, helicopter, and fixed-wing flight-seeing tours.
Holo Holo’s Long-Standing Connection to Port Allen
At Holo Holo Charters, we’re proud to be part of Port Allen’s living history. Since our first tour on December 2, 1997, we’ve called this harbor home. Our fleet of Kauaʻi-built boats was designed with these waters in mind, and every trip we take—from the towering cliffs of the Nāpali Coast to the pristine reefs off Niʻihau—begins right here.
For us, Port Allen isn’t just where we dock; it’s part of who we are—a story of endurance, adaptation, growth, community, and connection. We’ve seen the harbor evolve over the years, and we’ve grown and evolved alongside it. And as you step aboard your Holo Holo tour, you’re becoming part of this story, too.