HST Brewing officially opens in downtown Līhue with food, music and crowds

Downtown Līhue got a new nighttime anchor as HST Brewing opened in the former Kauai Realty office at the corner of Kress and Hale Nani streets, just down the block from Robert’s Jewelry and across from Hamura’s Saimin. With food from Kickshaws, music from Jon Obi & Kayla, Gavemon, and Beya & Javi, and a crowd moving through one of town’s best-known corridors, the brewery’s debut added another reason for people to linger on Kress Street after work and into the evening.

Owner Paul Schmitz said the brewery had already gone through a successful soft-open period that began at the end of February, and by the time of the official opening, the 12 serving tanks behind the bar were full. That detail signaled a business that had moved beyond setup and into full operation, with beer ready to pour and a public launch built around a busy Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m.

The opening also reflected how HST Brewing is trying to fit into Kauai’s local identity rather than feel like a generic taproom. On its website, co-owners Skyler Lassman and Schmitz say they met nearly a decade ago among a group of teachers before bonding over beer and starting to brew together. The brewery’s lineup includes 808 Pils, Light on Rice, and a Killian’s-inspired red ale, names that lean into Hawaii flavor and easy-drinking styles that fit a neighborhood gathering spot.

The location matters almost as much as the beer. Hamura Saimin opened on Kress Street in 1952 in a converted Army barracks, and the street has long been part of Līhue’s commercial core. HST Brewing’s arrival in that same stretch puts it in the middle of a corridor with deep local recognition, where longtime businesses and newer openings now sit within a few steps of each other.

The visitor economy was visible on the same week’s calendar. Nieuw Amsterdam, a Holland America Line ship, was scheduled into Nawiliwili at 7 a.m. on April 21 and departed at 4 p.m., carrying 2,106 passengers. Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism reported Kauai’s average daily census at 24,849 visitors in April 2024, a reminder that downtown businesses are still competing for spending from both residents and visitors. In that setting, HST Brewing is betting that a familiar street, live music, and an established food partner can turn foot traffic into repeat business.