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Kid Friendly Trips in Hawaii

Travel tips.

Hawaii offers many kid-friendly vacation activities. (Photo: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images )

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From the active volcano on the Big Island to the sun-drenched beaches of Maui to the gentle shores of Waikiki, Hawaii presents an abundance of family-friendly vacation ideas sure to please kids of all ages. Whether you want to snorkel, hike, visit historic sites or simply play at the beach, your family trip to Hawaii will create memories to last a lifetime.

Hawaii is known the world over for its beautiful and calm beaches, especially on leeward sides of islands. Waikiki, with its gently rolling surf, makes an ideal spot to take young children. Poipu Beach on Kauai provides a family-favorite spot and is generally sunny and calm. Maui's Ka'anapali Beach area offers a large resort complex fronting miles of sandy beaches. It's best to take children snorkeling at easily accessible spots such as Hanauma Bay on Oahu or Kahalu'u Beach Park on the Big Island.

Give your children an up-close-and-personal look into the diverse ecosystems of Hawaii with easy- to-challenging hikes, suitable for children of all ages. On Oahu, hike the Diamond Head crater, just east of Waikiki. Light walkways, restrooms and drinking fountains make this hike especially kid-friendly. On the Big Island, a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park gives kids an incredible peek inside the workings of a live, active volcano. Hikes include those that take children through steam vents, around crater rims and through enormous lava tubes.

Historic Sites

Although the wait to see the USS Arizona Memorial can be long, kids will find much to do while visiting the historic site of Pearl Harbor on Oahu. On December 7, 1941, the U.S. fleet was incapacitated by a surprise raid by Japanese fighters and more than 1,100 lost their lives. The remnants of the sunken battleship Arizona, memorialized by a solemn marble structure built over it, make a lasting impression on kids. Within the same complex (for a fee) you can take children on the vintage USS Bowfin submarine and the USS Missouri, (called the 'Mighty Mo') where the Japanese surrender was signed. Children can climb in and on war relics set up in the park.

Parents of kids with picky appetites will find dining in Hawaii to be an easy, affordable and friendly experience. All islands feature the usual fast-food options, but allowing your kids to try local fare may prove more satisfying. Kids born in the Islands love spam musubi, a piece of cooked spam and rice wrapped in nori. Shaved ice served the old fashioned way is another Hawaiian favorite. Whether you're driving in the country or staying in the city, you'll be able to find these inexpensive treats local kids love.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• USS Arizona Memorial

Krisitna Connover has been writing professionally since 1987. An award-winning, senior advertising copywriter, she's crafted copy for major clients in Southern California and Hawaii. She's also a features writer for a popular Big Island home magazine and other national titles. She is a Fodor's Hawaii guidebook writer and editor. Connover holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles.

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The Best 10-Day Hawaii Itinerary

See recent posts by Lara Grant

Gorgeous beaches, lush mountains, and an aloha spirit are just some of the reasons Hawaii is a top travel destination. But with several alluring islands, hundreds of hotel options, and many things to see and do, planning a getaway to the 50th state can be daunting. That’s where we come in. After traveling around the islands and exploring all the natural attractions, watching entertaining luaus, and feasting delicious Hawaiian food, we’ve created the ultimate schedule for a Hawaii vacation. Whether you’re going on a romantic honeymoon, a family vacation, or an adventure-packed friend getaway, here’s the best 10-day Hawaii itinerary.

Days 1 to 4: Maui

The second-largest of the Hawaiian islands, Maui is a stunning destination that offers an ideal combination of natural beauty and modern conveniences. After landing at Kahului Airport, travelers should rent a car — a necessity for exploring Maui — and head for one of the many upscale beach resorts on the western coast, where the weather is drier, warmer, and sunnier than the east coast. Golfers will want to stay in the Kapalua area, which is home to the highly regarded Kapalua Plantation Course and Bay Course, while those looking to get some shopping done should stay in Wailea . After checking in, get into vacation mode by heading to the nearest beach (all are public throughout Hawaii) and ordering a tropical drink.

Pack the next few days with an equal mix of poolside and oceanfront lounging, plus outdoor recreation. Before arriving in Hawaii, book a sunrise or (less popular) sunset tour of Haleakalā National Park , a 10,023-foot dormant volcano that often tops travelers’ lists of must-do Maui experiences. Most tours include round-trip hotel transportation, two meals, and a guided hike up to the summit. (Pro tip: Bring a jacket as it’s cold at the top.) Another worthwhile natural attraction is the Nakalele Blowhole on the northeastern coast. It’s a geyser where seawater trapped in an underwater lava tube powerfully shoots out of the lava rock. Rainbows often form in the mist and a nearby heart-shaped hole formed in the middle of rocks makes for an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity.

Another must is the Road to Hana drive, which begins near the airport and ends in the small town of Hana, home to the spectacular all-inclusive  Hana-Maui Resort . The route consists of over 600 hairpin turns and 59 one-lane bridges, but the natural beauty along the way makes the white-knuckle driving worth it. While it can be driven in about two hours, most travelers spend more time than that, stopping at spots such as Twin Falls Waterfall, Upper Waikani Falls, and the black-sand Honokalani Beach at Waianapanapa State Park. Don’t skip the fresh, warm banana bread at Aunty Sandy’s, or the coconut-based ice cream at Coconut Glen’s.

Where to Stay in Maui

Hana-Maui Resort, A Destination By Hyatt Residence : This rustic-luxe property overlooks Hana Bay in the middle of Maui’s lush, secluded east coast and offers all-inclusive packages. It has 74 stand-alone bungalows featuring separate tubs and showers, couches, and big furnished terraces with garden or ocean views. Expansive grounds house two outdoor pools, a hot tub, a lovely spa, a wellness pavilion, tennis courts, and a small fitness center, plus a couple of dining options.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua : Situated on 54 beautiful acres, this 466-room resort offers a luxury getaway on a secluded beach in the famous Kapalua resort area. It boasts top-notch restaurants, a stellar spa, a three-level outdoor pool with an adjacent kids’ pool, a well-stocked fitness center, and beautifully landscaped grounds. Elegant, contemporary rooms have flat-screen TVs, furnished balconies, and marble bathrooms with separate tubs and showers.

Grand Wailea – A Waldorf Astoria Resort : With 780 rooms, two massive pools, four restaurants, and a 50,000-square-foot spa, the Grand Wailea wows with its grandiose scale. Rooms are upscale and well-equipped, and there’s ample to keep families, couples, and groups of friends entertained all day.

Hotels in this story

Days 5 to 7: Oahu

Oahu is the most popular island in Hawaii for its bustling city of Hon olulu, kid-friendly Wai kiki , convenient airport, and popular attractions. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is under a 15-minute drive from Honolulu’s center, which has high-rise buildings, tons of shopping opportunities, and a plethora of chain eateries (such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House) and local restaurants serving Hawaiian, Asian, and seafood fare. Most travelers will want to stay in Waikiki for ease and the calm beaches, but those looking for a more secluded, peaceful getaway should consider the North Shore or Kailua areas.

There are ample things to do in Oahu, but certainly, the top attraction is Diamond Head, a dormant volcano crater located just a 15-minute drive from Waikiki. The hike up 560 feet is challenging and, at times, quite steep, but doable for most ages and fitness levels, taking about 90 minutes to two hours round-trip. Hikers are rewarded with stellar views of the crater, Honolulu , and the Pacific Ocean. For sea-level fun, the North Shore offers tourists a chance to watch professional surfers ride huge waves at one of the many annual surf competitions (in the winter months), or just to walk along the pretty beaches, spot some sea turtles, and enjoy a shaved ice. Snorkeling and zip-lining are also popular activities on Oahu.

Of course, other top activities in Oahu include visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, USS Arizona Memorial, and Battleship Missouri Memorial. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial honors over 2,000 Americans who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Entry to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, two museums, and exhibits along the harbor, as well as the USS Arizona Memorial, are free. Pearl Harbor is about 20 minutes away by car from Honolulu.

Where to Stay in Oahu

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort : This 3,386-room resort is the largest hotel in Hawaii, essentially an upscale village with its five towers, nearly 20 bars and restaurants, dozens of shops, five swimming pools, direct beach access, and a separate lagoon. Everything from surf lessons to a regular luau is on offer here, and the rooms are well-equipped.

Sheraton Waikiki : This Sheraton is an upscale beachfront hotel that’s home to multiple restaurants, excellent ocean views, and family-friendly activities. It stands out for its sheer size and great location, and guests can expect bustling shops and nightlife venues that are packed with both guests and Honolulu locals. It has an adults-only infinity pool with a great view of Waikiki Bay, and another pool with a 70-foot waterslide.

Turtle Bay Resort : For travelers wanting to be in the North Shore area, this hotel offers five miles of oceanfront. There are 408 rooms, with 42 bungalows facing the picturesque North Shore. With  650 acres of conservation space to roam around on, plus typical resort activities like lei making, wood carving lessons, a spa, and Paniolo, a Hawaiian cowboy lūʻau, you’ll get the ultimate Hawaiian experience during your stay.

Days 8 to 10: Kauai

In contrast to Oahu, Kauai is less developed and more rugged, offering a beautiful, lush landscape for travelers seeking a laid-back and adventure-filled getaway. Although other Hawaiian islands have ample greenery, waterfalls, and gorgeous beaches, Kauai is nicknamed “Garden Island” for the tropical rainforest covering much of its land. It’s an ideal place for travelers who love hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. Plus, helicopter tours are popular for those looking to see the terrain featured in “Jurassic Park” from above. Don’t miss Waimea Canyon State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” thanks to the 10-mile-long and 3,600-foot deep canyon. Travelers can hike, drive, or take a helicopter tour of the park.

Along the north shore is the area of Princeville , which is convenient for sightseeing and offers several luxury resorts, golf courses, and pretty beaches. Visitors are also close to Queens Bath, a swimmable sinkhole where snorkelers can spot colorful fish and sea turtles. (Pro tip: Go at low tide, when the waves are calm, and wear hiking shoes.) Princeville is near the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, which is famous for its mountainous shoreline that stretches 17 miles. While many opt to see the park by boat or helicopter, adventurers can make a reservation to hike the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, where they’ll be rewarded with waterfalls, beaches, and spectacular cliff and ocean views.

On the east coast, close to the Lihue Airport, is Wailua, which offers several affordable hotel options, multiple grocery stores and fast-food outlets, and the oceanfront Wailua Golf Course. Outdoor activities abound, including driving to Opaeka‘a Falls and Wailua Falls, hiking the two-mile Sleeping Giant Trail with gorgeous vistas, and lounging along one of the many beaches. Heading to the southern coast, travelers will find Poipu , which has a few golf courses, a surf school, a gorgeous beach, and the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail that runs along the coast.

Where to Stay in Kauai

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa : One of the best luxury resorts on Kauai, this 602-room property is located in Poipu and draws travelers with spacious, Hawaiian-inspired rooms, three incredible pools, a massive saltwater lagoon, tons of dining options, a posh spa, a twice-weekly luau, and immaculate tropical grounds.

Princeville Resort : The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it’s hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views.

Kauai Marriott Resort : This 356-room upscale resort is located close to the airport, attracting travelers with a beautiful beachfront setting, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and one of the largest pools in Hawaii. Rooms have balconies, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers.

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Planning a Hawaiian Vacation with Children

Family-friendly hawaii travel tips.

Hawaii is a wonderful family vacation destination! The sandy beaches, warm ocean water, and fascinating culture are sure to captivate the wonder and imagination of your children.

If you’ve never packed up the kiddos and headed to the Aloha State, planning for the trip can seem like a complicated task. However, with preparation and bit of serendipity, heading off to the Islands will surely be your best family vacation yet. 

Wondering how to go about making your Hawaiian vacation a smooth experience for everyone? Read on for some helpful tips. 

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The Flight to Hawaii

From anywhere on the U.S. Mainland, a flight to Hawaii is pretty long. The shortest flight you can get to the Islands from the continental United States is a five- or six-hour flight from Los Angeles. If you’re anywhere farther east, you’ll have an even longer flight.

Unless your kids are used to cross-country or international trips, this might be a tough flight length to survive. However, you can make it fun and smooth. Before your trip, pack airplane goodie bags for your kids. It can be extra-exciting to let your kids know they'll be getting some travel gifts and surprises, but let the contents of the bags be a surprise.

Pack snacks, games, toys, and activity books for the kids, depending on their ages and interests. Audiobooks and the like might also be fun for older kids. If your kids are interested in the scientific or historic side of Hawaii, give them learning resources so they can educate themselves on Hawaii a bit before they land.

The flight to Hawaii can be fun with a little planning

Destinations

The Hawaiian Islands offer many wonderful family destinations. You won’t have any trouble finding plenty of things to do, but you might have a hard time narrowing down your options! Here are the top kid-friendly locations for the most popular islands:

Hawaii- The Big Island

Hawaii’s Big Island has so much to offer. There are so many distinct cultures, various climates, and fascinating attractions here. One minute you’re in a resort town, and the next you’ll be in a mango grove. You can hike the mountains, surf the seas, or wander the towns. No matter what you choose to do, you’re sure to fall in love with the Big Island.

There’s a lot to see on Hawaii’s Big Island , but the coolest activity just might be a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park– the site of an active volcano known as Kilauea. Take a hike through the tropical rainforest and walk among the smoking vents. Or, just stop by the Visitor Center and gaze over the volcano from the viewing deck. If you’re lucky, you might get to see lava glowing orange in the night!

Hawaii Island also has many spectacular beaches . You can check out some of the most popular ones, like Hapuna Beach, for great surf, sand, and sun. If you want to see a unique beach with your family, Punaluu is a cool stop. This black sand beach is home to plenty of marine life, including sea turtles.

One of the most memorable family experiences on the Big Island is attending a luau. Check out Island Breeze Luau for an unforgettable cultural show. Your kids will learn to dance the hula and everyone can savor traditionally-cooked Hawaiian food. 

Hawaii is a great place for the kids to snorkel and explore

Oahu- The Gathering Place

Oahu is one of the most popular Hawaiian destinations for families, and it’s easy to see why. From kid-friendly beaches to child-oriented activities, Oahu is an awesome destination people of all ages will love.

Start your Oahu adventures with a Disney Luau, as this event is created just for families. It includes lei-making and temporary tattoos as well as traditional dancing. Of course, you’ll also get to meet Moana in the process! 

Waikiki Beach is the most popular hang-out spot in Oahu. This beach is located on the edge of downtown Honolulu, so you can grab a bite to eat or pick up souvenirs when you’ve had enough sun.  

Oahu is also the perfect place to learn to surf... and even kids can try to catch a wave. There are many surf schools available, but one of the coolest is Hans Hedemann Surf School, where your kids can join a surfing rescue dog, which makes the experience extra fun.

Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a real submarine ride . Atlantis Submarine, for example, tours take families 100 feet underwater to see marine life and learn reef science. You’ll love the opportunity to explore Hawaii’s reefs while staying safe, dry, and comfortable. 

Waikiki Beach is a favorite of adults and kids alike

Maui- The Valley Isle

Many visitors consider Maui to be the most beautiful Hawaiian island. Take your kids here for an experience of the Islands’ natural world!

A great way to kick off your ocean adventures is with a Maui snorkeling tour. Older kids will love swimming among the colorful fish, spotting fascinating marine life, and marveling at the intricacies of the coral. Maui is home to some of the world’s best snorkeling, so don’t miss it.

Are your kids mermaids and mermen at heart? Then book mermaid lessons at Hawaii Mermaid Adventures! Your kids will learn how to splash, glide, and spin in the ocean with a mermaid tail.

If your kids aren’t quite ready to swim in the ocean with marine life, you can still take them to see animals up close. Maui Ocean Center is Hawaii's top-rated aquarium, and it has an astounding amount of marine life on display. 

The Maui Ocean Center is full of surprises

Kauai- The Garden Isle

Kauai is an island for the adventurous. If your family loves to try new experiences and get the adrenaline pumping, you’ll be right at home on the Garden Isle.

Some of Hawaii’s best horseback riding is offered on Kauai. Ride through a tropical rainforest to a waterfall deep in the heart of the emerald mountains. Or, take a horseback tour through the island to discover more about this enchanting place.

If you want to see the island at top-speed, try a Kauai  zipline tour . Fly through the trees and get the best birds-eye views of Kauai! Many people think ziplining is the most exciting way to explore this lush green paradise. 

When it’s time for the grownups to relax while the little ones burn off a little excess energy, head to Kamalani Playground; a huge play space that’s sure to delight the littlest Hawaiian adventurers.

Horseback riding on Kauai is always kid-approved!

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Where to Stay in Hawaii

Hawaii is a popular destination for travelers of all kinds... retirees, relaxers, adventurers, and more. Of course, not all Hawaiian accommodations are suitable for kids. Some places are popular with the party crowd, while other places are so remote that keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge. However, there are also many options that offer the perfect blend of quiet, safety, and fun for families.

Book a Resort

Resorts are easy and luxurious options for family vacations. There are countless family-friendly resorts in Hawaii, but some of them really stand out. The most fabulous resort is the famous Waikiki Beach Resort. Stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village here for great views and beach access right outside the door.

If you’re staying in Maui, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is a great family option. Or, stay at the Moana Surfrider Resort and Spa on Oahu. Of course, you can’t beat Aulani Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu! With the beach, pools, and a waterpark for entertainment, you won’t ever have to leave the resort (but we're sure you'll want to in order to explore more). 

Family-friendly resorts offer luxury and comfort

Stay in a Hotel

If you’d prefer to spend your vacation dollars on activities rather than accommodations, there are plenty of affordable hotels in Hawaii that cater to families.

If you’re staying in Oahu, Coconut Waikiki Hotel is a great option. This hotel has large rooms with kitchenettes, plus onsite dining and kids' packages.

For an authentic Hawaiian experience, you can even stay on a working farm. One great option is North Country Farms in Kauai. Your kids will surely love interacting with the animals and learning how tropical fruits are farmed.

For a unique stay on the Big Island, book a room at Lotus Garden Cottages. They are conveniently located near HVNP and all cottages feature a kitchenette, which can be very handy with picky eaters. Plus, the cottages are all beautifully appointed and are located in a breathtaking setting that you and the kids will enjoy. 

Rent a Beach House

Renting a beach house is undoubtedly one of the best ways to stay as a family in Hawaii. They offer ample space and freedom, and you won’t have to worry about having loud neighbors—or being loud neighbors. If you pick the right place, it can also be a lot more affordable to stay in a beach house rather than a resort or even a hotel. Look on the Hilo side of the Big Island for wonderful options. 

Renting a beach house can be very affordable for families with kids

So there you have it. Traveling to Hawaii with the kids truly is an experience you won't want to miss. Make incredible family memories as you swim with sea turtles, make sand castles on the shore, and discover the natural world of Hawaii. There are so many kid-friendly activities, adventures, and accommodations. Start planning now to make your (and your kids') vacation dreams come true soon.

Happy traveling! 

About the Author 

Jessica watson.

Jessica Watson has been writing for websites and blogs for several years now. Currently, she is working with Bhaya Cruises who offers halong bay junk cruise . They are providing their services in Vietnam.

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Which Hawaiian island should we visit? When should we go? And what about packing? Find answers to these questions and more so you'll be on your way sooner, rather than later.  

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Hawaii Vacation Packages

We are proud to offer exclusive vacation packages, most with rates under $1,000. These packages include airfare, car rental, and hotel stay for six to eight days. Visiting different islands, or "island-hopping" as we call it, is highly recommended because each island has its own distinct "personality."

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Tips on Finding Hawaii Vacation Deals

Save time and money by booking your rental car, hotel room, and airfare together and make planning your vacation easier.

How to Find the Cheapest Vacation Packages

Understanding Hawaii’s travel seasons will make it easy for you to book an affordable trip to the Rainbow State. With summer and winter being peak travel times for the islands, you can find vacation deals by booking during the “shoulder” seasons—spring and fall. Fortunately, Hawaii is just as beautiful and magnificent during fall and spring as it is in summer and winter, so aside from the cost of travel, nothing will change about your trip to Hawaii.

Should You Book an All-Inclusive Package?

Planning a trip is, what we call in Hawaii slang “humbug.” It’s a bother, a nuisance—even stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. By booking an all-inclusive vacation package, the hard work is done for you. Cars are rented, hotel rooms are booked and it can be cheaper to book a package versus booking everything ala carte.

Best Areas to Stay on Each Island

While there are no bad choices for places to stay in the islands—you are in Hawaii after all—there are some areas that are very well suited for travelers. Waikiki on Oahu has a variety of accommodations, malls and restaurants all dotting the golden shores of Waikiki Beach. On Kauai, Hanalei and Poipu are perfect for visitors who want to be close to the beach during their island stay—and in a similar vein, Kaanapali on Maui is a perfect blend of resort luxury and island living that will truly make visitors feel like they’re in paradise. On Hawaii Island, also referred to as the Big Island, both Kona and Hilo will provide travelers with convenient accommodations, activities and dining options.

The Top 3 Hotels and Resorts on Each Island

• Hilton Hawaiian Village
• Turtle Bay Resort
• Grand Wailea
• Kaanapali Beach Hotel
• Fairmont Kea Lani
• 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
• Fairmont Orchid
• Hilton Waikoloa Village

On Oahu, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Turtle Bay Resort and the Halekulani reign supreme. Maui’s Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Fairmont Kea Lani are popular choices amongst travelers. For Kauai, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, The ISO and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa are stunning accommodations that will make it hard to even leave your room—while on the Big Island you can’t go wrong staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, Fairmont Orchid and Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Which Hawaii Island is Best for You?

Kauai’s picturesque Na Pali Coast.

For nature lovers and those who seek adventure, Kauai is a primordial playground full of epic hikes, stunning beaches and botanical gardens—it is the Garden Isle after all.

Sunrise over Na Mokulua islands from Lanikai Beach on Oahu.

Oahu has a great mix of everything a visitor could want and is perfect for families with young children as there are more keiki (kid) friendly activities on the island.

Waianapanapa State Park, Maui.

Maui & the Big Island

Both Maui and the Big Island are great places for travelers looking to escape from their worldly distractions. Instead of waking up to traffic and city noise, on these islands, the soft sounds of birdsong and crashing waves will serve as your natural alarm clock.

Hawaii Travel Tips

You’ll want to hit the ground running—presumably to the beach!—once you’ve landed. Also be sure to pack a few jackets or hoodies along with your beachwear, as the islands typically has “passing showers” from time to time due to its tropical climate. Another major travel tip to remember is that, unless you’re staying on Oahu, you will absolutely need to rent a car to fully enjoy the best of each island, as public transportation options are limited on the out islands.

Krueger Family Travels

8-Day Hawaii Itinerary: The perfect combo of relaxation and epic adventure

Do you want to go to Hawaii for relaxation? Adventure? Why not both!? Here is your perfect combination of sandy beach day relaxation and adventuring in this 8-day Hawaii itinerary.

The Hawaiian Islands are a hot destination for many travelers around the world, but especially in the States. There is so much to see and do in Hawaii, which islands do you pick to visit??

We traveled to Hawaii for our babymoon in January 2019 and decided to pick the islands of Maui and Kauai to divide our time on. It was hard to choose and I have heard so many wonderful reviews of the big island and O’ahu; but ultimately we settled on Kauai and Maui for the activities to do.

Travel to Hawaii

To get to Hawaii from the United States, you will have a connecting flight somewhere on the west coast, likely leaving from San Francisco, Seattle, or Los Angeles. All major airlines fly into Hawaii and Southwest recently added routes to all of the major Hawaiian Islands! 

Because Hawaii is 6-7 hours behind most of the US, you will likely be flying during the afternoon/night to land in the afternoon in Hawaii time.

The major airport on Maui is Kahului Airport and on Kauai is Lihue Airport.

Travel within Hawaii

In order to travel around Hawaii on your own I would recommend renting a car. Renting Jeeps in Hawaii is VERY popular, and if you want to go this route, make sure to rent your Jeep well ahead of your trip to ensure you have an available rental. 

To get from island to island within Hawaii you will fly Hawaiian Airlines. The flight from Maui to Kauai is short and the flights between islands are relatively cheap

Where to stay on the islands

Kaanapali on the West side of the island is going to be a very popular area to stay. The beaches are beautiful and there are plenty of resorts to choose from to take advantage of the beaches. With a rental car it takes about an hour to get from the West side of the island to the East side where the Road to Hana is. 

Wailea on the central, south side of the island is also a popular beach destination.

We stayed at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel ( https://www.kbhmaui.com/ ) dubbed “Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Hotel.” If you are visiting Hawaii with your kids this is a great hotel as kids stay free! 

There are plenty of resorts and AirBnBs just north of the Lihue airport along the Kuhio Highway. Another popular area is on the north side of the island in Princeville and near the famous Hanalei beach. South of the island is the town of Poipu which has a group of high-end hotels and two major shopping centers.

While in Kauai we stayed at the Kauai Shores Hotel ( https://www.kauaishoreshotel.com/ ) a retro-looking themed hotel on the royal Coconut Coast. They have the Lava Lava Beach Club which is a bar and restaurant right next door. This was one of the reasons we chose the hotel- the ease of having drinks and right on the beach!

For those considering the islands of Maui and Kauai to visit for their holiday, below is an 8-day itinerary of what I think are the top things to see and do on the islands of Kauai and Maui.

Day 1: Travel to Maui

Depending on when you arrive in Maui, you may be very tired and not up for doing much. Check into your hotel or AirBnB and head to dinner or a late lunch.

We stayed at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel ( https://www.kbhmaui.com/ ) which recently completed a renovation on their rooms, making your stay even more comfortable. Their grounds are gorgeous and they have direct access to the Kaanapali Beach. You can also swim (or walk) to the famous Black Rock Beach for some cliff jumping off the lava rock.

The resort is sandwiched between the Sheraton and the Westin so this is a very heavily trafficked area with tons of shops and restaurants within walking distance to explore for the remainder of your day.

Head to Lahaina area for some delicious restaurant options on the beach. Frida’s Beach House ( http://fridasmaui.com/ ) and Star Noodle ( http://www.starnoodle.com/ ) are great, intimate options.

Day 2: Beach Day!!

Morning-early afternoon.

Enjoy your time on the beautiful Kaanapali Beach. There are plenty of activities to do at the beach! You can rent chairs/umbrellas, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and snorkel gear to explore the water around you.

For a change of scenery and lunch head to the Old Lahaina Center in Lahaia. This is a fun area to walk around and see the shops and walk along Front Street. 

After lunch (I suggest the Waikiki Brewing Co- http://www.waikikibrewing.com/ ), cool yourself off with some Hawaiian shaved ice at Ululani’s ( http://ululanisshaveice.com/ ). 

Looking for a nice dinner to attend? Check out Mama’s Fish House in Paia ( http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/ ). Make a reservation as this is a very famous restaurant on Maui and is $$$$. 

For a closer to home option, eat at a restaurant in Kaanapali or head to a Foodland in Lahaina to grab some of the best poke on Maui. Yes, the local supermarket has some of THE best poke you can get and cheap! Grab a bowl and have an intimate dinner on the beach.

Day 3: Food Tours

You can do any of the below to fit your schedule for the day:

If you are visiting Maui during the week, make a reservation for one of the tours from the incredible O’o Farms ( http://oofarm.mybigcommerce.com/reservations/ )- make your reservation in advance of your trip. The lunch tour runs Monday-Friday and starts at 10:30 AM and ends at 2:00 PM.

The coffee tour runs Monday and Tuesday, starting at 8:30 am and ending at 11:30 am. Participants connect with both the agricultural history of coffee and the “seed to cup” process by strolling through our orchard and experiencing sight, sounds and smells of a real roasting operation. 

You will then sit down afterwards for a lovely breakfast focused on health and nutrition, along with a coffee tasting!

Since the coffee tour ends at 11:30am you can then head to the Maui Gold Pineapple Fields and Facility Tour ( https://mauipineappletour.com/pineapple-farm-tour/ ). The last reservation time is at 1:45pm and lasts for 1.5 hours. 

Learn about the growing cycle and cultivation techniques, tasting the stages as you learn them. Best of all, you get a FREE PINEAPPLE with every tour! 

Day 4: Haleakala and Road to Hana

Morning- before the crack of dawn.

Make a reservation to see the sunrise at Mount Haleakala ( https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise-and-sunset.htm ). This is a very spiritual (but cold!) experience. You can drive all the way up to the top, no hiking necessary! 

There are tours you can join that will take you up to Haleakala and provide you with a jacket. But if you rented a car, you can simply purchase your reservation through NPS.gov and head there yourself! 

Do you really need to bring a coat and other winter items for 1 day in Hawaii?? Yes!! If you are going to be at the top of Haleakala for sunrise you NEED a coat, hat, gloves, scarf- any winter item you will personally need to stay warm. Temperatures are often windy, wet, and below freezing. 

Looking to continue your spiritual high after watching sunrise at Haleakala? Check out Bike Maui ( https://www.bikemaui.com/ ) to bike down Haleakala mountain.

Since you likely rented a car to get around Maui- take the time to drive the Road to Hana: https://roadtohana.com

There is an app you can download to figure out which stops you would like to hit along the road. There is plenty of opportunity to pull off to the side of the road at any time and hike to a waterfall, a scenic view, hidden beaches or even a lava tube! 

The road takes about an hour and half to drive one-way, with no stops. So plan to spend a full afternoon driving and exploring the Eastern side of the island.

Some must see stops:

• Hana Lava Tube (205 Ulaino Rd, Hana, HI 96713, United States) – ticketed entry
• Black Sand Beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park
• Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach (Hana, HI 96713, United States)

Head to Pacific’O for dinner (505 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, United States http://pacificomaui.com/ ). The get their ingredients from O’o Farms! So if you visited the farm earlier in your trip, you are coming full circle by attending dinner at Pacific’O. Make sure to make a reservation!

Day 5: Travel to Kauai

Head to Kahului Airport to return your car and head to Lihue Airport on Kauai. This is a quick flight but with the best views as you fly over the Hawaiian islands! Catch an early flight out so you can maximize your time on Kauai this day. 

Are you hungry after your early morning flight? Head to Hamura Saimin (2956 Kress St, Lihue, HI 96766, United States) for some DELICIOUS fast food ramen. This is a mom and pop shop with one long counter you sit at and order your food. Definitely a must try at some point during your time on Kauai!

If you have a good portion of your day left after traveling and checking into your hotel/AirBnB in Kauai, make the drive up to Princeville (about a 40 minute drive) to see the beautiful Hanalei Beach.

Right next to Hanalei Beach is the Queen’s Bath, an oceanside tide pool naturally carved into the rock & containing small fish & other sea life. The Queen’s Bath trailhead is in a residential neighborhood. 

There are signs that say “due to dangerous conditions,” don’t go. However, there were tons of people on the trail so we bypassed the sign and went anyway. You can still get a good view of the waves crashing on the rocks without having to go all the way down to some of the more “dangerous” areas.

Day 6: Na’pali Coast

You have a couple options depending on how you prefer to see this famous coast and your budget:

View the Na’pali Coast by boat. Boat- Captain Andy’s Boat tours https://www.napali.com/ has a bunch of different options for you. Depending on the time of year you go will depend on how enjoyable the boat tour is (whether you will rough seas or not).

Take the ultimate adventure tour to the  Na’pali Coast by helicopter- https://www.islandhelicopters.com/ . Feeling adventurous and nostalgic? Checkout their Jurassic Park tour. You land at Manawaiopuna Falls and feel the awesome power of the waterfall made famous in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie, Jurassic Park . 

This elite tour is 75-80 minutes and includes a landing deep within the interior of Kauai, inaccessible to the public. 

Put on your hiking boots and walk to the Na’pali Coast via Waimea Canyon State Park. You do not need any reservations or permits to hike. To get a view of Na’pali Coast head to the Awaawapuhi Trail which is 3.2 miles each way- so total of about 6.5 miles.

You are hiking down the canyon and then hiking back up to get out. The trail is not too strenuous, but can get very muddy with all the rain Hawaii has. So be prepared with waterproof shoes and rain gear! I would also recommend having a change of clothes back at the car for after.

There are tons of other trails off of 550 highway that take you through the canyon. Depending upon when you get going in the morning for the hike will determine what other hikes you can do in the area.

If you want to see the sunset at the end of the day after visiting Waimea Canyon, head to Polihale State Park ( https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/polihale-state-park/ ), a remote wild beach on the western side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is the most western publicly accessible area in Hawaii. 

This beach has beautiful soft sand and high surf on the Napali Coast. You are on a dirt/sand road for a while to get to the park so think about that when renting a car or trying to get there- Jeeps are your friend!

Day 7: Kayak Tour and Beach

Full day tour.

Wailua river is the only navigable river by boats (bigger than kayaks) in the islands. There are tons of places offering kayak tours to the Secret Falls. We used https://kayakwailua.com/activities/kayak-tours/ . 

The tour is 4.5-5 hours long and they provide pretty much everything you need, even river shoes if you don’t have any! You cross several streams and a river so your shoes will get wet, and the trail is VERY muddy. 

The falls are awesome and you get to do a little swimming! You bring your own snack/lunch to have once you make it to the falls. You also can see one of the filming locations from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Before we went on the tour we went to the Kauai Community Farmers market, which is every Saturday from 9:30am-1pm ( http://www.kauaicommunitymarket.org/ ). Sample the local fare and grab some fruit for your kayak tour. If you head here during a Saturday morning be sure to try the sugarloaf pineapple soft serve!

The Local Kauai ( http://www.thelocalkauai.com/ ) 4-1380 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746- depending on the day they have live music playing and the food was excellent with a great atmosphere.

There are also a ton of cute souvenir shops walking distance from this area. For dessert head above The Local Kauai to The Spot Kauai which serves frozen yogurt.

Day 8: Beach Day and then fly home

Get up and grab breakfast at the food truck, Nom Kauai ( https://www.nomkauai.com/ ) and then head to Makauwahi Cave Reserve. This is a massive cave with fossils & archeological ruins in a wilderness setting with native flora & fauna( http://www.cavereserve.org/ ) 1571-4 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, United States. 

From there, it’s a short drive and walk to Kawailoa Bay Beach/Mahaulepu Beach. Right above the beach you can see an old looking warehouse, this was the movie set for Hobbes and Shaw (the Rock’s spinoff from the Fast & Furious movies). Kauai is a popular filming location for many movies!

Depending on when your flight home is, you can check out of your hotel and head to Hukilau Lanai for an early dinner.

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An Unforgettable Family Trip to Hawaiian Paradise

By chittal shah, last updated: 21 dec 2021.

It is always fun when traveling to a vivacious and colorful island. Our family trip to Hawaii so far was full of fun. The vibe of these islands is contagious and travelers soon blend in with the vibrancy of the place. The happy-go-lucky attitude of the locals and their warm hospitality make the Hawaiian Islands one of the most visited places by travelers from the world over. While Hawaii has something to offer all travelers, a family vacation in Hawaii is something else. With numerous lookouts, beaches, botanical gardens, zoo, and historical places, Hawaii’s most popular islands make for a perfect family trip.

Diamond Head Hike

We began day 3 with Diamond Head Hike, one of the iconic landmarks of Hawaii known for its military history, beautiful hiking trails, and spectacular coastal view of Diamond Head beach. Locally known as "Le'ahi", this place is believed to be a volcanic crater that was formed about 300,000 years ago. The trail is a paved pathway to the top, less than a kilometer and offers a glimpse of the geological and military history of this crater. The trail has steps and a tunnel to pass through which was thrilling for all of us. It is a comfortable trek that kids can easily do.

A little walking, a little carrying! That was my little one's mantra to do the Diamond Head Hike, fun either way!

Reaching the top is definitely rewarding! The view of the shoreline and Diamond Head beach from Koko Head to Wai'anae, Waikiki hotels, and mountains is indescribable. It makes for a picture-perfect sight. The trek took us 2.5 hours both ways with some time at the top. There were several fruit stands where we stopped and splurged on fresh fruit and juices. We had heard that it is tradition to visit Leonard's Bakery after a hike to Diamond Head. A 2-mile drive from Diamond Head, this is a famed Portuguese bakery started in 1952, that is known for its local delicacy called Malasadas. Trust me, it is worth all the time spent in line to sink your teeth into these delicious heavenly Malasadas.

This is a spectacular panoramic view from atop Diamond Head, the site of luakini heiau (Hawaiian sacred place)

Nuuanu Pali Lookout

After indulging in Malasadas, we headed to Nuuanu Pali Lookout. The drive up Pali Highway takes us through dense forests with lush vegetation. There is also Nuuanu Pali Lookout hike for those who seek adventure rather than driving up. It is one of the best hikes in Oahu . Slowly, the city disappears and the natural landscape of Hawaii emerges before us. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout has immense historical significance as it is the site of the Battele of Nuuanu. Here, in 1795, King Kamehameha I won the struggle and united Oahu under his rule. This lookout is known for its gusty howling winds. We felt the strong winds pushing us and heard the whistle of the winds through a small tunnel surrounded by mountains. It is one of Oahu's best scenic spots with a breathtaking view of Oahu's windward coast. This is the reason Oahu is the best Hawaii island for family vacation.

A picture perfect view from Nuuanu Pali Lookout that gets its name from Pali meaning "cliff" in Hawaiian

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden

We knew that Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit in Hawaii, but seeing it in person is something else. Spread across 400 acres, this is the largest botanical garden in Oahu. Surrounded by Ko'olau Mountains which makes for a stunning backdrop, the lush greenery all around is mind blowing. The entrance to the garden creates the feeling of entering the sets of an exotic forest-themed movie. The authorities, knowing well that the entrance makes for spectacular photo ops, have placed signs boards instructing visitors not to stop for photos

The view of the entrance to Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, you have to see it to believe it!

Ho'omaluhia means "peaceful refuge" in Hawaiian which aptly describes the garden. We drove through this unbelievably beautiful place mesmerized by the views all around us. Visitors can go fishing (catch and release only) and kayaking at the lake. But Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden Camping is a favorite among the tourists to enjoy the scenery of this place. We spent a lot of time here and the kids enjoyed chasing the chickens that were roaming around.

Goofing around with my family at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden near the beautiful lake

The flora & fauna in Hawaii is unique and there is no better showcase than you do not see it anywhere else. The Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden has a 32-acre lake which adds to the magical ambience of the garden. Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden hike is another way to discover the diversity of flora and fauna. Oahu has a number of botanical gardens you can explore if you're interested.

We then headed to Kailua Beach, one of the best beaches on Oahu island. We made a quick stop en route at the famous Macadamia Nut Farm in Oahu. We were curious to check out the 15+ types of Macadamia nuts and Kona Coffee samples. Kona Coffee is exclusive to Hawaii and is only from Hualalai and Mauna Loa. Unfortunately, we were welcomed by looming dark clouds that announced the rains approaching. We quickly took some pictures at this beautiful Kailua Beach and just about made it into our Jeep before the rain clouds burst open. We drove back to our hotel through Interstate H-3 which was a fantastic drive. The tarmac cuts through Ko'olau Range with numerous tunnels and elevated bridges offering spectacular views.

A quick photo shoot with my family at Kailua Beach before the rain came down

Honolulu Zoo - something for the kids

Day 4 was planned to be a must do in Hawaii for kids. So, we headed to Honolulu Zoo, which is the only zoo within a radius of 2,392 miles. This 42-acre zoo is part of the 300-acre Kapiolani Regional Park which was established in 1877 by King Kalakaua, named after his consort Queen Kapiolani. The modern Honolulu Zoo originated in 1984 but the master plan has been evolving over the years. It is designed to incorporate large open spaces to accommodate over 1,230 animals in Honolulu Zoo so that they can roam around freely. We used a map to navigate around and the kids thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this beautifully landscaped natural environment. Honolulu Zoo night tour is another experience in case you want to extend your stay.

Kids enjoyed interacting with this enormous turtle at Honolulu Zoo in Hawaii

Pearl Harbor Museum - a national historic landmark

Pearl Harbor Museum, a national historic landmark in the US is a MUST visit for history buffs. This monument was built in 1962 and marks the resting place of 1,102 sailors killed on USS Arizona during the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A boat ride took us to the USS Arizona Memorial that is built near the sunken battleship. It was a surreal feeling standing close to the monument! There are many things to do at Pearl Harbor including a visit to USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. A large section of visitors here are Japanese besides other international visitors. We left the memorial with a feeling of solemnity and respect.

Standing at the site of the USS Arizona Memorial was a surreal feeling

Sunset Beach of Hawaii

Sunset Beach is a tourist attraction in Hawaii and that's where we headed to as our last activity of the day. It has got some of the best views of the sunset in Hawaii. Known to be a surfer's paradise during wintertime and an amazing snorkeling spot during summertime, Sunset Beach Hawaii has several attractions. We reached the beach before sunset and were in anticipation of a spectacular sunset. True to its name, the view of the sunset was magical, probably the best we have witnessed. Sunset is a phenomenon that nevers ceases to amaze me every single time. It was a perfect, rather romantic end to a fabulous day.

Sunset Beach Park offers the most beautiful view of the sunset in Hawaii

Waimea Valley - epicenter of ancient history

On the last day of our family vacation in Hawaii, we decided to explore the North Shores. It is the best part of Hawaii to visit for the Pineapple experience. Our first stop was at Dole Plantation. Established in 1950 as a fruit stand, it is now Hawaii's "Pineapple Experience". Pineapple Garden Maze, one of the world's biggest Maze, is a fun activity that the entire family can engage in. We then headed to Lanikai Beach, the best place to go in Hawaii for sea turtles. We were in anticipation of seeing these fascinating creatures. Unfortunately, being a windy and rainy morning, the sea turtles were not on the shore.

Slightly disappointed, we drove to Waimea Valley, our next destination. When we reached the valley, it was like entering another world. The Waimea Valley located in Haleiwa, the North Shore of Hawaii is the epicenter of ancient Hawaian history. It is considered sacred ground by the locals. This 1,875-acre site encompasses many historic sites, a gorgeous botanical garden and of course the Waimea Valley Waterfall. It is also a wildlife refuge that is home to several of Hawaii's endangered creatures.

Here I am during Waimea Valley hike, basking in the exquisite beauty of a rainbow which is a common sight in Hawaii owing to the weather

Also known as the "Valley of Priests", the valley was inhabited by very religious Polynesian people. They believed in offerings to God and this valley was sacred land where these offerings were made. There is a beautiful paved pathway which is a 5.5-kilometer Waimea Valley hike that culminates at the gorgeous 45-feet tall Waimea Valley Waterfall. The walk took us through breathtaking gardens and historical sites and was a rich cultural experience. The shrines, ancient living huts, and farm land showcase the culture and lifestyle of the Hawaiian people that inhabited these places. Visitors can indulge in cliff diving or swimming here. My elder son and I got adventurous and attempted the dive which was an exhilarating experience while my younger son and wife were splashing around.

A peaceful hike in Waimea Valley culminates at the mindblowing Waimea Valley Waterfall

Haleiwa Historic Town

On our way back to Waikiki, we stopped at Haleiwa Historic Town which is a charming city with a Bohemian personality. This town is also known as Haleiwa Surf Town being a surfer's paradise. Haleiwa town center is very famous for shaved ice so we treated ourselves to an array of flavors of this delicious local delicacy . Content and refreshed, we drove back to our hotel enjoying the beautiful landscape along the way.

Shaved ice is a local delicacy in Hawaii and there are unique and amazing flavors to choose from at Haleiwa Town in Hawaii

A memorable Hawaii family vacation

We spent five days in the paradise of the Pacific and experienced the true Aloha spirit of the best island to visit in Hawaii. Looking back, the first half of our trip was as amazing as the second half. It felt like we were here much longer because we experienced and explored the best vacation spots in Hawaii. That said, one never gets enough of versatile destinations like the Hawaiian Islands, a complete family vacation destination. As we prepared to head back home to Texas , one last glance at the Aloha State and flashes of the beauty and hospitality of this gorgeous island fills our minds. There is something so endearing about Hawaii that we took a part of it in our hearts hoping to come back again, someday.

<< A Vibrant Family Vacation in Hawaii (Part 1)

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Chittal Shah

Avid traveler with 15 years of travel in US in few other places

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The Family Vacation Guide

16 of the Best Kid-Friendly Trails in Hawaii

posted by James Brockbank on September 19, 2021 // last updated on September 19, 2021

Family vacations are some of the memories your kids will treasure most. And they’re never too young to experience and appreciate wildlife from a perspective that can impact them for life.

Hawaii is full of unique outdoor experiences that provide lots of fun and teach kids about the importance of respecting the world around them. 

For your next family trip, here are 16 of the best kid-friendly trails in Hawaii to make your vacation a wonderful experience that you can treasure for years to come.

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Diamond head hike, waimea valley botanical gardens trail, makapu’u point lighthouse trail, sliding sands trail, pipiwai trail, hosmer grove & supply trails, kilauea’iki trail, waipi’o valley, pololu valley, hawaii tropical botanical gardens, kalalau trail, kuilau ridge trail, queen’s bath, pihea trail, kid-friendly trails on oahu.

While many Hawaiian islands are kid-friendly, Oahu boasts an astonishing amount of reasonably priced activities and amenities that make staying here a dream for families. Here are some of the best trails to help your kids get out some energy while enjoying the great outdoors.

This is a short, moderate-intensity hike that is a feast for the senses. Because it’s a very popular hike along the Kaiwa Ridge, you’re likely to be sharing the narrow path with other visitors. 

However, the panoramic views of Lanikai and Kailua are breathtaking. When you’re not marveling at the view of the shore, there are also plenty of wildflowers and other beautiful sights related to the unique setting.

Along the way, there are also two military bunkers and a host of imagination-grabbing excitements. 

Many rate this trail as somewhat steep initially, with some rocky technical parts. Depending on the time of day, the trail may be less shaded. For older children or families who hike often, this will likely be an easier trail.

It’s about 1.8 miles from start to finish, with an overall elevation gain of 649 feet.

This is another somewhat short hike, clocking in at 1.8 miles out and back. Located near the capital of Honolulu, this is a great trail to take as part of a nature hike and is accessible the entire year.

This trail takes you right to the summit of Diamond Head, or Le’ahi. Because of this, many find it to be a steep climb. Still, it’s one of the most popular trails to hike in the area.

It starts at the historic Diamond Head Crater , part of Hawaii’s ancient (yet dormant) volcano chain. This trail is also host to a military bunker as another part of the old coastal defense system.

You’ll encounter paved areas, stairs, switchbacks, and tunnels before reaching the summit, where you’ll enjoy a complete view of the entire island below. Many hikers say that morning is the best time to go to avoid extreme heat and crowds.

While the incline can be challenging going up, the way back is mostly downhill, making it a balanced trip that’s definitely worth it!

For families with small children, this trail is a lower intensity option that is somewhat stroller-friendly. Without as much incline as other trails, this trail is more a walk than a hike and offers beautiful views as it passes through Waimea Valley’s beautiful Botanical Gardens.

At 1.9 miles out and back, you can take this heavily trafficked trail at your own pace to enjoy the views. You’ll encounter unique tropical flora and fauna as well as lots of Hawaiian history along the way to keep parents intrigued as well.

The trail ends at Waimea Falls, where visitors can often swim in the falls if they wish. Take note that there is an entry fee. However, visitors are provided with a life jacket and can take a dip at the end of the hike.

The majority of the trail is paved, although it can stay wet and might be slippery on some days, while on others, it can be very hot due to the sun exposure.

This shoreline trail offers breathtaking views of the ocean, of Koko Crater, and of course, the lighthouse. The rocky outcropping along the shore provides a refuge for a wide variety of marine wildlife visible during the hike.

This trail is two miles out and back and is of moderate intensity, with an elevation gain of 500 feet. It’s also pretty exposed, and without shade, so sunscreen and protective clothing are a must. As it’s steeper at the beginning, it’s a better trail for older children.

However, this trail immerses you in the ecosystem of Oahu’s diverse coastline as a part of the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. Bring along your binoculars during the appropriate seasons, and you’re likely to see humpback whales, beautiful tropical seabirds, and native flora.

Although the lighthouse itself is off-limits, its distinctive red roof is striking against the blue ocean and makes a great destination for a couple of hours’ worth of trail hiking.

Kid-Friendly Trails on Maui

Maui is known for its diverse ecosystems and beautiful natural environments. This is a great island for exposing your kids to culture and teaching them to respect and appreciate the world around them.

If you have older children who are experienced hikers, Sliding Sands Trail is a great introduction to the beautiful, striking Maui landscape. 

At about 11 miles out and back, this trail within Haleakala National Park is very popular and showcases the wide variety of landscapes of the island.

The trail starts easy, but don’t be fooled: this trail is for experienced hikers . The incline is intense, and the temperature can vary on the trail throughout the day, as it’s exposed to the elements but can be chilly at the summit of the crater.

There are many views of beautiful wildflowers, but the most striking feature is the landscape, which can resemble satellite photos of Mars!

Despite the intensity of this trail, which is primarily due to switchbacks and inclines, taking it at your own pace can help make the experience more enjoyable for less-skilled hikers.

Experience the beauty of Hawaii’s national park system on this easily accessible, beautiful trail. For those looking for a more leisurely experience, try out Pipiwai Trail. At 1.8 miles out and back, there are plenty of beautiful, lush sights to appreciate along the way.

This trail showcases the dramatic beauty of the rainforest; along the way, you’ll see multiple pristine pools, a bamboo forest, and the stunning Waimoku Falls at the end. The water rushing over the sheer cliff edge is a worthy destination for this trail.

Overall, the trail is safe and moderately easy. There is a steeper incline at the beginning, although it evens out afterward. The paths are maintained well, and boardwalks and stepping stones help to bridge more challenging or muddy landscapes. 

As with other rainforest locations, be aware that the paths could be wet or slippery, and pay attention to weather warnings in the area, as these locations can be prone to flash floods.

Twin Falls is a great option for a beautiful trail packed with pools, jungle vibes, and an abundance of natural sights and wonders. It’s easily accessible but also very popular , so visiting less popular sites may be more favorable depending on when you are vacationing.

However, if you make your trip on a less crowded day, you’ll be greeted with an uphill hike on well-maintained paths that are kid-friendly. Although the paths can be narrow, they lead along beautiful streams, multiple small waterfalls, and old rock structures that used to function for irrigation.

At the larger waterfall spot, swimming is allowed, and it’s an ideal spot to take a break. There are also small rock walls overlooking pools that can be a great place for supervised rock jumping. 

There is a snack stand right in the parking lot to further enrich the experience. Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, as Twin Falls is an immersive experience that can take all day to properly enjoy.

This trail range inside the Haleakala National Park is a sharp departure from the environment you’ll find on the Haleakala summit. Whereas the mountain provides barren and dry views that feel extra-planetary, the Hosmer Grove trails are more familiar.

These feature non-native trees like pine, cedar, spruce, and even eucalyptus. These non-native plants are kept inside the grove to prevent invasive results. However, beyond that nature trail, the area also features native plants, like Hawaii’s famous sandalwood trees. 

The Supply Trail initially leads to this grove, which functions as a nature preserve where you can see lots of native birds. But continue onward, and the Supply Trail will grow steeper and rockier and connect to other trails to lead you throughout the park and up to the famous crater.

Depending on which trail you take, they can also be exposed to the elements, so dress appropriately and bring sun protection. 

Kid-Friendly Trails on The Big Island

The Island of Hawaii, or the Big Island, is a great destination for families because it can be a little more exclusive and therefore less crowded. Try some of these beautiful trails for a more secluded experience that your family will cherish.

This 3.3 mile-long trail is a great all-day affair for the family. For kids who love volcanoes, this is the perfect destination. You’ll travel through lush rainforest areas as well as a lava-worn area that used to be a lava lake . 

From traversing across the dried-up crater to viewing an area of previous eruptions, the overlook trail can take around two to three hours, so plan for plenty of time to stop and appreciate the science and history of the area.

It’s important to note for crater hikes that volcanic rocks should not be removed from the area, as sometimes the face of the crater can be unstable and experience cracks and splits. Make sure to check weather forecasts and other area news before planning your trip.

Although hiking around a crater may seem crazy, it’s overall a very safe experience that’s great for the whole family and can be both relaxing and educational.

This area along the Kohala mountain is steeped in history and beautiful views. The mountain was the traditional home of the Hawaiian royalty, and the valley’s name means “Valley of the Kings .”

The valley hike traverses from the beach below to the overlook of the mountain. Although other trails are available in the surrounding area, this is the shortest one, at 4.7 miles out and back. Accessible year-round, it’s a moderate intensity hike that can be enjoyed by older children as well.

As it overlooks the coast, there are plenty of beautiful views of the ocean but also of several waterfalls, pools, and even the river, which is crossed in the progression of the trail. So make sure to keep an eye on the tides and pick a low-tide time to hike.

Wildlife is also often seen from the trails, as wild pigs and horses frequent the beach below. However, the trail is mostly inclined and is exposed to the sun and elements. Thus, experienced hikers will find this trail a little easier than those who are unskilled.

This is a steep but moderate-intensity trail that can be hiked in as little as 30 minutes . It’s less than a mile long out and back but packs lots of beautiful landscape into that short distance.

The rocky trail overlooks black sand beaches and the coast, and although there are no waterfalls, the trail stays drier than other coastal trails. Another unique aspect of this trail is that the first leg is easier than the last.

The steep drops that overlook the ocean are worth the trip, and since it’s a very short trail, many hikers say they can complete it easily. Make sure to wear proper footwear, as the trails can sometimes feature loose stones as well as ancient cobblestone.

 This beautiful area on the Big Island is teeming with natural flora and fauna that make any hike an exciting and memorable experience. Within the gardens, there are multiple trails to choose from, so be sure to get a trail map and plan out your hike.

Donkey Trail Loop , in particular, is a popular trail here that is very easy and good for hikers of all skill levels. On it, you’ll be treated to views of waterfalls, lava rock, cliffs, and lush gardens that feel like jungles.

Together, the trails add up to about a mile in length, but the gardens make the most of the short distance. The area is full of wildlife and nature that, in many cases, are rare or endangered, making this a great destination for appreciating the wildlife but also learning about its value.

Home to over 2000 species, this Bioreserve area is dedicated to education and partners with scientists and botanists to help reach the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as it pertains to preserving the ecosystem.

Once out of the lush rainforests, you’ll also enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding Onomea Bay on the eastern side of the island. Definitely plan a day trip to get the most out of this enriching destination.

Kid-Friendly Trails on Kauai

This small island is full of kid-friendly adventures. It’s the lush, idyllic place you imagine when thinking of Hawaii, and it’s the perfect way to introduce kids to the wonders of different natural environments and ecosystems.

This 11-mile trail runs right along the coastline as part of the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park . Many beaches in Hawaii are developed and maintained for tourists, but this coastline perfectly represents a natural, rugged environment untouched by man.

As a matter of fact, this trail is the only way to access this part of the coast, and it’s worth it. It’s a great place to reconnect with the sheer wildness of nature, crossing multiple valleys and cliffs overlooking the sea.

Because of the rugged landscape, the path is rarely level, and the trail in its entirety can take from two to five days to hike. Camping is an option if you can get a permit, but portions of the trail can be hiked on their own up to the Hanakapiai Beach area for shorter day trips.

This moderate intensity trail is 3.6 miles out and back and is popular for walking, running, biking, and even horseback riding. 

Unlike many other trails, this one winds mostly through dense forest, so while sun exposure isn’t a great concern, make sure to wear proper footwear should you encounter mud.

Despite the mud and occasional slipperiness, the trail itself is incredibly straightforward and a great path for beginners. The payoff is the beautiful panoramic view from the top of the Kuilau Ridge .

Along the way, you’ll see a waterfall and appreciate the lush rainforest vegetation leading up the side of the mountain. It is on a definite incline with an elevation gain of 666 feet, but the path is steady and easy to manage.

As a short 0.8 mile hike, this very popular and heavily trafficked trail features an elevation of 98 feet but is certainly not for beginners. This trail is challenging because the area is prone to dangerous weather events that can be risky for hikers.

However, the main concern is high tide, which can be predicted by looking at weather reports. Visitors are asked to stay away from the trail when the gates at the trailhead are closed. 

When you visit the trail on a good, low-tide day, you’ll be able to explore a beautiful tidal pool surrounded by volcanic rock that is shrouded in local legends and lots of history. Just like its name suggests, it was at one time an area that was restricted as a bathing pool for royals only.

Now, it’s a great place to visit and appreciate when the weather permits. Although the tide situations are not to be taken lightly, it’s a wonderful place to visit that’s family-friendly on the days that the weather is permitting.

This 7.7-mile trail winds from a beautiful coastal view to a striking inland swamp area that leads through beautiful and unique natural environments you’re not likely to have ever experienced before.

The swamp itself is traversable thanks to wood-planked trails that make one feel like an explorer. But, as a word of caution, prepare to get muddy! This trail can be slippery and muddy to hike at many times of the year.

The trail itself can take upwards of five hours to hike, so plan to make a day trip out of it or mark off a small portion of the trail to enjoy at one time with the whole family.

If you want to take one trail to see multiple parts of the island’s ecosystem, then this is a great choice. From more sparse coastal views to overgrown, dense rainforest, this trail exposes you to all Kauai has to offer and is sure to ignite young imaginations.

Final Thoughts

When planning a family-friendly trail hike for your Hawaii trip, there are several important things to keep in mind. 

Many trails across the islands are either exposed to the sun and the elements during certain times of the day or are subjected to time-sensitive weather events. Research these beforehand to make an informed plan to avoid overly hot or high-tide times of the day.

Also, make sure to be prepared for your trip. Bring lots of water, food if necessary, sun protection, and the proper gear for the terrain you’ll be facing. 

Many of the best trails can be long and too intense for young children, but with the proper planning and by mapping off a smaller trail section, the whole family can still enjoy the trail and everything it has to offer.

With so many beautiful, diverse ecosystems throughout Hawaii, planning a kid-friendly trail hike can be the perfect way to expose your kids to new surroundings and help them appreciate nature in a whole new way.

More about our TFVG Author

James Brockbank

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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Home » Destinations » Hawaii

37 Hawaii Travel Tips for First Timers (2024) + Tips by Island

Updated on November 28, 2023

Heading to Hawaii on your first visit ? It’s going to be a magical experience! Do you know about reef-safe sunscreen? Shrimp trucks and malasadas? Where to find food trucks? Things to see on every island? Read on for my very best Hawaii travel tips! As a seasoned Hawaii traveler, I’ve already made most of these mistakes…so you don’t have to.

There are so many things I wish I’d known to avoid sunburns, crowds, and missed sights I didn’t know I needed to reserve ahead of time as I was figuring out where to go in Hawaii .

And I’ve listed some of them below! In addition to general Hawaii travel tips, you’ll also find specific insider tips for Maui , Oahu , Kauai , and Big Island .

1. Plan at least three days on one island.

2. know how to island hop., 3. embrace the spirit of “malama.”, 4. there are some popular free tourist attractions you must reserve in advance., 5. rent a car., 6. splurge on a unique experience., 7. bring reef-safe sunscreen., 8. pack at least two bathing suits., 9. you’ll want a rash guard and snorkel gear., 10. set google alerts for airfare deals., 11. book hotels and condos early for best rates., 12. save on food by enjoying the food truck scene., 13. skip the upsell at the rental car agency., 14. don’t over schedule yourself., 15. try hawaiian food specialties., 16. when in doubt, don’t go out, 17. don’t trespass on private property., 18. don’t panic about rain., 19. see the sunrise on mount haleakala on your first day., 20. stay in south maui., 21. leave early to drive the road to hana., 22. snorkel molokini crater., 23. see the island by helicopter., 24. spend part of your time on the north shore., 25. book a private guided tour to pearl harbor, 26. hike diamond head., 27. eat a malasada and hit up a shrimp truck., 28. visit the polynesian cultural center., 29. hike at least a little of the kalalau trail., 30. see the na pali coast by boat., 31. snorkel the tide pools at poipu., 32. visit the “grand canyon of the pacific.”, 33. see volcanos national park, 34. stay near kona for beaches., 35. swim with manta rays., 36. chase waterfalls, 37. visit hawaii tropical botanical garden., hawaii travel tips for first time visitors.

Hawaii is one of the best places to enjoy a tropical vacation .

If it’s your first visit, you may be wondering which Hawaii island you should visit . Who knows when you’ll get back to Hawaii again and you want to see all the famous spots , right?

But here’s the thing…You’ll likely eat up precious vacation time by flying to and from each island.

Unless you take a cruise to Hawaii, the only way to move between them (except for one lesser-known island off the coast of Maui) is to fly.

I promise that you’ll have plenty to do and see on each island on a 7-day visit. With 14 days, choose two Hawaiian islands. With three full weeks, choose three islands.

But at a minimum, I recommend you plan to spend at least three days per island!

Okay, you have at least six days and are dying to see two islands. What’s the best way to do it?

As noted above, you’ll be flying between islands. In addition to several regional airlines, you’ll find plenty of daily flights on Hawaiian Air and Southwest Airlines.

Just book directly with the airlines on their websites.

(This is always my recommendation for booking flights. If there are delays or cancellations, you’ll get better service from an airline with a direct booking over a third-party booking.)

Flights to Hawaii are frequent and generally affordable.

However, many include stopovers in Honolulu so if you’re looking to minimize stopovers and aren’t headed to Honolulu, book early to ensure you nab a short non-stop flight. You’ll conserve precious vacation time.

There is a daily ferry from Lahaina on Maui to Lanai, a remote island off Maui’s coast. You can even do it as a day trip.

But if this is your first visit to Hawaii, I recommend you save Lanai for a future trip.

There are so many bucket list experiences in Hawaii that you should prioritize Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island on a first visit.

(Unless you’re truly an off-the-beaten-path type of traveler who mostly wants to relax on pristine beaches.)

What is “malama” exactly? It means “to take care of” in Hawaiian. And this concept is deeply embedded in Hawaiian culture.

It’s a way of life! It means to be reverent on these beautiful islands…to protect and safeguard all the treasures of Hawaii for future generations.

Walk around fragile plant life rather than tromping through it to save a few steps with a shortcut.

Avoid touching or sitting on coral (which kills it). Respect Hawaii law that forbids taking coral home as a souvenir.

And most importantly, be respectful to your fellow humans—locals and tourists alike—when on island.

That means driving within Hawaii speed limits (which are frequently 35 mph…hey, you’re on vacation).

Choose kindness—instead of honking and yelling—when you find yourself in a busy parking lot or popular tourist attraction.

These all too common behaviors are what give tourists a bad name in Hawaii and lead to ever more restrictions.

There are a handful of adventures on each island that are completely free but must be reserved in advance.

That’s because the State of Hawaii, a year or two ago, decided to enforce daily limits on entrance to key sights and fragile ecosystems in response to rampant over tourism.

Regulating the flow of people was actually the best decision ever but it also means you’ve got to plan ahead!

If you’re hoping to walk even the first quarter mile of the famous Kalalau Trail on Kauai or Diamond Head on Oahu, you’ll need an advance reservation.

And there are different restrictions on how soon these can be reserved in advance of your visit.

Hawaii is difficult to get around without a car. If you’re on a cruise, your best bet is to reserve day tours where someone else does the driving.

Viator has a nice selection of tours to see popular sites on every island. ( Just type in the island you’re visiting at the top of the page and see what pops up.)

Some islands—like Oahu—have decent bus service, but honestly, you’re going to find a car to be the best option for accessing the remote beaches and bucket list sites you’ve likely come to Hawaii to see.

Like all things in Hawaii, rental cars are not cheap so reserve well ahead of your visit to secure the best prices.

How to Rent a Car in Hawaii My top two recs are: 1. Discover Cars has no hidden fees, 24/7 customer service, and free cancellation. They search all the major rental car companies so you don’t have to. Check price and availability on rental cars here . 2. Turo is like Airbnb for cars. It saved us $$$ during the pandemic on our Hawaii rentals when rental car prices were sky-high.

If you’re going to visit Hawaii, this is the time to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Seeing the jaw-dropping green peaks of the Na Pali Coast on Kauai or the hundreds of hairpin turns on Maui’s Road to Hana from the air is a bucket list experience.

Honestly, a helicopter ride on any of the islands is something you’ll never forget.

But if that’s not in the budget, don’t despair. There are literally dozens of incredible day trips on every Hawaiian island to enjoy.

From snorkeling Molokini Crater and sunset dinner cruises to whale-watching excursions and visiting Pearl Harbor, a guided trip can offer a deeper appreciation of the history, ecology, and cultural aspects of what you’re seeing from a knowledgeable local.

You can check out popular day trips on every Hawaiian island here on Viator .

Read more on worldwide travel tips: • 26 Activities to Do on Maui • Bucket List Activities on Kauai • 26 Morocco travel tips

Is the kind of sunscreen you buy and wear in Hawaii really that important? Yes! In fact, it’s critical for maintaining the health of Hawaii’s coral reefs and marine life.

The sad reality is that there are more than 14,000 tons of sunscreen floating in Hawaii’s oceans due to over tourism.

And a very common sunscreen ingredient—Oxybenzene—kills coral…which all those beautiful tropical fish depend on for nutrients.

That’s why using sunscreen that is not reef-safe is actually illegal in Hawaii. You can pick up the good stuff at most any grocery store or snorkel shop on island.

But to save money, consider grabbing at least a TSA-compliant size of reef-safe sunscreen on Amazon before you go.

Also, the sun is HOT in Hawaii. Unless you want to be hiding from the sun due to sunburn on your tropical vacation, get SPF 45 or 50! You can get some reef-safe sunscreen on Amazon here .

I always travel carry-on these days because the risk of my luggage getting lost is just too great.

So I need to be thoughtful about the things that are going to be on my Hawaii packing list .

And honestly, the biggest mistake I made the first time I visited was over-packing clothes and make-up and under-packing when it came to bathing suits. It’s hot and humid in Hawaii. Plus, most of my time was spent hiking and on beaches. I didn’t reach for my make-up once!

But you’re also not going to want to put on a damp suit the next day either so be sure and bring a few options!

My favorite one piece is actually on Amazon . It’s comfortable, cute, and I like the ruching—pleated fabric—on the front that is slenderizing.

Men love these Nautica quick dry classic trunks .

Are you an avid snorkeler? Or will this be your first time snorkeling in Hawaii?

If you don’t own snorkel gear and aren’t likely to snorkel any time soon after your Hawaii vacation, I recommend renting your gear once you arrive in Hawaii.

You can just head to any snorkel shop—no advance reservation required—and have someone fit you for goggles, a snorkel mask, and fins. It will likely cost you less than $100 for a 7-day rental per person.

However, if you are likely to snorkel in future, you may as well invest in a great fit. (There’s less risk of a leaky mask which can be frustrating when renting.) Either head to your local snorkel shop—you can even order goggles with a prescription—or pick up a snorkel mask and dive fins on Amazon .

I do recommend you invest in a rash guard, however…even if you may never snorkel again!

Rash guards are lightweight, stretchy vests that protect you from the sun. And as noted earlier, the sun is much stronger than you’re used to in Hawaii.

It’s the best way I know to protect your back and chest while snorkeling. I prefer a rash guard with a zipper but for men or women that prefer a standard rash guard, check out this one on Amazon.

One of the best ways I know to save money on a trip to Hawaii is on airline tickets!

Fares are particularly competitive from the U.S. west coast. You can often fly round-trip for less than $200 per person if you hit a sale on Southwest, Alaska Airlines, or Hawaiian Air.

So consider a repositioning flight to San Francisco, LA or San Diego if this sounds like a deal compared to fares from where you live.

You can either sign up (free) for Scott’s Cheap Flights which emails you with deals on flights—I get Hawaii airfare sale notifications all the time—or just set an alert in Google Flights for the same outcome.

Travel hack: Alaska Airlines offers a perk for holders of its credit card.

You’re entitled to one companion pass annually at a cost of $99 to anywhere Alaska flies. So you pay for one ticket and your companion comes with you for $99! Steal.

I’m not going to lie…accommodations in Hawaii will be the most expensive part of your stay.

One reason is that the state of Hawaii is imposing new restrictions on long-term condo rentals.

Like in many other places around the globe, too many Airbnbs have driven up housing rentals for locals and this is an effort to get a handle on the problem.

If you do rent on Airbnb and VRBO, you can look for a license number (or ask your host) to ensure you’re renting a legal property. But book many months ahead for best selection!

Fabulous resorts abound on every Hawaiian island but the same principle applies: Book early!

If you collect airline miles for free flights and hotel stays—I recommend signing up for the free 10x Travel point hacking course to learn how—there are some great redemptions at resorts in Hawaii, particularly at Hyatt.

However, you’ll need to book a year out for best selection.

One of the ways I offset my pricey accommodations in Hawaii—and my sunset cocktail budget—is by taking full advantage of the vibrant food truck scene in Hawaii.

I wrote posts about some of the best food trucks on Maui and also on Oahu here. You’ll find them all throughout the Hawaiian islands.

You’ll find everything from specialty Asian dishes and pizza to smoothies and Hawaiian shrimp trucks (on the north shore of Oahu).

Just as restaurants are expensive in Hawaii so too are groceries and booze. Remember, you’re on an island. Everything has to be flown in!

We typically pack sandwiches and snacks for the beach to slim down our grocery bill.

The other thing we do is head directly to Costco to stack up on snacks and wine. (In Kauai, Costco is located conveniently next to both the airport and a pod of a dozen delicious food trucks for a double win!)

When you arrive at the car rental agency on island, don’t be surprised if you get a stern lecture about taking your rental car off-road and a recommendation to upgrade to a 4WD vehicle for $$$$.

It’s true that you should not be taking your car rental off-road if the agency forbids it, but unless you have some extremely remote activities planned, a 4WD vehicle is not likely required.

This car rental agency tactic is particularly prevalent on Maui where renters are asked if they plan on driving the Road to Hana (which you should definitely do!).

However, if you’re like most tourists, you’ll be driving it as a day trip round-trip from Paia.

While it has many twists and turns, it’s a safe and easy road to drive in any standard vehicle.

If you decide to drive it counterclockwise though from South Maui, you might actually want that 4WD!

Even traveling as often as I do, I still have to fight my tendency to over schedule on a vacation.

It happens so easily when you’re visiting a far-flung place and consuming lots of information about things to do there.

But honestly, the best way to slip into island life is to sip a Mai Tai at the pool or relax on one of the stunning soft sandy beaches.

Leave time to watch the rainbows flicker after a burst of warm tropical rain…swim with technicolor fish…check out the roosters wandering the beach!

Don’t get me wrong…There are amazing things to see in Hawaii and you should see some. Just don’t feel like you have to be driving or touring every single day.

Let the magic of Hawaii seep in slowly by being fully present in the beauty here. This is the way to feel rejuvenated after a getaway.

There are a few very specific things you should taste when you’re in the Hawaiian islands!

Shave ice—it’s like a colorful snow cone with tropical syrup—makes the perfect refresher after a warm day at the beach.

Poke is big here, too. It’s diced, marinated raw fish and is a native Hawaiian dish. It’s delicious and is frequently served in a bowl with rice, veggies, and special sauces.

If you attend a luau, you’re likely to taste some kalua pork! Traditionally, kalua pork is slow-cooked in an underground pit.

You may also enjoy Haupia cream pie at a luau. This flaky pie crust is layered with dark chocolate custard cream and silky haupia (coconut milk).

If you’re headed to Oahu, try it at Ted’s Bakery. They’re famous for it!

Unless you are an accomplished swimmer and surfer who is accustomed to riding big waves, you’ll want to follow the surfer’s motto “When in doubt, don’t go out!”

Much like first-time visitors who get sunburned on their first day, plenty of tourists who arrive from land-locked destinations get in over their heads in Hawaii’s big surf.

In fact, Hawaii is the drowning capital of the world.

On Kauai’s north shore, for example, it’s just open ocean.

Plenty of visitors float in Queen’s Bath there—despite the dire warnings and signs forbidding it—and are washed away by a rogue wave.

Surf changes all the time. One day a bay could look like bath water and the next have huge waves pounding the beach or a strong undertow.

So know your skill level and limits and decide accordingly.

Look for a beach with a lifeguard if you’re traveling with small children or just want to double down on safety.

This is one of the biggest friction points between Hawaiian locals and tourists.

Tourists tend to ignore signs asking them to stay off private property as they look for a shortcut to a beach or that perfect shot for Instagram.

Some of the confusion arises from the fact that all of Hawaii’s beaches are considered public.

And while that may be true, it doesn’t mean you can infringe on private property rights to get there. All-access to those public places is not legal.

You wouldn’t be happy if you saw some in your backyard tromping through your garden, would you?

The first time I visited Hawaii, I hopped on the plane, opened my weather app, and about had a panic attack.

It showed 100% chance of rain every day of my entire trip!

Now I know that’s because it does rain every day in Hawaii…just not all day long. Gentle showers and mists start and stop for an hour here and there many days of the week. T

hat’s what gives Hawaii its lush botanical beauty.

So if you find yourself at the beach when a sudden shower hits, just move to the shore and take a breather under a tree—but not a palm tree; those coconuts will kill you when they fall—to admire the rainbow.

In no time, the sun will be back out.

Maui Travel Tips

If you’re headed to Maui , don’t miss the view from the top of Mount Haleakala, which is actually a dormant volcano.

This is a popular place to see the sunrise. And if that’s your goal, a great day to do it is your first day on Maui.

Why? Because if you’re coming from the continental USA, you’re likely to be up early. Maui time is two hours behind the west coast.

And if you’re staying in South Maui as many do (see below), it’s going to be a 90-minute drive just to get there.

If you’d prefer to skip the early morning—and the substantial sunrise crowds—sunset here also makes a good alternative.

Other insider tips for visiting: Bring your puffy coat! It’s icy and windy up here at dawn. Also, be aware that it’s often very foggy here. Personally, I’ve been stuck in fog on both of my visits! You can check price and availability on a Haleakala sunrise tour here .

In my view, the best places to stay in Maui are Kihei for renting a condo and Wailea for resorts.

Don’t get me wrong Lahaina , Ka’anapali, and Kapalua are all excellent spots to stay in west Maui, too.

The only downside with those locations is that you’ll find drive times are a bit longer to get to South Maui beaches, Mount Haleakala, and Road to Hana.

Just be aware there is only a small road—with one lane in each direction—that connects south Maui to west Maui…and it can often become clogged during commuting hours.

Nearly everyone who visits Maui spends a day driving the epic Road to Hana on the east side of the island.

And it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the USA, with 64 miles of waterfalls, dramatic ocean views, and a black sand beach.

So you won’t be the only one on the narrow two-lane road here. And it’s a lot more enjoyable if it doesn’t feel like a parking lot where you’re inching along all day.

If you don’t want to fight for parking (or skip popular sights because there’s nowhere to park), start your day very early! Or leave the driving to someone else on a guided tour .

You’ll also find there are way more stops than you’ll have time for on a day trip so getting an early start also helps you see more.

Your other alternative is to book a night in Hana to enjoy a more leisurely pace. You’ll have the beauty all to yourself after the day trippers have gone!

Snorkeling Molokini Crater is one of the most popular day trips on Maui. It’s like snorkeling in an aquarium of tropical fish.

The best time to sign up for your tour is morning. The wind tends to kick up in the afternoon so snorkeling conditions are less ideal than with choppy waves.

Be sure to also choose a smaller boat for a more personal experience on your Molokini tour. I recommend this one .

Maui is the perfect place to tour by helicopter! (Although honestly, Kauai and Oahu are also excellent options for viewing dramatic scenery.) You can’t go wrong here…Some tours head for the vivid green peaks of the West Maui mountains while others head to the east side to view the rainforest on the Road to Hana. Both are epic experiences!

You can check price and availability on a Maui helicopter tour here .

Oahu Travel Tips

Many first-time visitors to Hawaii choose Oahu, known as “The Gathering Place”as their first island.

And, while it’s tempting to spend all your time in Waikiki down south when you plan a trip to Oahu, you’ll be missing the wild untamed beauty up north if you do!

So consider spending at least a few days on the north shore.

It feels very much like Kauai there with stunning white sand beaches that are practically people-free.

There are tons of excellent North Shore food trucks on Oahu , too…which is good because dining options are a little slimmer than in, say, Honolulu down south.

If you’re heading to Hawaii in winter, you must visit the north shore to see the big wave riders in the surfing competitions. It’s mesmerizing!

Visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a must on any visit to Oahu.

Your entrance ticket includes a short trip on a navy shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial, the resting place of more than 1,000 soldiers and marines killed on that disastrous morning of December 7, 1942, when the Japanese attacked.

It’s a moving experience.

But what I didn’t know when I booked my advance ticket through the museum was that it wouldn’t be easy or convenient to see the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

That’s on Ford Island, which is an eight-minute drive away.

For this reason—and because the audio guide from the museum was underwhelming (even if it was narrated by Jamie Curtis) I highly recommend you book a half-day guided tour.

This is what we did when seeing the D-Day beaches in Normandy and it was an experience I’ll never forget. There’s no substitute for a local guide with deep knowledge. You can check out price and availability on a guided Pearl Harbor tour here .

Summiting the Diamond Head State Monument makes for a popular hike on Oahu .

The viewpoint at the top to see the Honolulu skyline and turquoise ocean in the distance is unforgettable!

However, as of May 2022, the state of Hawaii introduced a new reservation system for entry and parking.

If you show up without an advance reservation, you can’t get in.

Thankfully, your reservation includes parking because there are just 300 spots at the top.

If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you forfeit that parking spot and will have a long, sweaty uphill hike just to get to the starting point of the hike. Be on time!

What is a malasada exactly? It’s very much like a donut.

While it’s technically from Portugal, it’s a Hawaiian specialty.

And the place to try one is at Leonard’s Bakery Malasad Truck, near Koko Head on the south shore.

On the North Shore, you’ll find no end of shrimp trucks.

That’s because the North Shore used to be an important center for freshwater aquaculture. And the shrimp are delicious!

For a deep dive into Polynesian culture, spend a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It makes a great stop between the south shore and north shore.

You’ll enjoy a lei greeting, tour through six authentic island villages, ride a canoe, and attend a luau buffet with entertainment and an evening show…depending on the admission you choose. You can check out price and availability of a tour that includes the Polynesian Cultural Tour and Pearl Harbor here .

Kauai Travel Tips

Hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s wild north shore is one of my very favorite things to do in Kauai.

It’s a rigorous 11-mile trail that seems to mostly climb straight up at the beginning; however, the trail also hugs the incredibly scenic Na Pali coast here.

Serious backpackers and hikers reserve many months ahead to secure a permit that allows to camp overnight past Hanakapi’ai Beach.

But I recommend even casual hikers spend an hour walking the beginning of this beautiful trail. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Because it can be rocky, muddy, and uphill. I highly recommend adding trekking poles to your Kauai packing list . Be aware you must get an advance reservation, however…even if you just want to walk the first bit of the trail.

This is another must-do in Kauai!

Whether you book a sunset dinner cruise or a daytime snorkeling cruise that wanders in and out of scenic sea caves, a boat cruise on Kauai’s north shore is one of the very best ways to spend an unforgettable day.

The dramatic green cliffs frame the spectacular cerulean blue sea here as spinner dolphins jump and play in the boat’s wake. You can check out price and availability for Na Pali boat cruises here .

Beaches on Kauai’s north shore tend to be wild, rugged, and pristine.

It’s not uncommon to hang on to a rope and hike down through mud! And those beaches are absolutely gorgeous. But if you’re with young children or older travelers and you’re looking for flat, easy beach access, head to Poipu at the south end of Kauai.

Or better yet, sample beaches on both shores. There are some really wonderful tide pools for seeing beautiful tropical fish though on south shore beaches.

Waimea Canyon, nicknamed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, does look a bit like the Grand Canyon…but with waterfalls and green, green cliffs!

While it’s definitely nowhere near as big as the Grand Canyon, it makes a phenomenal day out in kauai, even if you’re not a hiker.

The views at Kalepa Ridge across the cliffs to the sea are unworldly. So are the views at Waimea Canyon Lookout (mile marker 10) for views across the canyon.

Just be aware that even though Waimea Canyon is not geographically far from, say, the Kalalau Trail on the North Shore, the only way to access it is by driving clockwise all the way around the island until you’re back to 11:00…almost where you started from.

If you’re basing in Poipu, it’s a much shorter drive!

Big Island Travel Tips

Spend at least one day at the incredible Volcanos National Park.

Can you see lava flowing here? The answer is: it depends.

Eruptions start and stop in the park. Lava flowed for more than 30 years until 2018. Then a new fissure started up again in fall 2021 and stopped in December 2022.

Who knows what this year will bring!

But regardless, hiking Volcanos is a rewarding and beautiful experience. You’ll walk past steam vents, across moonscape-hardened lava, and through rain forests. Don’t miss it.

If it’s beaches you’re in search of on Big Island, you’ll want to base in a resort or condo in Kailua-Kona .

All the best beaches are on the west side of Big Island.

Volcanos National Park is in the middle and rainforested Hilo (with waterfalls galore) is on the west side of the island.

Plan to get your beach time in Kona though as there are very few sandy beaches on the other side of the island.

One of the most popular and unique experiences is swimming with manta rays at night (!) on the Big Island.

How did this tradition come to be? In the 1970s, the Sheraton Kona Resort used to illuminate the waves at night to create a beautiful ambiance for its guests.

And that light attracted plankton, a key food source for manta rays.

Today, you can float on a giant styrofoam noodle with them on a tour. Or, if you’re SCUBA certified, you can dive with them!

You can check price and availability on a manta ray guided swim here .

It’s hard to leave those epic beaches nestled in among hardened lava rock on the west side of the island, but you’ll definitely want to see Akaka Falls in Akaka Falls State Park.

It’s not far from Hilo. Rainbow Falls is close by, too!

If you arrive at just the right time of day, the light creates rainbows above the falls for the perfect photo opportunity.

Hilo feels like Old Hawaii. There are far fewer tourists here. It’s misty, rainforested, and has a gorgeous coast to explore.

You’ll find Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden just past mile marker 7 on Big Island’s wild Hamakua Coast north of Hilo. This is a great day out!

This 40-acre natural greenhouse is nestled right up against the coast for stunning ocean vistas.

It’s like a living classroom in a 20-acre valley.

You’ll find rain forest, gurgling streams, beautiful waterfalls, and more than 2,000 species of flowers and plants here. Don’t miss the outdoor orchid garden.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is one of my very favorite places across all the Hawaiian islands. Enjoy!

Reader Interactions

November 8, 2023 at 6:33 am

Very helpful thank you!!! I’m so excited to take my family there for our first time.

November 8, 2023 at 6:50 am

wishing you the best trip ever!

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First Timers Guide to Hawaii: Plan Your Trip Like A Pro

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You’ve made the excellent decision to take your first trip to Hawaii. Congratulations! Now it’s time to figure out how to plan your trip. While it can feel daunting because there are so many options to choose from and it’s a BIG vacation, we’ve got you covered. We cover all the need-to-know planning advice for your first trip. After reading this guide, you’ll feel much more confident in planning your dream vacation. 

FAQs About Planning Your First Trip to Hawaii

Have some quick questions about your trip? Get them answered here before we dive into the decisions you need to make.

What island is the best for first-time visitors?

All of the islands offer something a little different and special, so picking the right island for your first trip takes a little research to understand just what is unique to each island. 

Our favorite Hawaiian island to suggest to first-time visitors is Maui. Maui has a bit of something for everyone: from beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, a wide range of accommodations, and the best whale watching. We give you our 9 reasons why Maui is the best for first time visitors . 

But it’s not the right island for everyone. Here are some reasons why you might want to pick another island: 

• Oahu: Head to Oahu if you’re looking for more of a cosmopolitan feel. You’ll find nightlife, museums, and plenty of history.
• Kauai: Visit Kauai if you’re looking for a quieter trip, a lush landscape (with a bit more rain), and amazing hiking.
• Big Island: Plan a trip to the Big Island if you’re a volcano enthusiast (Volcanoes National Park is amazing), you want a laid back vibe, or you want to snorkel or dive with manta rays .

Want to see a little more about what makes each island special for first time visitors? We’ve created a video to help you out: 

How much will a trip to Hawaii cost?

Going to Hawaii is not a cheap vacation. While there are ways you can save, food, accommodations, rental cars, and activities are all very expensive. In fact, all four of the main Hawaiian islands rank in the top 10 for most expensive average hotel room cost in the world . Maui hotel rooms are the second most expensive in the world, after the Maldives.

So, a trip is going to be expensive. 

To help you get started calculating your own vacation estimate, we went through the work of calculating the cost of a trip for a family of four. The total for 10 days? $12,000. You can check out the full Hawaii vacation cost calculation as well as places you can save and splurge . 

How many days should you spend on your first trip to Hawaii?

We recommend not rushing any trip to Hawaii, so the more time you can spend, the better! Despite it seeming like an easy domestic trip, it still takes nearly six hours to fly there from the west coast. And you’ll likely have a little jet lag to deal with, as Hawaii is two or three hours behind pacific time (they don’t have daylight savings time so in the winter it’s a 2 hour time difference and in the summer it’s a 3 hour time difference). 

If you plan on visiting one island, we recommend a trip of at least 7 days. This will give you time to get settled, explore, and do some amazing activities, and have downtime to relax. If you plan on visiting two islands, plan for at least 10 days. 

We recommend this itinerary combo as part of our first-time to Hawaii itinerary . 

If you know what island you want to visit, you can dive into more details about exactly how many days you should spend: 

• How many days do you need on Oahu?
• How many days do you need on Maui?
• How many days do you need on Kauai?
• How many days do you need on the Big Island?

A good rule of thumb is if you start speaking Hawaiian Pidgin , you have stayed too long.

Do you need to rent a car in Hawaii?

You’ll most likely want to rent a car in Hawaii to maximize how much you can see. If you’re planning a trip to Oahu and you’re staying in Waikiki, there may be days where your rental car is never used. There’s a lot to do within that 2-mile strip! You can save on expensive hotel parking fees by just renting a car on days that you want to explore the rest of the island. Rental car companies have offices in Waikiki which makes it convenient to pick up a car and take it out for the day. 

If you want to get out and explore Oahu without renting a car, you can join a group circle island tour or book your own private island tour . 

There is also a car share company, Drive Hui, that is available in Waikiki.

On the other islands, it’s a bit trickier to go without a car. To see and explore, you’ll probably want to book one. Public transportation isn’t easy and getting a cab or uber can add up and be inconvenient. We love using Discount Hawaii Car Rental to help us get the best price for a rental car on each island.

Is it easy to island hop?

If you’re hoping to visit one or more Hawaiian island on your trip, you’re in luck! Island hopping is easy. While there are no ferries between islands (aside from a ferry between Maui and Lanai), you can fly between the islands using Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Mokulele Airlines. 

While the islands in Hawaii are close together and just a quick 30-45 minute flight, your island hopping travel day will still cut into your vacation. Between packing up, the airport process, and checking into accommodations on your new island, this can easily take up half a day of your vacation.

Related read: Get all the details you need to know about island hopping in Hawaii.  

What is the best time of year to go to Hawaii?

There is truly no bad time to visit Hawaii. With temperatures that are warm year-round, you’ll be in tank tops and shorts 12 months out of the year. But while there is no bad time to visit, we think Hawaii is best experienced during the shoulder seasons: in April/May and September/October. That’s when we find the optimal mix of good costs, good weather, and the smallest crowds. 

Let’s dive into that a bit more or see our Best Time to Visit Hawaii article for details.

Weather: 

While we did say that the temperatures are warm year-round, Hawaii does still get rain. And while you are heading to a beach destination, you probably want to minimize your chances of rain. As you can see from the chart below, Hawaii experiences peak rain from November through March. Though to be fair, rain varies on different sides of each island — we are showing average rainfall for one popular visitor destination on each island.

Visiting when there are fewer crowds can make for a more enjoyable vacation. Boat tours aren’t sold out days or weeks in advance and beach parking is much easier to come by.  Trying to find a time when fewer people visit (or the off season) isn’t difficult to do. The Hawaii Tourism Authority does a wonderful job of tracking visitor arrivals to Hawaii . 

From their data, it’s clear that the peak times for crowds are November – January, March,  and June – August. So if you want to visit while there are fewer people on the islands, plan a trip in February, April , May, September, or October. 

Cost: 

Traveling during the shoulder period could mean the difference between getting a hotel room for $800 or getting that same room for $400. Costs fluctuate widely depending on when you’re going. If you want your travel dollars to stretch as far as possible, avoid the summer, spring break period, and the holiday period (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year). 

Related read: This is the worst time to visit Hawaii (we really try to avoid this period if possible!)

Do you need a travel agent to help you plan your first trip to Hawaii?

We sometimes love enlisting the help of a travel agent for our adventures. But to be honest, we haven’t found great travel agents for Hawaii vacations. Most travel agents don’t specialize in Hawaii (but we do). They have some basic recommendations, but can’t speak in depth about different accommodation options, activity operators, and restaurants. So we don’t recommend using a travel agent and you definitely don’t need one to book your dream vacation. 

If you’re not sure where to start, check out our island guides. They walk you through all the need to know information for each island:

Oahu Guide Maui Guide Big Island Guide Kauai Guide

And if you want even more in-depth information on how to plan your days to sightsee, check out our itineraries :

“I purchased the Kauai itinerary and it is awesome! I had no idea how much work and information you guys really put into it and I am so excited for our trip now!!” – Kayla R.

Are there any special entry requirements to enter Hawaii?

There are no special requirements to enter Hawaii. If you are coming from outside of the US, you will need to show your passport to enter the USA and Hawaii. If you are traveling from within the US (the mainland) you won’t need to show a passport to enter Hawaii.

Currently, there are no COVID restrictions or entry requirements for Hawaii . 

How far in advance should you plan your trip to Hawaii?

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, the earlier you plan, the better. While there always might be last-minute deals that pop up, they are few and far between. Booking in advance means you can shop around for the best hotel or vacation rental price. 

We suggest planning six months in advance for your trip. You can usually secure great accommodations at a great price and a good rental car price. And a tip: if you book with Discount Hawaii Car Rental , you can always cancel your reservation and rebook if prices drop. 

When you’re planning activities and restaurant reservations, try to make them a couple of months in advance, so you can book exactly what you want. Be sure to check out our favorite tours and activities to help you narrow down your search .

Is a trip to Hawaii worth it? 

Whether a trip is worth it is certainly up to personal preference, but we think a trip to Hawaii is worth it! With year-round good weather and amazing sights, this isn’t an ordinary trip. Whether you’re coming to experience the year-round humpback whale migration, hike to the top of a volcano, snorkel with Manta Rays, or swim in a waterfall, there is truly so much to do here. 

And learning about Hawaiian culture and history makes this so much more than a beautiful beach vacation. 

First Time to Hawaii Planning Timeline

Now that you’ve gotten some first time to Hawaii FAQs answered, it’s time to dive into booking your trip. Here are the steps to walk through as you’re making your decision:

1. Decide when you’ll go

We love the shoulder season of April/May and September/October for fewer clouds, crows, and cheaper costs. But remember that really anytime is great. So find a time when you can book a long enough chunk of time for your trip and move onto step 2!

2. Decide how long to go for

We meet travelers all the time who are on vacation and frantically trying to figure out how to extend their trip. So if you can swing a few extra days, do it! Plan to spend at least 7 days if you’re visiting one island or at least 10 days if you want to visit two islands. There is so much to see and it’s a long trip out.

3. Choose your island(s)

Now onto the biggest hurdle for most first time visitors: picking the right island for you. This is a big decision and while all of the islands offer something special you need to decide what type of vacation you really want to have. Going to Oahu is going to end up being a very different vacation than a trip to Kauai. 

If you’re struggling to choose an island, see our tips earlier on in the article. 

4. Book your flights

Start your search for flights. All of the major airlines fly to Hawaii, so you should have plenty of options to choose from. The airports (and airport codes) on each island are:

• Oahu: Honolulu Airport (HNL)
• Maui: Kahului Airport (OGG) and Kapalua Airport (JHM), used for inter-island trips
• Island of Hawai’i (Big Island: Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Kona International Airport (KOA)
• Kauai: Lihue Airport (LIH)

If you’re visiting more than one island, check out our inter-island travel article for tips on how to island hop seamlessly.

Consider being greeted upon arrival with a traditional Hawaii lei greeting. It is a fun way to start your Hawaii vacation.

5. Pick a place to stay

Once you’ve picked an island, there are so many options for accommodations. The first decision to make: do you want a vacation rental or a hotel? There are pros and cons to both options. If you’re planning to eat in a lot, a vacation rental can save you money with a kitchen. But you’re likely going to miss out on a great resort pool. 

Check out all of our pros and cons with our Airbnb vs Hotel article . 

6. Figure out whether you want to rent a car

For most vacations, you will probably want to rent a car. If you’re hoping to see a lot of the island that you visit, a car is necessary. Public transportation options aren’t usually very convenient and getting a cab or uber can add up to be quite expensive. 

The exception to this is Oahu. If you’re staying in Waikiki, there are plenty of things to keep you busy for days in a row so renting a car for your entire trip isn’t necessary. And when you do want to head out and explore, there are car rental options available right from Waikiki. 

When you’re ready to book a car, we recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental . We’ve saved thousands of dollars using them for our car rentals. They work with major carriers and don’t require pre-payment, so it’s a flexible and ideal way to save on your car rental. 

7. Choose some of your can’t-miss activities

There is truly so much to do on each island, and even if you were staying for a month, you wouldn’t be able to do it all. So making a list is important. 

Are you excited to hike a volcano? Snorkel from a boat? Zipline above a canopy of trees? Get an up-close view of humpback whales?

Our Tours & Activities section will help you find our favorite activities on each island. 

To help you get started our cheat sheets will give you a few of the ca n’t-miss experiences on each island. 

Additional Hawaii resources:

• 40 Things to Do on Oahu
• 5 Can’t-Miss Big Island Activities
• 68 Things to Do on Maui with Kids
• 21 Things to Do on Lanai

8. Make some fun dinner reservations

If you’re coming during the peak season, getting a few dinner reservations on the books is important. And even if you’re not, if there’s any place you feel like you need to eat, getting your reservation made early ensures you won’t miss out. Our cheat sheets offer some dining recommendations and our itinerary has a Quick Hits section with all of our favorite restaurants . 

9. Get packing

You don’t need to bring much with you on your beach vacation. But make sure you have the essentials by using our packing list. Yes, you’ll want to pack reef-safe sunscreen and a jacket!

Check out our full packing list here . 

And our favorite item to pack? Our itineraries ! They make your trip planning and experience so much easier. With excursion days to take you around the island and a list of our favorite restaurants and beaches, this is one thing you’ll definitely want with you. 

“I can’t tell you how much we have appreciated your effort with the guidebook.  We saw things this past week we would never have known to look for.  These hidden gems were amazing from the black sand beach all the way up to Pololu lookout and all the small shops along the way.  We leave tomorrow and I wanted to say how much we used and enjoyed your book.  Thank you so much.” – Chris P.

First-Time Visitors Tips While in Hawaii

Once you’ve made it to Hawaii (hooray!) we have some tips to help make your time in the islands even more memorable. 

Understand the geography

While getting to know the geography of the islands might seem a little ridiculous for your vacation, it’s important because it will affect the weather you experience and what you do while on vacation. 

The main thing to know is that each island has a windward and a leeward side. The windward side of each island faces the tradewinds. You’ll get more rain and wind, but you’ll also get lush landscapes (thanks to all of that rain!). On Maui, Hana is a famous spot on the windward side. The landscape is lush and the waterfalls are beautiful. But it also rains a lot and the ocean currents are very strong. 

The leeward side of each island is more protected from the wind and rain and you will have drier, sunnier weather. Most of the famously beautiful beaches you plan on visiting are located on the leeward side of the island.

For example, on Maui, the leeward side of the island includes some great beaches, like Wailea Beach and Ka’anapali Beach. 

When you understand the island’s geography, you can better prepare for what to expect. If you’re looking for a lush, jungle experience, with waterfalls and greenery head east to the windward side. If you’re looking to beat the rain and get some sun, the west or leeward side is your best bet.

Get out and explore

The beaches in Hawaii are incredible. But there’s a lot more to explore on each of the islands. Some things you might want to add to your list include:

• Night snorkeling or diving with Manta Rays on the Big Island
• Seeing the sunrise or sunset from Haleakala Crater on Maui
• Watching the big wave surfers on the north shore of Oahu
• Viewing the stunning cliffs of the NaPali coast on Kauai
• Hanging out with humpback whales during their annual migration to Hawaii

This was just a taste, but there is so much more. If you want to view the highlights of each island, check out our cheat sheets .

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Not only do these island cheat sheets highlight the top 4 can’t miss sights and activities on each island, you’ll also get tips on where to stay, a map of the island with the main sights, towns, and airport locations, the top places for food on each island, and more.

They’re designed to make kicking off your trip planning even easier. Grab them for free and start planning !

Try the local food

One of the treats about visiting a new place is the opportunity to try new, local foods that you might not eat back home. There are a few things you should consider trying while you’re here:

• Fresh, locally caught fish: If you’re a seafood fan, don’t miss out on the fresh fish. You can enjoy it at either a restaurant or from a fish market. You’ll see options like Mahi Mahi, Ono, Opah, Ahi, and more.
• Locally grown produce: Enjoy dragon fruit, coconut, lilikoi, pineapples, locally produced honey and more. We love doing farm tours, but if that’s not part of your vacation itinerary, try a farm-to-table restaurant. You’ll get to sample some island flavors while supporting the agriculture industry here.
• Traditional Hawaiian food: You don’t need to go to a luau to sample some traditional Hawaiian dishes. Look for dishes like poi (taro that has been pounded into a paste), laulau (meat wrapped and cooked in taro leaves), kalua pig (slow-roasted pork cooked in an underground oven), and poke (diced, raw fish that is wonderfully flavored). If you are looking to try traditional Hawaiian food at a luau, check out our list of the best luaus in Hawaii . 
• Shave ice: Not shaved ice. You may think that this is like a snowcone, but it couldn’t be further from it. Soft fluffy ice shavings that are flavored with different syrups and creative flavor combinations. You might also have the add-on of fruit and ice cream. It’s so, so good. Don’t forget to check out our five favorite shave ice spots on Kauai . 

Snorkel (safely!)

Living here, we love spending our days in the ocean. There is nothing like diving into the warm, tropical waters and being greeted by colorful fish, turtles, octopi, and more. But if it’s your first time snorkeling in Hawaii, there are some essential details you should know.

Understand safety risks

Snorkeling may look easy, but water conditions, physical conditions, and more come into play. It’s not always as safe as it looks — drowning is the number one cause of visitor death in Hawaii . Before you go out, review the safety tips to make sure you’re doing what you can to keep yourself safe.

There are a couple ways to check the ocean conditions daily. You can check Hawaii Beach Safety for daily ocean conditions for select beaches on all four main islands. 

If you’re headed to Maui, we love the daily Snorkel Reports from the Snorkel Store. It helps us to see what areas have the best snorkeling conditions for the day and also gives us warnings about large swells that are coming in and affecting safety and visibility. 

Use good gear

Hear me out on this one. You’ll find a number of blogs telling you to pick up a cheap set of fins and a mask from an ABC store or Target once you arrive. There are a few reasons we don’t suggest that.

First, safety. Well fitting gear (fins that stay on and a mask that doesn’t leak) is important to keep you safe.

Second, it’s a significantly more enjoyable experience to snorkel in gear that fits well and is easy to use. This was apparent when we were trying to teach our preschooler to snorkel. The cheap gear didn’t cut it but once we got him in a good mask, he was off!

Third, buying cheap gear just adds to the already full landfill here.

That’s not to say you need to shell out and buy expensive gear. If you plan to snorkel many times, even after this trip to Hawaii, it’s worth it to buy good snorkeling gear. We have sets listed on our recommendations page .

Otherwise, renting snorkeling gear is a great option. The shop staff can help you find gear that is the right fit for you. And if you find that it doesn’t work right, pop in and switch it out for a different rental set.

Go to the best places

All snorkeling spots are not created equal. Some spots on the island naturally have a more vibrant reef and are home to more fish and sea life. Other spots may be more affected by ocean swells at various times of the year.

On our guide pages we list out the best snorkeling spots on each island. You’ll want to check these pages out before hopping in the water:

Oahu Travel Guide Maui Travel Guide Big Island Travel Guide Kauai Travel Guide

And if you’re looking for the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii by month , we have you covered.

Take a snorkeling tour

While we love snorkeling from the beach and we do it often, going on a snorkeling tour is a really special experience. On a good snorkeling tour, you’ll learn about the ocean, the sea life, and be taken to some cool spots that aren’t easily accessible from the beach. Plus, you’ll be able to see the islands from the water, giving you a different perspective and appreciation for their beauty.

We have a full list of our favorite activity providers and tours on each island, but here are a few that are incredibly special:

• Molokini Sunrise Snorkel with Kai Kanani : beat the crowds to Molokini with this special sunrise snorkeling tour leaving directly from the beach in Makena/Wailea.
• Na Pali Coast Snorkeling with Holo Holo Charters : Cruise up the coast of Kaua’i and off the island of Niihau for a full day of snorkeling.
• Power Raft snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay with Captain Zodiac : Head to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument for the best snorkeling on the island.

Only use reef-safe sunscreen

Before you throw your favorite brand of sunscreen into your bag, stop. Hawaii has rules in place to help protect the reef and sea life that are so important. One of those rules is around the type of sunscreen you can use. Sunscreens containing chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate are no longer sold in Hawaii. These chemicals have been found to contribute to coral reef bleaching.

You can check out a full list of our favorite reef-safe sunscreens and make sure you’re only using legal sunscreen in Hawaii.

Understand the rules protecting sea life

When you’re snorkeling and enjoying the crystal clear water, it’s important to keep in mind that you want to make as little impact on sea life as possible. Stay at least 10 feet away from turtles while snorkeling. You’re required to stay at least 50 feet away from Monk Seals. And if you see spinner dolphins, you’ll need to give them 50 yards of space.

Learn about the culture

Hawaii is a unique US state for many reasons but one thing that is important to understand is that Hawaii had a long and rich history before becoming part of the US. Learning a little about the culture and the history will enhance your stay and give you new appreciation for these amazing islands.

There are plenty of ways to learn more about Hawai’i while you’re here. Consider visiting museums. On Oahu we love visiting the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace.

You can also visit heritage sites like Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island. You can find a list of heritage sites to visit on the Hawaii Tourism Authority website .

Let us Help you Visit Hawaii for the First Time

We’ve helped thousands of people plan and experience their best vacation to Hawaii. Make your trip planning that much easier and let us help you have the trip you’ve been dreaming about. 

“My husband and I recently took our very first trip to Hawaii (and first trip without our 3 young children) to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We stayed in Maui and used your Maui Classic Itinerary. It made planning our trip so easy! We never had to worry about driving directions, finding bathrooms or parking lots, where we were going to eat a meal, the best spots to spend our day, or even details like when to leave to make the Haleakala sunrise and what trails to hit afterwards. Every single day of our trip was just about perfect, and your guide was a big determining factor for that. We even used it up until the last hour of our trip to find a good beach and great food in Paia Town before we had to be at the airport! So we just wanted to say THANK YOU for helping make this a very special trip that we will remember for the rest of our lives!” – Adam and Alyssa

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Cruising Hawaii Guide

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I'm the co-founder, with my husband Jordan, of The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We have lived on Maui and Oahu and continue to travel, experience, and learn about the Hawaiian Islands. We travel with our kids, Henry and Edith. I am a planner! I love to plan trips from the mainland and island-hopping adventures, excursion days, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time in Hawai'i on a SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!

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Planning a Trip to Hawaii: DOs and DON’Ts (2024)

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Planning a trip to Hawaii is something many people dream of. With its stunning beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and lush green hills, it’s one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited but also the most expensive.

While we do think the islands are worth the high price, to make the most of your stay, it’s essential to plan in advance.

In this post, we share our top Hawaii travel tips to show you how to plan a trip to Hawaii that’s perfect for you.

We’ll cover how many days you need in Hawaii, which island to visit, where to stay, the top activities, what you must book in advance, and everything else you need to know.

Video: Hawaii Travel Tips

How long to stay in hawaii, best island to visit in hawaii, best time to visit hawaii, planning a trip to hawaii: before you arrive, when you are in hawaii, what to pack for hawaii, is hawaii worth it, more hawaii posts, maui travel update 2024.

Since November 1, 2023, West Maui has been open for travel again (except most of Lahaina, which will remain closed indefinitely) after the devastating wildfire in Lahaina in August 2023.

Visitors to Maui are now encouraged, but please be mindful and respectful of the tragedy that everyone on the island has been impacted by.

Travel to other islands in Hawaii is unaffected.

If you’d like to donate money to support Maui’s recovery, consider the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund .

For more information about the ongoing situation, see the Hawaii Tourism Authority website .

Back to Contents

The average stay in Hawaii is about 7 days. I think this is a good minimum time for a trip, although 10-14 days is better if you want to visit multiple islands.

Some visitors do visit Hawaii for 4-5 days, but it’s a long way from the US mainland (or anywhere!) for a short trip, and you’ll spend the first few days adjusting to the time zone change. That said, if it’s all you can manage, it’s better than no time in Hawaii!

If you have a week for your Hawaii vacation, I recommend choosing just one island to visit. See below to find the best Hawaiian island for you.

If you have 10 days in Hawaii, I recommend starting with 3 days in Oahu and then visiting Maui or Kauai for a week.

Choosing the best island to visit is one of the most challenging parts of planning a trip to Hawaii. They are all diverse with lots to offer, so it just depends what you are looking for.

Most visitors to Hawaii visit one of these four islands:

Oahu is by far the most visited and developed Hawaiian island. It’s home to the large city of Honolulu, which includes the famous and very crowded Waikiki Beach (where most visitor accommodation is located).

Oahu offers the most choice of shopping, dining, and nightlife, so if you want to combine city and beach life, this is the best island for you.

It’s also by far the easiest place to manage without renting a car (although I still recommend it). If you stay in Waikiki, you can walk to the beach and many shops, restaurants, and activities.

You can also take tours, Ubers, or the Trolley Bus to nearby attractions including the Pearl Harbour memorial.

Oahu’s North Shore offers a much more relaxed vibe with beautiful beaches and huge waves for surfing in the winter.

Oahu is easy to fit into Hawaii vacations as Honolulu International Airport offers the most flights from the mainland US and international destinations.

Our favourite activities in Oahu are:

• Taking a helicopter ride around the island for stunning views. We recommend the one hour doors off tour with Rainbow Helicopters from Honolulu.
• Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay (be sure to book).
• Relaxing on the Windward Coast beaches especially Waimānalo and Kailua.

See our 7 Day Oahu itinerary for many more tips.

Where to stay in Oahu: Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore is our favourite place we’ve stayed in all of Hawaii! It is seriously dreamy with incredible ocean views, isolated beaches (with turtles!), stylish rooms, and plenty to do. It feels a world away from Waikiki.

Maui is the second most visited island and is a popular honeymoon destination.

It has gorgeous beaches, world-class whale watching, and the Road to Hana drive where you can see waterfalls, bamboo forest, and black sand beaches.

You can also watch the sun rise above a volcanic crater and visit wineries and lavender farms in Upcountry.

There’s a wide range of resorts, dining, shopping, and activities as well as natural attractions.

Our favourite activities in Maui are:

• Staying overnight in Hana (we love Hana Kai Condos ) to explore popular sights like Waianapanapa without the crowds.
• Whale watching from Lahaina. We saw an incredible amount of humpbacks on our small group boat trip with Makai Adventures (up and running in a new location).
• Relaxing on the beaches of West Maui (with turtle sightings!).

See our Maui itinerary for more tips.

Where to stay in Maui: Kahana Reef has affordable, oceanfront condos on the west coast. We saw whales, turtles, and incredible sunsets from our lanai.

The Big Island (officially called Hawaii) is the youngest Hawaiian island, so it’s not as green as the other islands and has more lava landscapes.

If you want to see an active volcano, this is the island to visit.

It’s the largest island with diverse landscapes from white sand beaches to snow-capped volcanoes.

Our favourite activities on the Big Island are:

• Night snorkel with manta rays. We got incredibly close to these magnificent and huge creatures on our manta trip with Sea Quest .
• Snorkelling at Kealakekua Bay and Two Step .
• Kilauea Iki Trail  – Hiking into a volcanic caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

See our guide to the best things to do on the Big Island for more tips.

Where to Stay on the Big Island: You’ll want to divide your time between the west and east on this large island. Our favourite area was Volcano, where we adored this peaceful cabin in the rainforest . It’s very different from the rest of Hawaii.

Known as The Garden Isle, Kauai is the most lush and green of the islands.

Kauai has become more popular, but it isn’t as developed as Maui or Oahu.

The jagged green cliffs of the stunning Napali Coast are the big draw, but there are also lovely beaches, waterfalls, hiking trails, and multi-coloured canyons.

Our favourite activities in Kauai are:

• Admiring Kauai from above – Our Kauai doors off helicopter ride was spectacular.
• Sailing the Napali Coast – The massive sea cliffs are stunning and we saw whales, dolphins and turtles on the way.
• Seeing turtles and seals on Poipu Beach .

See our post on the best things to do on Kauai for many more.

Where to stay in Kauai: We loved our condo at Kiahuna Plantation on a beautiful beach in Poipu.

Less Visited Hawaiian Islands

If you are looking to get off the beaten track, you could consider visiting one of these smaller, much less visited islands (we haven’t made it to either yet but hope to next time):

• Molokai – Known as The Friendly Isle, on Molokai you’ll find a slow pace of life and more native Hawaiians, but less choice of accommodation and activities. It’s also home to the leper colony of Kalaupapa, which I became fascinated with after reading a couple of these Hawaii books .
• Lana’i – For many years Lana’i was a pineapple plantation and it’s now home to a few luxury resorts like the stunning Four Seasons Lana’i . If you want to enjoy the secluded beaches without the high price tag, the ferry from Lahaina on Maui only takes an hour, so you could visit on a day trip.

Which Side of the Island?

The character of each island also depends on which part you visit.

All the islands have a rainy side where the scenery is lush and green and a dry side where you’ll usually get more sun.

They are both worth visiting, which is why we split our island stays between two or three locations.

Where We Visited in Hawaii

We had 3.5 weeks on our first Hawaiian vacation (in January/February) and divided our time between Kauai and Maui, with one night in Honolulu before our onward flight.

There’s so much to do on each island that we’re glad we didn’t try to add in an extra island.

On our second 3 week Hawaii trip (in October), we spent a week on Oahu (but could have stayed longer) and two weeks on the Big Island.

We love all four of the major Hawaii islands, but our personal favourite is Kauai for the rugged green mountains and more laidback vibe.

There’s no bad time to visit Hawaii as it’s warm year-round, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 75ºF (24ºC), even in winter. Each season has its pros and cons.

To See Humpback Whales—Visit in Winter

We were astounded by how many whales we saw in Maui in February. January to March are the best months for whale watching, but you might see a few from November to May.

Winter weather in Hawaii is cooler and rainier than the rest of the year, but we still had mostly sunny days. The ocean is warm enough to swim year-round.

Winter is also the best time for serious surfers, with huge swells on the north shores (especially Oahu).

Christmas and New Year are some of the busiest times on the islands, so avoid them if you are on a budget (and book well in advance).

To Save Money—Visit in the Off-Season

In the spring (April and May) and autumn (September to mid-November), the islands are less crowded (relatively), prices are lower, and the weather is generally good. It can be very rainy on Kauai in April, though. 

For Snorkelling—Visit in Summer

The summer, from June to September, is the best time for snorkelling in Hawaii. The ocean is clearer, calmer, and warmer.

The shoulder months can be good, too—we found snorkelling better in October than in February. This does vary by island.

• Save up – Hawaii is expensive and you’ll enjoy it more if you aren’t worrying about every penny. On our first trip, we spent $267 per person per day (travelling as a couple), including everything except flights from the mainland US. You could spend less by travelling in the off-season, choosing non-beachfront accommodation, and skipping pricey tours. You could also spend a lot more by staying in luxury resorts and eating out for every meal.

• Book your accommodation far in advance – Especially if you are travelling in the high season, want an ocean view, or are travelling to places like Hana or Upcountry on Maui where accommodation is limited. You can search for resorts and hotels on Booking and vacation rentals on Vrbo .
• Consider a condo rather than a resort – For families, stays of a week or more, and for those on a budget, renting a condo with a kitchen is a great way to save money. There are many to choose from and some have resort facilities like pools and beachfront locations. We mostly stay in condos and Kiahuna Plantation on Poipu Beach in Kauai is one of our favourites. Vrbo is a great way to find condos.
• Split your stay – If you want the classic Hawaiian resort experience but can’t afford it for your whole trip, divide your time between a condo and a resort. We did this in Oahu—staying in a condo in Waikiki for 4 nights while we explored the south, then relaxing at gorgeous Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore for the last 3 nights.

• Camp if you are on a tight budget – It’s not for everyone, but if you don’t mind roughing it, camping is the cheapest way to experience Hawaii. There are some beautiful campsites at beaches and state parks, although you usually need to get permits in advance. See this guide to camping in Hawaii for more tips.
• Search on Kiwi or Skyscanner for the best flight deals – You need to get on a plane to reach Hawaii. The cheapest rates will be from Los Angeles or other West Coast USA cities. Southwest now flies to Hawaii at low rates. You can also get affordable flights from Canada and Japan to Honolulu.
• Fly in and out of different islands – Maximise your time on the islands by flying into one island (such as Kauai) and out of another (such as Maui). I was surprised by how many affordable direct flights there are from the US mainland to places other than Honolulu.
• Rent a car – It’s the best way to see Hawaii and often there’s no other way to reach parts of the islands. At busy times rental cars can run out, so book far in advance. We use Booking.com Car Rentals to find the best deal and just book the cheapest economy car.
• Travel between islands by plane – There are no ferries between islands (except from Maui to Lana’i) so you’ll need to hop on an interisland flight. Most are operated by Hawaiian Airlines and are affordable and short (20 to 50 minutes).
• Consider splitting your time between two or three locations on each island – If you want to do a lot of exploring, this will help avoid long drives to attractions. We’ve done this on all four main islands and it worked out well.

• Book Haleakala sunrise in advance – If you want to see Maui’s most popular sunrise, you must book up to 60 days in advance . If you miss out, try again two days before when more tickets are released.
• Make reservations for some state parks – Non-Hawaii residents need to book in advance for certain parks and pay an entrance and parking fee. These include Haena State Park in Kauai, Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana in Maui, ‘Iao Valley in Maui, and Diamond Head in Oahu. Time slots are released 30 days in advance. Book as soon as possible as they do sell out.
• Pack a sweater – While most of the time you’ll only need summer clothes, it can get chilly on morning boat trips or if you go to higher elevations (like Upcountry in Maui or Waimea Canyon on Kauai) especially in the winter. Sunrise at Haleakala, Maui and sunset at Mauna Kea on the Big Island are freezing and you’ll appreciate as many layers as possible. See the end of this post for more tips on what to pack for Hawaii. 
• Learn a few Hawaiian words – Even if it’s just Aloha (hello and goodbye but also love and compassion) and Mahalo (thank you). I picked up vocabulary by reading the astounding novel Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport (which I highly recommend every visitor reads).
• Book restaurants in advance – Upscale restaurants do fill up, so make reservations for anywhere you definitely want to eat (including at resorts). A few weeks in advance should be fine but places like Duke’s on Waikiki Beach book up months ahead. People tend to eat early in Hawaii (around 6pm) so it’s easier to get later reservations.
• Bring cash for tipping – While you can add a tip to your credit card in restaurants, it’s important to have cash for tour guides, valets, and resort staff. If you’re not American, familiarise yourself with tipping etiquette. We tipped 20% in restaurants and sit down bars, $10-20 per person for tours (including for helicopter pilots), $5 for valet attendants (when the car was returned), and around $2-3 a day for hotel housekeeping.
• Plan to visit more than one island per week – You’ll spend too much of your precious Hawaii vacation time travelling and there’s so much to do on each island. While interisland flight times are short, airport security queues can be long (especially out of Honolulu) or flights delayed.
• Forget hidden fees – The listed price for hotels and resorts is rarely what you’ll actually pay. You’ll have to add tax and often a resort fee, cleaning fee (for condos), and parking charge. Check the final total price when comparing accommodation options.
• Visit during holidays – Try to avoid the busiest times of year, especially Christmas and New Year when crowds and prices soar. Thanksgiving week is another busy period. Avoid special events like Iron Man on the Big Island in October. If you must visit then, book far in advance.
• Stay on the beach (maybe) – If you are on a tight budget, you’ll save by staying a short walk or drive from the beach. That said, we often splurge on beachfront accommodation and love it.

• Read novels set in Hawaii – Learn more about Hawaii’s fascinating culture and turbulent history by reading one of these books about Hawaii while you relax on the beach.
• Schedule your most important activities early – Weather can change and cancel activities like boat trips and helicopter rides, so make sure you’ll have time to reschedule.
• Book Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oahu two days in advance – If you want to snorkel at this popular beach, you must make a reservation here at exactly 7am Hawaii Standard Time two days before your visit. Slots sell out in minutes. Tickets are $25. It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Use reef-safe sunscreen – Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreen that uses coral-harming chemicals (oxybenzone and octinoxate). You need a product that uses zinc oxide instead, like this Raw Elements sunscreen . Honestly, it’s a pain to apply, but it’s surprisingly water resistant, and it’s worth it to protect the reefs. Longs Drugs and ABC Stores are good places to pick up all your beach supplies on the islands.

• Wear a rashguard – Even better than sunscreen is to protect your skin by wearing a rashguard in the water, especially when snorkelling.

• Sign up to the Snorkel Report on Maui – You’ll get an email every morning with tips on the best beaches to visit that day. They also rent inexpensive snorkelling and beach gear.
• Check the Hawaii Beach Safety website – To find out which beaches are safe for swimming or best for surfing.
• Go whale watching – It was one of our favourite experiences in Hawaii. We chose a small boat trip with Makai Adventures from Lahaina in Maui and loved it so much we went twice. You can see whales on most of the islands— search for whale watching trips in Hawaii here .
• Hike – All the islands have beautiful trails from easy coastal walks to challenging multi-day treks. It’s a great free way to enjoy the beauty of the islands.

• Rent a Tommy Bahama beach chair and umbrella – Our condos came with these, but you can rent them on the islands inexpensively. They have backpack straps for easy carrying and make beach hopping much more comfortable.
• Bring or rent snorkel gear – If you have space in your luggage, bring your own snorkel and mask. If not, rent it for the length of your stay from a service like Snorkel Bob’s (as we did on the Big Island). I appreciated being able to take a look at the reef whenever we went to the beach.
• Visit a farmer’s market – The fresh produce is usually cheaper and better quality than the supermarkets and there are lots of tasty treats and foodie souvenirs to enjoy.
• Cool off with shave ice – This delicious icy treat is so much better than we expected. Add a scoop of macadamia ice cream on the bottom for maximum tastiness. Our favourites are Waikomo Shave Ice on Kauai and Original Big Island Shave Ice Co on the Big Island.

• Enjoy a Mai Tai on the beach – Touristy yes, but it’s a classic Hawaii experience and these tasty rum cocktails come in cool Tiki glasses.
• Try Li Hing Mui – This dried plum is sweet, salty, and sour. It’s very popular in Hawaii (originating from China), and you can find them whole for snacking (a bit much for me) or as a flavour for many treats. It’s my new favourite shave ice flavour (especially combined with lilikoi/passionfruit and pineapple).
• Drive the Road to Hana on Maui – Most people do this in one day, but we loved spending a few nights in Hana to explore without the crowds.

• Eat all the banana bread – Especially in the Hana area, homemade banana bread sold at farm stalls is so good.
• Indulge in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts – We were addicted to the ones by Moana Loa.
• Let local drivers pass you – They know the winding roads better than you and drive at a faster pace, so pull over and let them pass.
• See Kauai from above – Our doors-off helicopter trip on Kauai was mind-blowing and it’s the best island for a scenic flight. Our Oahu helicopter tour was also amazing. Search for scenic helicopter flights on other Hawaiian islands here .

• Eat in restaurants for every meal – Restaurants are expensive and by self-catering in our condo we saved a huge amount of money. Even if you don’t have a kitchen, you can pick up a pre-made picnic lunch from a supermarket and enjoy it on the beach. Some of our tastiest meals were from food trucks which are far cheaper than restaurants. Hana in Maui and Hanalei in Kauai had the best selection of trucks.
• Underestimate the ocean – Conditions can be dangerous and change quickly and drownings do happen. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t swim.
• Turn your back on the ocean – Huge waves can come out of nowhere when you are swimming or even walking along the shore.
• Fight a rip current –  If you get caught in a current, keep calm, float, and wave for help. Go with the current and conserve your energy.
• Touch sea turtles or monk seals – You are likely to come across wildlife on the beaches, but it’s illegal to get too close or touch them.
• Feed fish or other wild animals.

• Trespass – Please respect private property. While all beaches are open to the public, they don’t all have public access routes.
• Litter – Don’t leave anything behind on beaches or hiking trails.
• Park illegally – Respect “no parking” signs and don’t stop on the side of the road. This has become a real problem on the Road to Hana in Maui in particular.
• Steal any rocks or sand .
• Touch or step on coral – Be mindful of where your fins are when snorkelling.
• Leave valuables in your car – And keep any luggage hidden out of sight in the trunk. Rent a mid-size car rather than a compact one (we found these didn’t have an enclosed trunk).
• Laugh at the hula – It’s not just a dance for tourists, but a serious part of local culture.
• Refuse a lei (flower garland) – It’s a symbol of affection and Aloha so wear it with gratitude and don’t take it off in front of the person who gave it to you.
• Wear shoes into someone’s house .
• Rush – Don’t feel the pressure to do everything. Make sure you allow time just to relax by the pool or on the beach. Slow down and enjoy these beautiful islands.

The weather is warm year-round in Hawaii so pack lightweight summer clothes—shorts, t-shirts, dresses, a couple of bathing suits, and a beach cover-up. 

I’m a big fan of PrAna for summer dresses and swimwear. 

There’s no need to pack formal clothes as Hawaii is very casual. 

I do recommend packing one set of warmer clothes for visiting places at higher elevations or boat trips in winter. A pair of jeans or leggings plus a lightweight fleece or sweater should be fine. 

If you are planning on sunrise at Haleakala in Maui or stargazing at Mauna Kea on the Big Island, it can be freezing, so add more layers and perhaps a packable down jacket if you have one (I like the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody). 

We spend most of our time in Hawaii wearing hiking sandals—they are perfect for beaches and hikes. Many beaches have rough access trails so you’ll appreciate something more than flip-flops.

We both love Teva sandals which are very comfortable for hiking and most models are waterproof so are great for kayaking. Simon likes the Teva Fi Lite sandals and I have the Teva Verra sandals .

I also had a pair of ballet flats for a dressier option for the evenings. My current favourites are the super comfy Allbirds Tree Breezers —see my Allbirds flats review for details. 

For running, I wear the light, breathable Allbirds Tree Dashers .  

Other Useful Items

• Reef-safe sunscreen – Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate which have been banned in Hawaii. 
• Reusable shopping bags – Plastic bags are banned on the islands.
• Spices – If you are self-catering, you’ll save money by bringing a small amount of spices with you. We bought some at the bulk-buy section of a supermarket on the mainland.
• Water bottle – Avoid creating plastic waste by packing a reusable water bottle. We like the Vapur water bottle as it’s light and packs flat when empty. 
• Packable daypack – These backpacks fit in your luggage on the trip over and are useful for hikes and exploring. 
• Packing cubes – We swear by these as they keep your clothes organised and easy to find in your luggage. 
• Quick-dry beach towel – These lightweight towels dry faster than traditional towels and sand shakes off them more easily. 
• Compact binoculars – There’s so much wildlife to see in Hawaii including whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, and birds. The tiny Olympus 8 x 21 RCII waterproof binoculars were ideal for getting a closer look.

Yes, I think Hawaii is well worth visiting! While it is expensive and can be crowded, there’s something about that stunning scenery and relaxing vibe that entices many of us to visit again and again.

I hope this blog post helps you with how to plan a trip to Hawaii. Let me know if you have any questions and share your Hawaii travel tips in the comments below.

We share more of our Hawaii tips in these posts:

• The Perfect 7 Day Oahu Itinerary
• A Doors Off Oahu Helicopter Tour: Everything You Need to Know
• 25 Best Things to Do in Maui
• The Ultimate Maui Itinerary: The Best of Maui in 7 to 14 Days
• 17 Stunning Road to Hana Stops & Why You Should Stay in Hana, Maui
• Where to Stay in Kauai: The Best Areas and Hotels
• 17 Unmissable Things to Do in Kauai
• A Doors Off Helicopter Tour on Kauai: Is It Worth it?
• 14 Best Beaches in Kauai
• 23 Unmissable Things to Do on the Big Island
• 9 Best Books About Hawaii to Read Before You Visit

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16 Comments

Your review made no mention of exploring the art museum & palace.

These 2 spots are essential visits in Oahu. Exploring how Hawaiian islands last provincial part of royal hawaiian culture just before annexation to the United States as a territory, and later a state is fascinating. The art museum and also Duke Mansion have extremely rare & valuable originals of some of the most revered artists in varying mediums. Picasso, Monet, Rembrant, Matisse, Van gough, O’keife. Really disappointing it is not even mentioned here. I have visited Hawaiian Island more than 10 + times. They are essential stops.

Reply ↓

Thanks for the suggestions, Susanne. Everyone has different priorities, and for us, with limited time in Honolulu, we preferred to focus on the amazing outdoor attractions.

I do think it’s important to learn about Hawaii’s history and culture so I’ve read a lot of books about it.

This is so helpful and thorough! I have been clicking back and forth to different articles. Thank you for putting your time in to such a great resource.

I’m glad you found it useful! Thanks Jennifer for the kind words!

Hi!! Do you have any recommendations on phone/data plans for internationals?💕

We’re currently in the US and are using T Mobile. Simon got an unlimited data plan for $50 a month and bought the SIM in advance from SIM Corner while we were in New Zealand (they ship from various countries).

That was useful as it meant we had the SIM as soon as we arrived (most airports don’t seem to have places to buy SIMs).

I just went into a T-Mobile shop to buy mine and got the cheapest plan of $15 for 2.5GB data valid for 30 days. Plus $10 for the SIM card. All plans have unlimited domestic talk and text.

If you look in the trucks at Farmers Markets….many of the boxes are from COSTCO. If you plan to self-cater, shop at COSTCO first and then Walmart if the island your visiting has one.

Do you know if the Covid restrictions would prevent people from renting a car and doing their own circle tour. These tours are outrageously expensive for only 15 mins at each location. I could easily just use our rental car and take our time seeing what we want to see. So my question is will the State of Hawaii only allow these pricey tours right now because of Covid? For example, I don’t want to drive to see the Halona Blowhole only to find out we can’t get near it because of certain restrictions.

You are allowed to rent a car (as long as you don’t have to quarantine which you shouldn’t if you get a test before arrival) so there’s no reason not to drive yourself. There is high demand for car rentals in Hawaii at the moment (many rental companies sold off cars last year) so book as far in advance as possible.

Hi! Thank you for this article it was very helpful. For the sunrise mountain in Maui, I saw the reservations is per car. Do you drive all the way up or hike? I will be traveling with some older people (70+), so trying to understand the feasibility? Thank you!

Yes, it is per car. You drive all the way up and don’t have to walk more than a few minutes from the carpark to the viewpoint. There are optional hiking trails around for post-sunrise, but it’s still stunning without any walking.

Thank you for the tips to “Bring reusable shopping bags” and “Schedule your most important activities early”. Very good points to keep in mind.

I love that Hawaii has so many places that offer to rent (folding) beach chairs! I find that option sorely missing from the islands in the Caribbean. In fact, I ended up buying an inexpensive beach chair from Wal-mart when we were in Puerto Rico this past winter.

What about tent camping, is that not a viable alternative to the high priced lodging?

Yes, that’s definitely the cheapest way to experience Hawaii. It’s not our thing, although we saw the campsite at Waianapanapa State Park on Maui and you can’t beat the location!

I’ve lived on Kauai for over 40 years. While I agree with nearly everything you say in this excellent article, there was one glaring error that any Kauai resident could confirm. Although visiting off season is, indeed, (somewhat) cheaper and certainly less crowded, the weather in April on Kauai (and generally March) is far from excellent. Many, many visitors to Kauai have had their vacations ruined by our relentless April rains (in fact, much of the north shore is still closed from catastrophic rains over a year ago, and a couple of years before that it rained for nearly 40 straight days (okay, maybe not, but any local will swear by it…). April is by far the worst possible month to visit Kauai and it does your readers a digs-service to urge them to do so.

Thanks for the information Bill. I will update the post.

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Home » Great Family Vacations With College Kids – Let’s Go to Hawaii

Great Family Vacations With College Kids – Let’s Go to Hawaii

Great family vacations are some of the best memories. If you’re planning to take a Hawaii summer vacation, you can be assured of a good time. It is the home to active volcanoes, towering mountains, surfing waves, tropical forests, stunning water, and golden-sand beaches. With all these awesome features, a vacation here is a dream for most people.

The Aloha State prides itself on entirely different cultures and customs compared to other states. It has a rich culture, and most locals are always happy to share the island’s history and beauty. It’s not tough to see why Hawaii is an ideal destination for great family vacations.

Is Hawaii an expensive vacation destination? We have discussed this and other topics below.

What Makes Hawaii Great for Family Vacations

Most U.S. citizens consistently rank Hawaii as the best family vacation destination . Countless online articles and essays have designated the state as the most beautiful destination globally.

Each American and non-American student needs to visit Hawaii. Students that enjoy writing will most likely appreciate a trip to paradise. There’s more than one essay about Hawaii online, that discusses its beauty and how everyone should witness it. You will also find several studies and articles talking about it.

All these materials can help students while planning for their trip. They will help them do proper research, especially if it’s their first visit.

Why Hawaii?

Here are some of the reasons why is Hawaii a good place to visit:

• Great Weather : Temperatures in Hawaii tend to be consistent throughout the year. Because the state is near the equator, the weather is mostly warm. However, it doesn’t mean the weather is the same. But temperature changes are minor. Normally, the two significant seasons are summer and winter.
• Wonderful Resorts : It’s home to some of the most relaxing and luxurious resorts globally. Also, Hawaii has hotels for every type of visitor. Whether you want a budget-friendly resort or a 5-star property, you will find one. For example, some of the hotels include Prince Waikiki and Fairmont Orchid .
• Family-Friendly Activities : Great family vacations to Hawaii offer you and your relatives a fun and memorable stay. Some of the activities you can do as a family include surfing, helicopter tours to vie volcanoes, biking, hiking, etc.
• Beautiful Scenery : When visiting Hawaii, don’t forget your camera. The Big Island has unique landscapes that each tourist will want to remember. For example, there are hidden caves, volcanoes, state parks, and more.

How to Visit Hawaii on a Student Budget

When you search for “visiting Hawaii on a budget,” you are likely to come across a research paper or article discussing several ways you can do it. But is it possible? Here are several ways to do it:

• Don’t Island-Hop : There are many places to see and things to do in Hawaii , and you can’t visit all of them if you’re on a budget. Choose specific price-friendly destinations to visit.
• Use Public Transportation : While renting a car is the easiest way to get around, it may make more financial sense to take a taxi, you can save money through public means.
• Eat Local : Eat affordable local cuisines like poke bowls and bento boxes – The Island boasts many farm-to-table eateries that will reduce your food budget.
• Budget Tips : There are other ways of visiting the island on a budget, like looking for cheap airfare, finding cheap accommodation, researching, etc. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’re getting great value for money.

Top Destinations for Students in Hawaii

There are many places that students can visit in Hawaii. Apart from the beaches, here are the leading destinations for students:

•   Tour the Polynesian Cultural Center in La’ie on Oahu.
•   Whale watching along the coastline of Kauai.
•   Explore the Maui Ocean Center to view marine creatures.
•   Get lost in the world’s largest maze at the Dole Pineapple Plantation in Oahu.
•   Stargaze at the Mauna Kea Observatory.

Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii! Most people who have visited the island would love to hear these words again when they land in the beautiful Hawaii islands. It is an excellent tourist destination for all types of visitors. Whether you’re visiting as a group of students or on a family vacation, it will bring memories you will forever cherish.

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Hawaii is often on the short list of dream destinations for a relaxing beach holiday. But a potential trip to paradise doesn’t happen without first asking the critical question: How much is a trip to Hawaii?

The answer varies depending on where you stay and when you travel. We’ve crunched the numbers to give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend so you’re better prepared to budget for a vacation in Hawaii.

Estimated Hawaii trip cost

Beachfront view of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. (Photo courtesy of Hilton)

We looked at the estimated costs of a 10-night trip for a family of four (two adults and two children) during the peak summer travel season, as well as a seven-night trip for that same family during the shoulder season.

Here are the hypotheticals:

Travel to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the most popular island for visitors to Hawaii.

Round-trip flights for four from Los Angeles.

A peak-season trip assumes a June 25, 2024, departure, while a shoulder-season trip assumes a May 8, 2024, departure.

We used three property types to assess price estimates:

A beachfront four-star resort: Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

A three-star hotel: Holiday Inn Express Waikiki. 

A condo: Various Waikiki units on Vrbo.com.

Totals include resort fees :

$50 per night at the four-star resort.

$29.49 per night at the three-star hotel.

All management and cleaning fees at the condo units.

Totals include parking costs of:

$68.06 per day at the four-star resort.

$45 per day at the three-star hotel.

Parking isn't included in condo totals (varies by building/unit).

Meals include nightly dinners of about $225, including drinks, taxes and tips. 

At a four-star resort, meal estimates include breakfasts and lunches totaling about $100 per day. 

Costs at a three-star hotel, which includes free breakfast, include only lunches totaling about $50 per day. 

Tightly budgeted meals assume cutting food costs by 60% with cheap eats and/or preparing meals. 

Activities for the 10-night trip include a snorkeling excursion, surfing lessons, a Pearl Harbor visit and a day at a water park. For the seven-night trip: snorkeling, the Pearl Harbor visit and a day at a water park (no surfing lessons).

Economy rental car reserved through DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com or Turo .

$5-a-day tip for housekeepers .

Based on the information outlined above, here are our estimated budgets.

» Learn more: The best times to visit Hawaii by travel style

10-night trip, peak summer travel season

$15,090: Four-star beachfront resort, with a 10-day rental car.

$10,447: Three-star hotel, with a 10-minute walk to the beach and a five-day rental car.

$7,781 Low-cost condo within walking distance to the beach, tightly budgeted meals and a five-day rental car. 

Seven-night trip, shoulder season

$9,574: Four-star beachfront resort, with a seven-day rental car.

$6,488: Three-star hotel, with a 10-minute walk to the beach and a rental car for two days.

$4,936: Low-cost condo within walking distance to the beach, tightly budgeted meals and a two-day rental car. 

Can you beat these numbers? Definitely. Here are tips on how to save on your vacation to Hawaii.

» Learn more: The best island in Hawaii for first timers

How to cut your Hawaii vacation costs

Stay on the beach or rent a car every day, but don’t do both.

Does your idea of a great vacation involve hitting the open road to explore every corner of the island? Then, don’t pay premium prices for a hotel on the beach.

On the other hand, if your dream trip involves tons of time lounging on the sand and splashing in the pool, don’t pay $55 a day for a rental car plus $68 a day to park it when it’s just going to sit there.

Many Waikiki hotels are within walking distance of a car rental agency, so it’s easy to get a car for just part of your trip. Select “Waikiki” instead of “Honolulu airport” as your pick-up and drop-off location for your rental car. If you pick the car up in the morning, then drop it off at the end of the day, you can save a night’s worth of parking costs, cutting down your trip cost.

The downside to this strategy is you may have to wait in a long line to get your car. So send one adult to pick up the vehicle in the morning while the rest of the crew gets ready for the day. And don’t forget to include airport transfers in your budget. Budget about $37 each way, including tip, for a taxi or rideshare between Waikiki and Honolulu airport.

» Learn more: The cheapest rental car companies

Eat cheaper

If your family of four has a nice dinner at the world-famous Duke’s Waikiki, including cocktails for the adults, an appetizer and a Hula Pie dessert to share, you’ll spend about $225, including taxes and tip. Of course, the beachfront views, tiki torches and aloha spirit might be worth it. But you don’t have to spend that much every night.

Step away from the beach and meals get much cheaper. For example, the outstanding burgers at Cheeseburger in Paradise are about $20, as opposed to the $36 baked fish at Duke’s.

In addition, pizza joints, super-affordable ramen houses, authentic Hawaiian diners such as Rainbow Drive-In, chains such as Denny’s and IHOP and fast-food restaurants including McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway can bring your meal costs down.

Or swing into one of the many ABC Stores to pick up packaged salads, sandwiches, yogurt, snacks, drinks or some spam musubi (a slice of grilled Spam sandwiched between or on top of a block of rice, wrapped in nori) to fill up on the cheap.

More affordable yet, you can buy cereal, coffee, milk, sandwich meats and bread to prepare breakfasts and lunches at your hotel or condo.

» Learn more: Is island hopping in Hawaii worth it?

Consider a condo

You can often find a vacation rental just a few minutes from the beach for much cheaper than you’d pay for a hotel.

For example, we found the condo shown below on Vrbo for 10 nights for $1,942 plus tax, for a total of $2,260. And that’s during peak summer travel.

For a seven-day rental during the shoulder season, you can cut your total accommodations expenditure by around $500 by choosing a condo over a hotel.

Many condos have kitchens, too, so you could save money by making eggs or pancakes for breakfast, spaghetti for dinner and packing sandwiches for lunches while you’re out and about.

» Learn more: Travelers: Save on meals with these tidbits

Pay with points and miles

The question “How much is a vacation to Hawaii?” has a much more appealing answer if you pay using airline miles, hotel points or credit card points — which can erase hundreds or even thousands of dollars from your trip cost.

For more information on how to maximize your points, be sure to check out these articles:

The Cheapest Ways to Fly to Hawaii Using Travel Rewards .

How to Travel to Honolulu on Points and Miles .

Where to Stay in Waikiki With Hotel Points .

How to Visit Hawaii On a Budget .

The Best Oahu Hotels Without Resort Fees .

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

If you want to go to Hawaii

So how much does it cost to go to Hawaii? It can be expensive. Hidden costs like resort fees and exorbitant parking prices can easily break a budget. But there are ways to save on the cost of a vacation to Hawaii.

Traveling before or after the peak summer season can save a considerable amount. In addition, don’t pay a premium to stay on the beach if you won’t take full advantage of that location, and don’t pay up to $68 a night to park a car as you’re splashing around the pool for several days.

To save big, consider a condo where you can cook many of your meals to save on dining. With these simple strategies, your answer to the question “How much is a vacation to Hawaii?” is one that fits your budget.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Sponsored by H&N Chevrolet-Buick

7-Day Hawaiian Beach Getaway February 14-20, 2022

Go with KICD to Oahu, Hawaii!  This is a very affordable way to experience Hawaii!  There are several scheduled excursions and free time to find other things you want to do!

This is a 7-day, 6 night trip on Oahu, flying from Omaha, Des Moines, Minneapolis or Kansas City to Honolulu. (Call for other airports, a surcharge is possible) You’ll enjoy a hotel about a block from beautiful Waikiki Beach!

Included in the trip:

• Round trip air
• Airport/hotel transfers
• Enjoy 6 nights at a hotel close to the beach
• Explore the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, the USS Missouri (where the Japanese surrender took place), climb through the Bowfin Submarine and a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial
• Diamond Head Crater Morning Adventure Hike
• Morning Whale Watching Waikiki
• Ka Moana Luau at Sea Life Park with Dinner & Show
• Sunset Catamaran Cruise
• A Panoramic Coastal Adventure!  Includes magnificent views of white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs and blow holes!
• US Army Museum
• Hours and hours on the beach
• Ability to tour the island aboard several Waikiki Trolleys!
• Choose from scores of OPTIONAL excursions
• Guided trip

The Itinerary

February 14 Fly into Honolulu Rest and enjoy paradise! Waikiki Trolley Hop on Hop off Passes:  Available for your entire stay.  Five tour routes, visit all of Oahu with the trolley! Get off and on at your convenience and explore the island.

February 15 Morning: Whale Watching Waikiki:  Cruise in the comfort of Hawaii’s largest vessel cruising for whales — COMPLETE with breakfast! Experienced captains and knowledgeable naturalists share fascinating insights on Humpback whales and Hawaii’s marine wildlife. Afternoon: Ride the Red Line to Cultural Honolulu  Includes views of the Hawaiian State Capital, Punchbowl Cemetery, Foster Botanical Garden, Chinatown and much more! Evening:  On your own

February 16 Morning: Diamond Head Crater Morning Adventure Hike:  Climb Hawaii’s most famous volcano on this 3-hour Diamond Head tour.  Prepare for spectacular views at the top, with a panorama of Waikiki and the turquoise waters stretched out below. Afternoon: Panoramic Coastal Adventure  including magnificent views of white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs Evening:  On your own

February 17 All Day: Pearl Harbor: USS Arizona Memorial, Aviation Museum, Bowfin Submarine and USS Missouri tours:  You’ll explore the history of Pearl Harbor at these historic WWII locations Later afternoon / Evening:  On your own

February 18 Free Day (Until 6pm)! Evening: Sunset and city light tour on 40 foot Catamaran :  Enjoy a relaxing 2 hours sunset sail with fireworks, while leaving the hustle of Waikiki behind

February 19 Free Day (Until 4pm)! Evening: Ka Moana Luau at Sea Life Park with Dinner & Show:  Experience Oahu’s only east-side luau with award-winning entertainment and a one-of-a-kind show which starts and finishes with fire. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views and interactive activities.

February 20 Shuttle to airport and fly home

Excursion options: Manoa Waterfall Small-Group Adventure with Hidden Trail Hike: Observe Hawaii’s rain forest plants and birds as we walk into a wide valley inside the lush Koolau Mountains and visit this secluded waterfall. Waikiki Beach Atlantis Submarine Tour:   underwater adventure tour in a submarine with panoramic windows that provide a great view for catching sight of ocean life. 3-Hour Dolphin Watching & Snorkel Excursion in Waianae:  Look for dolphins and whales on a snorkel excursion at 2 of the best snorkel sites in Oahu North Shore Half-Day Tour:  A tour of Oahu’s picturesque North Shore offers up a feast for the eyes; dramatic mountains, ancient temples and scenic beaches. Paddle with Turtles:  A beginner class of morning standup paddling with Hawaiian sea turtles! Manoa Falls Hike:  Jurassic Park was filmed here! Drop dead gorgeous easy hike to Manoa Falls Iolani Palace:  the only official royal residence in the United States, the Palace is one of the most recognizable buildings in Hawaii. Makapuu Lighthouse Trail:  A nice hike to the lighthouse, on a paved path. A panoramic view from Koko Head to Waimanalo. In whale season (Nov-March) you may be lucky enough to see some humpbacks. Xtreme Parasail:  Fly 500 feet above the scenic coast of Oahu on this 1-hour parasailing adventure from Waikiki. Add customized events or activities upon request!

Price:  $3,299 per person double; $3,099 per person triple; $2,999 per person quad; $3,999 per person single (You may add additional days to your vacation for $300 per night, per room)

• Prices based on a flight out of Omaha, Minneapolis, Kansas City & Des Moines.  Call to fly out of other locations.
• Full payment due at booking
• Itinerary subject to change.

IMPORTANT:  Go with us on our Hawaiian Beach Getaway and enjoy worry-free sign-up!

• If you have to cancel your trip because you, your spouse or your children become ill 90-days prior to departure, you will get a 100% refund minus the price of the flight.
• If you purchase WNAX Trip Assurance, you will be covered up until the day before departure with a 40% cash refund and 40% credit for a future trip.
• Traditional Travel Insurance is also available upon request (More expensive, but guarantees a full cash refund, plus other perks).
• A portion of your refund may be a credit or cash and come from the airline, or insurance company.

***A portion of your refund may be a credit or cash and come from the airline, cruise line or insurance company.

Trip Assurance  is available for $175 per person.

To sign up call 712-262-1240.  Questions?  Call or email Anita Miller at [email protected]!

TRIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS

General Itinerary and hotels are subject to change. Alternatives may be offered due to closure or unexpected events. Tour prices are subject to increased rate until booked with a deposit. Booking a tour indicates you have read and agree with the terms.

Air Travel Air fare is booked at Economy class group rate. Upgrades may be requested at additional cost. One carry-on bag, meeting the airline specifications, is included in the trip price. Additional charges for checked bags may be imposed by the airline and is the responsibility of the traveler. Airlines may change departure times and/or layover sites. Please check the status one day prior to the flight.

Ground Transportation Ground transportation is provided by air-conditioned motor coach. Seat rotation is not enforced. If you need special accommodations or have concerns during the trip,  please speak with the host and every effort will be made to make suitable arrangements. All items brought onto the motor coach must be kept clear of the aisle. Please ensure luggage brought on the motor coach is not excessive and allows for all passengers to be accommodated.

Hotel Accommodations Hotels are subject to change based on availability at time of reservation. Elevators are not guaranteed at all properties. Traveler is responsible for his/her luggage and may have to walk a short distance with their bag.

Special Requirements All tours require some walking and traveler is responsible for their own luggage. Please request help from the host if needed. If special accommodations are needed, please communicate this before booking. Arrangements for special requirements may incur additional costs to the traveler.

7 hikers arrested for attempting dangerous Hawaii hike before its permanent removal

People are flocking to Hawaii’s arguably most infamous – and illegal – hike , the Stairway to Heaven, before it is removed for good. Arrests and dozens of citations have immediately ensued.

Just two weeks after the announcement of the infamously dangerous Oahu hike’s permanent removal, the Honolulu Police Department on Thursday reported that seven hikers had been arrested for trespassing and 56 had been cited. Over the weekend, around 60 warnings were issued.

Second-degree trespassing is considered a petty misdemeanor and requires a court appearance, HPD said. 

The hike, also known as Haiku Stairs, has been illegal since 1987. Nevertheless, hopeful hikers have continuously trespassed – while causing disturbances – through residential neighborhoods and private property to ascend the nearly 4,000 World War II-era steel stairs for a panoramic view of Oahu. Due to the inclement weather and steepness of the hike, it’s not uncommon for people to have to be rescued, often by helicopter.  

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The City and County of Honolulu announced on April 10 that the aging stairs would be removed forever in a project Honolulu Major Rick Blangiardi called “long overdue.”

Residents who live by the hike said more people than ever before are trespassing onto their property to access the hike since the announcement, according to KHON2 .

“Be good people and understand it’s not about you and don’t be selfish,” said District Four Commander Maj. Randall Platt in a press conference on Monday, according to KHON2. “Think about what you’re doing to the work people, the environment, it’s all of thise, tracking invasive species in on top of putting the work people at risk on top of putting yourself at risk, it’s really not pono (righteousness) is really what I want to say, it’s not right.”

Ian Schuering, spokesperson for the City and County of Honolulu, told USA TODAY the entire stairway is considered an active work site and extremely hazardous for anyone attempting the hike. 

HPD reminds the public that it is “illegal and unsafe to access Haiku Stairs.” 

As crews are currently preparing the stairs for removal, the first set of stair modules will be flown off the mountain within the next couple of weeks, Schuering said. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis

FILE - Naldo Valentine, who lost his home to the Lahaina wildfire, puts up a light as darkness falls at a housing protest on Kaanapali Beach Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. A group of survivors were camping on the resort beach to protest and raise awareness for better long-term housing options for those displaced. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

FILE - Carlos Lamas looks out to the sea from his spot at the “Fish-in” protest on, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Lahaina Strong has set up a “Fish-in” to protest living accommodations for those displaced by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. (AP Photo/Ty O’Neil, File)

This 2023 image provided by Amy Chadwick shows where her home used to stand after a wildfire in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Chadwick moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars. She’s worried Maui’s exorbitant rental prices, which she blames in part on vacation rentals hogging up limited housing supply, will hollow out her tight-knit town by similarly forcing others to leave. (Amy Chadwick via AP)

Amy Chadwick, stands by map of Hawaii at her current home Monday, April 8, 2024, in Satellite Beach, Fla. Chadwick, a victim of the fires in Hawaii moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars while she waits for her lot to be cleared and for permission to rebuild. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

This July 2023 image provided by Amy Chadwick shows the backyard of her home in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The home was destroyed in the Lahaina wildfire. Chadwick moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars. She’s worried Maui’s exorbitant rental prices, which she blames in part on vacation rentals hogging up limited housing supply, will hollow out her tight-knit town by similarly forcing others to leave. (Amy Chadwick via AP)

Amy Chadwick poses at her current home with her pets, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Satellite Beach, Fla. Chadwick, a victim of the fires in Hawaii, moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars while she waits for her lot to be cleared and for permission to rebuild. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Amy Chadwick poses outside her current home Monday, April 8, 2024, in Satellite Beach, Fla. Chadwick, a victim of the fires in Hawaii, moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars while she waits for her lot to be cleared and for permission to rebuild. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Amy Chadwick poses her current home Monday, April 8, 2024, in Satellite Beach, Fla. Chadwick, a victim of the fires in Hawaii moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars while she waits for her lot to be cleared and for permission to rebuild. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

This 2021 image provided by Amy Chadwick shows her home in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The home was destroyed in the Lahaina wildfire. Chadwick moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars. She’s worried Maui’s exorbitant rental prices, which she blames in part on vacation rentals hogging up limited housing supply, will hollow out her tight-knit town by similarly forcing others to leave. (Amy Chadwick via AP)

This image provided by Amy Chadwick shows her neighborhood after a wildfire destroyed her home in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Chadwick moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars. She’s worried Maui’s exorbitant rental prices, which she blames in part on vacation rentals hogging up limited housing supply, will hollow out her tight-knit town by similarly forcing others to leave. (Amy Chadwick via AP)

FILE - Burned cars and propane tanks with markings on them sit outside a house destroyed by wildfire, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on the Hawaiian island of Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

FILE -A man sets up an umbrella in front of a Lahaina Strong informational sign, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, Kaanapali Beach in Lahaina, Hawaii. An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on the Hawaiian island of Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

FILE - Signs asking people to respect locals and that “Lahaina is not for sale” are seen on the side of the Lahaina Bypass, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on the Hawaiian island of Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

FILE - People walk by a tent with a “Lahaina Strong” flag, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at Whalers Village on Kaanapali Beach in Lahaina, Hawaii, as a group of wildfire survivors camps on the resort beach to protest and raise awareness for better long-term housing options for those displaced. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

FILE - Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, center, points to damage as he speaks with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell during a tour of wildfire damage, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on the Hawaiian island of Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - The Rev. Ai Hironaka, resident minister of the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, walks in the parking lot as he visits his temple and residence destroyed by wildfire, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on the Hawaiian island of Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

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HONOLULU (AP) — Amy Chadwick spent years scrimping and saving as a single mother of two to buy a house in the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. But after a devastating fire leveled Lahaina in August and reduced Chadwick’s home to white dust, the cheapest rental she and her now-husband could find for their family and dogs cost $10,000 a month.

Chadwick, a fine-dining server, moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars. She’s worried Maui’s exorbitant rental prices, driven in part by vacation rentals that hog a limited housing supply, will hollow out her tight-knit town.

Most people in Lahaina work for hotels, restaurants and tour companies and can’t afford $5,000 to $10,000 a month in rent, she said.

“You’re pushing out an entire community of service industry people. So no one’s going to be able to support the tourism that you’re putting ahead of your community,” Chadwick said by phone from her new home in Satellite Beach on Florida’s Space Coast. “Nothing good is going to come of it unless they take a serious stance, putting their foot down and really regulating these short-term rentals.”

The Aug. 8 wildfire killed 101 people and destroyed housing for 6,200 families, amplifying Maui’s already acute housing shortage and laying bare the enormous presence of vacation rentals in Lahaina. It reminded lawmakers that short-term rentals are an issue across Hawaii, prompting them to consider bills that would give counties the authority to phase them out.

Gov. Josh Green got so frustrated he blurted out an expletive during a recent news conference.

“This fire uncovered a clear truth, which is we have too many short-term rentals owned by too many individuals on the mainland and it is b———t,” Green said. “And our people deserve housing, here.”

Burned cars and propane tanks with markings on them sit outside a house destroyed by wildfire, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Vacation rentals are a popular alternative to hotels for those seeking kitchens, lower costs and opportunities to sample everyday island life. Supporters say they boost tourism, the state’s biggest employer. Critics revile them for inflating housing costs, upending neighborhoods and contributing to the forces pushing locals and Native Hawaiians to leave Hawaii for less expensive states.

This migration has become a major concern in Lahaina. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, a nonprofit, estimates at least 1,500 households — or a quarter of those who lost their homes — have left since the August wildfire.

This image provided by Amy Chadwick shows her neighborhood after a wildfire destroyed her home in Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. (Amy Chadwick via AP)

The blaze burned single family homes and apartments in and around downtown, which is the core of Lahaina’s residential housing. An analysis by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization found a relatively low 7.5% of units there were vacation rentals as of February 2023.

Lahaina neighborhoods spared by the fire have a much higher ratio of vacation rentals: About half the housing in Napili, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of the burn zone, is short-term rentals.

Napili is where Chadwick thought she found a place to buy when she first went house hunting in 2016. But a Canadian woman secured it with a cash offer and turned it into a vacation rental.

Also outside the burn zone are dozens of short-term rental condominium buildings erected decades ago on land zoned for apartments.

In 1992, Maui County explicitly allowed owners in these buildings to rent units for less than 180 days at a time even without short-term rental permits. Since November, activists have occupied the beach in front of Lahaina’s biggest hotels to push the mayor or governor to use their emergency powers to revoke this exemption.

Money is a powerful incentive for owners to rent to travelers: a 2016 report prepared for the state found a Honolulu vacation rental generates 3.5 times the revenue of a long-term rental.

People walk by a tent with a “Lahaina Strong” flag, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at Whalers Village on Kaanapali Beach in Lahaina, Hawaii, as a group of wildfire survivors camps on the resort beach to protest and raise awareness for better long-term housing options for those displaced. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

State Rep. Luke Evslin, the Housing Committee chair, said Maui and Kauai counties have suffered net losses of residential housing in recent years thanks to a paucity of new construction and the conversion of so many homes to short-term rentals.

“Every alarm bell we have should be ringing when we’re literally going backwards in our goal to provide more housing in Hawaii,” he said.

In his own Kauai district, Evslin sees people leaving, becoming homeless or working three jobs to stay afloat.

The Democrat was one of 47 House members who co-sponsored one version of legislation that would allow short-term rentals to be phased out. One objective is to give counties more power after a U.S. judge ruled in 2022 that Honolulu violated state law when it attempted to prohibit rentals for less than 90 days. Evslin said that decision left Hawaii’s counties with limited tools, such as property taxes, to control vacation rentals.

Lawmakers also considered trying to boost Hawaii’s housing supply by forcing counties to allow more houses to be built on individual lots. But they watered down the measure after local officials said they were already exploring the idea.

Short-term rental owners said a phase-out would violate their property rights and take their property without compensation, potentially pushing them into foreclosure. Some predicted legal challenges.

Alicia Humiston, president of the Rentals by Owner Awareness Association, said some areas in West Maui were designed for travelers and therefore lack schools and other infrastructure families need.

“This area in West Maui that is sort of like this resort apartment zone — that’s all north of Lahaina — it was never built to be local living,” Humiston said.

One housing advocate argues that just because a community allowed vacation rentals decades ago doesn’t mean it still needs to now.

“We are not living in the 1990s or in the 1970s,” said Sterling Higa, executive director of Housing Hawaii’s Future. Counties “should have the authority to look at existing laws and reform them as necessary to provide for the public good.”

Courtney Lazo, a real estate agent who is part of Lahaina Strong, the group occupying Kaanapali Beach, said tourists can stay in her hometown now but many locals can’t.

“How do you expect a community to recover and heal and move forward when the people who make Lahaina, Lahaina, aren’t even there anymore?” she said at a recent news conference as her voice quivered. “They’re moving away.”

Sydney Sweeney claps back at critics (again), this time in new Hawaiian vacation pictures

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Sydney Sweeney isn’t letting critics ruin a vacation filled with “good times and tan lines.”

That’s how the “Madame Web” and “Immaculate” actor captioned a post on Sunday that could be construed as a subtle clapback to producer Carol Baum’s disparaging comments about her talent and looks earlier this month.

Sydney Sweeney’s team fires back at producer who said ‘she’s not pretty’ and ‘can’t act’

Sydney Sweeney’s rep called out Carol Baum for ‘unjustly’ disparaging a fellow female producer after Baum said that Sweeney’s film ‘Anyone But You’ was ‘unwatchable.’

April 18, 2024

The “Euphoria” actor posted a series of Hawaii vacation photos to her Instagram, including several of her in a gray crew-neck sweatshirt that reads “Sorry for having great t—.”

At a recent screening of Baum’s 1988 film “Dead Ringers,” the producer said Sweeney’s hit romcom “Anyone But You” is “unwatchable” and that the star was “not pretty” and “can’t act.”

Sweeney, who is herself a producer of the film that also stars Glenn Powell, and her team immediately condemned Baum’s statements.

“How sad that a woman in the position to share her expertise and experience chooses instead to attack another woman,” a spokesperson for Sweeney told The Times . “If that’s what she’s learned in her decades in the industry and feels is appropriate to teach to her students, that’s shameful.”

Sydney Sweeney is in a new horror film. She wants to remind us how dorky she is

After working together on the erotic drama “The Voyeurs,” Sydney Sweeney and director Michael Mohan create a religious thriller premiering at SXSW.

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The Emmy-nominated actor is no stranger to unwarranted comments about her body. The internet exploded with chatter about her figure after her “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut last month, sparking a debate as to whether her curves were the “ death of woke .”

“I just can’t allow myself to have a reaction,” Sweeney told Variety . “People feel connected and free to be able to speak about me in whatever way they want, because they believe that I’ve signed my life away. That I’m not on a human level anymore, because I’m an actor.”

The “White Lotus” star isn’t letting the discourse affect her or how she lives her life.

“I am such a homebody that life kind of stays the same for me. I just hang out with my dog and my family and my close friends,” she said in a recent interview with The Times . “There’s just more people who say hi to me when I go outside.”

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Eva Hartman is a spring 2024 reporting intern with the Fast Break Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She is a senior at the University of Southern California studying international relations, where she has served as the news assignments editor and magazine editor at the Daily Trojan.

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Inside the Late-Night Parties Where Hawaii Politicians Raked In Money

After the state passed a law barring government contractors from donating to politicians, fund-raising parties showed just how completely the reform effort failed.

By Blaze Lovell ,  Eric Sagara and Irene Casado Sanchez

The reporters examined campaign contributions and government contracts for this article, part of a series about loopholes in Hawaii’s pay-to-play laws, for The Times’s Local Investigations Fellowship .

For the better part of a decade, some of Hawaii’s most powerful people huddled together at late-night parties in a cramped second-floor office where lobbyists and executives seeking government contracts lined up to drop cash and checks into a metal lockbox.

That was the entry fee for these extraordinary political fund-raisers. Inside the office, just a short walk from the State Capitol in downtown Honolulu, dozens of guests were served sushi prepared by professional chefs and unlimited beer and liquor.

At the end of the night, Wesley Yonamine, the host and a high-ranking airport official, would, together with the politicians, pop open the box and dole out campaign contributions according to a list of pledges obtained before each event.

As described by attendees, a typical party could bring in thousands of dollars in donations, giving some elected officials almost half their annual campaign haul in a single night.

It was not supposed to work this way. In 2005, in response to a series of scandals, Hawaii passed a law that barred government contractors from giving money to politicians. It was billed as one of the nation’s most ambitious efforts to end pay-to-play in contracting and designed to fundamentally change the political culture of a state steeped in corruption.

But legislators wrote a loophole into the law, effectively gutting it: The ban would apply only to donations from the actual corporate entities that got contracts, but not to their owners, employees or any related businesses.

Mr. Yonamine’s parties illustrated just how completely the reform effort failed.

Today, Hawaii is reeling from its latest government corruption scandal, with state officials accused of taking bribes from Milton Choy, a prominent businessman who wore a wire for at least a year as part of a deal with the federal government.

But that is just one glimpse of the role money plays in politics here.

An examination of Hawaii’s contracting system by The New York Times and Honolulu Civil Beat offers a detailed look at the workings of a state known for favoritism and patronage, a culture where big companies with ties to politicians have historically dominated.

“Pay-to-play is woven into the DNA of the statehood of Hawaii,” said Camron Hurt, director of Common Cause Hawaii, a watchdog group. He pointed to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom that led to an “oligarchy” of businessmen, sugar barons and large landowners lasting decades. The industries involved had close ties to the ruling political parties well into the 1960s and 1970s, when Hawaii’s campaign finance regulations were written.

A Times and Civil Beat analysis of campaign donations and contracts found that since 2006 — the year the pay-to-play law went into place — people tied to government contractors have provided a remarkable percentage of the money fueling state and local politics. They have given state and local Hawaii politicians more than $24 million: about one-fifth of all donations made. Of that total, $6 million has come from people tied to just 15 companies.

Most donors rarely mentioned their employers in public records designed to bring transparency to political donations. But The Times and Civil Beat, reviewing hundreds of thousands of campaign records, linked more than 28,000 of the donations to contractors.

The analysis almost certainly captured only some contributions, in part because the state could not provide a full list of contractors. In fact, record keeping is so poor that some vendor information is collected only on paper, while electronic records are riddled with errors. Several of the state’s biggest agencies did not respond to repeated requests for financial records or said they could not find them.

The examination found more than a dozen examples over the past six years of people tied to contractors donating to political campaigns in the months before key decisions led to deals.

Well-timed donations from people linked to contractors

When some companies were on the verge of winning big government contracts, people connected to them donated larger amounts of money to the relevant officials.

Some of the elected officials who could crack down on favoritism are themselves benefiting from the lack of oversight. At least a dozen legislators have worked for or co-owned companies that won state contracts, some profiting in ways that have not been previously reported.

The Times contacted every politician and campaign donor named in this article. Most of those who responded said there was no link between campaign donations and the contracts they won.

Mr. Yonamine acknowledged hosting the fund-raisers but declined requests for a detailed interview. In a brief statement, he denied influencing any contract awards and said he was “raised to give back to the community.”

“It’s what drove me to work in public service for 36 years,” he said. “Helping those seeking elected office by supporting their fund-raisers is an extension of these values and an important aspect of civic engagement afforded citizens under the law.”

Political donations are regulated by the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission, which has a staff of just five people who are responsible for tracking tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

Gary Kam, the commission’s general counsel, acknowledged that the law restricted only a small portion of donations. Executives can give freely, and if bundled together, in greater amounts than if their company donated on its own. Expanding the law to cover those people is the “key to it all,” he said.

Many people charged with campaign finance violations have been allowed to keep giving — and to keep getting contracts, The Times and Civil Beat found.

Michael Matsumoto, president of the engineering firm SSFM International, pleaded no contest to money laundering involving campaign funds in 2003. He has since contributed $130,000 to a range of politicians, and the company continues to win public work. He declined to comment.

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People with ties to another major contributor are on trial for corruption. In 2022, federal prosecutors accused the chief executive of the engineering firm Mitsunaga & Associates and four of its employees of bribing Keith Kaneshiro, who was the top prosecutor in Honolulu, with campaign contributions to pursue a criminal case against a former employee. The defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Dennis Mitsunaga, the chief executive, encouraged others, including family members and people with ties to his company, to donate to candidates, his lawyers said in court. People linked to the firm have donated heavily to a range of politicians, and the firm has won at least $49 million in state contracts since 2011.

All contracts awarded to the firm “were based on merit,” said Nina Marino, a lawyer for Mr. Mitsunaga.

Mr. Kaneshiro’s lawyer argued that campaign contributions made to gain access to politicians were “perfectly legal.”

Other states have been more successful in curbing big campaign contributions from companies seeking government work. In Connecticut, for example, a ban on donations from corporate officers with contracts has wiped out a large swath of campaign funds, according to Joshua Foley, a lawyer for the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

While contractors in Hawaii account for about 20 percent of campaign donations, in Connecticut “the percentage is zero,” Mr. Foley said.

Following recent corruption scandals, the Hawaii Legislature convened a watchdog panel to recommend new laws to improve government transparency. But lawmakers have so far refused to adopt some of the panel’s most meaningful corrective measures.

Notably, bills that would have closed the loophole in the law by prohibiting campaign contributions from company owners, officers and their immediate family members have failed year after year, including in the current legislative session.

Government contractors linked to the most campaign donations

Since 2006, more than $6 million of the campaign money for state and local races in Hawaii has come from people associated with just 15 contractors.

Timely Donations

People tied to big contractors gave more than $1,000 on average — nearly twice as much as political donors who had no obvious government connections, the analysis found. They were also twice as likely to give the maximum for some offices.

Often, their campaign contributions seemed to go to the right people at the right time.

Take R.M. Towill Corporation, a large engineering firm where employees in 2003 were fined for illegal campaign contributions. In the months leading up to the 2022 legislative session, R.M. Towill executives donated to the campaigns of only two state senators — Stanley Chang and Donovan Dela Cruz. Later that year, the two senators were among the co-sponsors of a law that ultimately led to R.M. Towill getting a $500,000 surveying contract.

Mr. Chang said in a recent interview that, besides general discussions of policy, he never talked about legislation or contracts with employees of R.M. Towill. Mr. Dela Cruz did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

In a statement, R.M. Towill’s president, Greg Hiyakumoto, said that company employees supported candidates who pushed for new infrastructure and sustainable development, both of which were part of its mission.

A handful of powerful lawmakers who control vast sums of government money have been among the largest recipients of campaign donations from executives tied to big contractors and their families. Leaders of the influential House Finance and Senate Ways and Means committees, who direct billions of dollars in public works projects every year, have received more than $482,000 in such donations since 2018.

Representative Kyle Yamashita, the current finance chairman, who spent years overseeing the House’s capital improvements budget, has received more than $44,000 in political contributions from people tied to big contractors. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who previously led the House Finance Committee, received more than $107,000, while former Representative Ty Cullen, the vice chairman until 2022, got $22,100.

Mr. Dela Cruz has received more than $239,000 in campaign donations from people tied to big contractors since he became Ways and Means chairman in 2018. Former Senator Gil Keith-Agaran, vice chairman until October, got $70,000 during the same time period.

Politicians who raised the most money from people tied to contractors

Some powerful politicians in Hawaii drew a fourth or more of their state and local campaign donations since 2006 from people with ties to government contractors.

In April 2023, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, led by Mr. Dela Cruz, budgeted for the purchase of a Maui hotel to convert into affordable housing and a school. That created a windfall for the law firm Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher, which got a $450,000 contract to do legal work on the deal. Two of the firm’s directors had recently donated a combined $3,000 to Mr. Dela Cruz and Gov. Josh Green’s campaigns.

One of the directors, Ivan M. Lui-Kwan, contributed another $2,000 to the governor’s campaign as the bill awaited his signature, and another $1,000 after he approved the budget. Mr. Lui-Kwan and Duane Fisher, a partner at the firm, each donated $1,000 to his campaign about two weeks before the contract was awarded.

Mr. Lui-Kwan said donations made by him and his colleagues had no bearing on state contracts. He said they made it a point to never bring up such work at political fund-raisers.

The governor said staff members involved with procurement didn’t communicate with him. “We adopted this approach to avoid any potential conflicts or concerns,” Mr. Green said in a statement.

People tied to big contractors have targeted local races, too.

In December 2021, Goodfellow Bros., one of Maui’s largest building firms, won a $4.6 million contract to expand a local landfill. It was the lowest bidder. The project was approved for funding in 2020 by the mayor at the time, Michael Victorino, and the County Council.

Afterward, executives and their family members gave around $34,000 in campaign contributions to the mayor and to council members, making them among the biggest donors in Maui County.

Goodfellow Bros. said in a statement that its employees could donate to campaigns so long as they did not give in the company’s name.

Alice Lee, chairwoman of the County Council, said that Maui-based companies like Goodfellow Bros. “generally support candidates who support a stable economy, public health and safety and affordable housing.”

Doing Double Duty

In Hawaii, legislators serve part time and can hold outside jobs, which can increase the risk that they will face conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, they are among the highest-paid part-time lawmakers in the country, earning an annual state salary of about $72,000.

An examination of their financial interests found that a dozen of them were employees, directors or co-owners of companies that had won contracts. Since 2006, those companies have gotten at least $56 million in state deals, according to Hawaii’s contract database.

Disclosure records show that Senate President Ron Kouchi earns between $50,000 and $100,000 annually working for his brother’s disposal company on Kauai, which is the only provider of trash services to agencies on that island.

Representative David Alcos III works as a subcontractor on state projects. Representative Micah Aiu is a lawyer at Nan Inc., one of the state’s biggest contractors, which won at least $39 million in projects last year. They have said they are not directly involved in their companies’ contracts.

Mr. Dela Cruz, the Ways and Means chairman, seems to have actually done hands-on work for a state contract: He was the project manager for a $224,000 State Health Department contract with DTL, a communications firm where he was co-owner and vice president.

The State Health Department, which awarded the contract in 2018 for work on a vaccine campaign, said it did not know Mr. Dela Cruz was an owner.

Jason Antonio, a principal at DTL, said in an email that Mr. Dela Cruz was not a project manager and was not involved in the immunization project. But in its proposal, which was submitted to the Health Department in 2017, DTL listed Mr. Dela Cruz as the project manager who would oversee the work on behalf of the firm.

Ronald Balajadia, the department’s immunization chief, said he mostly worked with two other DTL employees and did not recall interacting with Mr. Dela Cruz.

DTL was the only firm to bid on the contract. After selling his ownership interest in the company in late 2020, Mr. Dela Cruz continued receiving money from the firm for consulting services, according to his 2022 financial disclosure.

A Box Full of Campaign Donations

The clearest example of how contractors and politicians regularly circumvented the reforms were the parties hosted by Mr. Yonamine, the former head of visitor information for Hawaii’s airports.

Mr. Yonamine wasn’t directly involved in awarding contracts, but his gatherings provided a casual setting where executives could be introduced to lawmakers and state employees who selected winners, according to attendees.

The parties started as early as 2014 at Mr. Yonamine’s private office in Honolulu, according to campaign finance records, which lists dates and locations where political fund-raisers are held. They moved to the Pagoda Hotel there in 2019 and continued until at least 2020.

Lawmakers who benefited from the parties said Mr. Yonamine provided the venues while campaigns sometimes invited guests.

Attendees would stand chatting along the walls of the office, or later, on a spacious rooftop balcony at the hotel. The guests, sometimes more than 100 at the hotel, said they would discuss legislation, as well as contracts at the airports. Businesses seeking airport work frequently donated to a range of politicians around the time of those fund-raisers. They described the parties on the condition of anonymity because they work for the state or have business relationships with contractors they don’t want to jeopardize. No one, including Mr. Yonamine, denies they took place.

One of the most prominent guests was Mr. Choy, a major political donor and government contractor who would later be sentenced to more than three years in prison for bribing officials. He and his associates donated more than $28,000 to political campaigns around the time of the parties.

By 2020, Mr. Choy was wearing a wire and actively recording meetings to aid federal investigators.

No evidence has emerged that Mr. Choy’s contributions at the parties were illegal or connected to his bribery scheme.

Many guests did work at the airports, a constant source of multimillion dollar contracts.

At least 59 companies competed for airport contracts between 2014 and 2020. But nearly half the airports’ 153 professional services contracts went to just 14 companies. Executives from those firms all donated around the time of Mr. Yonamine’s parties.

Current and former heads of the division overseeing most of the airport design and engineering contracts did not respond to requests for comment.

The contracts were worth a combined total of more than $131 million, according to the state’s Department of Transportation.

These professional services contracts are for design or consulting jobs, and winners are selected based on their qualifications or proposals rather than just their price. The rules tend to give public officials more leeway to choose a company based on favoritism.

Executives at firms that won airport contracts donated a combined $101,000 around the time of the parties, according to campaign finance records, which show when checks were cashed and not when they were given. Candidates raised a total of more than $470,000.

When presented with The Times and Civil Beat’s findings, Ford Fuchigami, then transportation director and now head of the Airports Division, said he could not comment on the awarding of contracts because he was not in charge of selecting the winners. Mr. Fuchigami said he did not recall attending the parties, though records show he donated around the time of a party in 2019. He said he did not know what the state’s rules were for employees like Mr. Yonamine who were politically active or for officials who attended political gatherings.

“What you do on your personal time is what you do on your personal time,” he said.

The fund-raising parties do not appear to have violated the state’s ethics laws.

Robert Harris, director of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, said there were generally no prohibitions on political activity during off-hours as long as state employees did not use any state resources.

Other lawmakers who received campaign money around the time of Mr. Yonamine’s parties were Ms. Luke, the lieutenant governor; former Gov. David Ige; Mr. Kouchi, the Hawaii Senate president; and former Mayor Kirk Caldwell of Honolulu, according to fund-raising documents.

Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Kouchi did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Mr. Ige said he mostly remembered seeing Transportation Department employees at Mr. Yonamine’s office but did not recall recognizing contractors.

Mr. Yonamine — who has a certain renown because his uncle Wally Yonamine was a famous athlete — is a figure in local sports. In 2018, one year after he was named varsity baseball coach at Pearl City High School, state lawmakers, some of whom received campaign contributions from his parties, approved $3 million in funding to convert the field from grass to artificial turf.

As Mr. Yonamine spoke from the refurbished field at an opening ceremony in 2022, a Hawaiian priest sprinkled rainwater on home plate.

“Thank you to all who helped make our dreams come true,” Mr. Yonamine said.

This article was reported in partnership with Big Local News at Stanford University.

How the Numbers Were Calculated

The Times and Civil Beat examined hundreds of thousands of campaign contributions and more than 70,000 state contracts to draw connections between vendors and their donations to political races. The analysis revealed that nearly 20 percent of all campaign contributions since 2006 have come from people tied to companies doing business with the state and local governments.

This number is likely an underestimate because the data is incomplete. Records were obtained from the Hawaii Awards & Notices Data System , which tracks who won state contracts, but a 2021 audit found that only 40 percent of all state contracts awarded that year were posted. It’s not clear if the problem applies to other years.

Reporters requested and reviewed check registers to verify the total payments to vendors from departments. Some departments did not respond to public records requests, including those with large numbers of high-value contracts, such as the Education and Transportation Departments.

The gaps in state and county contracting data and check registers made it difficult to determine just how much money vendors actually received. Published amounts were confirmed with source documents or contracting departments.

Contractors were matched against the names of companies, their executives and employees in a database of campaign contributions maintained by the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission. Donations from spouses and relatives of contractor executives were also included in the count when possible. Spouses and relatives were determined based on people who shared the same last name and address as the main contributor. In some cases spouses were jointly listed as contributors.

The analysis focused on vendors who provide legal, consulting, engineering and construction services. Contracts and contributions for subsidiaries were attributed to their parent companies. Universities and other public agencies with government contracts were excluded from the analysis. Organizations that may have other lobbying interests — such as the Hawaii Association of Realtors — were also excluded.

Contributions made at events hosted by Mr. Yonamine were identified by searching for all contributions made to participating candidates within one week of the parties. The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission requires that contributions be deposited within seven days of receipt.

An earlier version of a picture caption with this article misstated the amount Milton Choy and his associates donated to political campaigns around the time of fund-raising parties hosted by Wesley Yonamine. As the article correctly noted, they donated more than $28,000, not more than $30,000.

How we handle corrections

Blaze Lovell , a reporter in The Times’s Local Investigations Fellowship , writes about government contracts in Hawaii. More about Blaze Lovell