A trip to the Hawaiian islands is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and deciding how to spend your time on each island can be daunting.
While it is tempting to spend the days lounging on the beach or by the pool the Hawaiian islands are steeped with history and natural beauty that can sometimes take a little bit of work (or money) to get to but the payoffs are well worth it.
So, if you’re looking for that one must-do activity on each of the islands, here are our best recommendations.
Oahu: Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial
There is no place in the country that better shows the horrors of war than at Pearl Harbor. Here, the wreckage of the sunken ships are still on full display as oil slowly seeps up to the surface around the USS Arizona.
The USS Arizona memorial is only accessible by boat, and during peak visitation times, demand far outweighs capacity, so advanced reservations are highly recommended.
Maui: Haleakalā National Park
Most visitors to Hawaii don’t think twice about packing anything more than t-shirts and swimsuits, but on the island of Maui, a trip to the top of Haleakalā National Park can take you to elevations of over 10,000 feet! This can mean that you can spend a morning lounging in 80-degree weather by the beach only to encounter downright chilly temperatures in the afternoon.
This massive park is home to stark volcanic landscapes intermixed with tropical rainforests, and watching the sunrise from the summit is an otherworldly experience. Reservations are required to watch the sunrise, so plan ahead!
Hawai’i (Big Island): Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
There is no better place in the country to get up close and personal with active volcanoes than Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, are on full display within the park, and lucky visitors may even get to see lava flows as they happen in real-time.
If you thought that the elevation was high at Haleakalā National Park on Maui, then you’ll really be in for a treat here as the park’s highest point reaches the sky to nearly 14,000 feet! Here, you may experience a Hawaiian snowstorm virtually any time of the year.
Kauai: Nā Pali Coast
Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, and the forces of time and nature are on full display along its most beautiful coastline: the Nā Pali Coast. Receiving massive amounts of rain each year, the cliffs above the coast are covered in lush foliage, and the rocks have been carved into steep cliffs and gullies, exposing the red dirt underneath.
Visitors can experience this magical place by boat, helicopter, or on foot by hiking the Kalalau Trail.
Molokai: Hālawa Valley
Molokai is the place to go for visitors looking to escape the touristy buzz of Hawaii’s larger islands. With no large resorts, secluded beaches, and an interesting glimpse into Hawaii’s past this is a place to slow down and relax.
Hālawa Valley, located on the east end of the island, is one of its most historic locations as evidence of Polynesian settlers goes back nearly 1,400 years. Today, visitors can walk up the nearly 2-mile trail into the valley, which culminates at the beautiful Moʻoula Falls.
Lana’i: Hulopo’e Bay
Named one of the best beaches in the world, this stretch of sand and crystal clear waters on the small island of Lana’i is the ultimate Hawaiian getaway. Pack a picnic and stretch out on the golden sands, or take a walk out to the point where you can explore dozens of tidepools that hold an impressive array of sealife.
Snorkeling here is also world-class during the calm summer months.
