Hawaii Top Sites
Below you will find our list of the top sites you should consider visiting in Hawaii. The lists are not "itineraries" but are meant to suggest to you destinations that are worth visiting while you are in Hawaii.
You should be aware that when we say "our list" that it means that we have visited there, explored it, and we are passing on to you our thoughts on each location listed. If we haven't visited a spot that many people feel is a "top spot/site", then we do not list it because we are giving you our perceptions of each site.
The Big Island (officially named Hawaii) at 4,028 square miles, is the largest island in the United States' Hawaiian archipelago in the Central Pacific. Its diverse terrain spans colored-sand beaches at Papakolea (green) and Punalu’u (black) to lush rainforest.
Kona International Airport
We do not normally describe, or talk about, airports in our Travel Blog. However, Kona is unique in that as you land here and notice all the blackened ground in and around the airport, you realize that the blackened ground is the result of lava flows. If you read the Wikipedia Page for this airport, you will discover that the entire airport was built on top of a 200 year old lava flow.
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Click here to view our Kona Airport Visit
Click here to visit the Kona International Airport site
Akaka Falls State Park
Located 16.6 miles from our Hilo hotel, there are actually two waterfalls; Akaka Falls (442 feet high) and Kahuna Falls (100 feet). The walkway is paved for the entire route around the grounds (.4 mile) and there are roughly 200+ steps, so the trail is not wheelchair accessible. The parking lot is not large, and you should arrive here early in the day to avoid the tour buses that will start arriving after 10am.
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Click here to view our Akaka Falls Visit
Click here to visit the Akaka Falls site
Hilo Hawaii
Our plan was to spend 4 nights in Hilo, for several reasons - there are numerous waterfalls in the area, and we'd never been to this area previously. However, the weather was frequently intense rain showers. We had brought good rain gear with us, so we decided that we would just deal with the rain and not let it disrupt our explorations. The weather pattern known as the "Kona Low" was the cause of all the increased rainfall, and given that Hilo is already known as the "fourth wettest city in the USA" (averaging 126.72 inches yearly), residents & tourists alike were utilizing rain gear of all types to deal with the heavy rain.
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Click here to view our Hilo Visit
Click here to visit the Hilo Hawaii site
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive shield volcano. The park provides scientists with insight into the development of the Hawaiian Islands and access for studies of volcanism. For visitors, the park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, glimpses of rare flora and fauna, and a view into the traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes.
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Click here to view our Volcanoes National Park Visit
Click here to visit the Volcanoes National Park site
Kona and Ka'u Coffee Plantations
There are more than 650 coffee farms of all sizes clustered along the ±20 miles of scenic roads on the Hualalai and Mauna Loa slopes. Many of these farms offer tours to the public, click here to view a web page describing various Kona Coffee tours that are available.
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Click here to view our Big Island Coffee Visit
Click here to view a description of Kona & Ka'u coffees.
Kailua-Kona Area
A very popular area that has some diverse activities, ie; Kailua-Kona is the start and finish of the annual triathlon Ironman World Championship , the Kona Coffee Festival , and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament .
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Click here to view our Big Island Kailua-Kona Visit
The Maui road system does not quite completely encircle the island. Route 30/310 (on the western side of the island) will take you south of Makena Beach - but - you cannot get to Hana unless you drive on route 37/360. On the north side of Maui, route 30 connects with route 340/3400 which will take you to route 360 which will eventually take you to Hana on the south side of the island.
Haleakala National Park
Haleakala (in Hawaiian "House of the Sun") is a dormant volcano that rises 10,023 feet above sea level. It's a popular place to visit at sunrise and we highly recommend that you try to visit at that time. The road to reach the top is about 34.9 miles long and winds its way to the top via frequent switchbacks. The drive takes about 2 hours so if you want to catch the sunrise you'll need to wake up very early.
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Click here to view our Haleakala Maui Visit
Click here to visit the Haleakala National Park site
If you plan to go within your first few days in Hawaii you'll be jet lagged - so go later and it will be easier to get up
very early in the morning to make the trek. The sunrise as viewed from the summit is stunning, and if you do not go early, you will
miss it or find that there is no parking!
The Road to Hana
This is one of the more challenging drives in Hawaii, ie; Route 360 is comprised of 620 white-knuckle switchbacks, steep cliff drops & falling rocks. The views along the coastline while you are driving on route 360 are stunning, and then once you arrive in Hana, you have access to interesting hiking trails, good snorkeling in Hana Beach Park, and shopping in the village itself. You should consider this as a day trip because of the distances involved, the one lane bridges, etc.
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Click here to view our Road to Hana drive.
Click here to visit the Road to Hana site
Lahaina
In Lahaina you'll find some of the best restaurants on Maui, plenty of art galleries, art fairs, a large number of great souvenir shops, and a really fun small-town vibe.
Be sure to visit Banyan Tree Park, located on the popular Front Street in Lahaina. There you will find the world famous banyan tree, imported from India, planted in April of 1873, and it has managed to grow to over 60 feet.
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Click here to view our Lahaina Maui Visit
Click here to visit the Lahaina website
Maui Ocean Center
Just 8 miles north of Kihei on Maalaea Bay (route 30), it is an aquarium and oceanography center. The 3 acres facility is the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
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Click here to view our Maui Ocean Center Visit
Click here to visit the Maui Ocean Center site
Makena Beach State Park
This is one of Maui's signature beaches. With white sands extending nearly 2/3 of a mile long, it is one of the largest, undeveloped beaches in Maui.
How much does it cost to go to Makena Beach? Currently, entrance costs $5 for nonresidents (in addition to the $10 parking fee). Bathrooms and picnic tables are available on-site.
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Click here to view our Makena Beach Visit
Click here to visit the Makena Beach site
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
OK, so this is actually on the Road to Hana, but it is a beautiful park and one you should visit if you have the time. Remote, wild, volcanic coastline offering solitude and respite from urban life. Lodging, camping, picnicking, shore fishing and hardy family hiking along an ancient Hawaiian coastal trail which leads to Hana. Excellent opportunity to view a seabird colony and natural stone arch. Other features include native hala forest, heiau (religious temple), sea stacks, blow holes and small black sand beach.
Reservations are required, and there are fees both for entrance and parking, click here to obtain more info and your reservations.
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Click here to view our Waiʻānapanapa State Park Visit
Click here to visit the Waiʻānapanapa State Park site
Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours
We took the Hana & Haleakala Tour from the Maui Kahului Airport and flew west around Haleakala, over Haleakala National Park and the Seven Sacred Pools, Hamoa Beach, Hana, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, Kea‘ā Beach and then back to the Airport over the eastern coastline of Maui. The views from the Helicopter are fantastic & cannot be duplicated from ground level !
Image Credit: This image is the property of Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Website via their website.
Click here to view our Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Tour
Click here to visit the Blue Hawaii Helicopter Maui Tours site
Hoʻokipa Beach Park
Hoʻokipa is a beach on the north shore of Maui, adjacent to Mama's Fish House on Hawaii route 36 (AKA "The Road to Hana"). A combination of large, well-shaped waves breaking across a system of reefs that extend across the bay and consistently strong winds make it ideal for the sport.
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Click here to view our Hoʻokipa Beach Park Visit
Click here to visit the Hoʻokipa Beach Park site
Lava Lava Beach Club
Nestled along the idyllic shores of Kauai, the Lava Lava Beach Club stands as a quintessential island oasis, captivating visitors with its charm and laid-back ambiance. This beachfront haven, with its pristine white sands and azure waters, offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
Image Credit: This image is the property of Greg "Mehboob" L. via Yelp.com.
Click here to visit the Lava Lava Beach Club site
Wailua River Kayaking
Kaying on this river is a lot of fun and very scenic! Once you have paddled to the end of the river, there is a nice hike to Wailua Falls, be careful in rainy season as it will be all mud! The trail to the falls is approximately a third of a mile long but the crux of the trail is down a very steep and slippery slope. Hikers must hold on to roots, limbs and handy ropes (if present) to safely navigate the slope. The trail can be completed in about 15-20 minutes (each way).
Image Credit: This image is the property of Hawaii Magazine via their website.
Click here to view our Wailua River Visit
Click here to visit the Wailua River Kayaking site
This can be a very muddy hike, yet shoes are necessary due to the rocks, roots & limbs on the trail. Wear something that
you can rinse off at the Falls or back at the river.
Anahola Beach
A beautiful beach on a beautiful bay with a beautiful white sand fringed bay & good swimming and decent snorkeling most of the year due to a protective outlying reef.
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Click here to visit the Anahola Beach site
Kauapea Beach
This beach is perhaps more well known by it’s nickname, Secret Beach but in Hawaiian it is known as Kauapea Beach. However, many locals simply call this beach Secrets for short. This 3,000 foot long north shore beach is known for its size, privacy, and scenery. Secret beach is between Kalihiwai Bay and Kilauea Point and is accessed by a steep trail which is not marked.
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Click here to view our Kauapea Beach Visit
Click here to visit the Kauapea Beach site
Hanalei Beach
This is yet another beautiful beach - and it has also been a popular Hollywood movie location and was featured in the movies South Pacific and The Descendants.
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Click here to visit the Hanalei Beach site
Haena State Park
This is the "end of the road" on the north side of Kauai, you cannot circumnavigate the island. Hā’ena State Park is located at the northwestern extent of Kuhio Highway on Kauai’s north-shore. The park offers viewing of restored lo’i kalo (taro fields), as well as the spectacular Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park.
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Click here to view our Haena State Park Visit
Click here to visit the Haena State Park website
Waimea Canyon State Park
Drive Hawaii route 50 to State Highway 550 and exit north from 50 onto 550. This is not a long drive, 41 miles total from the Lava Lava Beach Club. The Canyon can be viewed from various lookouts; Waimea Canyon Lookout (mile marker 10) is the main viewing area for the canyon and it offers panoramic views, allowing you to go right up to the rim. Puʻu Hinahina Lookout (mile marker 13.5) and Kalalau Lookout (mile marker 18) also provide good viewing. Most of the route 550 road has quite a few trees, so the canyon may not be visible except in the larger turnouts.
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Click here to view our Waimea Canyon Visit
Click here to visit the Waimea Canyon State Park site
If you have a limited amount of time, head straight to Kalalua Lookout and make your way down from there.
Click here to view a Google Map.
Captain Cook Landing Site
Situated at the mouth of the Waimea River, this National Historic Site will mainly be of interest to history buffs: There’s not really much to see, though the nearby Hofgaard Park has a statue of Captain Cook and a plaque about the expedition's landfall.
This historical site marks the spot where British explorer Captain James Cook first set foot on the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. As you stand on the shores of this picturesque site, you can envision the momentous arrival of Cook and his crew, forever altering the course of Hawaiian history.
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Click here to visit the Captain Cook's site
At 596.7 square miles, Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian Island and the most populated at 1,016,508 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. This is 70% of the total population of the State of Hawaii.
Dole Plantation
Drive north from Honolulu on the Hawaii Route 2 to route 99 north where you will find the Historic pineapple plantation which now attracts families with a train ride & the world's largest maze.
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Click here to visit the Dole Plantation website
Haleiwa area
Haleiwa is a lot more than the laid-back surf town it seems, Haleʻiwa is filled with local style and country ambiance, as well as cool surf shops and boutiques, charming art, etc.
Try some shaved ice at Matsumoto Shave Ice or Haleiwa Shave IceImage Credit: This image is the property of Hawaii Activities via their website.
Click here to visit the Haleiwa site
Waimea Falls
Head north on the Kamehameha Highway. Waimea Falls, also known as Waihi Falls, is one of the more accessible falls on Oahu. It is located within Waimea Valley, which is a unique Hawaiian botanical garden within a significant cultural and archaeological site.
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Click here to visit the Waimea Falls website
Waimea Bay Beach Park
A very pretty beach with a famous surf break. This beach is famous for its 30-foot waves in the winter and is a top place to watch some of the world’s best and bravest surfers. During summer, the water calms considerably and is a great destination for swimming, snorkeling and diving.
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Click here to view our Waimea Bay Beach Park Visit
Click here to visit the Waimea Bay Beach Park site
Turtle Bay Resort
Perched at the very northern-most tip of Oahu, it is a beautiful location and a scenic resort, with a protected cove & beach that has good snorkeling.
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Click here to visit the Turtle Bay website
Polynesian Cultural Center
From Turtle Bay, continue east/southeast on route 83 to the Laie area. A visit here will give you a very good look into what the Polynesian Culture was all about; they offer shows, a luau dinner with another great show and a "living museum" village.
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Click here to view our Polynesian Cultural Center Visit
Click here to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center site
Pearl Harbor Tours
Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, Bowfin Submarine, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, if you are a WW2 buff, this
is a tour that you do not want to miss.
NOTE: A complimentary shuttle is available to transport visitors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Please park at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
parking lot, then take the shuttle to the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
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Click here to view our Pearl Harbor Visit
Click here to visit the Pearl Harbor Tours site
Waikiki Beach
A very famous beach but it really isn't as pretty as some of the other beaches you will find mentioned in Hawaii. It attracts visitors with its white-sand beaches, celebrities, the Moana Surfrider Hotel, the proximity to Oahu attractions, and the Diamond Head backdrop.
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Click here to view our Waikiki Beach Visit
Click here to visit the Waikiki Wikipedia Page
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Because this hotel is so centrally located, it was a nice stroll down Waikiki Beach to various eateries, shops, pubs, etc. Being close to Ala Moana Boulevard also made it easy for us to drive to anywhere north or south via the H-1. By the way, anything you've heard about Honolulu traffic is probably true.
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Click here to view our Hilton Hawaiian Village Visit
Click here to visit the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel site
Diamond Head State Monument
This is a nice (but steep) hike up to the top where you will have stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu that are gorgeous.
The
hike starts from the parking lot (limited number of spaces) and proceeds upward via a winding trail to the very top, where you will find
a lookout post built during WW2. Bring your camera!
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Click here to view our Diamond Head Hike
Click here to visit the Diamond Head State Monument site
This is a short hike in distance (1.8 miles out & back), however, the final section of the hike is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. You need to wear
sturdy & comfortable shoes and bring water. There are currently restrictions regarding parking & entrance to the park, out of state
visitors are required to purchase tickets.
Halona Blow Hole
The Hālona Blowhole is one of Hawai'i's natural wonders, created thousands of years ago when molten lava tubes were formed from volcanic eruptions. Hālona, in Hawaiian, means “lookout,” and visitors can see miles of pristine coastline waters from the lookout. When the Ka‘iwi Channel is churning during the winter months, strong currents and big waves send water rushing into the molten lava tubes below the lookout, sending geysers as high as 30 feet through the blowhole.
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Click here to view our Halona Blow Hole Visit
Click here to visit the Hālona Blowhole Wikipedia Page
Sandy Beach
It is widely known for its excellent bodyboarding and bodysurfing opportunities due to shore break and consistent barrels. It will get crowded here if there is an event, so arrive early because parking can get used up quickly. This beach is adjacent to the Halona Blow Hole, so you could plan on stopping here next and kill two birds with one stone.
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Click here to visit the Sandy Beach Wikipedia Page
Sea Life Park
This is a marine mammal park, bird sanctuary and aquarium in Waimānalo near Makapuʻu Point. Popular with tourists for its diverse animal shows and entertainment. There are more than 2,000 marine creatures in the Hawaii Sea Life Park, including indoor aquariums and open-air venues built by the sea. As the park was built in 1964, it is showing it's age in some respects, and the reviews you will find are all over the place.
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Click here to view our Hawaii Sea Life Park Visit
Click here to visit the Sea Life Park Website
Waimanolo Beach State Park
The Anderson Estate, which was featured in the TV series Magnum, P.I. as "Robin's Nest", is located in Waimānalo Beach. This beach is usually uncrowded, with good surf. Take a look at the Wikipedia link we've provided and look at the beautiful geography that is located near this beach!!
This is a place rarely visited by tourists, that will leave you in awe of the fact that you had no idea it even existed in Oahu. Waimanalo beach on a sunny day is jaw-dropping dead gorgeous, with turquoise blue waters and miles of some of the softest white sand your will toes will ever touch!
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Click here to view our Hawaii Waimanolo Visit
Click here to visit the Waimanolo Beach State Park Wikipedia Page
Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout
Route 72 from Waimanolo Beach, through Maunawili. Impressive view of windward Oʻahu from brink of pali (cliffs) at 1,200 feet elevation in the Ko’olau Range. Winds are usually so strong that one can lean against the wall of wind.
Image Credit: This image is the property of Lukas via Wikimedia Commons and the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Click here to visit the Waimanolo Beach State Park Wikipedia Page
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
AKA Punchbowl Cemetery - A beautiful WW2 Cemetery constructed inside an ancient volcano crater. You may wonder why we might suggest visiting a cemetery, but this one is comprised of beautiful grounds with Honolulu and Diamond Head providing a great backdrop.
Image Credit: This image is the property of Jiang via Wikimedia Commons and the Creative Commons Public Domain license.
Click here to view our Punchbowl Cemetery Visit
Click here to visit their Wikipedia Page
Bishop Science Museum
The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, designated the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is a museum of history and science in the historic Kalihi district of Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. Founded in 1889, it is the largest museum in Hawaiʻi and has the world's largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. Besides the comprehensive exhibits of Hawaiian cultural material, the museum's total holding of natural history specimens exceeds 24 million, of which the entomological collection alone represents more than 13.5 million specimens (making it the third-largest insect collection in the United States).
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Click here to view our Bishop Museum Visit
Click here to visit the Bishop Museum site
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma is both a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Conservation District (the first of several established in the State of Hawaiʻi). Reflecting changes in attitude, its name has changed over time from Hanauma Bay Beach Park to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Visitors are required by law to refrain from mistreating marine animals or from touching, walking, or otherwise having contact with coral heads, which appear much like large rocks on the ocean floor (here, mostly seaward of the shallow fringing reef off the beach).
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Click here to view our Hanauma Bay Visit
Click here to visit the Hanauma Bay Wikipedia Page
Iolani Palace
The ʻIolani Palace was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi beginning with Kamehameha III under the Kamehameha Dynasty (1845) and ending with Queen Liliʻuokalani (1893) under the Kalākaua Dynasty, founded by her brother, King David Kalākaua. It is now a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Image Credit: This image is the property of Bernard Spragg via Wikimedia Commons and the CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain license. All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC unless otherwise noted.
Click here to view our Iolani Palace Visit
Click here to visit the Iolani Palace Wikipedia Page
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