Aloha, Hawaii!

Aloha, Hawaii!
When Mark Twain traveled to Hawaii in 1866, he dubbed it “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any
ocean.” It wasn’t just the beauty, however, that led to this conclusion—but the smells, sounds, touch, and tastes of
the remote Pacific islands.
Today, the way Hawaii engulfs your senses continues to make it so enchanting. It’s the smell of plumeria in the
morning breeze or the feeling of trade winds in your hair. It’s the sound of waterfalls splashing on rocks in a valley
festooned in green, or the taste of poke at an oceanfront luau. It’s the sense of excitement during a Haleakala
sunrise, the feeling of loss at Pearl Harbor, and the rush of adrenaline when surfing Waikiki or watching the lava
flows of Kilauea volcano.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked experiences that highlight exactly what makes these islands so special so you can
travel like an insider in Hawaii!
Meet the Insiders
Kyle was raised in Makawao, Maui. When he isn’t paddling
or surfing off Lahaina he’s hiking halfway to Hana or
enjoying a fresh fish sandwich with sand on his feet in Pai’a.
Marissa loves sipping a Mai Tai on Waikiki Beach, the
serene landscape of the North Shore, and learning about
local culture while enjoying Hawaiian cuisine at a luau.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
2
See
Best Way to Understand the Power of Nature: See a Volcano in Action
The Big Island of Hawaii has grown 500 acres since 1983,
when Kilauea began spurting lava and steam—which has
continued unabated for over 30 years. As the centerpiece of
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea is riddled with lava
tubes and offers plenty of chances to see a volcano in action.
The flow of the lava is always changing, so helicopter tours
are the best way to cover the most ground and increase
opportunities for lava-viewing. Hike at twilight to see lava
glowing orange against the darkening sky, or, learn more
about the Big Island’s rumbling earth at the Hawaiian Volcano
Observatory where a seismograph shows the dozens of
tremors happening beneath your feet.
Insider’s Tip
If taking photos of the volcano from a
helicopter, wear dark clothing—and
even gloves—to reduce the glare of
your clothes and hands reflected in the
helicopter window.
See all Big Island volcano tours.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
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Learn
Best Cultural Experience: A Hawaiian Luau
For Oahu luaus, escape the hustle of urban Honolulu with a trip
to Paradise Cove, or head to the north shore for the awardwinning luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Most Maui luaus
take place in Ka’anapali or Lahaina; the Old Lahaina Luau
focuses exclusively on the history of Hawaii. Big Island visitors
can find luaus near Kona and in the resorts of Waikoloa. Kauai
has luaus on the Coconut Coast as well as popular Poipu.
“
From the minute we
walked in, we were
treated like Hawaiian
royalty! The food was
delicious, the show was
beautiful, and our waiter
was lots of fun!
-Laura T.
“
There’s more to luaus than Blue Hawaiians, hula dances,
and a pig roasted in an underground imu pit. In the Hawaiian
Islands, luaus are a portrayal of Polynesian culture—preserving
customs, dance, song, language and music. Many luaus also
involve other Polynesian cultures, so visitors can experience the
sounds of Samoa, Tahiti, and Aotearoa as well.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
4
Play
Best Water Activity: Snorkeling
More than 20% of Hawaii’s reef fish are found nowhere else in
the world. When snorkeling in Hawaii you can watch Milletseed
Butterfly fish go flitting above lime green corals, or spot a
camouflaged octopus hiding inside the reef. Snorkeling cruises
are the easiest way to reach the popular spots, where you can
swim with lazy Hawaiian green sea turtles and hear whales
throughout the winter.
When you put the mask and fins away, keep the fun going with a
Maui surf lesson or a kayaking adventure on Kauai, or practice
your balance while standup paddling on the famous North Shore
of Oahu. The Big Island of Hawaii has watersports and rafting
along the Kohala Coast. No matter which island you choose,
there’s always an aquatic adventure to be found.
Insider’s Tip
Snorkeling is always best in the morning
before the trade winds pick up. North
facing shores have large waves in winter—
whereas south shores have large waves
in summer—so take the conditions into
account before heading out to the reef.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
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Indulge
Best Culinary Experience: Eating Like a Local
Aside from being delicious, the food in Hawaii explains the
history of its immigrants and native people. Eat your way across
Honolulu on food tours of downtown and Chinatown, or sample
some of Maui’s best restaurants on a tasting tour of Lahaina.
Island chefs are also championing more farm-to-table cuisine,
and visitors can walk through the farms and fields where the
local food was born on a Big Island organic farm or a Kona
coffee plantation tour.
“
The guide took us to
places no tourists ever
would have wandered into
on their own, but all were
places I’d come back to in
a heartbeat. This is the real
side of Hawaii that few
people get to experience.
“
The only competition for Hawaii’s beauty is its wide variety of
food. “Local food,” is a collection of cuisines from all corners of
the globe, where lunch could consist of a katsu plate or a bowl
full of poke and rice. Cuisine in the modern Hawaiian Islands
runs the gamut of budgets and flavors, from a classic snack of
spam musubi to ‘uala (sweet potato) with panko seared ahi.
-Sherry O.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
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Go Wild
Best Animal Encounter: Whale Watching
Every winter from December to April, the channels between the
Hawaiian Islands come alive with splashes and spouts. It’s hard
to explain the adrenaline rush of seeing a breach—when a 40ton whale explosively leaps and comes crashing back down to
the sea—and a whale-watching cruise is the best vantage point
for seeing the show up close.
Maui has Hawaii’s largest concentration of whales, but Oahu,
Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii offer whale watching tours
as well. Dolphins can be spotted at any time of year and often
mingle with whales, and if you visit in the summer when the
whales aren’t in town, it’s still possible to swim with sea turtles,
dolphins, manta rays, or sharks.
Insider’s Tip
To avoid getting seasick when dolphin or
whale watching, sit towards the back of
the boat and avoiding going below deck.
Morning tours offer calmer conditions.
When swimming with dolphins, turtles,
or manta rays, remember: it’s ok to look,
but not touch.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
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View
Best Way to See the Islands From Above: A Helicopter Tour
On a private Maui helicopter tour, buzz the backside of
Haleakala Crater and see Hana’s hidden waterfalls, or cruise
from the West Maui Mountains to Molokai on Maui flightseeing
tours. Big Island tours let you see the volcano or fly without any
doors, and the views of the Na Pali Coast on Kauai are best
when seen from the air. Oahu even has seaplane tours where
you can splash back down in the water, and flightseeing tours
that visit Kalaupapa and Kilauea volcano.
“
The views were amazing!
We couldn’t believe how
close the pilot got us to
some of the waterfalls,
cliffs and valleys.
-Brad S.
“
While it might not look like it from ground level, the majority of
land in the Hawaiian Islands is completely untouched by man.
There are treacherous mountain ridges and remote valleys that
are inaccessible by foot—and the only way to experience the
beauty is to tour the islands by air.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
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Best of Oahu
Diamond Head
Diamond Head is an attraction in itself, with one of
Oahu’s best views. For a healthy morning escape
from the city, conquer the trail leading up from
the beach to the dusty crater rim. The hike can
be arduous and fairly steep, but the reward is a
panoramic view of Waikiki at your feet.
Waikiki Beach
Whether you’re there for canoe paddling, surfing,
sailing, shopping, sunbathing, or people watching,
Waikiki Beach is the undisputed center of Oahu’s
activity. Arrive early to snag a spot on the sand
and stay late to watch the sunset—or simply head
to the nearest beach bar for cold, tropical drinks.
Pearl Harbor
There’s a somber, powerful energy at Pearl Harbor
unlike anywhere else in Hawaii, and it’s a site that
every American traveler should visit at least once in
their life. Pay your respects at USS Arizona, which
sank with thousands of sailors during World War II,
or stand on the decks of the USS Missouri where
the war finally came to a close.
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Best of Maui
Haleakala National Park
Watch the sunrise at Haleakala Crater or hike
towards Waimoku Falls and enjoy Haleakala
National Park as it runs from summit to sea. For a
backcountry adventure, hike the lunar crater floor
amidst the colorful cinder cones, or take a dip in
the Pools of Ohe’o that spill their way into the sea.
Road to Hana
Dripping in waterfalls, laden in ferns, and a literal road
to adventure, the Road to Hana is arguably the best
single day you can spend on Maui. Be sure to devote
the entire day so the journey doesn’t feel rushed, and
allow time to stop to explore hidden caves or walk
down a black sand beach.
Lahaina
As the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom,
Lahaina retains a history complete with missionaries,
whalers, and kings. Tour inside Maui’s oldest home
which was built by adventurous missionaries, and
stand in the cell of a coral block prison that would fill
up with whalers on leave.
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Best of the Big Island of Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is literally an
earth shattering experience. Hike or bike through
the rugged landscape, where lava, earthquakes,
magma, and steam are daily parts of the adventure,
or fly above the active flows for the best views of
nature’s fury.
Mauna Kea
Catch the sunset from Hawaii’s highest peak
before watching the stars come out, and learn
how Mauna Kea factors into Hawaiian legend
and lore. The mountain’s summit is over 13,000
feet tall and visiting Mauna Kea can be quite
cold, so pack a jacket and take it slow when
exploring the icy slopes.
Waipio Valley
Waipio Valley is a tropical time portal to an easier,
simpler time. Splash through muddy valley trails
while driving an ATV, or catch glimpses of Hi’ilawe
Falls as it spills 1,400 feet towards the sea. The road
to the valley is one of the steepest in all of North
America, so mimic the pace of Hawaiian life when
driving—take it slow.
Insider’s Guide: Hawaii
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Best of Kauai
Waimea Canyon
Hike the trails of Waimea Canyon or get a a bird’s eye
view from above; it’s even possible to bike downhill
with the canyon right by your side. This colorful cleft
in the Kauai mountainside is dubbed “Grand Canyon
of the Pacific,” and when you stand on the dusty
crater rim it more than lives up to the hype.
Poipu Beach
With swaying palm trees above turquoise waters,
it’s little wonder that Poipu Beach is one of
Kauai’s best spots. Fly through the trees on a
zipline tour and snorkel with sea turtles off shore,
or explore the nearby movie sets of Hollywood’s
biggest films.
Na Pali Coast
The Na Pali coast defines the wild, rustic side of
Kauai. See the cliffs from a sunset cruise or the
wings of a vintage biplane, or paddle in silence
between the coves while kayaking along the coast.
Or, for one of the best outdoor adventures found
anywhere in the U.S., hike the precipitous Kalalau
Trail past waterfalls, beaches, rockslides, and vistas
that feel like the edge of the world.
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Pssst!
You Don’t Have To Pick Just One Island
When it comes to visiting the Hawaiian Islands, choosing which island to visit can be a harrowing task. Do you
want the laidback serenity of Kauai where the pace of life is slow, or the energetic beaches and nightlife scene of
downtown Waikiki on Oahu? Does sleepy Hana speak to you as a reason to visit Maui, or do white sand beaches
tucked amidst lava draw you to the Big Island of Hawaii?
If you can’t choose which island to visit, rest assured it’s possible to visit multiple islands on one trip. For example,
travelers staying in Honolulu can still experience Kalaupapa on a day trip from Oahu to Molokai. Other day trips
from Oahu include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or day trips to Hana on neighboring Maui or Waimea Canyon
on Kauai.
If you’re staying on Maui and short on time, you can book a Pearl Harbor day trip. It’s even possible to spend the
day touring Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on a day trip from Kona and the resorts of Waikoloa.
While these trips are definitely long days of travel, the benefit of hopping between islands on day trips is there’s no
need to pack and unpack—and you can simply choose a comfortable spot for exploring Hawaii at will, while still
seeing the best of the islands.
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