Things to do in Hawaii

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All about Hawaii

When to visit

With year-round sunshine and balmy temperatures, Hawaii is always delightful. However, to avoid the biggest crowds (and highest hotel rates), skip the peak season (late December–early January). Late spring and early fall are excellent alternatives. Each island has a packed calendar of events and festivals, so perhaps visit to coincide with Oahu’s King Kamehameha Celebration in June, for example, or the Island of Hawaii’s Merrie Monarch Festival around Easter.

Getting around

Public transportation on Oahu is good, albeit slow, but you’ll want your own wheels for getting off the beaten track and for exploring around the other Hawaiian Islands. A standard vehicle is suitable for getting to the main Hawaiian sights, but you might consider renting a 4WD vehicle for going off-road on the Island of Hawaii and Lanai. To get between the islands, you’ll need to fly: Inter-island flights are quick and frequent.

Traveler tips

Hawaiian people are typically warm and welcoming to visitors, but decades of mass tourism to the islands has brought the occasional conflict. Before visiting, take time to learn about native Hawaiian history and culture. While there, heed local customs, such as respecting elders, removing shoes before entering a home, practicing Aloha ʻAina (love of the land) by treading lightly, and using Hawaiian words such as aloha (“hello” and “goodbye”) and mahalo (“thank you”).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hawaii known for?

Hawaii is known for its surfing scene, lush landscapes, volcanoes like Mauna Kea, and beautiful beaches. It’s also known for its vibrant culture—many are familiar with its luaus, leis, hula dancers, and ukulele music.

What should I do on my first trip to Hawaii?

That depends on which island you are planning to visit. If, like most people, you will be on Oahu, you’ll want to hike up Diamond Head for views of Waikiki; go snorkeling in Molokini Crater; head for the North Shore to watch the surfers (or take a lesson); and eat your way around Honolulu’s Chinatown.

Which Hawaiian island has the most activities?

Travelers typically find that the island of Oahu has the biggest variety of things to do in Hawaii. On Oahu, you can enjoy the outdoors by hiking, snorkeling, surfing, or lounging on the beach; soak up culture and history at Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, and the Bishop Museum; and sample some great food in Chinatown and from the North Shore’s food trucks.

What is the most common thing to do in Hawaii?

It depends on which island you are visiting, but hanging out at the beach is probably one of the most popular things to do in Hawaii across the archipelago. Otherwise, exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii, visiting Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head on Oahu, and driving the Road to Hana on Maui are common activities.

How many days do you need to see Hawaii?

That depends on how many islands you want to visit. If you are staying on just one island, five full days is a good minimum length. If you want to see one or two more, add on at least five more days. Remember to take the long flight (and jet lag) into account when making plans.

How expensive is it to go to Hawaii?

Hawaii is expensive, no matter where you’re traveling from. The cost of airfare and accommodations alone are tough on the wallet, especially if you want to stay on the ocean. Since Hawaii is an archipelago in the middle of the Pacific, food is also very expensive. That said, you can soften the blow by visiting outside of peak seasons.

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