Choose from 196 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii
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Manoa Falls
Manoa Falls is a beautiful, moderate, 1-hour hike close to downtown Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Thanks to a paid parking lot and gravel path, it is one of the island’s most accessible hikes—and with a 150-foot (46-meter) rushing waterfall at the end, it is well worth the effort.
The Basics
The 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) round-trip Manoa Falls trail is well marked, and while visitors some go at it alone, a number of tour operators offer guided hikes. Parts of the path are paved or lined with gravel, but because of the heavy foot traffic and rainy weather, the trail can be very wet and muddy. As a result the relatively easy hike can be slippery; the last few minutes before the falls are the most challenging. The pool at the bottom of the falls is no longer open for swimming due to falling rocks.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan on getting dirty, and wear sturdy walking shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.
- Bring insect repellent, as mosquitos are out in full force on the trail.
- There is a small snack shop near the trail entrance.
- The force of the waterfall depends on rainfall; expect less water in summer months.
How to Get There
Manoa Falls is located at the end of Manoa Valley, northeast of downtown Honolulu. If driving from Waikiki, take the H1 toward the airport, exit at Punahou Road, and continue on to Manoa Road. There is paid parking near the entrance to the hike.
When to Get There
The Manoa Falls trail is open year-round. Oahu has a mild, tropical climate, with hotter days in summer and a rainy season typically from November to March. On rainy days the waterfall is at its most impressive and the trail is less crowded—yet also very muddy.
Tropical Vegetation
Manoa Falls is full of colorful, tropical plants, and a naturalist guide or book can help you identify what you see along the way. Parts of the trail are lined with guava, eucalyptus, and banyan trees as well as awapuhi, or bitter ginger flowers. It is common to spot tropical birds and insects as well.
Address: Manoa Falls, Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
From $ 40
Kahaluu Beach Park
Yellow tang, surgeon fish, multi-colored parrot fish, pufferfish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa (Hawaii’s state fish) and over 100 other species can be spotted in this crystal clear and protected cove south of Kailua-Kona. Kahaluu Beach Park’s small stretch of white coral and black lava beach makes this one of the great and rare Hawaii Island snorkeling spots that also affords easy ocean access. Couple that with its picturesque setting—fringed with palms and bookended by the tiny white-clapboard 1880s Saint Peter by the Sea mission—shallow u-shaped bay, and year-round water temperatures hovering between 75 and 81 degrees, and Kahaluu is a strong a contender for the Island’s best snorkeling locale. Beyond the ancient rock wall said to be built by Menehune (a hard-working race of little people in Hawaiian legends), seasonal breakers around five feet high entice both beginner and moderately experienced surfers. During the winter months, monster waves rage and bring out the experts as they have for centuries—it’s said this was a popular surf spot for alii (Hawaiian royalty). With all of these great features, Kahaluu Beach Park’s charms are no secret—after around 10 a.m. it can be challenging to find a spot in the parking lot or on the sand.
Practical Info
Kahaluu Beach Park is located at 78-6740 Alii Drive and is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. There is an onsite lifeguard as well as several showers, bathrooms and half a dozen picnic tables under a small gazebo (though there is no place within walking distance to get food, so pack a snack!). Recently, a large truck-turned-information center run by an area non-profit has begun parking in the onsite lot. Its volunteers are expert locals who care about the ocean life and promote safe snorkeling habits (like not standing on the reef), and can tell you more about “that orange fish” you saw. The truck also sells reef-safe sunscreen and rents snorkeling gear. Other popular rental options include Kahaluu Bay Surf and Sea, which also offers surf and SUP lessons from its shop across the street, and Snorkel Bob’s in downtown Kailua-Kona.
Address: 78-6740 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA 96740, USA
Hours: Open daily dawn-dusk
From $ 103
Kapalua
Situated on Maui’s northern tip past the sweltering shores of Lahaina, Kapalua is a luxurious enclave of beaches, golf, tennis and resorts. The signature beach—Kapalua Bay—has been voted America’s best, and the Plantation Golf Course regularly hosts the best in professional golf. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful reef fish at hidden Namalu Bay, or hike the Village Walking Trails that climb their way up the ridge. Wherever you stand in Kapalua, the island of Moloka’i dramatically sits on the not-too-distant horizon, and whitecaps fleck the Pailolo Channel that separates the two islands. In winter, locals flock to Fleming Beach Park for the bodysurfing and waves, and secret, white sand Oneloa Bay is a sanctuary of footprints and silence. And, even though tony Kapalua is only 20 minutes from Lahaina, its exposure to the trade winds means it’s always cooler just a few minutes up the road.
Practical Info
Kapalua is located 10 miles north of downtown Lahaina. There is public parking at Kapalua Bay and DT Fleming Beach Park, and early mornings are always calmest before the afternoon trade winds pick up. The exposure to the wind means an increase in rain, although the showers usually only fall as short, passing bursts.
Address: Kapalua, Hawaii, USA
From $ 131
Kaanapali Beach
Kaanapali Beach is perhaps the most well-known beach in all of Maui. Situated on west the west coast, these three miles of soft, golden sand have been called the best beach in America. It was once the retreat for the royal family of Hawaii, and it is now home to some of the most famous Hawaiian resorts.
There are countless ways to enjoy the beautiful beach, from a stroll on the sand to swimming and snorkeling in the clear, warm sea. There is a paved walkway along the length of the beach, but it’s hard to resist walking on the sand. If you’re in the water, keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles—they’re common visitors to the area. During whale season, humpback whales can be seen breaching from the shore.
At the northern end of Kaanapali, Black Rock has some of the beach’s best snorkeling. Every night at sunset cliff divers can be seen performing the Hawaiian ritual here, lighting torches along the cliff before leaping into the ocean.
Once you’ve had your fill of the beach activities, head up to nearby Whalers Village for some of Maui’s best shopping and dining, as well as a whaling museum with history of the area.
Practical Info
Kaanapali Beach is located in northwest Maui, roughly a 50-minute drive from Kahului Airport. Blue shoreline access signs point to public beach access points and limited free parking. There are showers located along the beach but no public restrooms. Water activities are available from vendors lined up along the shore.
Address: Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761, USA
From $ 73
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Otherwise and colloquially known as Punchbowl Cemetery, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a United States Armed Forces cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery gathers millions of visitors every year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Hawaii. It is dedicated to Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard members who lost their lives in their line of duty.
The location of the cemetery wasn’t the fruit of coincidence; it is located on what Hawaiians called “Hill of Sacrifice,” which used to be an altar where they offered human sacrifices to pagan gods and where they installed a battery of two cannons used to salute prominent arrivals and signify noteworthy instances.
Since the site was established in 1949, approximately 53,000 World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans and their dependents have been interred in these grounds – including the sadly infamous USS Arizona victims during the Pearl Harbor attack. In addition to its vast burial grounds, the cemetery contains a number of small memorials, such as that of Honolulu, commemorating soldiers of 20th-century wars. The memorial is often regarded as the highlight of the cemetery’s visit, because of Lady Columbia’s statue erected at the top of the staircase in the Court of Honor; also known as Lady Liberty or Lady Justice, she is said to represent all grieving mothers.
Practical Info
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is located at 2177 Puowaina Drive in central Honolulu and is open daily from 8am to 5:30pm between September 30 and March 1. It is open from 8am to 6:30pm between March 2 and September 29. On Memorial Day, the cemetery is open from 7am until 7pm.
Address: 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Hours: Varies
From $ 51
Kapaau
Much like the neighboring town of Hawi, Kapaau is a town in North Kohala that is experiencing an artistic resurgence. Eccentric artisans and shabby chic galleries now populate sugar-era storefronts, and the pocket-sized town has an intriguing allure that is impossible to pass without stopping.
More so than any other sight, however, Kapaau is known for the King Kamehameha statue that stands just off the highway. Constructed in 1880 in Florence, Italy, the statue was lost during a terrible shipwreck off the coast of the Falkland Islands. For 32 years it sat at the depths of the Atlantic sea floor before it was amazingly found and eventually delivered to its rightful home in Hawaii. The statue was placed in Kapaau since it's considered the birthplace of the king, who was born in a field on Upolu Point only a few miles from town.
Behind the statue, a small museum has a bulletin board with a timeline of Hawaii's history, although you get the feeling that time ticks slower here than in the rest of the state. Continue six miles to Pololu Valley for a sweeping view of the ocean, or descend the rocky, switchback trail down towards the historic, rock-strewn shoreline. For an enjoyable picnic along the coast, pick up lunch from a Kapaau restaurant and head to Keokea Beach Park, a comfortable stretch of grass and picnic tables that fronts the crashing surf.
Practical Info
The town of Kapaau is one hour from Kona and 30 minutes from Waikoloa. Swimming can be rough along the coast, and most afternoons are characterized by wind and the potential for passing showers. Since tourism is such a mainstay of Kapaau's economy, most businesses are open for visitors seven days per week.
Address: Kapaau, Hawaii, USA
From $ 185
Kahului
The town of Kahului on Maui is often just the starting point for vacations on the island, but if you've got a bit of spare time there are some good reasons to explore Kahului before moving on.
Kahului is one of the main shopping destinations for Maui residents, and it's home to one of Hawaii's largest airports. Besides shopping, however, you can also check out the Kanaha Beach Park and Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary. The former is a relatively hidden beach (behind the airport), and the latter is a bird sanctuary with some endangered Hawaiian bird species. There's also a botanical gardens featuring solely native Hawaiian flora. The town's history is closely tied to the sugar industry, which you can trace at Kahului's Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum.
Many visitors to Kahului know it as the starting point for the scenic Hana Highway (also known as the Road to Hana), which winds more than 50 miles along the northern shore of the island from Kahului to Hana.
Practical Info
Kahului is Maui's largest town, the airport is Hawaii's second-busiest and the port is big enough for cruise ships.
Address: Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, USA
From $ 139
Kaneohe Bay
The best stretch of sand in Kaneohe Bay is out on the middle of the sea. That’s where the sandbar, or “Sunken Island” emerges during low tide, and its sugary white sands are like a floating cay that was made especially for you. Kayaking to the sandbar is one of the most popular activities on the Windward Side of Oahu, and while the beaches along the shoreline aren’t great for swimming, the protected waters make the perfect spot for paddling, boating, or kayaking.
In addition to the sandbar, five islands poke above the turquoise, reef-fringed waters. The tallest of the islands—Chinaman’s Hat—rises 200 feet from the northern edge of the bay and offshore of Kualoa Park. Known to Hawaiians as Mokoli“i, the island resembles a large straw that seems to be floating on the surface of the water. While there may or may not be a Chinese man underwater (according to local legend), one thing that’s found on the Kaneohe seafloor is tens of thousands of sea urchins—imported by scientists to help stave off the growth of highly invasive algae. While the water around the sandbar offers nice swimming and has a soft, sandy bottom, much of the shoreline is rocky, slippery, and potentially covered in urchins. A better bet is to stay in the kayak and enjoy the view of the mountains, which explode from the shoreline with a rugged fury, their peaks outstretched toward the clouds.
Practical Info
Kaneohe Bay is on the island’s eastern shore about 30 minutes from Waikiki. Morning hours offer calmest conditions for paddling, swimming, and boating, and check the tide charts for low tide for the best time to visit the sandbar. Private boats and charter boats can be rented in Kaneohe, and kayak rentals are offered in the neighboring town of Kailua.
Address: Oahu 96744, USA
From $ 48
Kalalau Lookout
The Napali Coast tops nearly everyone’s Kauai bucketlists with its sheer green undulating cliffs dropping directly into cerulean waters. The Kalalau Trail takes you back in and along Napali’s Valleys for 11 miles down to the beach and back up and out for another 11—a trip that takes most people at least two days to complete. Not for everyone. Enter the Kalalau Lookout, an easily accessible vantage from which to take in the deep expanse of Napali’s most recognizable Kalalau Valley and get a taste of Napali from land without all of the hiking. Sitting at an elevation of 4,000 feet, the lookout is perfectly positioned to take in the full two-mile-across valley and the ocean beyond.
Practical Info
Kalalau Lookout is located near the end of Kokee Road, off Waimea Canyon Road, at mile marker #18. Visit the lookout in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. if possible. During this window, the sun fully illuminates the valley’s crags, and ensures the best chance of uninterrupted views before the regular afternoon clouds roll in.
Address: Kokee Rd, Kapaa, Hawaii, USA 96746, USA
From $ 135
Kaeleku Caverns
Also known as the Hana Lava Tube, these subterranean caverns were created when lava once cooled on the surface here but continued to flow underneath the ground above. Now there are hundreds of unique rock formations throughout the half mile long cavern system, including stalagmites and stalactites. The Kaeleku Caverns are the largest accessible lava tubes on Maui. It is estimated that the caves were formed nearly 30,000 years ago, and legend would tell us they are the work of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire.
Water drips from the ceilings of the caves, but bats and insects are noticeably absent from the environment. Much of the caverns look as though they’ve been coated in chocolate. It’s an underground landscape that feels almost otherworldly, waiting to be explored. Above ground, there is a unique red Ti botanical garden maze that is also easy to get lost in.
Practical Info
The Kaeleku Caverns are located near mile marker 31 on the Road to Hana (Hana Highway). To reach the visitor’s center, turn left on Ulaino Road from the highway and drive about a half mile. The caves are open Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 4pm, and admission costs $12. Handrails are present along the walking path, and flashlights or headlamps are both recommended and provided with entry. Bring a jacket, as temperatures inside the caverns can be quite cool.
Address: Hana, Hawaii 96713, USA
Hours: Mon–Sat 10:30am–4pm
Admission: $12
From $ 270
Kalapana
More than anything else, the town of Kalapana is a town that was, not a town that is. It is a sad, black, graveyard of homes where dreams, memories and material possessions were incinerated by nature’s fury. Prior to the eruption of Kilauea volcano, Kalapana was a sleepy town along the Big Island’s eastern coastline. All of that changed in 1990 when Kilauea literally rolled through town. By the time the molten carnage was through, over 100 homes had been burned and swallowed by the shifting orange magma.
Today there are still about 35 homes remaining in Kalapana, although the main highlight is where visitors can hike to watch lava spill into the sea. Ever since Kilauea began erupting in 1983, over 500 acres of new land has been created along the coastline, and even though it isn't officially a part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kalapana is often the best place to watch the drama unfold.
Practical Info
The town of Kalapana is 32 miles from Hilo and 40 miles from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The lava viewing area is at the end of Highway 130, and the hike to reach the lava flows can vary from 20 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the exact location of the flow. The hike to the lava is across rocky terrain, so closed–toe shoes are needed, and the best time to view the lava is at night when it glows a fiery bright orange.
Address: Kalapana, Hawaii, USA
From $ 225
Kau Coffee Mill
Globally, Kau coffee may not have the same ring to it as Kona coffee does, but on Island many say the coffee produced in Kona’s southerly neighboring district is just as good. Kau Coffee Mill, perhaps the largest and most outward facing of the plantations in Kau, takes its beans from branch to brew onsite with regular scheduled tours of its volcanic-soil loving plants, drying mill and roastery. Should you miss the tour, the company offers a big glass window into its drying and roasting production facilities, visible anytime during business hours.
Inside the small but bright and cheerful gift shop is the best part: Tastings of their estate brews and locally-produced macadamia nuts. Among the most popular varieties here include their Peaberry and the unique coconut caramel crunch or macadamia nut-flavored roasts. While you’re tasting, be sure to gaze up at the coffee-themed murals that line the upper walls, or read about noteworthy locals on the Kau Coffee Farmers' Wall of Fame. There’s plenty of coffee to take home, including their 100% estate grown coffee in single-use cups for your coffee maker.
Practical Info
Kau Coffee Mill is located north of the town of Pahala off Wood Valley Road. From the Belt Road, turn inland at Kamani Street, following Pikake Street—which forks left into Wood Valley Road—for about three miles. The mill is open daily from 8:30am until 4:30pm, except on major holidays. Daily tours are free and run at 10, noon and 2pm.
Address: 96-2694 Wood Valley Rd, Pahala, Hawaii 96777, USA
Hours: Daily 8:30am-4:30pm
From $ 180
Manoa Valley
Manoa is both a valley and a neighborhood that's part of Honolulu. It's about three miles from downtown, and less than a mile from Waikiki Beach.
The Manoa Valley neighborhood is largely residential, though there is also a university campus here, and is surrounded by the tall, green mountains of the Ko'olau Range. In the 19th century, Manoa was the setting for Hawaii's first sugarcane and coffee plantations.
Because of the geography and position of the Manoa Valley, it rains at least a little bit almost every day – rainbows occur frequently – and it is always incredibly lush. One of the main attractions is the 150-foot Manoa Falls.
Practical Info
Manoa Falls is only reachable after a hike of roughly 0.8 miles. It's a moderate trail, and most people can make the trip there and back in about an hour.
Address: Manoa Valley, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, USA
From $ 40
Kahana Bay Beach Park
Pre-contact Hawaiians didn’t believe in land ownership, but they did divide the Islands into sectional slivers called ahupua’a. Running from the mountains to the sea, ahupuaa had enough land and water resources to support a whole community, and the 5,300 acre Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park is one of the few statewide divisions that remains intact and managed as a whole. Surrounded on three sides by the verdant Koolau Mountains, and fronting Kahana Bay, the scenic park includes a dusty neighborhood of mostly ethnic Hawaiian residents, two popular jungle hiking trails —Kapa’ele’ele and the Nakoa Loop—leading back into a deep valley, the remnants of an ancient fishpond and a beach park with year-round camping.
Most visitors, drawn by its forested seaside park and calm tropical waters, stop by the here to snap photos enroute to the North Shore. The bay is very shallow and can be murky thanks to the nearby infusion of Kahana Stream, so swimming is not recommended. Instead, the best parts of this park are both scenic and cultural: Visit the rocky, circular remains of the ancient Huila Fishpond on the eastern side of the bay, or head into the park to speak with residents. The 31 families that live here share responsibilities and assist with interpretive programming. The volunteer-staffed orientation center will help guide you toward the hiking trailheads that navigate Kahana Valley, former site of kalo loi (taro terraces), au’wai (channeled irrigation streams), heiau (temples) and later, during WWII, jungle warfare training.
Practical Info
The orientation center with trail-maps, information and restrooms is visible a short drive into the park, but before the neighborhood houses. Makai (seaside) facilities include include picnic tables, restrooms and showers, but, note there are no lifeguards at Kahana Bay. 10 beach campsites are available by advance permitting only ($18 per campsite of up to six per night for non-residents; permits available via camping.ehawaii.gov).
Address: 52-222 Kamehameha Highway, Hauula, Oahu 96717, USA
From $ 79
Kailua Pier
Kailua Pier is the northern bookend to most of Kailua-Kona’s restaurants, shops and bars, a stretch of concrete wide enough to host four-lanes of traffic (if it wasn’t closed off to cars). The historic pier was first built as a downtown fishing dock in 1900 and utilized rocks from deconstructed Hawaiian palace and fort walls, but today few boats moor here. Instead, the pier is mostly used for large events and festivals including the annual Kona Ironman World Championships, which starts and finishes at the pier, and the Kona International Billfish Tournament whose daily catches of sometimes-massive fish species including Pacific blue marlin are weighed from pier-side scales for all to see.
On the pier’s northern side, a small beach fronting the King Kamehameha Marriott Hotel has public showers, restroom blocks and hosts community events such as the Kona International Surf Film Festival and the Kona Brewers’ Festival. Aside from the beach, the best vantage for
Ahu’ena Heiau, a still-revered thatch-roof temple dedicated to Lono and dating to the early 19th century, is from Kailua Pier. Some say the temple is just 1/3 of its original size when built by Island-uniting King Kamehameha I. Because it is believed the monarch also died here, the site and its tiny man-made island remain sacred and off-limits to the public, despite being on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
Practical Info
The pier is located on Kaahumanu Place at the bend where Alii Drive becomes Palani Road. It is next door to the King Kamehameha Marriott Hotel and across the street from the Fish Hopper Restaurant and ABC Store.
Address: Kaahumanu Place, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740, USA
From $ 116
Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park
It’s easy to look at the Kona coastline and wonder how Hawaiians survived. Barren, dry, and covered in black lava, this desolate terrain appears inhospitable and incapable of supporting life. In actuality, however, this harsh coastline boasted a thriving population of native Hawaiian inhabitants, who worked intimately with the natural surroundings to maximize all of its resources.
At Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park—set just south of the Kona Airport—this ancient history is brought to life and is blended with recreation. Take a hike past ancient fishponds that were used for feeding the village, and follow trails past historic heiau that were used to worship the gods. If the Kona sun gets a little too hot, cool off at white sand Honokohau Beach, or a take a dip in the Queen’s Bath and enjoy the secluded, hidden surroundings.
More than just the beaches and hiking trails, the Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park is as an outdoor museum of Hawaiian archaeology. Petroglyphs, fishponds, and ancient rock walls are scattered across the park’s 1,160 acres, and traditionally restored, thatched-hut hale (houses) sit on the shore like they once did for centuries. Local fisherman can often be seen throwing nets like their ancestors before them, and this is the perfect place to unplug and escape when staying in downtown Kona.
Practical Info
The Hale Ho‘okipa Visitor Center is open from 8am-4pm daily and is off of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. To access the park after 4pm when the gates to the Visitor Center close, follow the road to the Honokohau Marina and the signs to the Kona Sailing Club. From here, a short trail leads north to the beach and all of the hiking trails within. There is no admission fee for visiting the park, and no camping is allowed.
Address: Kaloko-Honokohau, Kalaoa, HI 96740, USA
Hours: Daily 8am-5pm
From $ 124
Kailua Beach Park
Thanks to its ample parking, family-friendly atmosphere, and postcard-worthy shoreline, Kailua Beach Park is often regarded as one of Oahu’s nicest beaches. Like its neighboring cousin, Lanikai Beach, this stretch of white sand is fronted by turquoise waters which stretch out to the Mokulua islands.
Unlike Lanikai, however, Kailua Beach Park is as active a destination as Lanikai is calm. Everything from snorkeling to kayaking and parasailing is available from this windward shore classic, and when the wind picks up in the afternoon the kitesurfers, windsurfers, and catamaran sailors take to the water in full force.
On shore, Kailua Beach Park is a popular spot where locals gather for picnics and barbecues, and the bustling streets of Kailua town are only a short walk from the beach. Trendy cafes and classic delis ring the streets surrounding the park, and this is a part of the island where you could spend an entire day just lounging about the sandy shores and exploring the neighborhood on foot.
While afternoons are a favorite time for watersports enthusiasts, locals agree that mornings at Kailua are the perfect time for a long stroll down the beach to neighboring areas such as Kalama Beach and secluded Lanikai. Whether it’s walking or diving or paddling an outrigger canoe, Kailua Beach Park is always a hub of activity that serves as the epicenter for the windward beach community.
While the beach is admittedly busy (particularly on the weekends), it’s a different sort of energy from the crowds at Waikiki Beach, and a visit to Kailua Beach Park is a refreshing day trip for those who still want to soak up the sun but get out of Waikiki.
Unlike Lanikai, however, Kailua Beach Park is as active a destination as Lanikai is calm. Everything from snorkeling to kayaking and parasailing is available from this windward shore classic, and when the wind picks up in the afternoon the kitesurfers, windsurfers, and catamaran sailors take to the water in full force.
On shore, Kailua Beach Park is a popular spot where locals gather for picnics and barbecues, and the bustling streets of Kailua town are only a short walk from the beach. Trendy cafes and classic delis ring the streets surrounding the park, and this is a part of the island where you could spend an entire day just lounging about the sandy shores and exploring the neighborhood on foot.
While afternoons are a favorite time for watersports enthusiasts, locals agree that mornings at Kailua are the perfect time for a long stroll down the beach to neighboring areas such as Kalama Beach and secluded Lanikai. Whether it’s walking or diving or paddling an outrigger canoe, Kailua Beach Park is always a hub of activity that serves as the epicenter for the windward beach community.
While the beach is admittedly busy (particularly on the weekends), it’s a different sort of energy from the crowds at Waikiki Beach, and a visit to Kailua Beach Park is a refreshing day trip for those who still want to soak up the sun but get out of Waikiki.
Address: Kailua Beach Park, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
Hours: Open 5am - 10pm. Restrooms open 6am - 10pm.
From $ 121
Kapiolani Park
Even as early 1877, the Hawaiian Royalty recognized the need for preserving open space. With the city of Honolulu rapidly growing, King David Kalakaua—the last reigning King of Hawaii—allocated 130 of Waikiki’s acres towards a park for the people of Hawaii. Naming it after his beloved wife—Queen Kapiolani—the park today offers sprawling green fields for locals, visitors, and families.
In addition to the soccer fields, tennis courts, and jogging paths, the park also houses the Honolulu Zoo and public art shows on the weekends. For special events, the Waikiki Shell is a performance venue set in the middle of Kapiolani Park, where some of the world’s largest musical acts will throw concerts, benefits, and shows just minutes from Waikiki Beach. The Honolulu Marathon—held every December—usually finishes at Kapiolani Park, and even during other times of the year, this is a happening place for Honolulu residents to escape the city rush.
Practical Info
Kapiolani Park is on the eastern edge of Waikiki between Kalakaua Avenue, Monsarrat Avenue, and Paki Avenue. There is free parking and metered parking along the streets bordering the park, as well as next to the Honolulu Zoo. Hours for the zoo are from 9am-4:30 pm daily, and the zoo admission fee is $14/adult and $6/child.
Address: 3902 Paki Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
From $ 80
Kauai Coffee Company
There was once a time when the island of Kauai was awash in waving green sugar. When the last mill closed down, however, in October of 2009, the island was left searching for a new crop to step in and fill the void. Luckily for island plantation workers and caffeine lovers worldwide, coffee is starting to pick up on Kauai where the sugar cane industry left off.
Nowhere is this more evident than at Kauai Coffee Company in the town of Kalaheo, where over 4 million trees on 3,100 acres officially make this the largest coffee farm found anywhere in the United States. Take a guided tour through the coffee fields to learn the production process, or sample from over 20 different coffees at the large tasting room on site. Every bean that’s served and sold is grown right here in Hawaii, and when you’ve gotten enough of a buzz for the day, look out at the rows of waving green leaves that disappear over gentle hills to the tropical shoreline below.
Practical Info
The tasting room at Kauai Coffee Company is open from 9am-5:30pm in summer, and 9am-5pm, daily. Admission, tours, and tasting are free, and the plantation is located about 30 minutes from the Lihue, 20 minutes from Poipu, and an hour from Hanalei.
Address: 870 Halewili Rd, Kalaheo, Hawaii, USA
From $ 135
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Just off Maui’s shore on the island of Molokai, Kalaupapa National Historic Park is the former site of two leper colonies. People living with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) have been quarantined here since the days of King Kamehameha, and a community of cured patients still inhabits the Kalaupapa Settlement, scenically surrounded by steep Pali cliffs. The park is dedicated to preserving the experiences of the past so that they might be learned from in the present and future.
Father Damien, a Belgian missionary, first came to Molokai in the 19th century and cared for the afflicted until his death. In doing so, he brought awareness of the disease to the rest of the world. Once completely isolated, the peaceful area is now a center for education and reflection. Historic churches, homes, and cemeteries can still be seen. Out of respect for the residents, the number of visitors is limited to 100 per day.
Practical Info
Kalaupapa is accessible only by tour, and must be traveled to by mule, hiking, or small plane. It is open Monday to Saturday and is not accessible by car.
Address: Kalaupapa, Hawaii, USA
From $ 189