When you think of Hawaii, you think of beaches. Attractive surfers. Even more attractive lifeguards. High waves. Sun, crystal clear sea. All true, but Hawaii is so much more. The four largest islands of Hawaii are a mix of active volcanoes, endless lava fields, rugged coastlines, green valleys, sleepy hippie villages, and powerful waterfalls.
You can’t do without a car in Hawaii.
You need your own transport to discover the islands’ most beautiful places. Choose a direction, hit the road, and see what you encounter. Stop at deserted beaches, enjoy expansive views, swim at refreshing waterfalls, or take a beautiful hike. You can not only hike amazingly on the islands of Hawaii (there are countless tracks from half an hour to several days), but also kayak, snorkel, surf, take boat trips, climb, bike, and anything else you can think of.
The islands of Hawaii are rugged.
In the morning, you might be lying on a paradisiacal white beach, while in the afternoon, you’re walking over pitch-black, rugged lava fields. The Big Island is bursting with active volcanoes, and you can take beautiful walks along the smoking craters of Volcanoes National Park. The inland and coasts of Kauai are unbelievably wild and colorful, with highlights including the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon (extra beautiful from the helicopter!). Maui has the Haleakala crater, a desolate landscape with countless volcanic craters, especially spectacular at sunrise. Hawaii’s mountains are also high: Mauna Kea on the Big Island measures 4200 meters, and it snows on the top in winter. You pass no less than eight climate zones as you drive from sea level all the way up. Hawaii is not a traditional paradise island group: conditions change quickly, floods occur regularly, and the sea currents are treacherous. So, be careful!
Hawaii has a unique culture.
Hawaii is American, and you can see that in the luxury resorts, huge supermarkets, and malls. But if you go off the beaten path, you’ll discover Hawaii’s unique culture. You’ll meet the ancient Polynesians in places like Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Park, but you can also taste the hippie atmosphere in the village of Pahoa, both on the Big Island. In the inland of Maui, you’ll feel like you’re in the Wild West, while on Oahu, the surfers rule the roost. Each island has its own unique character and atmosphere.
Traveling to Hawaii: the food is amazing.
We were afraid we’d have to live on burgers and fries in Hawaii, but no: Hawaii has its own cuisine. Here you eat amazing poke (marinated raw fish in different flavors), fresh smoothies, organic vegetables, fresh fish dishes, and plenty of fresh fruit. The fresh sushi in the supermarket is also not bad. And if you want to indulge for a bit, I can highly recommend shave ice: shaved ice with various types of syrup and vanilla ice cream with macadamia nuts at the bottom. Especially the ice from Ululani’s on Maui is delicious!
Hawaii has beautiful jungle.
I was never a fan of jungle (all that green, that heat, and insects, I quickly got tired of it), but in Hawaii, I changed my mind. Green in Hawaii is vivid green, the flowers have all the colors of the rainbow, and plants and trees are incredibly lush. Add to that the countless waterfalls, and you have a tropical paradise to behold. Traveling to Hawaii means enjoying stunning nature every day.
A varied animal kingdom.
Snorkeling with five-meter-wide manta rays on the Big Island at night. Spotting jumping whales in the bays of Maui. Seeing bright green geckos on Kauai. Watching sunbathing sea turtles on the black beaches of the Big Island. Snorkeling among yellow fish in the turquoise sea of Oahu. Hawaii has countless adventures not only above water but also underwater. Ideal for snorkel and dive fans!
In the evening, snorkeling with manta rays that have a wingspan of five meters on the Big Island is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Spotting breaching whales in the bays of Maui is another highlight, offering a thrilling glimpse of these majestic creatures. On Kauai, you can see bright green geckos, adding a splash of color to the island’s lush greenery. The black sand beaches of the Big Island are a perfect spot to observe sunbathing sea turtles. Snorkeling among yellow fish in the turquoise sea of Oahu provides a vibrant underwater adventure. Hawaii offers countless adventures both above and below the water, making it an ideal destination for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
Transportation in Hawaii: Renting a Car
On Kauai, the Big Island, and Maui, having a car is essential. Public transportation is almost nonexistent, and available tours are often prohibitively expensive. Since Hawaii is part of the United States, having your own car is crucial for getting around. On Oahu, you might manage without a car. In Honolulu and Waikiki, a car isn’t necessary, and reasonably priced tours are available to explore the island. We opted to rent a car for one day in Waikiki (check SunnyCars.nl for current car rental prices in Hawaii) to drive around the entire island. On the other islands, we reserved cars at the airport a few weeks in advance, which we could pick up upon arrival and return upon departure.
Traveling Around Hawaii: Inter-Island Transport
If you want to island-hop in Hawaii, you need to fly between the major islands. Hawaiian Airlines offers numerous daily flights between all the islands, giving you plenty of choices for flight times. These are short flights, lasting a maximum of 45 minutes. If you wish to visit the less frequently traveled islands of Lana’i or Moloka’i, you can take a ferry from Maui.
Accommodations in Hawaii: Hotels on the Islands
When it comes to accommodation, Hawaii offers a wide range of options from basic hostels to luxurious resorts. We chose a middle path, booking a combination of motels, B&Bs, and apartments, known as condominiums. Here are the hotels we stayed at, along with our reviews:
Honolulu, Oahu: White Sands Hotel Honolulu
This hotel is a bargain by Honolulu standards, with a great location and a swimming pool. Although the motel needed some refurbishment, the beds were comfortable, and we had our own kitchenette.
Kapaa, Kauai: Kauai Shores Hotel
Kapaa is a great place to stay, centrally located and a good base for exploring the island. The hotel offers comfortable accommodations and is ideally situated for accessing Kauai’s main attractions.
Kona, The Big Island: Kanaloa at Kona by Outrigger
The Big Island, true to its name, is vast. It’s the only island where it’s best to book two different hotels: one on the west side and one on the east. Kanaloa was brilliant: an enormous apartment with a fully equipped living room and kitchen, a large bedroom, a private washing machine, and all the other facilities you could think of. We paid 130 euros per night.
Hilo, The Big Island: Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast
Our accommodation at the time is now closed. However, a great alternative is the Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast, which offers a charming and cozy stay.
Maui, Kihei: Kealia Resort
This is a condominium, a fully equipped apartment by the sea, with a swimming pool. It’s a perfect location on Maui, from where you can drive all over the island. It’s also a very pleasant place to stay, costing 140 euros per night.
Food in Hawaii
Of course, Hawaii has all kinds of fast food chains, but fortunately, Hawaiians also love healthy eating. Fresh fish, fruit juices, fruit, and healthy wraps are all widely available. The Hawaiian cuisine is a mix of Asian, Polynesian, and American food, and you can try many typical Hawaiian specialties. We were particularly fond of poke, raw fish marinated in various flavors, available in countless variations. On most islands, you’ll find a great supermarket chain, Foodland, where you can buy excellent fresh sushi, poke, and salads. And don’t forget to try shave ice. It’s not healthy, but it’s very tasty, especially with macadamia nut ice cream.
Hawaii is much more than its beaches. Its diverse landscapes, unique culture, incredible food, lush jungles, and rich animal kingdom make it a paradise for travelers. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, Hawaii offers something for everyone. From hiking active volcanoes to snorkeling with manta rays, every day in Hawaii brings new and exciting experiences.
