The Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide (from a Hawaii Local!)

Are you looking for the ultimate Hawaii travel guide? This guide from a Hawaii local is essential to your upcoming Hawaii vacation!

When planning a trip to Hawaii, there is a lot to consider. When should you visit? Which islands should you visit? How much will it cost to go on holiday in Hawaii? And that’s just the start.

Luckily for you, this guide is straight from a Hawaii local and has everything you need to know.

The best time to visit Hawaii is when it’s not too hot, not too rainy, and not too crowded. This ideal combination of factors usually occurs from April to May and from October to November.

Expert tip: These shoulder seasons can also help you find the best prices for Hawaii travel (March-May, September-November).

If you are wondering how many islands there are in Hawaii: there are eight Hawaiian Islands, and you can visit six of them (Niihau and Kahoolawe are not open to the public.)

Out of the remaining six islands, it wouldn’t be fair to determine which are the best islands to visit in Hawaii, because each of them has its own distinct personality.

All of them are worth a visit!

That said, there are some islands that might be more suitable for you and your group, depending on your interests. Here are islands I’d recommend based on your travel style:

OAHU

Oahu is home to many of the most famous Hawaii landmarks, including Diamond Head, the Pearl Harbor Memorial, and the North Shore. So if you would like to check these items off your bucket list, head to Oahu!

That said, what makes Oahu stand out from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands is its city. Thanks to the city of Honolulu, Oahu is the only island that boasts tall skyscrapers and thriving nightlife. If that’s something you’d like to experience, Oahu is the island for you!

MAUI

Maui is known as the island for couples. It’s the most popular Hawaiian island for anniversaries, honeymoons, or couples’ getaways in the US. And this makes sense, because there are many romantic things to do on Maui, including watching the sunrise at Haleakala and taking a sunset cruise.

That said, if you’re not traveling as a couple, there are many other exciting things to do on Maui. You can drive the winding road to Hana, learn the history behind the iconic Iao Needle, and take a snorkeling tour of Molokini.

BIG ISLAND

The Big Island has just about every type of natural wonder you can imagine – from green sand beaches to erupting volcanoes to lush rainforests to snowcapped mountains. Since the Big Island lives up to its name, it is usually split into two parts: Kona and Hilo.

• Kona is the side that caters more to tourists with its beautiful hotels and charming seafood restaurants. It’s also the sunnier side of the Big Island, so you’ll want to visit beautiful beaches like Kealakekua Bay and Kua Bay.
• Hilo, on the other hand, is the quieter, rainier side of the Big Island. This is a great destination if you love waterfalls! It’s also home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

KAUAI

With its lush greenery and amazing trails, Kauai is a hiker’s paradise. The Kalalau Trail, Waipoo Falls Trail, and Sleeping Giant Trail are just a few of the most popular hikes. And when you want to take a break from all the hiking, you can visit some of the island’s charming, quiet towns, like Hanapepe and Hanalei.

LANAI

If you’re looking for a tiny, off-the-grid island that still has the luxuries that come with a lavish vacation, you’ll want to head to the island of Lanai.

This 140-square-mile island is home to two elegant Four Seasons Resorts and a slew of nature-focused activities. You can off-road to the otherworldly landscape known as Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), catch a glimpse of a rusty shipwreck at Shipwreck Beach, and snorkel with dolphins at Hulopoe Bay.

MOLOKAI

If you’d like to get off the grid and leave the luxuries of fancy resorts behind, Molokai might be the island for you. This is the perfect island to leave the stress of everyday life behind and just take it slow.

But if there’s one thing you have to do on Molokai, it’s experience the famous guided Kalaupapa mule ride. While riding an adorable trained mule, you’ll make your way up the highest sea cliffs in the world before descending into the historic town of Kalaupapa. 

One of the most important things to consider when planning Hawaii holidays is the cost. However, this can vary greatly depending on your Hawaii itinerary (and vacation budget).

If you plan ahead and budget closely, you can enjoy a week of Hawaii travel for less than $1,000 per person. That said, the average price of a weeklong trip to Hawaii is $1,900 per person. 

Unfortunately, transportation on most Hawaiian Islands is rather limited. Besides on Oahu, Ubers and Lyfts are few and far between, and the public bus system isn’t very extensive.

 As for Hawaii travel between islands, your options are limited as well. Depending on where you’re traveling to and from, you’ll either need to take a plane or a ferry.

Here are tips on how to get around Hawaii:

Traveling Around One Island in Hawaii:

• Rent a Car: The best way to get around any Hawaiian Island is by renting a car. While it is pricey, you’ll have the freedom to go where you want, when you want. Sometimes, renting a car is the only viable transportation option. On all of the islands except for Oahu, you can’t really rely on Uber, Lyft, taxis, and buses. 

• Take the Bus: The Bus, Hawaii’s public bus system, is only a good transportation option on Oahu. While it might take a little longer, these buses can get you to pretty much all of the major sites on the island. Unfortunately, the public bus system is not nearly as extensive on any of the other islands. I would not recommend relying on it for your transportation needs.

Interisland Travel around Hawaii:

• By Plane: If you’re planning to do a little Hawaiian island hopping during your Hawaii vacation, you’ll probably need to take a plane. There are dozens of interisland flights every single day, and these flights go to all six visitable islands. You can pick from Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Princeville Air.
• By Ferry: There are only two ferries in Hawaii: one that runs between Maui and Lanai, and one that runs between Maui and Molokai (Update: now discontinued as of 2021). It is also important to note that these ferries are for people, not to transport cars.

1. Limit the Number of Islands You Visit

When planning to travel to Hawaii, many visitors try to stop at as many islands as possible. I don’t recommend doing this. Rather than quickly hopping from one island to the next, I recommend spending 5-7 days on each island.

If you are staying in the islands for ten days or more, then you can consider visiting multiple islands during your trip.

2. Explore Outside of Waikiki

One of the biggest mistakes that visitors to Hawaii make is spending all of their time in Waikiki on Oahu. Waikiki is a tourist hub and is not an accurate representation of the beauty, nature, and culture of Hawaii. As a matter of fact, most locals avoid Waikiki as much as possible.

If you’re looking for an Oahu alternative, consider staying on the North Shore or in Ko Olina. Plus, there are always the other five islands for you to visit!

3. Don’t Confuse “Hawaiian” and “Local”

While people from Florida, for example, can call themselves Floridian, people from Hawaii will never call themselves Hawaiian.

This is a rather complex issue, but, to put it simply, “Hawaiian” is a culture, language, and ethnic group. Just like you can’t claim to be a different ethnicity, people who are not native Hawaiian cannot label themselves “Hawaiian.”

Instead, people who live in Hawaii often use the term “local” or “Hawaii local” to refer to themselves.

4. Learn About Hawaiian Culture

When researching Hawaii travel, you’ll likely find long lists of things to do that revolve around nature, U.S. history, and even food. But the beauty of Hawaiian culture is often overlooked, and that’s a shame.

During your time in the Hawaiian Islands, make time to learn about and experience Hawaiian culture. Depending on what island you’re on, you can find museums, festivals, historic walks, and historic sites that celebrate the beautiful Hawaiian culture.

5. Respect Nature

This idea of respecting nature in Hawaii has a lot of different layers. First, there are the simple acts, like picking up your trash and wearing reef-safe sunscreen. But then there are the more complex layers to respecting nature that people rarely think about when bringing up Hawaii travel.

First, there’s being aware of the power of the ocean. With large waves and strong currents, the ocean can be a dangerous place. Instead of overestimating your abilities and disregarding the power of the ocean, remember to respect the ocean and its power.

By learning some of the best practices for swimming in the open ocean, you’ll simultaneously respect nature and stay safe.

Then, there are the animals. Hawaii has many endangered animals, both in the ocean and on land. Remember to give them space and respect them!

Don’t try to feed them, pet them, or ride them. Depending on the animal, this may actually be illegal.

And last but not least, there’s the land. Your most in-depth encounters with the land in Hawaii will likely take place while hiking.

Be sure to research the trails in advance, avoid hiking on or after rainy days, and refrain from breaking the branches off nearby plants.

Want to have the best time on your Hawaii adventure? These Hawaii travel tips from a local can help you maximize your time there, have a memorable experience, and respect the people and land you are visiting. Add them to your list of what NOT to do in Hawaii.

What’s on your Hawaii travel bucket list?

Hawaii is one of the most amazing places in the world, thanks to the beautiful natural landscapes, fantastic fusion food, and interesting culture. It’s definitely worth a visit (or more than one!).

I hope that this Hawaii travel guide helps you plan your next trip to the islands!

Enjoy!

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