Hawaii – Exploring the Aloha State: A Journey Through Hawaii’s Paradise

In the heart of the Pacific Ocean lies a paradise unlike any other – Hawaii, a world of natural beauty, rich culture, and unforgettable adventures. Join us on a journey back to 2016 as we travel to the enchanting islands of Hawaii, where every moment is a celebration of life and the beauty of nature.

During the early days of planning for our trip to Hawaii, we had decided that we would be covering only Oahu and Maui as those seem to be the most popular islands among tourists. However, as we spent more time researching, we were mesmerized by the diversity across the different islands, and we decided that we would extend our trip to cover all 4 Hawaiian Islands (namely Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Big Island). Over countless cups of coffee (and maybe a few sips of wine 😉) and occasional biryani from Paradise, we sketched up a travel plan for 10 nights and 11 days to explore the paradise islands.

Following is our detailed itinerary, tips, and insights to help you plan your own unforgettable adventure through the islands of Hawaii.    

Oahu (Days 1 & 2)

Since most flights from mainland US take you directly to Oahu, we decided to start our trip with 2 days on this island. Despite being the most urbanized of the Hawaiian Islands, especially in and around Honolulu (the state capital), it offers a diverse range of attractions, from pristine beaches and lush rainforests to historic sites.

Day 1:

After braving a ~13hr flight from JFK to Oahu (with a toddler in tow!!), we landed in Oahu in the afternoon. After checking into our hotel, which was very close to the famous Waikiki beach, we set out to explore the beach and drove along the North Shore, stopping at other iconic spots like Waimea Bay Beach Park and Sunset Beach. We had dinner at a lovely place on one of the beaches, enjoyed an ethereal sunset and headed back to the hotel for some much-needed sleep.

Day 2:

We started early the next day and spent most of it to explore around the island. We had picked up a rental car, from the airport, the day before and we drove around to visit Pearl Harbor, Byodo-in temple (a non-denominational Buddhist temple), Hanauma Bay (known for its stunning marine life and a popular spot for snorkeling) and Diamond Head (volcanic tuff cone near Waikiki beach).

Later in the day, we headed to the airport to catch our flight to Kauai, our next island destination! (Note: the flight from Oahu to Kauai is only 30-40mins, depending on the airline).

Kauai (Days 3 & 4)

Kauai is the fourth-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and is often referred to as the “Garden Isle” due to its lush, tropical landscapes.

Day 3:

For our first day in Kauai, we had decided to spend most of the time exploring the Waimea Canyon State Park and the several waterfalls and lookout points en route to the canyon. Top places to visit are Upper Waipo’o falls, Waimea Canyon Lookout, Puu hinahina lookout, Pu’u ka pele lookout, Kalalau valley lookout, Wailua Falls, Opaeka’a falls and Fern Grotto.

Day 4:

On our second and last day in Kauai, we decided to explore the Na Pali coast, which is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or hiking. We had booked a sunset dinner cruise that would sail around the coast, offering unparalleled views of the towering sea cliffs and the lush, green valleys that dot the coastline. (A fair warning for those with motion sickness; the water can get choppy during the cruise so carrying medication helps).

Some places to visit on the way to Na Pali coast include Tunnels beach, Hanalei Bay, Pali Ke Kua beach, Kilauea Lighthouse, Poipu beach and Spouting horn.

Maui (Days 5 to 7)

Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Day 5:

We took an early flight to Maui from Kauai on day 5 and headed directly to the Wailea/Makena beach from the airport. (Note: flights from Kauai to Maui typically take ~30-45mins depending on the airline). After spending the day at beach, enjoying yummy cocktails and sumptuous lunch at the beachside outlets, we headed to our Airbnb to relax for the rest of the day.

Day 6:

Day 6 was the highlight of our stay in Maui as we ventured out to explore the famous Road to Hana.  It is a scenic drive that stretches for ~65miles along the northeastern coast of Maui, from the town of Kahului to Hana. Known for its stunning natural beauty, with lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic ocean views, the Road to Hana is famous for its winding, narrow roads and numerous hairpin turns.

Some notable points of interest include the Twin Falls, Wailua Overlook, Pua’a Kaa State Park and the Seven Sacred Pools at Ohe’o. One of our most favorite stops was the black sand beach at the Waiʻanapanapa State Park.

Day 7:

This day started very early for us as we drove to the Haleakala National Park, home to dormant Haleakalā volcano, to watch the sun rise. The park’s summit area rises to over 10,000 feet above sea level, offering panoramic views of the sunrise from above the clouds.

Later in the day, we headed to Lahaina, on the other end of the island for the Atlantis Submarine tour, which offers a unique underwater experience for visitors. The submarine tour takes you to depths of up to 100 feet below the surface to explore the vibrant underwater world including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and other marine life.

We ended the day with a traditional luau, where we got to enjoy a variety of local dishes, along with traditional Hawaiian music and dance performances.

Big Island (Days 8 to 10)

The Big Island, also known as Hawaii Island, is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and offers a diverse range of landscapes from lush rainforests and volcanic landscapes to gorgeous beaches and historic sites.

One of the most iconic attractions on this island is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Day 8:

After our amazing stay at Maui, it was time to head to the final destination of our trip – the Big Island. Similar to earlier flights, it took us ~30-40mins to fly to Big Island from Maui.

After a quick breakfast, we explored some beaches and waterfalls, namely Kauna’oa beach, Akaka falls and Rainbow falls, before driving to our Airbnb situated in the middle of the lush rainforest.

Day 9

This day marked one of the most memorable experiences of our trip, as we embarked on a lava boat tour to see the volcanic activity of Kilauea Volcano. (Note that Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and has been erupting continuously since 1983).

Lava boat tours on the Big Island typically depart from Hilo or Pohoiki and take visitors out to the ocean entry point of the lava flow, where they can see the lava flowing into the sea. While this is a breathtaking experience, it is also not for the faint-hearted since the boats get relatively close to the volcanic activity and the water can get very hot and turbulent.

At dusk, we drove to the Jaggar Overlook, which is a popular viewpoint that offers magnificent views of the Kilauea Caldera and Halema’uma’u Crater, filled with a glowing lava lake.  

For a perfect end to an already eventful day, we drove to the Mauna Kea observatory (~13,000 feet elevation) for stargazing. Visitors can join guided stargazing tours to the summit, where they can use powerful telescopes to observe distant galaxies, nebulae, and planets. The summit is also a great place to see the stars and constellations of the night sky with the naked eye, thanks to its high elevation, clear skies, and minimal light pollution.

Day 10

This was our last day at the Big Island and our flight back to Oahu was not until later in the night. We decided to spend most of the day exploring the awe-inspiring Volcano National Park. The park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and offers visitors the opportunity to witness the dramatic landscapes created by volcanic eruptions.

Some of the top things to see in the park include Thurston Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, Holei Sea arch and the Crater Rim drive.

Later that night, we took a flight to Oahu, for our final flight back to JFK.

Day 11

We spent the morning of the last day of our stay at Hawaii relaxing at the Waikiki beach, before heading to the airport for our overnight flight back home.

Mahalo for joining us on this unforgettable journey through the enchanting islands of Hawaii. May the spirit of aloha stay with you always, until we meet again!!

Tips to consider:

• Hawaii can be an expensive destination – one way to save on accommodation is to consider Airbnb options. There are several budget-friendly vacation rentals available with very good amenities (example: beach access).   
• Renting a car is often the best and cost-effective way to explore the islands, especially if you plan to venture beyond the main tourist areas. Public transportation is limited, particularly on the less populated islands.
• While renting a 4-wheel drive for Road to Hana is not a requirement, however it is recommended since it provides more stability and traction, especially if you plan to explore some of the unpaved side roads or trails along the way.
• Hawaii’s weather can vary, so bring layers. While the beaches will be nice and warm, it gets very cold at the summits like Haleakala and Mauna Kea.

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