Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Walking
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is a public botanical garden operated by the City & County of Honolulu in Kāneʻohe. Originally designed as part of a flood control project by the U.S. Army Corps of…
Waimea Valley Falls Walk
North Shore Oahu
Waimea Valley Falls Walk is one of Oʻahu's most accessible outdoor experiences. The paved path winds through the sacred Waimea Valley, a historic ahupuaʻa (traditional Hawaiian land division), before…
Pearl Harbor National Memorial Complex
Urban Honolulu (Pearl Harbor)
A profoundly significant historical complex anchored by the free USS Arizona Memorial boat program, with three additional independently-ticketed sites offering hours of further content: the…
Kailua Beach Park
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best All-Around Beach on Oʻahu for Water Activities
Kailua Beach Park is consistently ranked among the best beaches on Oʻahu and is one of the island’s most complete beach experiences. Located on the Windward side of Oʻahu, this two-mile stretch of…
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters — Maui
Kahului, Central Maui
Aerial Views of West Maui Waterfalls, Molokaʻi, and Hāna
Blue Hawaiian's Maui helicopter tours depart Kahului Heliport and cover terrain most travelers never see from the ground — West Maui's remote waterfalls, Molokaʻi's dramatic sea cliffs, or the…
Makiki Valley Loop Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
Makiki Valley Loop Trail is a scenic forest loop located within the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve above Honolulu. The route combines Kanealole Trail, Makiki Valley Trail, and Maunalaha Trail into…
Mokulēʻia Trail
North Shore Oahu
Mokulēʻia Trail is located within the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve on Oʻahu's northwest side. The trail climbs through native dry forest and upland ridges before reaching spectacular viewpoints…
Bishop Museum
Urban Honolulu (Kalihi)
Hawai'i's leading natural and cultural history museum, spanning Hawaiian Hall (Hawaiian history/culture), Pacific Hall (broader Pacific Islander cultures), a hands-on Science Adventure Center, and a…
'Iolani Palace
Urban Honolulu (Downtown)
The only royal palace on US soil, offering a genuinely reverent, historically rich tour of Hawai'i's monarchy period — either docent-led or self-guided via audio. Specialty tours (e.g., Hawai'i's…
Trident Adventures
Urban Honolulu (Kaka'ako / Aloha Tower)
A comprehensive, professionally run dive operation offering everything from a first Open Water certification to advanced technical diving, distinguished above all by being Hawai'i's only PADI…
Active Oahu Tours
Windward O'ahu (Kailua)
A consistently top-rated (multi-year award-winning) Kailua outfitter offering kayak trips to the Mokulua Islands, often combined with hiking, a swim at the "Queen's Bath," and snorkeling — with…
North Shore Oahu Surf School
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A Native Hawaiian-owned and -operated surf school that pairs surf instruction with genuine cultural and environmental education about the North Shore — a distinctive, more culturally rich alternative…
Wet 'n' Wild Hawaii
West O'ahu (Kapolei)
Hawai'i's largest water park, offering 26+ rides and attractions in Kapolei, recently expanded with "Volcanic Wedgeee" — marketed as the tallest and fastest waterslide in Hawai'i, with translucent…
CLIMB Works Keana Farms
North Shore
The tour starts with an ATV ride up to the ridgeline, then works through 8 dual ziplines (including the longest on O'ahu at 2,600 ft), 3 sky bridges, and 2 rappels, with panoramic views of the North…
Kualoa Ranch — Jurassic Valley Zipline Tour
Windward Coast (Ka'a'awa)
Seven zipline sections and two suspension bridges through Ka'a'awa Valley, with short hikes connecting each station — the same valley used as the real filming backdrop for Jurassic Park and numerous…
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
An Active Volcano — Open, but the Kīlauea Summit Is Unstable and Closures Change Fast
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park centers on Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, with a summit caldera, steam vents, the Uēkahuna observation deck, and Chain of Craters Road down to the…
Waimea Bay
North Shore Oahu
Best All-Around North Shore Beach Experience
Waimea Bay is one of Oʻahu’s most iconic beaches and one of the most important locations in global surf culture. Located on the North Shore at the mouth of Waimea Valley, this legendary bay combines…
Waimānalo Beach
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Long Sandy Beach Experience on Oʻahu
Waimānalo Beach is one of Oʻahu’s most beautiful and underrated beaches. Located on the southeastern Windward Coast, this nearly three-mile stretch of white sand offers a completely different…
Mākaha Beach Park
West Oahu
Legendary Surf Beach & West Side Ocean Culture Landmark
Mākaha Beach Park is one of the most historically significant beaches in Hawaiʻi and one of the most respected surf locations in the world. Located at the northern end of the Waiʻanae Coast, Mākaha…
Shark’s Cove / Pūpūkea Tide Pools
North Shore Oahu
Best Reef Exploration Experience on Oʻahu
Shark’s Cove and the surrounding Pūpūkea coastline are among the most unique ocean environments on Oʻahu. Located along the North Shore between Three Tables and Sunset Beach, this rocky volcanic…
Sunset Beach
North Shore Oahu
Best North Shore Beach for Experiencing the Full Hawaiian
Sunset Beach is one of Oʻahu’s most iconic beaches and one of the most recognizable surf locations in the world. Located along the eastern end of the North Shore’s famous “Seven Mile Miracle,” this…
Hanauma Bay
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Snorkeling Experience on Oʻahu (With Rules &
Hanauma Bay is one of Oʻahu’s most famous natural attractions and one of the island’s most important marine ecosystems. Formed inside a volcanic crater, this crescent-shaped bay protects a shallow…
Mānoa Falls Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
Mānoa Falls Trail is Oʻahu's most famous waterfall hike and one of Hawaiʻi's most visited rainforest trails. Located just minutes from Waikīkī, this short hike winds through the lush Mānoa Valley to…
Manoa Cliff Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
Mānoa Cliff Trail follows the upper rim of Mānoa Valley through the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, providing an outstanding combination of rainforest scenery, native forest restoration areas, and…
Kualoa Ranch — UTV Raptor Tour
Windward Coast (Ka'a'awa)
Self-drive UTVs (up to 4 people per vehicle) through Ka'a'awa Valley, covering the same Jurassic Park and other movie filming locations visible from the ranch's other tours, plus jungle and valley…
Mokulua Islands (“The Mokes”)
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Ocean Adventure Experience on Oʻahu
The Mokulua Islands, commonly called “The Mokes,” are two iconic offshore islets located about 0.7 miles off the coast of Lanikai and Kailua. These twin sea stacks are one of the most recognizable…
Hawaii Nautical
Urban Honolulu (Waikiki / Kewalo Basin Harbor)
A long-running (25+ years), locally owned operation offering snorkeling, whale watching, and sunset catamaran cruises from Kewalo Basin Harbor near Waikiki. Reviews consistently praise the crew's…
Ko Olina Ocean Adventures
West O'ahu (Ko Olina Marina)
A consistently highly-rated family cruise from Ko Olina Marina combining spinner dolphin watching, turtle/reef snorkeling, and (in season) humpback whale sightings, with lunch and drinks included.…
North Shore Catamaran Charters
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A small, intimate catamaran experience (only ~20 passengers, no obstructive views) run by O'ahu's most established North Shore whale-watching operator. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, describing…
Deep Sea Sportfishing Hawaii
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A North Shore fishing charter widely regarded as one of the most experienced and trusted in Hale'iwa — notably, several competing local charter captains reportedly either worked under or chartered…
Flyer Sportfishing
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A highly-rated North Shore charter known for its fast, clean, well-appointed boat and experienced captains (30+ years combined). Reviews consistently praise crew professionalism and the variety of…
Ala Wai Golf Course
Urban Honolulu (Waikiki-adjacent)
An extremely high-traffic but well-maintained municipal course directly adjacent to Waikiki. Reviewers are often surprised at how clean it is relative to typical busy municipal courses. The tradeoff…
Hawai'i Prince Golf Club
West O'ahu (Ewa Beach)
A distinctive 27-hole Palmer/Seay-designed facility unlike any other course on O'ahu, offering the flexibility of three different 9-hole nines. Reviews consistently describe it as challenging enough…
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters — O'ahu
Honolulu (Airport)
A ~65-minute helicopter tour departing Honolulu Airport (or Turtle Bay on the North Shore) with Bose noise-canceling headsets and two-way pilot communication, covering Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial,…
Gunstock Ranch — Horseback Riding
North Shore (Kahuku/Lā'ie)
A North Shore ranch offering tiered horseback experiences — from toddler pony rides through a "Horsemanship Experience" and standard scenic rides up to advanced rides for experienced riders, plus a…
Capitol Modern (formerly Hawai'i State Art Museum)
Urban Honolulu (Downtown, near 'Iolani Palace)
A small, always-free contemporary art museum spotlighting artists connected to Hawai'i, set in a genuinely beautiful tropical garden courtyard adjacent to 'Iolani Palace and the State Capitol.…
Honolulu Museum of Art
Urban Honolulu
A highly-regarded fine art museum with a genuinely praised collection and a serene, beautifully landscaped courtyard setting. Gallery labels are noted for in-depth, culturally aware analysis rather…
Dive Oahu
Urban Honolulu (Kewalo Basin Harbor)
A large-scale dive operation at Kewalo Basin Harbor, specifically noted in research as highly recommended for families and first-time divers. Reviews praise individual dive masters (e.g., Caleb) as…
Island Divers Hawaii
Urban Honolulu (Maunalua Bay / Hawai'i Kai)
A Maunalua Bay-based operator centered on its "Turtle Canyon" site, a known sea turtle resting area, with reviews overwhelmingly praising close, reliable turtle encounters, clear water, and friendly…
Hawaiian Parasail Inc.
Waikiki (Ala Wai Harbor)
A 60-minute boat trip from Ala Wai Harbor with 5–6 minutes of actual parasail flight time up to 500 ft, with a choice of a dry flight or one that touches the water depending on preference and…
Xtreme Parasail
Waikiki
A roughly 1-hour parasailing experience departing Waikiki, with tiered altitude options up to 1,200 ft (compared to Hawaiian Parasail's 500 ft cap), offering views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and…
Rainbow Watersports
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
North Shore's original stand-up paddle school, offering thorough land-based instruction before entering Hale'iwa Bay's relatively calm waters — accessible to paddlers of all ages and abilities.…
808 Surf School
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A family-owned North Shore surf school teaching at a quieter, less-crowded beach area than the more heavily trafficked North Shore breaks. Reviews consistently praise named instructors for…
Hans Hedemann Surf School
Urban Honolulu (Waikiki)
A well-established Waikiki surf school combining land-based technique instruction with small-group ocean lessons, ensuring each student gets multiple wave attempts. Reviews consistently praise…
Ty Gurney Surf School
Urban Honolulu (Waikiki)
A well-regarded Waikiki surf school known for getting beginners up and riding quickly — several reviews specifically mention students standing on their second wave attempt. Instructors are repeatedly…
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Windward O'ahu (Waimanalo)
A Waimanalo coastline marine park combining animal encounter experiences (dolphins, sea lions, rays, sharks), educational touch pools, and a daily aviary, with a stated focus on marine conservation…
Wailea Beach
Wailea, South Maui
South Maui's Calm, Family-Friendly Resort Beach
Wailea Beach is South Maui's classic calm, clear-water resort beach — a gently sloping sandy bottom, generally mild waves, and real views of Haleakalā and the islands of Molokini, Lānaʻi, and…
Kalama Beach Park
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Alternative to Crowded Kailua Beach Park
Kalama Beach Park is a beautiful stretch of Windward Oʻahu coastline located between Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach. While it is often overshadowed by its famous neighbors, Kalama offers many of…
Waimānalo Bay / Sherwood Forest Beach
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best “Wild Coast” Beach Experience on Oʻahu
Waimānalo Bay, commonly known as Sherwood Forest Beach, is one of Oʻahu’s most beautiful and expansive coastal areas. Located along the Windward side of the island, this beach stretches for miles…
Kuaokalā Trail
North Shore Oahu
Kuaokalā Trail is one of Oʻahu's most underrated ridge hikes, located within the remote Kuaokalā Forest Reserve high above the North Shore. Unlike the island's crowded hikes, Kuaokalā offers…
Maʻakua Ridge / Papali Trail
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Maʻakua Ridge (also known as the Papali Trail) is one of Oʻahu's premier backcountry ridge hikes. Beginning near Hauʻula, the trail climbs through dense rainforest before following a long ridgeline…
Nakoa Trail
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Nakoa Trail is a 2.5-mile loop through the mid-elevation rainforest of Kahana Valley. Including the walk from the Orientation Center to the trailhead and back, most hikers cover about 5 miles total.…
Maunakea Visitor Information Station and Summit
Maunakea, Waimea Area
High-Altitude Stargazing — Know the 4WD, Altitude, and Respect Rules
Maunakea is one of the Big Island's signature experiences: the University of Hawaiʻi's Visitor Information Station (VIS) lists daily hours of 9 AM–9 PM with free parking, and is a place to…
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
Kukuihaele, Waimea Area
A Free Rim Lookout Over Waipiʻo — The Valley Road Itself Is Closed
The Waipiʻo Valley Lookout is a free county park at the end of Highway 240 in Kukuihaele, about 9 miles past Honokaʻa town, with a paved viewing platform, a covered pavilion, restrooms, and a small…
Maui Ocean Center
Māʻalaea, Central Maui
Hawaiʻi's Premier Aquarium, Right on Maui
Maui Ocean Center in Māʻalaea is Hawaiʻi's largest aquarium, focused specifically on species native to Hawaiian waters — reef fish, rays, sharks, sea turtles, and a walk-through acrylic tunnel…
Molokini Crater Snorkel Tour
Māʻalaea, Central Maui
A Boat Trip Into a Crescent Volcanic Crater — Maui's Signature Snorkel
Molokini is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater about 3 miles off Maui's coast, and one of Hawaiʻi's most famous snorkel destinations — exceptionally clear water and abundant reef…
Waimano Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
Waimano Trail is one of Central Oʻahu's most rewarding backcountry hikes, descending deep into Waimano Valley through lush rainforest, towering eucalyptus groves, and dense tropical vegetation before…
ʻĪao Valley State Monument
Wailuku, Central Maui
Easy Walk to Maui's Iconic ʻĪao Needle
ʻĪao Valley State Monument centers on the ʻĪao Needle, a dramatic 1,200-foot basalt spire rising from the lush valley floor just outside Wailuku. A short, mostly paved loop (well under a mile) leads…
Kualoa Regional Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Mountain-to-Ocean View Beach Park on Oʻahu
Kualoa Regional Park is one of the most visually spectacular beach parks on Oʻahu, located along the northern edge of Kāneʻohe Bay. While it is not known primarily as a swimming destination, its…
Makapuʻu Beach
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Dramatic Coastline Beach on Oʻahu
Makapuʻu Beach is one of Oʻahu’s most visually dramatic beaches, located at the southeastern tip of the island beneath the iconic Makapuʻu cliffs and lighthouse. Unlike the calm, protected waters of…
Maui Whale Watching Tour
Māʻalaea, Central Maui
Seasonal Humpback Whale Watching (December–April)
Each winter, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Maui's waters to breed and calve, and dedicated whale-watching boat tours from Māʻalaea Harbor offer a real, non-staged wildlife experience —…
Wailea Golf Club
Wailea, South Maui
Three Championship Courses with Real Ocean Views
Wailea Golf Club offers three distinct championship courses — Emerald, Gold, and Blue — set across Wailea's resort coastline with real ocean and island views (Molokini, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe visible…
Wailea Beach Path
Wailea, South Maui
A Free Paved Coastal Walk Linking Wailea's Beaches
The Wailea Beach Path is a paved coastal walkway of about 1.5 miles (roughly 3 miles out and back) that runs past the Wailea resorts and connects several public beach access points, including Ulua,…
Wailua Falls
Hāna Highway, East Maui
A Roadside Waterfall You Don't Even Have to Hike To See
Wailua Falls, just past mile marker 45 on the Hāna Highway near Hāna itself, is one of the most accessible waterfalls on the whole Road to Hāna — visible right from the road, no hike required to see…
Keʻanae Peninsula Lookout
Hāna Highway, East Maui
Taro Patches and a Tsunami-Survivor Church on the Road to Hāna
The Keʻanae Peninsula Lookout is a classic Road to Hāna roadside stop — a bird's-eye view over the Keʻanae Peninsula's patchwork taro (kalo) fields, a jagged black lava coastline, and the Pacific…
Coral Crater Adventure Park — ATV/Off-Road Adventure
Kapolei (Leeward/West O'ahu)
A side-by-side ATV (1 driver + 1 passenger) through jungle terrain and twisting off-road trails inside the former coral quarry, after a safety briefing and basic off-road driving instruction from…
Gunstock Ranch — ATV/UTV Tour
North Shore (Kahuku/Lā'ie)
A guide drives guests through Gunstock's ranch trails, passing movie filming locations, a "secret cave," unique natural landscapes, wildlife, ranch animals, and WWII historical sites. Reviews…
Bellows Field Beach Park
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best “Hidden Escape” Beach Experience on Oʻahu
Bellows Field Beach Park is one of the most beautiful and unique beaches on Oʻahu. Located along the Windward Coast near Waimānalo, Bellows combines everything people imagine when they picture…
ʻEhukai Beach / Banzai Pipeline
North Shore Oahu
Best Place to Witness the Power of the North Shore Ocean
ʻEhukai Beach, home of the legendary Banzai Pipeline, is one of the most famous surf locations on Earth. Located on Oʻahu’s North Shore, this beach is where massive winter swells create some of the…
Lanikai Beach
Kailua / Waimanalo
Most Beautiful Sunrise Beach on Oʻahu
Lanikai Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaiʻi and is consistently recognized for its unreal turquoise water, soft white sand, and iconic views of the Mokulua Islands (“The Mokes”)…
Charter Oahu
Urban Honolulu (Waikiki)
A Waikiki-based snorkel and boat charter operator that markets its crew qualifications (certified divers, lifeguards, freedivers, surfers) as a core differentiator, running snorkel trips to turtle…
Hawaii Ocean Charters
Urban Honolulu (Waikiki)
A Waikiki-based, small and locally owned charter operator running both shared and private catamaran tours — snorkeling, whale watching, sunset, and fireworks cruises. Reviews highlight top-notch…
Boom Boom Sportfishing
West O'ahu (Wai'anae)
A Wai'anae-based charter with a strong long-term reputation (self-marketed #1 Oahu boat for a decade). The bulk of reviews are highly positive — one group reported catching 15 fish in 3.5 hours…
Hawai'i Kai Golf Course
East O'ahu (Hawai'i Kai)
The only course on O'ahu's dramatic eastern coastline, with every hole on the championship course offering Makapu'u cliff and Pacific Ocean views. Reviews are mixed: some praise the fun layout and…
Kahuku Golf Course
North Shore (Kahuku)
A genuinely rustic 9-hole, walk-only municipal course directly on the North Shore coastline, opened in 1937. Reviews consistently praise the authentic local experience, ocean views, and…
Ko Olina Golf Club
West O'ahu (Kapolei / Ko Olina)
A resort-standard 18-hole course in the Ko Olina area, well-regarded for course conditioning and setting. Reviewers consistently describe it as a great location with a wonderfully maintained course…
Ko'olau Golf Club
Windward O'ahu (Kaneohe)
A dramatically difficult, narrow, and winding course set against the lush Ko'olau mountains, with extreme elevation changes and a slope rating among the highest in the nation. Reviews split sharply:…
Pali Golf Course
Windward O'ahu (Kaneohe)
A scenic, historic (1953) municipal course with renovated greens and standout views of Kaneohe Bay, the towns of Kailua and Kaneohe, and the verdant Ko'olau cliffs — reviewers note the scenery alone…
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
Windward O'ahu (Kailua)
A visually striking round through a 1,100-acre Kailua valley with mountain and jungle scenery reviewers describe as "Jurassic Park"-like and among the most unique on O'ahu. The experience is…
Turtle Bay Resort — Arnold Palmer Course
North Shore (Kahuku)
A championship-level round on the North Shore with a forgiving front nine giving way to a tighter, more demanding back nine with water in play on 14 of 18 holes. Reviews are generally positive on…
Magnum Helicopters
Honolulu (Airport)
A 50-minute doors-off flight in a Hughes 500 helicopter — the same model used in Magnum P.I. — with reviews consistently praising knowledgeable pilots who share both scenic highlights and island…
Rainbow Helicopters
Honolulu (Airport)
Rainbow Helicopters uses Robinson R-44 (3-passenger) and Airbus Astar (up to 6-passenger) aircraft across four confirmed tour products: the 20-minute "City by the Sea" (Honolulu Harbor, Waikiki,…
ʻAihualama Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
ʻAihualama Trail is a beautiful rainforest trail that climbs the western wall of Mānoa Valley through dense bamboo groves, towering banyan trees, and native forest. While the first section follows a…
ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail (Sunset Pillbox Trail)
North Shore Oahu
ʻEhukai Pillbox Trail—also known as Sunset Pillbox Trail—is one of the North Shore's best short hikes. The trail climbs steeply through ironwood forest before reaching a series of World War II…
Kaunala Trail (Kaunala Loop)
North Shore Oahu
Kaunala Trail is located within the Pūpūkea Forest Reserve on Oʻahu's North Shore. Most hikers complete it as the Kaunala Loop, a moderate forest adventure that combines shaded singletrack with an…
Koloa Gulch Trail
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Koloa Gulch Trail is a lush rainforest adventure located near Lāʻie on Oʻahu's northeast coast. The trail follows Koloa Stream deep into a narrow gulch beneath the Koʻolau Mountains, weaving through…
Puʻu Maʻeliʻeli Trail (Kāneʻohe Pillbox)
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Puʻu Maʻeliʻeli is a forested ridge hike located along Kahekili Highway on Oʻahu's Windward Coast. The trail steadily climbs through shaded woodland before reaching a WWII military observation bunker…
ʻUalakaʻa Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
ʻUalakaʻa Trail is one of Oʻahu's best beginner-friendly forest hikes. Located inside Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside above Honolulu, this short loop winds beneath a dense tropical canopy before…
Hawaii Polo Trail Rides
North Shore (Waialua)
A 90-minute, walking-pace ride on well-trained polo ponies, actually on the beach — the only O'ahu horseback operator confirmed to do this rather than riding along inland trails with ocean views.…
Kualoa Ranch — Horseback Riding Tour
Windward Coast (Ka'a'awa)
A slow, walking-pace guided ride through Ka'a'awa Valley's lush terrain and along cliffsides overlooking the ocean, past the same movie filming locations visible on Kualoa's other tours. Reviews…
Pālehua Trail Rides
Kapolei (Leeward/Wai'anae Range)
A 90-minute ride through unspoiled Hawaiian dry forest and farmland high in the Wai'anae mountains, with ocean-vista viewpoints and both sunrise and sunset tour options (including a "Valentine's…
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives
Urban Honolulu (Downtown)
A niche but genuinely interesting historical site centered on Hawai'i's early missionary period, featuring the oldest wooden building in the state and exhibits on the development of the written…
Hawaiian Railway Society
West O'ahu ('Ewa Beach)
A slow-paced, narrated historic train ride along O'ahu's former sugar-plantation-era railway, with knowledgeable narrators keeping the ride engaging and a popular refreshment stop at Ko Olina. The…
Hawai'i's Plantation Village
West O'ahu (Waipahu)
A restored plantation-era village with houses themed by the ethnicity of the immigrant families who lived there, offering a genuinely distinctive lens on Hawai'i's labor and immigration history not…
Honolulu Scuba Company
Urban Honolulu
A well-established, multi-agency-certified (PADI/SSI/NAUI/SDI-TDI) dive shop known for small, personalized certification classes. Reviews specifically praise instructors by name for patience and…
North Shore Marketplace
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A central Hale'iwa shopping hub combining local art galleries, surf/skate retail, gift shops, coffee, and dining in one convenient, free-parking location. Reviews consistently praise the laid-back…
Coral Crater Adventure Park
Kapolei (Leeward/West O'ahu)
Three ziplines ranging 300–900 ft built into an actual former coral quarry/crater, with automatic braking so the course reads as more beginner-friendly than the North Shore/Windward options. Reviews…
Kaiona Beach Park
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Quiet Snorkeling Stop on the Windward Coast
Kaiona Beach Park is a small, peaceful beach located along the Windward Coast between Makapuʻu and Waimānalo. While it is often passed by visitors heading toward larger beaches, Kaiona offers a…
Kapiʻolani Park Beach
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Waikīkī Beach for Park + Ocean Experience
Kapiʻolani Park Beach is the quieter eastern stretch of the Waikīkī coastline located along the edge of Kapiʻolani Park near Diamond Head. Unlike the dense hotel-lined sections of central Waikīkī,…
Queen’s Beach / Waikīkī
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Waikīkī Beach for Ocean Views & Local Feel
Queen’s Beach is one of the most scenic and popular sections of Waikīkī Beach, located just east of Kūhiō Beach near the Waikīkī Aquarium and Kapiʻolani Park. Named after Queen Liliʻuokalani,…
Sans Souci / Kaimana Beach
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Quiet Waikīkī Beach Experience
Kaimana Beach, also known as Sans Souci Beach, is one of the most beloved smaller beaches along the Waikīkī coastline. Located at the eastern end of Waikīkī near the Kaimana Beach Hotel and Waikīkī…
ʻAiea Loop Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
ʻAiea Loop Trail is one of Oʻahu's most popular forest hikes, offering a peaceful escape into the Koʻolau Mountains without requiring a strenuous climb. Winding through cool eucalyptus groves,…
Pūpūkea–Paumalū Forest Reserve Trails
North Shore Oahu
Pūpūkea–Paumalū Forest Reserve sits above the North Shore between Sunset Beach, ʻEhukai, and Pūpūkea. Unlike traditional point-to-point hikes, this area consists of a maze of interconnected trails…
Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Cruise (Fair Wind)
Kailua-Kona, Kona
A Boat Trip to the Island's Top-Ranked Snorkel Bay
Kealakekua Bay was ranked first for best snorkeling on Hawaiʻi Island in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2025 readers' picks, and a boat tour is the simplest way to reach it. Fair Wind (office at 78-7130…
Kahe Point / Electric Beach
West Oahu
Best Marine Life Experience on the West Side (Advanced
Kahe Point, commonly known as Electric Beach, is one of Oʻahu’s most famous snorkeling and diving locations. Located just north of Ko Olina along the Leeward Coast, this beach is known for its…
Chun’s Reef
North Shore Oahu
Best North Shore Beach for Watching Surf Culture & Seasonal
Chun’s Reef is a classic North Shore surf spot located between Haleʻiwa and Laniākea. Named after legendary local surfer and lifeguard John Chun, this stretch of coastline represents the quieter,…
Laʻie Beach Park / Pounders
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Wave-Experience Beach on Northeast Oʻahu (Advanced
Laʻie Beach Park, better known locally as Pounders Beach, is one of the most recognizable beaches on Oʻahu’s northeastern coastline. Located just south of Laʻie town and near the Polynesian Cultural…
Three Tables
North Shore Oahu
Best Beginner-Friendly Reef Exploration Beach on the North
Three Tables is a small but iconic North Shore beach located between Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline in the Pūpūkea area. Named after the three flat reef formations (“tables”) that appear offshore,…
Circle M Ranch (formerly Mendes Ranch)
Waiheʻe, West Maui
A Real Working-Ranch Horseback Ride on Maui's North Coast
Circle M Ranch — long known as Mendes Ranch before a rebrand — is a real working cattle ranch on Maui's rugged north coast, offering guided horseback trail rides through pasture and coastal terrain…
Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm
Kula, Upcountry Maui
A 4,000-Foot Lavender Garden on Haleakalā's Slope
Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm sits at 4,000 feet on Haleakalā's western slope — 10 acres of lavender and other gardens with sweeping Upcountry and coastal views. No reservation is needed; visitors wander…
Hot Island Glass
Makawao, Upcountry Maui
Watch Real Glassblowing in Historic Makawao Town
Hot Island Glass is the best-known shop in Upcountry's historic Makawao town — a working glassblowing studio and gallery where visitors can watch artists work the furnace most days and buy the…
Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park
North Shore Oahu
Best Beach for Experiencing North Shore Culture
Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park is one of the most important community beaches on Oʻahu’s North Shore. Located just outside the historic town of Haleʻiwa, this beach park offers a more local and authentic…
Kūhiō Beach / Waikīkī
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best All-Around Waikīkī Beach Experience
Kūhiō Beach is one of the most recognizable sections of Waikīkī Beach and one of the best places on Oʻahu for visitors to experience the classic combination of Hawaiian ocean culture,…
Magic Island Lagoon
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Urban Sunset & Beginner Water Experience
Magic Island Lagoon is a man-made protected lagoon located at the western end of Ala Moana Beach Park. Built on a peninsula extending into the ocean, it offers one of the safest and most accessible…
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Beach Camping & Wild Coast Experience on Oʻahu
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area is one of Oʻahu’s best destinations for travelers looking for a more natural, less-developed beach experience. Located between Laʻie and Kahuku on the northeastern…
Royal Kunia Country Club
West O'ahu (Waipahu)
An elevated West O'ahu course whose main draw is its panoramic vista — visible on every hole — spanning the South Shore from Pearl Harbor to the Honolulu skyline to Diamond Head. Staff are…
Skyland Air — Gyroplane Flights
North Shore
An open-cockpit gyroplane (distinct from both fixed-wing planes and helicopters) flight over North Shore valleys and coastline, piloted by Jay Eisenberg, an FAA Certified Flight Instructor and…
Fighting Eel
Urban Honolulu (Downtown)
A well-regarded local fashion brand with multiple O'ahu storefronts, praised especially at the Kailua location for personalized, friendly service from staff who know the collection well. Reviews are…
SoHa Living
North Shore (Hale'iwa)
A well-reviewed home goods and gift boutique inside North Shore Marketplace, praised for high-quality, well-crafted merchandise at reasonable prices and friendly, helpful staff. Frequently described…
Twin Islands (Mokulua Surf Co.)
Windward O'ahu (Kailua)
A locally-owned Kailua shop whose Mokulua Islands-inspired branding carries real emotional weight — founded by a local surfer in honor of his late twin brother. Reviews consistently praise the…
Pacific Skydiving Center
North Shore (Waialua / Farrington Hwy)
A tandem skydive from the state's official USPA center on the North Shore, offering a second USPA-adjacent tandem skydiving option alongside GoJump Hawaii (also North Shore-based). Current…
Kapalua Coastal Trail
Napili / Kapalua, West Maui
A Free, Easy Coastal Walk Between Kapalua Bay and D.T. Fleming Beach
The Kapalua Coastal Trail runs north along the shoreline from Kapalua Bay Beach, across the sand dunes at Oneloa Bay, through The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, and ends at D.T. Fleming Beach Park. The…
Pīpīwai Trail & Waimoku Falls
Hāna Highway, East Maui
A Bamboo-Forest Hike to a 400-Foot Waterfall — With Real Flash-Flood Risk
The Pīpīwai Trail, in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park, is a roughly 4-mile out-and-back hike through a genuinely striking bamboo forest to the base of 400-foot Waimoku Falls, with…
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens Park
Wailuku, Central Maui
A Free County Park of Cultural Pavilions Beside ʻĪao Stream
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens is a Maui County park at the base of ʻĪao Valley (listed at 870 ʻĪao Valley Road), separate from the nearby state monument. The county describes a collection of traditional…
Māʻili Beach Park
West Oahu
Best All-Around West Side Beach for Local Ocean Culture &
Māʻili Beach Park is one of the largest and most recognizable beaches on Oʻahu’s West Side. Stretching along Farrington Highway between Nānākuli and Lualualei, this expansive 40-acre beach park is…
Mākua Beach (Mākua Bay)
West Oahu
Most Dramatic Wild Beach on Oʻahu’s West Side
Mākua Beach, also known as Mākua Bay, is one of the most visually spectacular beaches on Oʻahu. Located at the end of Farrington Highway on the far western coast, Mākua represents the transition from…
Kaʻena Point Trail (Mokulēʻia / North Shore Route)
North Shore Oahu
The Kaʻena Point Trail from the Mokulēʻia side follows an old railroad grade and dirt road for approximately 2.5 miles one-way to Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve, the westernmost point of Oʻahu.
Koko Crater Botanical Garden Loop
Kailua / Waimanalo
The Koko Crater Botanical Garden is a 60-acre botanical garden located inside the bowl of Koko Crater in Hawaiʻi Kai. Established in 1958 and operated by the City & County of Honolulu, it specializes…
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail
Kailua / Waimanalo
The Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail is located within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline on Oʻahu's southeastern coast. The trail follows a former service road for approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) each way,…
Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road
North Shore Oahu
The Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road is not a traditional hiking trail—it's a long paved forest access road that serves as the primary gateway into the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve and the upper…
Puʻu Pia Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
Puʻu Pia Trail is a short but rewarding hike tucked into the back of Mānoa Valley. Beginning in a quiet residential neighborhood, the trail quickly enters lush rainforest before steadily climbing to…
Waʻahila Ridge Trail
Central Oahu / Honolulu Mauka
Waʻahila Ridge Trail is one of Honolulu's premier ridge hikes, offering an outstanding combination of panoramic city views, lush forest, and native birdlife—all within minutes of Waikīkī and…
Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside (Pali Lookout)
Nuʻuanu Pali, Windward Oʻahu
A Windy Cliff-Edge Lookout Over Windward Oʻahu
Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside is a lookout on the Pali Highway at about 1,200 feet in the Koʻolau Range, with a wide view over windward Oʻahu from the brink of the cliffs. The state page notes that the…
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi
Hilo, Hilo
Polynesian Navigation and Maunakea Astronomy, With the Island's Only Planetarium
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, at 600 ʻImiloa Place on the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, pairs the traditions and knowledge of Polynesian navigators with how astronomers on Maunakea study the…
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Hōnaunau, Kona
A Hawaiian Place of Refuge on the Kona Coast
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is a National Historical Park on the Kona coast, preserved as a puʻuhonua — a place of refuge. According to the park, no physical harm could come to those who reached its…
Kamaʻole Beach Parks (I, II & III)
Kihei, South Maui
Three Grassy Kīhei Beach Parks With Showers, Picnic Tables and Bodysurf Waves
The three Kamaʻole Beach Parks line South Kīhei Road and share one profile on the state-affiliated beach-safety site. Kamaʻole II is described as a very white sand beach between two rocky points,…
Duke Kahanamoku Beach
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Classic Hawaiʻi Beach Experience
Duke Kahanamoku Beach is the westernmost section of Waikīkī Beach, located beside the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Named after legendary Hawaiian waterman and Olympic swimmer Duke…
Kahana Bay Beach Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Peaceful Mountain-to-Ocean Escape on the Windward
Kahana Bay Beach Park is one of the most underrated coastal destinations on Oʻahu. Located along the northeastern Windward Coast between Kaʻaʻawa and Punaluʻu, this quiet bay sits beneath the…
Ko Olina Lagoons
West Oahu
Best Luxury-Style Beach Experience Open to the Public on
The Ko Olina Lagoons are a series of four protected ocean lagoons located on Oʻahu’s sunny Leeward Coast near Kapolei. Known for their calm turquoise water, soft sandy beaches, paved coastal walking…
Mōliʻi / Secret Island
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Exclusive-Feeling Beach Experience on Oʻahu
Mōliʻi, commonly marketed as “Secret Island,” is one of Oʻahu’s most unique beach experiences because it combines a secluded shoreline, ancient Hawaiian fishpond landscape, and some of the island’s…
Keawaʻula Beach / Yokohama Bay
West Oahu
Best Remote Beach Experience on Oʻahu
Keawaʻula Beach, commonly known as Yokohama Bay, is one of the most breathtaking and remote beaches on Oʻahu. Located at the very end of Farrington Highway on the westernmost accessible coastline of…
ʻŌhikilolo Ridge Area
West Oahu
ʻŌhikilolo Ridge sits above the Waiʻanae Coast near Mākaha and Mākua. The ridge provides some of the most spectacular mountain-and-ocean views on Oʻahu, with dramatic exposure similar to other…
Keālia Trail
North Shore Oahu
Keālia Trail is located above Mokulēʻia on Oʻahu's North Shore and is part of the Nā Ala Hele Trail System. The hike begins near Kawaihāpai (formerly Dillingham) Airfield and climbs a steep series of…
Castles Beach
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Quiet Alternative Along the Kailua Coast
Castles Beach is a lesser-known stretch of shoreline located along the southern end of Kailua Bay, near Kalama Beach Park and Lanikai. While it does not have the global recognition of its neighboring…
Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue)
Hilo, Hilo
An 80-Foot Hilo Waterfall Steps From the Car — Best on a Clear Morning
Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) is an 80-foot waterfall that drops over a lava cave in the Wailuku River on Hilo's northwest edge. The parking lot is directly off Rainbow Drive and the first overlook is…
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kailua-Kona, Kona
A Free National Park of Fishponds, Heiau and Anchialine Pools North of Kona
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park protects a stretch of Kona coast with ancient fishponds, trails, a beach and hundreds of anchialine pools, and the park says about half of it is underwater,…
D.T. Fleming Beach Park
Napili / Kapalua, West Maui
West Maui's Favorite Bodysurfing Beach, With Lifeguards Daily
D.T. Fleming Beach Park fronts Honokahua Bay in West Maui and is listed on the beach-safety site as having lifeguards on duty daily (hours are not stated). It has restrooms, showers, picnic areas,…
H.A. Baldwin Beach Park
Pāʻia, North Shore Maui
A Long North Shore Beach With a Calm 'Baby Beach' End
H.A. Baldwin Beach Park is a county park just outside Pāʻia with a wide, long stretch of sand. The county describes the east end as 'Baby Beach', where calmer, shallower water is popular with young…
Kaanapali Beach
Kaanapali, West Maui
Maui's Classic Resort Beach — With a Real Current Risk at Black Rock
Kaanapali Beach is West Maui's best-known resort beach, a long stretch of sand fronting the Kaanapali resort corridor just north of Lahaina. The main beach is calm, sandy, and genuinely good for…
Keawakapu Beach
Kihei, South Maui
South Maui's Less-Crowded Long Swimming Beach
Keawakapu Beach, between Kihei and Wailea, is a long, fine-sand beach with consistently good swimming conditions and noticeably fewer crowds than its resort-fronted neighbors. Serious swimmers do…
Haleakalā National Park (Sunrise)
Kula / Haleakalā Summit, Upcountry Maui
Above-the-Clouds Sunrise at 10,023 Feet
Watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā — Maui's dormant volcano, and at 10,023 feet one of the highest points in the state — is one of Hawaiʻi's most genuinely iconic experiences: a vast…
Waiheʻe Ridge Trail
Waiheʻe, West Maui
A Popular State-Managed Ridge Hike With Big Valley Views
The Waiheʻe Ridge Trail is a moderate ridge hike on state forest-reserve land above Waiheʻe, managed by DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife. DLNR's older trail map lists 2.5 miles with a roughly…
Surf Club Maui
Kihei, South Maui
A Family-Run Kihei Surf School, 30+ Years Running
Surf Club Maui is a locally owned, family-run surf school in Kihei with over 30 years of experience teaching beginners — easy beach access and certified local instructors make it a genuinely…
Pōkaʻi Bay Beach Park
West Oahu
Best Protected Family Beach on the Waiʻanae Coast
Pōkaʻi Bay Beach Park is one of the most protected and family-friendly beaches on Oʻahu’s West Side. Located in Waiʻanae near Kaneʻilio Point and the Waiʻanae Small Boat Harbor, the bay is naturally…
Hauʻula Loop Trail
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Hauʻula Loop Trail is a forested loop hike that combines shaded rainforest, native vegetation, and occasional panoramic ridge viewpoints. Unlike exposed ridge hikes such as Olomana or Crouching Lion,…
Kahala Beach
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Quiet Beach Near Honolulu
Kahala Beach is a peaceful, residential beach located along Oʻahu’s upscale Kahala coastline, east of Diamond Head and just minutes from Waikīkī. Unlike the energetic and crowded beaches of central…
Hukilau Beach Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Family-Friendly Local Beach on Northeast Oʻahu
Hukilau Beach Park is one of the most beloved local beaches along Oʻahu’s northeastern coastline. Located in Laʻie between Laʻie Point and Goat Island (Mokuʻauia), Hukilau offers a beautiful…
Punaluʻu Beach Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Quiet Coastal Escape Between Windward Oʻahu and the
Punaluʻu Beach Park is a peaceful, lesser-known beach along Oʻahu’s northeastern coastline between Kaʻaʻawa and Laʻie. Surrounded by the dramatic Koʻolau Mountains and a quiet residential community,…
Kapaʻeleʻele Trail
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Kapaʻeleʻele Trail is a 1.2-mile loop on the western hillside above Kahana Bay. The trail winds through shaded forest before opening to breathtaking views of the bay, the historic Huilua Fishpond,…
GoJump Hawaii
North Shore (Mokulē'ia / Dillingham Airfield)
A tandem skydive from either 14,000 or 18,000 feet over the North Shore, with reviews consistently praising the professionalism and friendliness of the team and describing the aerial views of the…
Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area
Hāpuna, Kohala Coast
The Big Island's Long White-Sand Beach — Calm in Summer, Rough in Winter
Hāpuna Beach is the Big Island's longest white-sand beach, about half a mile long, with clear water and almost no rain on the Kohala Coast. In summer (roughly May–October) the water is calm for…
Kahaluʻu Beach Park
Kahaluʻu, Kona
Kona's Easy Snorkel Bay With Daily Sea Turtles
Kahaluʻu Beach Park, on Aliʻi Drive south of Kailua-Kona, is the Big Island's go-to easy snorkel spot. Green sea turtles (honu) come into the bay to feed on algae nearly every day, alongside reef…
Richardson Ocean Park
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo's Black-and-Green-Sand Park With Calm, Shallow Snorkeling
Richardson Ocean Park, on Kalanianaʻole Avenue in Hilo, has a narrow beach of black lava mixed with olivine crystals that looks green in full sun. Cold spring water meets warmer ocean water offshore,…
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Kawaihae, Kohala Coast
Kamehameha's 1790s Temple of the War God — Free Entry
Puʻukoholā Heiau ("Whale Hill") is a National Historic Site at Kawaihae, on Highway 270 near mile marker 2. It's a large temple — about 224 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 16–20 feet high — built…
Sea Quest Hawaii
Kailua-Kona, Kona
A Small-Boat Captain Cook Snorkel With a Full Hour at the Monument
Sea Quest Hawaii (its address block reads "Sea Quest Rafting & Snorkeling Adventures") runs snorkel tours from Keauhou Bay; the office is at 78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street in Kailua-Kona and daytime-tour…
Kaupō Beach Park
Kailua / Waimanalo
Best Short Coastal Exploration Stop Near Makapuʻu
Kaupō Beach Park is a small, unique coastal stop located on the southeastern side of Oʻahu near Sea Life Park and Makapuʻu. Unlike the long sandy beaches of nearby Waimānalo, Kaupō is a compact…
Puaʻena Point Beach Park
North Shore Oahu
Best Beginner North Shore Ocean Experience
Puaʻena Point Beach Park is a small, low-key North Shore beach located just west of Haleʻiwa town. Unlike the famous winter surf breaks that define the North Shore, Puaʻena Point offers a much more…
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Hilo, Hilo
A Free Japanese-Style Garden on Hilo Bay, Linked to Coconut Island
Liliʻuokalani Gardens, on Banyan Drive on Hilo Bay, is a free Japanese-style garden named for Hawaiʻi's last reigning monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani. It opened in 1917 as a tribute to the Japanese…
Kapalua Bay Beach
Napili / Kapalua, West Maui
West Maui's Protected Snorkel Bay — Conditions Change Daily
Kapalua Bay is a crescent, reef-protected cove at Maui's northwest tip, consistently rated one of West Maui's best easy-access snorkel spots when conditions cooperate. The protected shape makes it…
Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center
Makawao, Upcountry Maui
Free Galleries in a Historic Upcountry Estate
Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center occupies the historic Kaluanui estate at 2841 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao and shows rotating exhibitions by Maui artists. Gallery admission is free, with self-guided…
Ulehawa Beach Park
West Oahu
Best Local West Side Beach for Sunset, Fishing, and Ocean
Ulehawa Beach Park is a long, open stretch of coastline on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast located between Nānākuli and Māʻili. It is a classic West Side beach park that represents the local character of the…
Foster Botanical Garden
Chinatown / Downtown Honolulu
A 14-Acre City Garden With Some of Honolulu's Oldest Trees
Foster Botanical Garden, at 180 North Vineyard Boulevard on the edge of Chinatown, is the oldest of the City's Honolulu Botanical Gardens, a quiet 14-acre garden with a conservatory, an outdoor…
Kaʻena Point Trail — Waiʻanae / Mākua
West Oahu
The Waiʻanae-side route begins at Keawaʻula (Yokohama Bay) / Kaʻena Point State Park and follows the western coastline toward the tip of Oʻahu.
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
Urban Honolulu
A Quiet Memorial in an Extinct Crater With City and Ocean Views
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, at 2177 Puowaina Drive, sits inside Puowaina (Punchbowl) crater above downtown Honolulu and is run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It opened…
Laniākea Beach (Turtle Beach)
North Shore Oahu
Best Place to See Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (With Respect)
Laniākea Beach, commonly known as Turtle Beach, is one of Oʻahu’s most famous wildlife-viewing locations. Located along the North Shore between Haleʻiwa and Pūpūkea, this stretch of coastline is…
Maunawili Trail (Koolaupoko Trail)
Kailua / Waimanalo
The Maunawili Trail is one of Oʻahu's classic backcountry hikes, traversing the lush windward side of the Koʻolau Mountains between the Nuʻuanu Pali area and Waimānalo/Maunawili. Rather than leading…
Pacific Tsunami Museum
Hilo, Hilo
A Living Memorial to Hilo's Tsunami History
The Pacific Tsunami Museum, at 130 Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, describes its mission as education and awareness so that no one dies due to a tsunami, and serves as a living memorial to those…
Kona Snorkel Trips
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Captain Cook Snorkeling From Honokōhau Harbor, With Gear and Snacks Included
Kona Snorkel Trips (74-381 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona) departs from the Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor. Its Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour in Kealakekua Bay runs about 4 hours, ages 3 and up, at 8:30…
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Kihei, South Maui
A Free Wetland Boardwalk for Native Waterbirds Near Kīhei
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, is a wetland on Maui Veterans Highway (the visitor center is at milepost 6, about a mile north of Kīhei) that protects…
Ala Moana Beach Park
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Accessible Local Favorite
Ala Moana Beach Park is one of Oʻahu’s most accessible and versatile beaches, located between downtown Honolulu and Waikīkī. While it does not have the dramatic scenery of Oʻahu’s more remote…
China Walls
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Dramatic Ocean View Spot (Not a Traditional Beach)
China Walls is one of Oʻahu’s most dramatic and recognizable coastal viewpoints, located along the rocky shoreline of Portlock in East Honolulu. Unlike traditional beaches, China Walls is a series of…
Nānākuli Beach Park (Kalanianaʻole Beach Park)
West Oahu
Best Local Community Beach on the Leeward Coast
Nānākuli Beach Park is one of the most important community beaches on Oʻahu’s West Side. Located along Farrington Highway between Nānākuli and Māʻili, this wide sandy beach is known for its strong…
Sandy Beach
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Spectator Beach for Experiencing Oʻahu’s Ocean Power
Sandy Beach is one of the most famous and visually striking beaches on Oʻahu’s southeast coast. Located between Hawaiʻi Kai and Makapuʻu, this long stretch of golden sand is known for its dramatic…
Kaʻaʻawa Beach Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Small-Scale Scenic Beach on the Windward Coast
Kaʻaʻawa Beach Park is a small, peaceful shoreline tucked between the dramatic Koʻolau Mountains and the Pacific Ocean along Oʻahu’s northeastern coast. Located between Kualoa and Punaluʻu, this…
Kekaha Kai State Park (Kua Bay)
Kekaha Kai, Kona
A Sandy Kona Coast Bay With Calm-Day Swimming and Serious Shore Break
Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park has a Mahaiʻula section and, at its north end, Maniniʻōwali (Kua Bay), a sandy bay for swimming in calm seas and bodysurfing when the shore break is up. The state…
ʻĀkaka Falls State Park
Honomū, Hilo
A 442-Foot Waterfall on an Easy Paved Loop
ʻĀkaka Falls State Park, in Honomū about 15 miles north of Hilo, is home to a 442-foot waterfall that plunges into a stream-eroded gorge. A paved loop of about 0.4 miles — with multiple steps, so it…
The Umauma Experience (Umauma Falls Zipline)
Hakalau, Hilo
A Nine-Line Zipline Over Waterfalls on the Hāmākua Coast
The Umauma Experience (31-313 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Hakalau; 808-930-9477) runs the Umauma Falls Zipline Tour on its Hāmākua Coast property: nine longlines over waterfalls, with four dual lines,…
Haleakalā Summit District by Day (Leleiwi Overlook & Hosmer Grove)
Kula / Haleakalā Summit, Upcountry Maui
Haleakalā's Crater Overlooks and Native-Bird Forest After Sunrise Hours
Haleakalā National Park's Summit District is always open, but the park says a $1 sunrise reservation per vehicle is required only for entry between 3 AM and 7 AM; after 7 AM no reservation is needed,…
Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
Kahului, Central Maui
A Seasonal Waterbird Sanctuary in the Middle of Kahului
Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, run by DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is a restricted wetland in downtown Kahului set aside in 1951 as the first wildlife sanctuary in the islands, the…
Surfing Goat Dairy
Kula, Upcountry Maui
Maui's Largest Goat Dairy, With Farm Tours and Cheese Tastings
Surfing Goat Dairy, at 3651 Omaopio Road in Kula, calls itself Maui's largest commercial dairy and makes goat-milk chocolate truffles and cheeses. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM, and…
Hauʻula Beach Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Quiet Camping & Local Beach Experience on the
Hauʻula Beach Park is a peaceful, community-oriented beach park located along Oʻahu’s northeastern coast between Punaluʻu and Laʻie. Like many beaches in this area, Hauʻula is not defined by huge…
Kawaiahaʻo Church
Urban Honolulu (Downtown)
Oʻahu's Oldest Church, Built of Coral Blocks in the 1840s
Kawaiahaʻo Church, at 957 Punchbowl Street across from ʻIolani Palace, was established in 1820, and its site describes it as the oldest church on Oʻahu. The current Great Stone Church was built from…
Hulihe'e Palace
Kailua-Kona, Kona
A Royal Residence on Aliʻi Drive — Ranked the Island's Top Museum
Hulihe'e Palace, at 75-5718 Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona, is a historic royal palace that the Daughters of Hawaiʻi's site describes as "where royals came to unwind," with koa wood furniture, portraits,…
Body Glove Hawaii (Kona Snorkel Cruise)
Kailua-Kona, Kona
A Catamaran Snorkel Cruise With Breakfast, BBQ Lunch and a Water Slide
Body Glove Hawaii (also written Body Glove Cruises; the footer says the brand is used under license and the boat is owned and operated by Kanoa Inc.) runs cruises from the Kailua Pier; its shop is at…
Captain Zodiac
Kailua-Kona, Kona
A Long-Running Raft Snorkel of Kealakekua Bay, Capped at 16 Guests
Captain Zodiac (74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Honokōhau Harbor, Kailua-Kona) says it is celebrating 50 years in business. Its Morning and Afternoon Kealakekua Snorkel Tour is 4 hours, $140 for adults…
Diamond Head Beach Park
South Oahu / Hawaii Kai
Best Scenic Coastal Escape Near Waikīkī
Diamond Head Beach Park is a rugged and scenic stretch of coastline located at the base of Diamond Head, just east of Waikīkī. Unlike the sandy resort beaches nearby, this area offers a more raw and…
Swanzy Beach Park
Kaneohe to North Shore / Windward Coast
Best Local Neighborhood Beach on the Kaʻaʻawa Coast
Swanzy Beach Park is a small, peaceful beach park tucked along Oʻahu’s Windward Coast in the community of Kaʻaʻawa. Unlike the famous beaches of Kailua, Lanikai, or the North Shore, Swanzy is not a…
Keaʻau Beach Park
West Oahu
Best West Side Oceanfront Camping Escape
Keaʻau Beach Park is one of the quieter and more rugged beach parks on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast. Located farther north along Farrington Highway beyond Mākaha, Keaʻau offers a very different experience…
Boiling Pots (Peʻepeʻe Falls)
Hilo, Hilo
A Chain of Basalt Pools and Cascades Above Hilo
Boiling Pots is the upper area of Wailuku River State Park, reached from Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo at the end of Peʻepeʻe Falls Drive; Rainbow Falls is the lower area on Rainbow Drive. The state…
Pololū Valley Lookout and Trail
Pololū, Kohala Coast
A Dramatic Valley Lookout and a 420-Foot Drop to a Black-Sand Beach
Pololū Valley sits at the end of Highway 270 (mile marker 28) in North Kohala. The lookout is free and a few steps from the parking area, with views down the Kohala coast toward Waipiʻo. A 0.6-mile…
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Captain Cook Monument)
Kealakekua, Kona
The Bay Where Captain Cook Landed, Reached by Trail or Guided Kayak
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park includes Nāpōʻopoʻo, Hikiau Heiau and Kaʻawaloa Flats, where the Captain Cook Monument stands; the state notes it was the site of first extensive Hawaiian-Western…
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument (Moʻokini Heiau)
Hāwī, Kohala Coast
A Sacred Heiau and Kamehameha I's Birthsite at the Island's North Tip
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument is a 6.7-acre state monument at the north end of Hawaiʻi Island that preserves Moʻokini Heiau and the Kamehameha I Birthsite. The state describes Moʻokini as a…
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Captain Cook, Kona
A 1920s Kona Coffee Farm Run by Costumed Interpreters
The Kona Coffee Living History Farm, at 82-6199 Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook, is run by the Kona Historical Society, which calls it the only living history coffee farm in the nation. Costumed…
Kona Honu Divers
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Certified Dives and a Captain Cook Snorkel, Boarding at Honokōhau Marina
Kona Honu Divers lists scuba trips including a 2-tank local morning dive, a premium advanced 2-tank dive, a morning introductory scuba dive and private tours (plus night dives, which this app leaves…
Kona Boys Kayak & Snorkel (Kealakekua Bay)
Kealakekua, Kona
A Permitted Guided Kayak and Snorkel Tour of Kealakekua Bay
Kona Boys, at 79-7539 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua, runs guided kayak and snorkel tours on Kealakekua Bay and is one of the few companies the state permits to guide kayaks there (the state parks…
D.T. Fleming Beach Park
Napili / Kapalua, West Maui
A Beautiful West Maui Beach with Real Rip-Current Risk
D.T. Fleming Beach Park, near Kapalua at Maui's northwest tip, is a genuinely beautiful, less-crowded West Maui beach with golden sand backed by ironwood trees. It's popular for both swimming and…
Pacific Whale Foundation Classic Whale Watch (Maʻalaea)
Māʻalaea, Central Maui
A Nonprofit's Two-Hour Whale Watch With a Sightings Guarantee
The Pacific Whale Foundation's Classic Whale Watch departs from Maʻalaea Harbor (check-in is 45 minutes before departure at the foundation's ocean store in the Maʻalaea Harbor Shops, next to Maui…
Hāna Cultural Center & Museum
Hāna, East Maui
A Volunteer-Run Hāna Museum, Admission by Donation
The Hāna Cultural Center & Museum, at 4974 Uakea Road in Hāna, is a small volunteer-run museum and gift shop on Hāna's history and traditions. HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice voters ranked it…
Skyline Eco-Adventures — Kaʻanapali Zipline
Kaanapali, West Maui
An 8-Line Zipline Course Above Kaʻanapali
Skyline Eco-Adventures runs an 8-line zipline course above the Kaʻanapali resort area, with expert local guides leading the course. It's a convenient, resort-adjacent zipline option for travelers…
Puʻu o Hulu / Māʻili Pillbox Trail (Pink Pillbox)
West Oahu
Puʻu o Hulu is located above Māʻili on Oʻahu’s west side. The hike follows a dry ridge toward several historic military observation bunkers, including the famous Pink Pillbox, which has become one of…
Honolulu Zoo
Waikīkī, Honolulu
A 42-Acre Zoo Beside Waikīkī, With Kamaʻāina Pricing
The Honolulu Zoo, at 151 Kapahulu Avenue on the edge of Waikīkī, covers 42 acres and describes itself as a Waikīkī destination since 1947. Its site lists about 905 animals across an African savanna…
Two Step (Hōnaunau Bay)
Hōnaunau, Kona
One of the Island's Best Shore Snorkels — Deep-Water Lava Entry, No Lifeguard
Two Step snorkeling, at Hōnaunau Bay just outside Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, was ranked second for best snorkeling on the island in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2025 readers' picks. There…
Lyman Museum & Mission House
Hilo, Hilo
A Hilo Museum of Hawaiian History and Natural Heritage, Weekdays Only
The Lyman Museum, at 276 Haili Street in Hilo, combines a historic Mission House with museum galleries; its Earth Heritage Gallery covers Hawaiʻi's natural history, with mineral and shell…
The Sugar Museum (Puʻunene)
Kahului, Central Maui
Maui's Sugar-Plantation Story in the Old Puʻunene Mill Town
The Sugar Museum, at 3957 Hansen Road in Puʻunene near Kahului, says its mission is to preserve the history of Maui's sugar industry and the multiethnic plantation life it created, and it has a Made…
Diamond Head State Monument (Lēʻahi Summit Trail)
Kapiʻolani Community College / Diamond Head, Honolulu
Oʻahu's Most Famous Short Hike, With a Reservation Required
Diamond Head State Monument (Lēʻahi) is the crater above Waikīkī, and its summit trail is a 1.6-mile round trip (0.8 mile each way) with about 560 feet of elevation gain, which the state rates…
Lyon Arboretum (Harold L. Lyon Arboretum)
Mānoa
A University Rainforest Garden at the Back of Mānoa Valley
Lyon Arboretum, at 3860 Mānoa Road, is the University of Hawaiʻi's research garden and public botanical garden at the back of Mānoa Valley, about five miles from Waikīkī. It covers nearly 200 acres…
Queen Emma Summer Palace (Hānaiakamalama)
Urban Honolulu
A Royal Summer Retreat Saved From Demolition by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi
Queen Emma Summer Palace, at 2913 Pali Highway in Nuʻuanu, was the summer retreat of Queen Emma and Kamehameha IV and is run as a house museum by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi, who saved it from…
Ke Waena Beach
North Shore Oahu
Best Hidden North Shore Stop for a Quiet Ocean View
Ke Waena Beach is a lesser-known stretch of North Shore coastline located between some of Oʻahu’s most famous destinations, including Waimea Bay and Pūpūkea. Unlike the iconic beaches nearby, Ke…
Waiʻānapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
Hāna Highway, East Maui
Maui's Famous Black Sand Beach — Reservation Required
Waiʻānapanapa State Park, along the Hāna Highway, is home to one of Maui's most photographed spots: a black sand beach (Honokalani) framed by lava rock, sea caves, a natural stone arch, and a dense…
Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House
Wailuku, Central Maui
Wailuku's Historic Museum of Maui's Hawaiian and Missionary Past
Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House is the Maui Historical Society's volunteer-staffed museum in Wailuku, ranked No. 4 among Maui museums in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice results. One…
Maui SUP Adventures
Kihei, South Maui
Private Stand-Up Paddle Tours Along South Maui's Coast
Maui SUP Adventures runs private stand-up paddleboarding tours along South Maui's coastline out of Kihei, covering sea life, coastal views, and calmer water than the open-coast beaches nearby. A…
Olomana Trail (Three Peaks) — Advanced /
Kailua / Waimanalo
Olomana Trail, commonly called Three Peaks, climbs the dramatic Olomana ridge above Kailua. The trail is famous for its breathtaking views of Kailua, Kāneʻohe Bay, the Koʻolau Mountains, and…
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
A 500-Year-Old Lava Tube Beneath Rainforest
Nāhuku (the Thurston Lava Tube) is a lava tube you can walk through near Kīlauea Iki Overlook. The park rates it moderate and gives 1.5 miles round trip from Kīlauea Iki Overlook, and the tube is lit…
Volcano Art Center Gallery
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
A Historic Gallery of Island Art Inside the National Park
The Volcano Art Center Gallery sits inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park near the Kīlauea Visitor Center and shows furniture of native woods, hand-blown glass, jewelry, paintings and photography by…
Twin Falls
Hāna Highway, East Maui
The Road to Hāna's First Easy Waterfall Stop
Twin Falls is usually the first easy waterfall stop on the Road to Hāna, a short walk through a working fruit farm to a set of accessible waterfalls and swimming holes — a popular, low-effort…
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center (Kīhei)
Kihei, South Maui
A Beachfront Whale Exhibit Center Run by NOAA
NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary runs a visitor center at 726 South Kīhei Road, on the beach in Kīhei. NOAA describes exhibits, interactive displays and weekly…
Koko Head Stairs (Koko Crater Railway Trail)
Kailua / Waimanalo
The Koko Crater Railway Trail climbs the western slope of Koko Crater, an extinct volcanic tuff cone in East Oʻahu. Originally built during World War II to transport military personnel and supplies…
Lanikai Pillbox Trail (Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail)
Kailua / Waimanalo
Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail climbs a narrow ridgeline above the Lanikai neighborhood in Kailua to two restored World War II observation stations (commonly called "pillboxes," though they were actually…
Waikīkī Aquarium
Waikīkī, Honolulu
A Small University-Run Aquarium Beside Kapiʻolani Park
The Waikīkī Aquarium, at 2777 Kalākaua Avenue next to Kapiʻolani Park, is run with the University of Hawaiʻi and describes itself as Hawaiʻi's window to the sea. Its exhibits focus on Hawaiian and…
Kohala UTV Adventure
Hāwī, Kohala Coast
A Guided Two-and-a-Half-Hour UTV Ride Above Hāwī
Kohala UTV Adventure (Kohala Eco Ventures, LLC; 55-517 Hāwī Road, Hāwī, check-in in the yellow Kohala Sugar Co. building; 808-933-4294) runs one guided UTV tour in 5-seat vehicles, rated Easy, about…
Kīlauea Iki Trail (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park)
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
A Rainforest Descent and Walk Across a 1959 Lava Lake
The Kīlauea Iki Trail drops through rainforest into Kīlauea Iki crater and crosses the hardened lava lake left by the 1959 eruption. The park rates it moderate to challenging, with a steep, rocky…
Kohala Zipline
Hāwī, Kohala Coast
A New Five-Line Canopy Course in North Kohala
Kohala Zipline (55-515 Hāwī Road, Hāwī, in the historic yellow Kohala Sugar Co. building; sister company to Hawaii Forest & Trail) offers a new Kohala Zipline Adventure: a 5-line canopy tour with 2…
Hoʻokipa Beach Park
Pāʻia, North Shore Maui
A World-Famous Windsurfing Beach With Evening Sea Turtles
Hoʻokipa Beach Park, near mile marker 9 on the Hāna Highway just east of Pāʻia, is a county park known worldwide for windsurfing and surfing. Maui County's page describes three parking areas, with a…
Kohala Naʻalapa Stables (Kahua Ranch)
Waimea, Waimea Area
Open-Range Rides on a 12,000-Acre Working Cattle and Sheep Ranch
Kohala Naʻalapa Stables runs guided horseback rides on Kahua Ranch, a 12,000-acre working cattle and sheep ranch, from 59-564 Kohala Mountain Road near Kamuela (the first building on the right). Its…
UFO Parasail (Kona)
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Parasailing From Kailua-Kona With No Swimming Skills Needed
UFO Parasail Kona (UFO Parasail & Adventures; 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona) checks guests in at its office inside the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, next to the…
Makena State Park (Big Beach / Oneloa)
Makena, South Maui
Maui's Most Beautiful Beach — and One of Its Most Dangerous to Swim
Big Beach (Oneloa, inside Makena State Park) is one of Maui's most strikingly beautiful beaches — a long, wide stretch of golden sand backed by low dunes, with almost no development in view. It's…
Kula Botanical Garden
Kula, Upcountry Maui
A Family-Run Upcountry Garden Open Every Day Since 1971
Kula Botanical Garden, at 638 Kekaulike Avenue in Kula, says it was established in 1971 and is open 365 days a year. Garden hours are 9 AM to 3:15 PM, with last admission at 3:15 PM; the gift shop is…
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Kahului, Central Maui
A Five-Acre Garden of Native and Polynesian-Introduced Plants
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (MNBG), at 150 Kanaloa Avenue in Kahului across from War Memorial Stadium, is a five-acre garden focused on native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced plants, with a seed…
Likeke Falls Route (Verify Access Carefully)
Kāne'ohe to Windward / Toward North Shore
Likeke Falls is a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall tucked into the lush Koʻolau Mountains between Kāneʻohe and Nuʻuanu. The trail winds through rainforest, bamboo groves, and old paved roads before…
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters — Big Island
Waikoloa, Kohala Coast
Volcano, Waterfall and Kohala Coast Flights From Waikoloa or Hilo
Blue Hawaiian flies Hawaiʻi Island tours from a Waikoloa base (68-690 Waikoloa Road) and a Hilo base (2650 Kekuanaoa Street), with check-in 45 minutes before the flight. Its listing shows each as a…
Paradise Helicopters (Kona)
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Big Island Helicopter Tours From Kona Airport
Paradise Helicopters flies Hawaiʻi Island tours from the commuter terminal area at Kona airport (check-in 45 minutes before departure, self-pay parking), with other take-off locations including Hilo…
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Onomea)
Papaikou, Hilo
A Seaside Rainforest Garden With a Three-Tier Waterfall
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG) is a nonprofit garden at 27-717 Old Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou, north of Hilo, with more than 2,500 tropical plants and a three-tier waterfall. The garden…
Waiahole Poi Factory
Waiāhole, Windward Oʻahu (Original Location)
👑 Native Hawaiian Culinary Landmark
Few restaurants on Oʻahu are as deeply connected to Hawaiian culture as Waiahole Poi Factory.
Ono Seafood
Kapahulu, Honolulu
🐟 Oʻahu Poke Legend
If Helena's is the gold standard for traditional Hawaiian cuisine, Ono Seafood is the gold standard for traditional poke.
Highway Inn – Kakaʻako
Highway Inn – Kakaʻako (SALT at Our Kakaʻako)
🌺 Taste of Old Hawaiʻi
If Helena's is considered the gold standard of traditional Hawaiian food, Highway Inn is its perfect complement.
Fresh Catch
Fresh Catch Kapahulu
🌊 Local Poke Institution
Fresh Catch has quietly become one of Oʻahu's most respected poke shops among locals.
Rainbow Drive-In
Kapahulu, Honolulu (Original Location)
🌈 Hawaiʻi Plate Lunch Icon
Few restaurants are as closely tied to Hawaiʻi's food culture as Rainbow Drive-In.
Helena's Hawaiian Food
Kalihi, Honolulu
👑 The Gold Standard of Traditional Hawaiian Food
If Roamwise recommends only one restaurant for authentic Hawaiian cuisine, it should be Helena's Hawaiian Food.
Kono's Northshore
Haleʻiwa, North Shore Oʻahu
🏄 North Shore Breakfast Legend
Kono's has become a North Shore tradition because it perfectly matches the pace of a day on the coast.
Aoki’s Shave Ice
Haleʻiwa, North Shore Oʻahu
🌺 North Shore Hidden Classic
Aoki’s is one of the most important additions to the Roamwise shave ice database because it represents the other side of Haleʻiwa shave ice culture.
Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha (HOPA)
ʻĀina Haina / East Honolulu (near Hawaiʻi Kai route)
💛 Pure Aloha Experience / Cultural Gem
Important Roamwise Note: The original ʻĀina Haina physical location has closed, but Uncle Clay’s legacy remains one of the most memorable shave ice experiences on Oʻahu. The brand continues sharing…
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
Kahuku & Haleʻiwa, North Shore Oʻahu
🦐 North Shore Food Icon
Giovanni's is arguably the most recognizable shrimp truck in Hawaiʻi.
Young's Fish Market
Kalihi, Honolulu (City Square Shopping Center)
🌺 Hawaiian Food Institution
Since 1951, Young's Fish Market has been one of Honolulu's most beloved destinations for traditional Hawaiian food. What began as a modest fish market on Liliha Street evolved into a local…
Alicia's Market
Kalihi, Honolulu
🏆 Local Market Legend
Alicia's Market is one of Oʻahu's true local institutions.
Ted’s Bakery
Sunset Beach / North Shore, Oʻahu
🍰 North Shore Dessert Icon
Ted's Bakery is one of the essential food stops on Oʻahu's North Shore.
Waiola Shave Ice
McCully / Mānoa-McCully Area, Honolulu
🏆 Local Legend / Authentic Honolulu Experience
Waiola Shave Ice
Seven Brothers
Laʻie, Oʻahu
🌺 North Shore Family Food Icon
Seven Brothers is one of the best examples of modern local Oʻahu food culture.
Pupukea Grill
Pūpūkea, North Shore Oʻahu
🌊 North Shore Beach-Day Food Gem
Pupukea Grill is one of the more interesting casual food stops on the North Shore because it doesn't fit neatly into one cuisine category. Its menu moves between spicy tuna bowls, ahi, kalua pork,…
Island Brew Coffeehouse
Hawaiʻi Kai
Makapuʻu, or Sandy Beach. The marina-front lanai is coolest in the morning, and it's one of the most relaxing coffee spots on the east side of Oʻahu.
House Without a Key
Waikīkī, Honolulu
🌅 Iconic Waikīkī Sunset Experience
House Without a Key is one of the most iconic oceanfront experiences in Waikīkī.
Munch ʻN Brunch Food Truck — Waikīkī
Waikīkī, Honolulu
🍳 Waikīkī Brunch Power-Up
Munch ʻN Brunch started as a Waikīkī food truck and has since expanded into a brick-and-mortar café at Eaton Square, while the food truck continues operating near ʻOhana Hale Waikīkī. Its menu…
Pit Stop Hawaii Food Truck — Waikīkī
Waikīkī, Honolulu
🍔 Waikīkī Street-Food Hidden Gem
Pit Stop Hawaii has been operating since 2014 and is a casual Waikīkī food truck focused on burgers, sliders, tacos, hot dogs, fresh-cut fries, and house drinks. Its official site specifically…
Chillest Shave Ice
Kaimukī, Honolulu
🌿 Modern Hawaiian Dessert Experience / Local Favorite
Chillest is the perfect afternoon dessert stop after exploring Diamond Head, Kaimukī, Kahala, or the Honolulu coastline. Unlike classic North Shore shave ice destinations, Chillest feels more like a…
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Haleʻiwa, North Shore Oʻahu
🏆 Iconic Hawaiʻi Experience
The ideal Roamwise itinerary:
Shrimp Shack — Hauʻula / Punaluʻu
Hauʻula / Punaluʻu, Windward Oʻahu
🏝️ Windward Coast Seafood Hidden Gem
Shrimp Shack is a particularly interesting addition to your database because it sits outside the main Haleʻiwa/Kahuku shrimp-truck cluster. It's directly along the Windward Coast, with beach…
Monkeypod Kitchen
Waikīkī, Honolulu
🌊 Oceanfront Waikīkī Dining & Cocktail Destination
Monkeypod Kitchen is one of the better fits for a traveler looking for modern Hawaiʻi food + ocean views + cocktails + energetic Waikīkī atmosphere.
Papi’s Tacos — Kahuku
Kahuku, North Shore Oʻahu
🌮 North Shore Taco Truck Hidden Gem
Papi’s Tacos is a small, casual taco truck in Kahuku that has developed a strong reputation among North Shore locals and visitors. Community recommendations specifically call out its tacos as…
Jennyʻs Shrimp Truck
Haleʻiwa, North Shore Oʻahu
🍤 North Shore Garlic Shrimp Favorite
Jennyʻs Shrimp Truck is one of the stronger shrimp-truck stops in Haleʻiwa, particularly for spicy garlic shrimp and butter garlic shrimp. Current listings show it operating daily around 10:00…
Aloha Shrimp — Hauʻula
Hauʻula, North Shore / Windward Oʻahu
🍤 East-Side Garlic Shrimp Hidden Gem
Aloha Shrimp is a casual roadside shrimp truck in Hauʻula specializing in garlic, spicy garlic, lemon, and coconut shrimp, along with other local-style plates. Recent customer feedback particularly…
Aloha Bakehouse & Cafe
Kakaʻako
Tita's Grill
Waiʻanae, Oʻahu
🌺 West Oʻahu Local Favorite
Tita's Grill is the kind of place that fits exactly what you're trying to accomplish with Roamwise: a local food stop that gives travelers a reason to explore beyond Honolulu and Waikīkī.
Aloha Kitchen
Waikīkī / Ala Moana Border (432 Ena Rd, Honolulu)
🌺 Island Brunch Favorite
Aloha Kitchen has become one of Honolulu's favorite breakfast destinations by blending Japanese café culture with classic Hawaiian comfort food. It's best known for its airy soufflé pancakes,…
Big Wave Shrimp Truck
Haleʻiwa, North Shore Oʻahu
🍤 Classic North Shore Shrimp Truck
Big Wave Shrimp has been part of Haleʻiwa's shrimp-truck scene since 2005 and is known primarily for garlic shrimp, lemon-pepper shrimp, spicy shrimp, and coconut shrimp. It also serves non-shrimp…
Mud Hen Water
Kaimukī, Honolulu
🌺 Modern Hawaiʻi Neighborhood Food Destination
Mud Hen Water is one of the restaurants I'd put very high on Roamwise's "eat like a local" list. It's a chef-driven Kaimukī restaurant associated with chef Ed Kenney and chef Alika Chung, focused on…
Flyin' Ahi
Oʻahu — mobile food truck, primarily Honolulu / Central Oʻahu
🐟 Gourmet Local Seafood Food Truck
Flyin' Ahi is a mobile Oʻahu food truck specializing in seafood, poke, sushi-inspired dishes, and creative local plates. Because it's a mobile operation rather than a fixed restaurant, its location…
Hula Grill Waikīkī
Waikīkī, Honolulu
🌊 Iconic Waikīkī Oceanfront Dining
Hula Grill is one of the stronger "classic Waikīkī restaurant experience" options for Roamwise.
Island Vintage Shave Ice
Waikīkī / Royal Hawaiian Center
🌺 Premium Waikīkī Dessert Experience
Island Vintage Shave Ice is one of the strongest shave ice options for visitors staying in Waikīkī. Located along Kalākaua Avenue near the Royal Hawaiian Center, it focuses on a more modern…
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
🌺 Premium Shave Ice Experience
Ululani’s is an interesting addition to Roamwise because it is not originally an Oʻahu institution like Matsumoto or Waiola. It began on Maui and expanded to Oʻahu, bringing its signature ultra-fine…
Roy’s Waikīkī
Waikīkī, Honolulu
🌺 Iconic Hawaiian Fusion Fine Dining
Roy's Waikīkī is one of the most significant restaurants in modern Hawaiʻi's culinary story. Chef Roy Yamaguchi opened the original Roy's in Honolulu in 1988, helping establish the…
Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp
North Shore (Kahuku)
One of the most popular shrimp trucks on the North Shore, prized for genuinely fresh, large, pond-raised shrimp and prawns — often served head-on for maximum flavor, per reviewers. The tradeoff for…
Kailua Farmers’ Market — Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau
Kailua Town, Windward Oʻahu
🌱 Windward Oʻahu Local-Food Favorite
🌱 Windward Oʻahu Local-Food Market The Thursday Kailua Farmers’ Market is a particularly good Roamwise experience because it gives travelers an opportunity to experience local agriculture and small…
Sunset Provisions
Kaimana Beach / Diamond Head, Honolulu
🌺 Beachside Island Lifestyle Café
Sunset Provisions is a little different from the specialty coffee shops you've been adding to Roamwise.
Morning Brew
Kailua (Windward Oʻahu)
Rise & Grind Coffee Bar
Kailua (Windward Oʻahu)
The café is busiest on weekend mornings, so arriving early is the best way to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and full breakfast menu.
North Shore Grinds
North Shore, Oʻahu
🌴 North Shore Local Food Stop
North Shore Grinds fits Roamwise's goal of finding casual, locally oriented food experiences away from the major tourist areas.
Kakaʻako Farmers’ Market
Kakaʻako / Ward area, Honolulu
🌺 Kakaʻako Saturday Essential
🌺 Kakaʻako Saturday Food & Local Goods Destination Kakaʻako Farmers’ Market is one of Oʻahu's major Saturday markets. It combines local produce, prepared food, drinks, specialty products, and local…
KailuaTown Farmers’ Market
Kailua / Windward Oʻahu
🌴 Windward Sunday Essential
🌴 Windward Oʻahu Sunday Market Experience KailuaTown Farmers’ Market is a strong Sunday-morning experience for travelers exploring the Windward side. It combines fresh local produce, prepared foods,…
KCC Farmers’ Market
Kapiʻolani Community College / Diamond Head, Honolulu
🌺 Oʻahu Saturday Market Essential
🌺 Oʻahu's Premier Saturday Food & Farm Market KCC Farmers’ Market is one of the most recognizable farmers markets on Oʻahu and is particularly valuable for Roamwise because it combines local…
Mama's Fish House
Pāʻia, North Shore Maui
Maui's Top-Ranked Beachfront Fish House on Kūʻau Bay
Mama's Fish House, at 799 Poho Place on Kūʻau Bay near Pāʻia, was ranked No. 1 Best Restaurant on Maui in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice results. Its own site describes a Polynesian-themed…
Aliʻi Coffee Co. (Ala Moana / Ward Village Location)
Ala Moana / Ward Village
Village. This location is open daily and offers one of the most complete breakfast-and-coffee experiences in the area.
Morning Glass Coffee
Mānoa
The Bird's Nest – Craft Coffee
Haleʻiwa (North Shore)
Shore day before the beaches and surf breaks get busy. Arrive early—both the coffee and house-made pastries regularly sell out, and parking becomes more difficult later in the morning. The Bird's…
Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck
North Shore (Kahuku)
A long-running (since 2003) Kahuku shrimp truck known for buttery, garlic-forward shrimp and a well-regarded steak-and-shrimp combo plate, with many reviewers specifically praising it over other…
Island Soul Shaved Ice
Kalihi, Honolulu
🌿 Hidden Gem / Modern Hawaiian Dessert Experience
Island Soul is not really a "tourist stop" like Matsumoto. It is better experienced as a local dessert destination after exploring central Honolulu, Chinatown, Kalihi, or before heading toward the…
Arvo
Kakaʻako (SALT at Our Kakaʻako)
Moana Beach Park. Morning offers the best atmosphere, cooler temperatures, and the freshest selection of toast dishes and specialty drinks. Arvo is open daily from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM.
Surf Camp Coffee Niu Valley
Niu Valley / East Honolulu
Koko Head, Hanauma Bay, Makapuʻu, Sandy Beach, or a sunrise adventure along the southeast coast. The café opens early on weekdays and has weekend morning hours.
Creature Coffeeshop
Kahaluʻu (Windward Oʻahu)
Park, Chinaman's Hat (Mokoliʻi), Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, or the North Shore via the Windward Coast. Creature is only open Monday–Friday mornings, making it more of a weekday hidden gem than a…
Po’ai by Pono Potions
Chinatown / Downtown Honolulu
Greenwell Farms
Kealakekua, Kona
Free Kona Coffee Farm Tours Since 1850
Greenwell Farms, at 81-6581 Māmalahoa Highway in Kealakekua, is a Kona coffee farm whose legacy began in 1850, when Henry Nicholas Greenwell arrived in rural Kona. It offers complimentary farm tours…
Da Kitchen
Kihei, South Maui
A Real Local Plate-Lunch Institution in Kihei
Da Kitchen is a genuine local favorite in Kihei — plate lunches ($13–20) built around classics like chicken katsu and kalua pork, served with rice and macaroni salad in the traditional plate-lunch…
TRY Coffee
Kakaʻako / Ward Village (BoxJelly Coworking Studio)
Surfers Coffee
Wahiawā (Gateway to the North Shore)
Haleʻiwa Town Shave Ice
Waikīkī Shopping Plaza (Lower Level)
🌺 North Shore Experience Brought to Waikīkī
This is a unique entry in the Roamwise database because it solves a common visitor problem:
Leonard's Bakery
Kapahulu, Honolulu
Hawaiʻi's Original Malasada Bakery, Open Daily Since 1953
Leonard's Bakery, at 933 Kapahulu Avenue, says it began making malasadas in 1953 for the Portuguese Shrove Tuesday tradition and calls itself Hawaiʻi's original malasada bakery. It is open daily 5:30…
Maui Coffee Roasters
Kahului, Central Maui
Maui's Readers'-Choice Best Coffee Shop
Maui Coffee Roasters, in Kahului, has repeatedly been voted Maui's best coffee shop by Maui Time Weekly readers — freshly roasted beans, friendly service, and spacious seating that's made it a…
Maui Swap Meet
Kahului, Central Maui
Maui's Saturday-Morning Institution Since 1981
The Maui Swap Meet has run every Saturday morning at UH Maui College since 1981 — around 200 vendors selling fresh local fruit and vegetables, flowers, shirts, jewelry, and local crafts, part farmers…
Haliʻimaile General Store
Haliʻimaile, Upcountry Maui
30+ Years of Upcountry Farm-to-Table Dining
Haliʻimaile General Store, housed in a historic former plantation store in Upcountry Maui, has served modern Hawaiian Regional Cuisine for over 30 years — genuine farm-to-table cooking with real…
Cafe 100
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo's Loco Moco Landmark, Over 30 Varieties
Cafe 100 is a Hilo plate-lunch and loco moco landmark at 969 Kīlauea Avenue — its own site says its memories "go back to 1946 on the Big Island." The loco moco comes in more than 30 varieties, and…
Suisan Fish Market (Hilo)
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo's Bayfront Poke Counter, Open Daytime Only
Suisan Fish Market sits on Lihiwai Street by Hilo's bayfront, reportedly half a block from the eastern entrance to Banyan Drive (sources disagree on the street number, so look for it by the bay). It…
Tex Drive-In
Honokaʻa, Waimea Area
Honokaʻa's Famous Square Malasadas
Tex Drive-In, at 45-690 Pakalana Street in Honokaʻa, is known for large, square-shaped, sugar-dusted malasadas, sold plain or filled with flavors like haupia, mango, pineapple, and Bavarian cream.…
Two Ladies Kitchen
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo Mochi and Manju Made Fresh Every Morning
Two Ladies Kitchen, at 274 Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo, makes Japanese mochi and manju fresh every morning, with fillings such as grapes, lilikoʻi, Oreos, and marshmallows. Its most popular item is…
Sam Sato's
Wailuku, Central Maui
A Wailuku Noodle-and-Plate-Lunch Classic
Sam Sato's is a long-running local favorite in Wailuku, known for its dry mein noodles, manju (sweet bean-filled Japanese pastry), and classic plate lunches. It's open for lunch and dinner and draws…
Tin Roof Maui
Kahului, Central Maui
Chef Sheldon Simeon's Cheap, Beloved Lunch Counter
Tin Roof is a small takeout counter at 360 Papa Place, Suite 116, in Kahului, opened by chef Sheldon Simeon in 2016 and known for local-style noodles, rice bowls, and sandwiches. HAWAIʻI Magazine…
Drip Studio HNL Specialty Coffee
Downtown Honolulu (Fort Street Mall)
Local Joe Coffee Roasters
Chinatown / Downtown Honolulu
The Curb Kaimuki
Kaimukī
ChadLou's Coffee Roasters
Kailua (Windward Oʻahu)
Arriving early also gives you the best selection of freshly roasted beans and specialty drinks. ChadLou's also offers guided coffee tasting experiences that can be reserved in advance. ChadLou's…
Kahuku Farms Café
Kahuku (North Shore)
Unlike most coffee shops, Kahuku Farms is best enjoyed as part of lunch or a leisurely North Shore stop rather than an early morning coffee run. The café is open Thursday through Monday and closed…
Hilo Farmers Market
Hilo, Hilo
Downtown Hilo's Big Open-Air Market, Open Daily
The Hilo Farmers Market is an open-air market at 20 Mamo Street, at the corner of Kamehameha Avenue in historic downtown Hilo. Per its own site it is open daily, 7 AM–3 PM, with tropical fruits,…
Da Poke Shack
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Kona's Top-Ranked Poke — Weekdays Only
Da Poke Shack, at 76-6246 Aliʻi Drive Suite 101 (in Kona Bali Kai), was ranked first for poke on Hawaiʻi Island in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2025 readers' picks. Per its own site it is open Monday 10:30…
Hawaiian Style Café (Waimea)
Waimea, Waimea Area
Big Local-Style Breakfasts and Plates — Cash Only, Daytime Only
Hawaiian Style Café's Waimea location, at 65-1290 Kawaihae Road, is a budget-friendly breakfast-and-lunch spot known for huge portions. Undated guides list it open roughly 7 AM to 1–1:30 PM (earlier…
Grandma's Coffee House
Keokea, Upcountry Maui
A Keokea Coffee Stop After Haleakalā Sunrise
Grandma's Coffee House, in the small Upcountry hamlet of Keokea, is a cozy, long-running café known for locally-grown organic coffee, homemade baked goods, and sweeping coastline views. It's a…
Coconut Glen's
Hāna Highway, East Maui
The Road to Hāna's Favorite Ice Cream Stop
Coconut Glen's is a well-known roadside stand on the Road to Hāna, serving organic, vegan, dairy-free coconut ice cream made from Maui-grown coconuts. It's one of the most frequently recommended…
Better Daze
Kapahulu
Green World Coffee Farm
Wahiawā (Gateway to the North Shore)
Shore. Mornings are ideal for exploring the coffee trees, enjoying fresh coffee, and avoiding the busiest tour buses. The farm is open daily and offers free self-guided exploration and complimentary…
ʻUmeke's Fish Market Bar & Grill
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Kona's Poke and Seafood Favorite, With a Fish Market Next Door
ʻUmeke's Fish Market Bar & Grill, at 74-5599 Pawaʻi Place in Kailua-Kona, is known for poke bowls and ahi tacos, with a fish market alongside the restaurant. HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2025 readers ranked it…
Joey's Kitchen
Kaanapali, West Maui
Family-Owned Casual Spot Inside Whalers Village
Joey's Kitchen is a casual, locally owned restaurant inside Whalers Village, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. It's a more affordable, lower-key counterpoint to the resort…
Kona Coffee Purveyors
Waikīkī (International Marketplace)
Hilo Bay Cafe
Hilo, Hilo
Farm-to-Table Dining on Hilo Bay Since 2003
Hilo Bay Cafe, at 123 Lihiwai Street, has operated since 2003 on the edge of Hilo Bay, with views of the ocean, Mauna Kea, and historic downtown Hilo. It serves contemporary food built on fresh,…
Ken's House of Pancakes
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo's All-Day Diner, Reputed to Never Close
Ken's House of Pancakes, at 1730 Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo, is a long-running diner described in several guides as open 24 hours and serving breakfast all day, with "sumo-sized" portions; the phone…
Merriman's Waimea
Waimea, Waimea Area
Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine at Its Source — The Island's Top-Ranked Farm-to-Table
Merriman's Waimea, at 65-1227 Opelo Road, is a Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine restaurant that showcases island-grown and harvested foods in simple preparations and supports local farmers and ranchers.…
A Saigon Café (Wailuku)
Wailuku, Central Maui
A Family-Run Vietnamese Café in Wailuku Town
A Saigon Café, at 1792 Main Street in Wailuku, is a family-run Vietnamese restaurant that its site says simmers its pho broth for 12 hours and is known for its steaks and banh hoi (Vietnamese…
Leilani's on the Beach
Kaanapali, West Maui
Oceanfront Kaanapali Dinner with Sunset Views
Leilani's on the Beach sits right on the sand at Whalers Village in Kaanapali, with an open-air oceanfront setting built around sunset. The menu leans island seafood — fresh fish, prime rib, crab…
Māla Ocean Tavern (Lahaina)
Lahaina, West Maui
An Oceanfront Boutique Tavern With a Live-Music Happy Hour
Māla Ocean Tavern, at 1307 Front Street in Lahaina, is an oceanfront tavern from Hana Hou Hospitality with a seafood focus. Its site lists dinner 4 to 9 PM, brunch 8 AM to 2 PM, a live-music happy…
Monkeypod Kitchen (Wailea)
Wailea, South Maui
Farm-to-Table Favorite in Wailea
Monkeypod Kitchen's Wailea location focuses on locally sourced, seasonal Hawaiian and contemporary American food — wood-fired pizzas, poke, burgers, and fresh local seafood, most entrees under $30.…
Kai Coffee Hawaii
Waikīkī (Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa)
Hawaiian Style Café (Hilo)
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo Breakfast Institution Famous for Big Loco Mocos
Hawaiian Style Café's Hilo location, at 681 Manono Street Suite 101, is a breakfast-and-lunch favorite that HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2025 readers ranked first on the island for loco moco and second for…
Huggo's
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Dinner at the Water's Edge on Kailua Bay
Huggo's, at 75-5828 Kahakai Road in Kailua-Kona, is an oceanfront restaurant with tables at the water's edge on Kailua Bay. Dinner is served every day from 5 to 9 PM, with a liquid happy hour from 4…
Island Lava Java
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Open-Air Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Aliʻi Drive
Island Lava Java, at 75-5801 Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona, is an open-air restaurant with a bar and lanai, with outdoor seating under red umbrellas (reviewers describe ocean views and a beachside…
Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
Olowalu, West Maui
A Famous Pie Shop on the Olowalu Roadside
Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop, at 820 Olowalu Village Road in Olowalu, is a roadside spot known for its sweet and savory pies, handcrafted sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, salads, baked goods, and…
Aloha Mixed Plate
Lahaina, West Maui
A Lahaina Oceanfront Plate-Lunch Institution, Voted Maui's Best
Aloha Mixed Plate, at 1285 Front Street in Lahaina, serves Hawaiian-style plate lunches and dinners oceanfront. HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice voters ranked it No. 1 for Maui plate lunch.…
Cool Cat Café (Kīhei)
Kihei, South Maui
A 1950s-Style Burger Diner That Rebuilt in Kīhei After Lahaina
Cool Cat Café's Kīhei location, at 1819 S. Kihei Road in Kukui Mall (Building A), is a retro 1950s-style diner serving burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and milkshakes. It is the…
Kalei's Lunchbox (Makawao)
Makawao, Upcountry Maui
The Upcountry Branch of a Beloved Local Plate-Lunch Spot
Kalei's Lunchbox's second restaurant is at 55 Pukalani Street in Makawao, listed by HAWAIʻI Magazine alongside its Maui Lani location in the 2025 Maui cheap-eats ranking (No. 3) and the 2026…
Kalei's Lunchbox (Maui Lani)
Wailuku, Central Maui
A Food-Truck-Turned-Restaurant With $10 Burgers and Plate Lunches
Kalei's Lunchbox began as a food truck in 2016 and has a restaurant at 52 Maui Lani Parkway, Wailuku (opened as a new location in January 2022) as well as one in Makawao. HAWAIʻI Magazine ranked it…
Hawaiian Fresh Roast Coffee
Iwilei / Dole Cannery
Island Vintage Coffee
Waikīkī (Royal Hawaiian Center)
Kohala Coffee Mill
Hāwī, Kohala Coast
Hāwī's Downtown Coffee Stop for Breakfast and a Light Lunch
Kohala Coffee Mill (also listed as Hawi Coffee Company) is a downtown Hāwī café at 55-3412 Akoni Pule Highway, serving coffee, breakfast, and a light lunch — Fodor's mentions items like hot dogs,…
Big Island Brewhaus
Waimea, Waimea Area
Waimea Craft Brewery and Pub, Open Daily Until 9
Big Island Brewhaus, at 64-1066 Māmalahoa Highway in Waimea (Kamuela), is a craft brewery and pub with seated dining, takeout, and its beers sold across Hawaiʻi. Per its site, it is open daily 11…
Brown's Beach House (Fairmont Orchid)
Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast
An Oceanfront Resort Dinner With Live Hawaiian Music at Sunset
Brown's Beach House is the oceanfront signature restaurant at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast, which its page calls AAA Four Diamond award-winning and describes as combining farm-to-table…
Café Pesto (Hilo)
Hilo, Hilo
Hilo Bay Comfort Food With a Creative Twist Since 1988
Café Pesto's Hilo restaurant (its ordering links point to 308 Kamehameha Avenue) says it has served the island of Hawaiʻi since 1988, with comfort foods "with a creative twist" reflecting the…
Kona Brewing Company Pub & Brewery
Kailua-Kona, Kona
Kona's Top-Ranked Pizza and Craft Beer, With a Brewery Tour
Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi's pub in Kailua-Kona (listed at 74-5612 Pawai Place, with the brewery at 74-5588 on the same street) was ranked first for pizza and second for bar or lounge on Hawaiʻi Island in…
Village Burger Waimea
Waimea, Waimea Area
Handmade Burgers From Pasture-Raised Hawaiian Beef
Village Burger, at 67-1185 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Waimea, serves handmade burgers made daily from pasture-raised Hawaiian beef and veal, which it describes as hormone-free and antibiotic-free, cooked…
Waimea Butcher Shop
Waimea, Waimea Area
Locally Raised Meats and Live Music Every Night in Waimea
Waimea Butcher Shop, at 64-1032 Māmalahoa Highway Suite 101, is a butcher-shop restaurant that sources meat from animals raised in Hawaiʻi with no antibiotics and no added hormones, working only with…
Duke's Beach House (Kāʻanapali)
Kaanapali, West Maui
A Beachfront Duke Kahanamoku–Themed Restaurant With Daily Live Music
Duke's Beach House, at 130 Kai Malina Parkway on North Beach in Kāʻanapali, was ranked No. 1 Best Hotel or Resort Restaurant on Maui in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice results. Its site…
Flatbread Company (Pāʻia)
Pāʻia, North Shore Maui
Wood-Fired Organic Flatbreads With Maui Farm Toppings, Open Daily 11 to 9
Flatbread Company's Pāʻia restaurant, at 89 Hana Highway, serves wood-fired flatbreads made with organic ingredients and local Maui farm produce, and is listed open every day from 11 AM to 9 PM. Its…
Hula Grill Kāʻanapali
Kaanapali, West Maui
An Open-Air Beachfront Grill at Whalers Village With Daily Live Music
Hula Grill Kāʻanapali, at 2435 Kāʻanapali Parkway (Building P1, Whalers Village), was ranked No. 3 Best Restaurant on Maui in HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice results. Its site describes…
Pāʻia Fish Market
Pāʻia, North Shore Maui
A Family-Style Fish Market Restaurant Open Since 1989
Pāʻia Fish Market (Pāʻia Fishmarket & Restaurant), at 100 Hana Highway, says it first opened in 1989 and is known for fresh-catch plates and fish burgers. Its Pāʻia page lists it open daily 11 AM to…
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice (Kīhei)
Kihei, South Maui
Maui's Top-Ranked Shave Ice, Right on South Kīhei Road
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice has a Kīhei shop at 61 S. Kihei Road, one of several on Maui. HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice voters ranked Ululani's No. 1 for Maui shave ice. The company's…
Bean About Town
Kakaʻako / Ala Moana (Honolulu)
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
Hāwī, Kohala Coast
Hawaiian Country Cooking in a Hāwī Landmark That's Also an Art Gallery
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery, at 55-3415 Akoni Pule Highway in Hāwī, is a long-running restaurant and art gallery in central Hāwī. Fodor's describes a Hawaiian country-style menu where fish and…
Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Waikoloa, Kohala Coast
Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine and Sushi on the Kohala Coast
Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill is the Big Island location of chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiʻi restaurants, which his site still lists, at 69-250 Waikoloa Beach Drive E-1 in Waikoloa. HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2025…
Kaʻanapali Food Truck Park (Lower Honoapiʻilani)
Kaanapali, West Maui
A Casual Evening Food-Truck Courtyard Between Kaʻanapali and Honokōwai
This food-truck courtyard sits on Lower Honoapiʻilani Road on the Kaʻanapali/Honokōwai border, across from the strip mall with the Times Supermarket; it has no official street address, and a guide…
Hana Ranch Restaurant
Hāna, East Maui
A Real Sit-Down Meal in Remote Hāna Town
Hana Ranch Restaurant is one of the few real sit-down dining options in remote Hāna town, serving American comfort food for lunch and dinner. Given how limited dining genuinely is this far out on the…
Honu Oceanside (Lahaina)
Lahaina, West Maui
A Front Street Oceanside Dinner With Seafood, Steaks and a Sommelier-Curated List
Honu Oceanside, at 1295 Front Street in Lahaina, is open seven days a week for dinner, with first seating at 4:30 PM and last seating at 8:30 PM, and focuses on seafood, steaks, craft cocktails and a…
Kīhei Caffe
Kihei, South Maui
South Maui's Famous Big-Portion Breakfast Line
Kīhei Caffe, at 1945 S. Kihei Road, is a casual breakfast-and-lunch spot that HAWAIʻI Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice voters ranked No. 1 for Maui breakfast or brunch. The menu runs from pancakes,…
Star Noodle (Lahaina)
Lahaina, West Maui
Asian-Inspired Noodles and Share Plates on Front Street
Star Noodle, at 1287 Front Street in Lahaina, serves Asian-inspired noodles and share plates family-style with ocean views, after moving from the Lahaina Industrial Park to its Front Street location.…
Kīlauea Lodge Restaurant
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Lodge Dining One Mile From the Park Entrance
The restaurant at Kīlauea Lodge, 19-3948 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village, describes itself as serving fresh, locally sourced dishes and calls itself award-winning (without naming the award). The…
Lava Rock Café
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
A Volcano Village Café Near the Park Entrance
Lava Rock Café is a casual café in Volcano Village at 19-3972 Old Volcano Highway. A July 2026 guide lists hours as Tuesday–Saturday 11:30 AM–8 PM and Sunday 8 AM–2 PM, closed Monday; its phone is…
Seafood Bar and Grill (Kawaihae)
Kawaihae, Kohala Coast
Upstairs Harbor Seafood Bar Known for Coconut Shrimp and a Poke Burger
Seafood Bar and Grill sits upstairs in a historical building at 61-3642 Kawaihae Harbor (Highway 270) in Kawaihae, a casual seafood tiki bar known for its coconut shrimp and poke burger, with a happy…
Kona Coffee Café
Honolulu
Holoholo Drive Thru Espresso
Waimānalo (Windward Oʻahu)
Chubby's Diner
Kailua-Kona, Kona
All-Day Diner Food Inside the Kona Bowling Alley
Chubby's Diner operates inside the KBXtreme bowling and entertainment center at 75-5591 Palani Road in Kailua-Kona, serving all-day breakfast, burgers, and local dishes; reviewers often mention the…
Pueo's Osteria (Waikoloa)
Waikoloa, Kohala Coast
A Waikoloa Village Italian Dinner Spot Opened in 2013
Pueo's Osteria is an Italian restaurant in Waikoloa Plaza, at 68-1820 Waikoloa Road, Suite 1201, in Waikoloa Village (South Kohala). It opened in 2013 under Chef James and Christine Babian, and its…
Lahaina Fish Co.
Lahaina, West Maui
Two Levels of Open-Air Dining Over the Water on Front Street
Lahaina Fish Co., at 831 Front Street, describes two levels of open-air dining over the water with 180-degree ocean views, fresh island fish and prime rib, and says it has served visitors since 1990.…
Jackie Rey's ʻOhana Grill (Hilo)
Hilo, Hilo
Downtown Hilo Dinner With a Different Special Every Night
Jackie Rey's ʻOhana Grill, at 64 Keawe Street in downtown Hilo, serves dinner daily from 4 to 8:30 PM, lunch Monday to Friday 11:30 AM to 3 PM and a happy hour daily from 3 to 5 PM. Its own dinner…
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (Kapaʻau)
Kapaʻau, Kohala Coast
A Low-Cost Plate-Lunch Stop in North Kohala, Open Daily Until 8
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue's North Kohala location, at 54-3886 Akoni Pule Highway in Kapaʻau, is a casual plate-lunch counter near Hāwī and the road to Pololū Valley. Per the chain's own page it is open…
Lanikai Brewing Company (Volcano)
Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
A Rainforest Taphouse and Restaurant Just Outside the National Park
Lanikai Brewing Company's Volcano taproom, at 19-4005 Haunani Road in Volcano Village, is the Kailua brewery's newest outpost and bills itself as a taphouse and restaurant in the rainforest just…