Kulaniapia Falls Hilo Big Island Hawaii 5

If you know you need information and you maybe need some inspiration, this is a great place to start. Whether you’re looking for a guided tour or you want to know just if you should visit a specific beach, begin your journey here.

Big Island Travel

When asked which is my favorite island to spend time on, I always am able to say without question that is it Hawai’i, the Big Island. I love everything about this amazing land from the volcanoes to the coffee, the wildlife in the water to the i’iwi birds singing in the forest. The Big Island is my jam and my ultimate happy place.

Many people who’ve traveled to Hawaii multiple times have only ever been to Oahu or Maui. Yes, each Island is special and the two most popular islands are that way for a reason, but the feeling on the Big Island is different and feels so special. There are so many things to do in Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Waimea… It’s an incredible place to visit.

Maui Travel

Each of the Hawaiian Islands is special in its own way, and for visitors, Maui seems to be the one that holds the most memories for people visiting from the mainland USA. Maui has long been the island visitors flock to for the resorts and beaches. Yes, Maui is beautiful and has some wonderful towns, but this is where I always feel like there are the most tourists. Sometimes I feel that in a bad way and sometimes in an okay way.

Maui does indeed have some incredible sights and experiences, and Haleakala National Park is at the top of those. Whether you’re skirting the volcano as you drive the Hana Highway or if you’ve got a whole plan for hiking and exploring this otherworldly place, Haleakala is one of the most amazing sights across the Hawaiian Islands. It’s why I like returning to Maui, more than any other reason.

Kauai Travel

Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is full of beautiful beaches and incredible hiking opportunities. There are also some wonderful small towns and communities here that make Kauai special. Each visit to Kauai shows another side of this awesome place.

Whether you’re spending a week enjoying Hanalei Bay or you only get a few days to hike Waimea Canyon and do a little sightseeing, you’ll love your time on Kauai.

Oahu Travel

Oahu is famous for Waikiki and the surfing competitions of the North Shore, but there’s more to this gorgeous island than that. The communities of Oahu are vibrant and are so very active at keeping Native Hawaiian Culture alive. Whether you’re planning to stay in Honolulu or if you’re spending time seeing the many different sides of the island, you’ll love you’re time here.

Oahu is also where you’ll find the famous Disney resort, Aulani. While it is a giant place, it’s done a very good job at both honoring Hawaiian Culture as well as bringing the Disney experience to the Islands. But don’t just go to Aulani and forget about the rest of Oahu! There is so much to do and see, from the palace to beautiful hikes. Add an extra few days on Oahu to any trip if you can. Your boss will understand if you return to work late.

Lanai & Molokai Travel

A small but beautiful island, Lana’i is rarely visited by first time travelers to Hawaii. Complicated to get to with limited services once you’re on Lanai, it’s a pretty place to enjoy hiking, biking and the beaches. Thinking of visiting Lana’i? You can do it as a day trip from Maui via the passenger ferry. If you’re staying at the luxurious Four Seasons on Lanai, don’t worry, they’ll get things coordinated for you.

Molokai is really lovely. I love it here and I wish we could spend more time on Molokai. To get here, you need to either fly from Honolulu or Kahului, or you can arrive by boat. Like Lana’i, Moloka’i has very limited services. This is much more a locals island as there are not grand resorts, but there are a few options for planning a visit or stay on Molokai.

Hawaii Travel Planning

Travel planning for Hawaii includes both itineraries and accommodations. Nobody ever said that staying in a hotel or at a resort in Hawaii was cheap. In fact lodging is the biggest cost in planning a trip to Hawaii, whichever islands are you visiting. As we continue visiting and staying at different hotel and resort properties, we’ll share what the experience is like. We talk about hotels in terms of why a property is a good option and how to ensure you have a great stay.

If you are looking for a hotel recommendation that we haven’t written about yet, please let us know so that we can make a point of staying there in the future. We take writing about hotels and resorts seriously as it’s the biggest expense a visitor will face. We hope you find our information helpful in your own travel planning.

When it comes to planning travel itineraries for each island, Hawaii offers such a variety that any give trip can be completely different from the last. We’ve got itineraries from 2 days to 2 weeks to help you have the perfect plan for your Hawaii trip.

Tours and Luau Experiences

I love traveling and seeing things on my own, but there is a time and a place for tours and ticketed experiences. Whether you want to get out on the water to experience the amazing whales of Maui Nui or you’re going with a guide up a volcano, there are all kinds of tours to show off the best experiences in Hawaii.

And you cannot forget the beautiful experience of a Hawaiian luau. While not a traditional Hawaiian activity, the luaus of Hawaii have been created and produced by locals actively working to keep the beautiful dances, songs and storytelling of the Islands alive. The luau experience is a wonderful way to gain some fresh appreciation of Polynesian cultures, and you won’t regret adding one to your Hawaii trip.