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Sometimes the most meaningful holidays lie in the experiences that connect us deeply to the locals and culture. From natural tide pools and remote hikes to the best malasadas that locals can find, here are 18 ways to experience Hawaiʻi.
Outdoor experiences
1. Whale watching with Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui
During whale watching season (November to April), the not-for-profit Pacific Whale Foundation operates a catamaran cruise with certified marine naturalists from Maʻalaea Harbor or Lahaina Harbor. This is a chance to see majestic humpback whales in their natural habitat in one of the best whale-spotting locations in the world. Profits support the foundation’s programs, that protect the ocean and marine life through science and advocacy and inspire environmental stewardship.
2. Kaʻena Point State Park, Oʻahu
Kaʻena Point State Park offers magical ocean views, rugged cliff faces and abundant wildlife, attracting hikers, fishers and picnickers alike. On the westernmost tip of Oʻahu, it’s believed to possess mana — a spiritual energy and supernatural power. See Hawaiian monk seals laze year-round, Laysan albatrosses fledge their chicks from November to July and humpback whales breaching offshore in winter. While vehicles require a permit, pedestrian access is free; be sure to leave no trace behind and take extra care due to the presence of protected native coastal species.
3. Lava Tree State Monument, Hawaiʻi Island
On the southeast of Pāhoa on Hawai‘i Island (also known as Big Island), discover a unique park featuring lava moulds of tree trunks created from the 1790 Kīlauea volcanic eruption. Enjoy an easy and scenic walk along the short loop trail, which tells the story of the resilience of the land.
4. Yoga Under the Palms, Oʻahu
This yoga community in Kakaʻako offers a variety of classes from beginner to expert; sweat-inducing to relaxing. Embracing the belief that yoga is best practised outdoors and surrounded by nature, take the opportunity to up the relaxation on your holiday with a class alongside locals that will leave you feeling recharged.
5. Botanical Gardens, Kauaʻi
Known as ‘The Garden Isle’, Kauaʻi is where you will find three National Tropical Botanical Gardens.
On the south shore lies Allerton Garden, with a history stretching back to precolonial-era Hawaiʻi. Queen Emma of Hawaiʻi (1856 to 1863) once resided in a cottage in the valley here. Admire exotic plants, tropical fruit trees, statues and Moreton Bay fig trees on a guided tour of its striking beauty, featured in the films Pirates of the Caribbean and Jurassic Park.
Local traditions & culture
6. HoMa Honolulu Museum of Art
The Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMa) has approximately 55,000 works, from ancient art to collections from Africa, Asia, Europe and of course, the Hawaiian islands, spanning more than 5,000 years. If you’re looking to take solace in tradition or simply get out of the sun, take part in an art tour or film screening, or see an exhibition like the recent Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within.
7. Kilohana Plantation, Kauaʻi
Originally a 19th-century cattle ranch and later part of the sugar boom, Kilohana was the centre of Kauaʻi’s social scene, hosting extravagant parties and ceremonies.
Today it’s home to an agricultural park, the Plantation Railway, The Plantation House by Gaylords restaurant, Mahikō Lounge, Lūʻau Kalamakū dinner-and-a-show experience and the Kōloa Rum Company. Visit the estate and enjoy a Kauaʻi Rum Safari or a Signature Train Tour that passes through fields of banana, papaya, pineapple, taro and native and exotic hardwoods.
8. Lei-making class, Oʻahu
Draped over the shoulders as wearable garlands or necklaces, and crafted from flowers, leaves, shells or seeds, leis symbolise the spirit of aloha (welcome and respect) and honour those who wear them.
A class with Dillyn Lietzke focuses on haku (braiding) and wili (winding) techniques to create lei poʻo (head leis). Book a workshop in a small class, for personalised guidance in a meaningful space.
Eco Mindful Lei offers beach workshops under a tree at Waikīkī beach, where you’ll create a sustainable flower crown lei. Feel connected to your surroundings in a mindful session.
9. Volcano Art Center, Hawaiʻi Island
Volcano Art Center is a fine art gallery showcasing work from more than 230 local artists. Celebrating the heritage of Hawaiʻi’s people through craftsmanship, performance and education, its must-see exhibits leave you with knowledge about the sacred land.
10. Hawaiian Outrigger Sailing Canoe Tours, Maui
Be at one with the ocean as you explore the Wailea coast in a Hawaiian outrigger canoe (or wa ʻa). Starting on Polo Beach, spend two hours learning about canoe traditions, construction and ancient methods of navigation, before launching the Ke Anuenue vessel straight from the sand, just as it would have been done. Admire the island of Maui while you paddle, snorkel with sea turtles and whale watch (when in season).
11. Meet local makers
Arts and crafts are integral to Hawaiian storytelling and community, with today’s makers marrying heritage techniques with contemporary design and sustainable practices. Head to Waialua Surf Shop in the Historic Waialua Sugar Mill on Oʻahu, ‘one of the last old school surf shops’, to see traditional surfboard shaping demonstrations, the farmers’ markets of Maui where crafts are sold alongside fresh produce, the ceramic studios of Kakaʻako and community-led boutiques like Kaua‘i’s House of Makers, which sells the work of local artisans.
12. Nurture the environment
Even if you’re just passing through Hawaiʻi, you can leave a positive footprint on the land by engaging in beach cleanups with the likes of Oʻahu’s 808 Cleanups and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi, and coral restoration with The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi or Mālama Maunalua in Oʻahu. Head to a local farm; at Hoʻokuaʻāina (Kāneʻohe) in Oʻahu you can help to restore talo patches, likewise at Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili in Maui. Volunteer schedules vary; advance booking is recommended.
Local food & drink
13. Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery, Oʻahu
Focusing on Hawaiʻi’s favourite nostalgic treats and flavours, Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery has garnered serious success making pastries that take locals back to their childhood. Everything’s made from scratch and freshly baked, with rotating flavours each week. The malasadas are a hit – a Portuguese, doughnut-style fried pastry, fluffy and deep-fried to perfection. While you’re there, savour cake bombs, house-made ice cream and loaded cookies.
14. Kō Hana Distillers, Oʻahu
Kō Hana Distillers is home of Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum. Using a farm-to-bottle process, the distillery hand-harvests, presses and distils pure heirloom sugar cane into small-batch rum. Try a rum flight, which includes white, aged, cacao and honey varietals, or a cocktail flight with, of course, a Blue Hawaiian. Walk-ins are welcome daily from 10.45am to 4.45pm.
15. Sam Sato’s Inc., Maui
Starting as a general store in the sugar cane fields in 1933, Sam Sato’s Inc. has become a long-standing Wailuku institution known for dry noodles and Japanese-inspired manju pastries. Now a full-fledged restaurant and open daily, it serves breakfast favourites like omelettes and hot sandwiches, and noodle staples like saimin soup and stir-fried chow fun.
16. The Fish and The Hog, Waimea
True to its name, The Fish and The Hog is a homely barbecue restaurant serving smoked meats and seafood with island-inspired flavours. The extensive menu has everything from 100% organically farmed Kona coffee to catch-of-the-day sandwiches, tacos, shrimp gumbo stew and cheeseburgers. The cocktails are quirky, like the BBQ Bloody Mary with vodka, tomato juice, squeezed lemon, and house-made BBQ sauce.
17. Island Ono Loa Grill, Kailua-Kona
Island Ono Loa Grill is a no-fuss grill for burgers, sandwiches and comfort plates. American classics with Hawaiian influences are chargrilled over lava rocks, like the ‘volcano’ burger (beef, cream cheese, jalapeno peppers) or the classic fish tacos, served with Hawaiian chilli pepper aioli. For local flavours, try the ‘fresh catch plate’ with fish of the day, rice and a warm, house-made macaroni salad.
18. Japanese Grandma’s Cafe, Kauaʻi
Located in historic Hanapēpē Town, this is a must for authentic Japanese and fusion dishes with Hawaiian flair. Japanese Grandma’s Café is a tribute to heritage and community, where bento and poke bowls are light, fresh and filling, like the half-rice, half-salad soft shell crab bowl. Specialty rolls like grandma’s futomaki (shrimp, eel, egg, cucumber, yamagobo, kanpyo, shiitake) are ideal for lunch-on-the-go. Be sure to have the Keiki Tempura quickly; it should be eaten promptly to maintain its freshness.
