1. Oʻahu
Oʻahu blends cosmopolitan luxury and breathtaking scenery more than any other Hawaiian island. The state's capital city, Honolulu, showcases the island's urban appeal. Nearby you'll find a host of cultural and historic sites, from the ornate Iolani Palace to the austere USS Arizona Memorial at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. In the nearby Waikiki neighborhood, a skyline of high-rises and resorts contrasts with sprawling white sand beaches. For a taste of rural Hawaii, visit the North Shore. Here, you'll find the most brilliant blue waters and meandering hikes. But those three spots aren't Oʻahu's only must-see locales. Its top-notch restaurants, vibrant cultural events and wild nightlife further showcase this island as a "Gathering Place" of Hawaiian culture.
Waikiki
Once a Hawaiian royal retreat, Waikiki revels in its role as a retreat for the masses. This famous strand of sand moves to a rhythm of Hawaiian music at beachfront high-rises and resorts. In this pulsing jungle of modern hotels and malls, you can, surprisingly, still hear whispers of Hawaii’s past, from the chanting of hula troupes at Kuhio Beach to the legacy of Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku. Take a surfing lesson from a bronzed instructor, then spend a lazy afternoon lying on Waikiki's golden sands. Before the sun sinks below the horizon, hop aboard a catamaran and sail off toward Diamond Head. Sip a sunset mai tai and be hypnotized by the lilting harmonies of slack key guitar, then mingle with the colorful locals, many of whom have made this their lifetime playground, who come here to party after dark too.
Honolulu
Here in Honolulu, away from the crowded haunts of Waikiki, you get to shake hands with the real Hawaii. A boisterous Polynesian capital, Honolulu delivers an island-style mixed plate of experiences. Eat your way through the pan-Asian alleys of Chinatown, where 19th-century whalers once brawled and immigrant traders thrived. Gaze out to sea atop the landmark Aloha Tower, then sashay past Victorian-era brick buildings, including the USA's only royal palace. Browse at the world's largest open-air shopping center at Ala Moana, then poke your nose into the city's impressive art museums. Ocean breezes rustle palm trees along the harborfront, while in the cool, mist-shrouded Koʻolau Range, forested hiking trails offer postcard city views. At sunset, cool off with an amble around Magic Island or splash in the ocean at Ala Moana Beach. After dark, migrate to Chinatown's edgy art and nightlife scene.
Kailua
A long, graceful bay protected by a coral reef is Kailua's delight. The nearly 4-mile-long stretch of ivory sand is made for strolling, and the weather and wave conditions can be just about perfect for swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing. None of this has gone unnoticed. Decades ago expatriates from the mainland bought up cottages crowded into the little neighborly lanes; the ones near the beachfront were often replaced with megahouses. South along the shore lies the exclusive enclave of Lanikai, with million-dollar views – and mansions to match. In ancient times Kailua (meaning 'Two Seas') was a home to Hawaiian chiefs, including, briefly, Kamehameha the Great after he conquered Oʻahu. Today it's the Windward Coast’s largest town, where you'll find the vast majority of the coast's restaurants and retail. This is the place for a day trip from Waikiki or a weeklong pleasurable idyll.
2. Maui
Maui is not nearly as large as the Big Island, nor is it as small as Lanaʻi, as bustling as Oʻahu or as quiet as Kauai. For many Hawaii vacationers, Maui is just right – offering a taste of just about everything the Aloha State has to offer, from impressive wildlife to intriguing history and culture. While on a visit here, you can shimmy alongside professional hula dancers, golf along coastal fairways, snorkel alongside five different types of sea turtles or simply lounge along some of Hawaii's most notable beaches.
One of the archipelago's most popular tourism spots, Maui can be found sandwiched between the Big Island and the much tinier Molokai. Maui is divided into five distinct regions: Many travelers base themselves along the coasts of South Maui (home to the famous Wailea Beach) or West Maui, where the sands of Kaanapali Beach and the music from the Old Lahaina Luau are located. But the rest of the island should not be missed. Travel along the Road to Hana to experience East Maui's scenic coastline, explore Haleakalā – the world's largest dormant volcano – in the Upcountry and explore the former tribal battlegrounds of Central Maui's Iao Valley State Park.
Haleakalā National Park
To fully experience Maui – or at least peer into its soul – make your way to the summit of Haleakalā. Like a yawning mouth, the huge crater opens beneath you, in all its raw volcanic glory, caressed by mist and, in the experience of a lifetime, bathed in the early light of sunrise. Lookouts on the crater's rim provide breathtaking views of the moonscape below, and the many cinder cones marching across it. The rest of this amazing park, which is divided into two distinct sections, is all about interacting with this mountain of solid lava, and the rare lifeforms that live upon it, some of them found only here. You can hike down into the crater, follow lush trails on the slopes, or put your mountain bike through its paces. For the ultimate adventure, get a permit, bring a tent and camp beneath the stars. However you do it, the experience will stick with you.
Road to Hana
There's a sense of suspense you just can't shake while driving the Road to Hana, a serpentine road lined with tumbling waterfalls, lush slopes, and rugged coasts – and serious hairpin turns. Spanning the northeast shore of Maui, the legendary Hana Hwy ribbons tightly between jungle valleys and towering cliffs. Along the way, 54 one-lane bridges mark nearly as many waterfalls, some tranquil and inviting, others so sheer they kiss you with spray as you drive past. The drive is ravishingly gorgeous, but certainly not easy. Roadside distractions? Eden-like swimming holes, sleepy seaside villages and hiking trails through cool forests. If you've never tried smoked breadfruit, explored a spring-fed cave or gazed upon an ancient Hawaiian temple, set the alarm early. As for rental cars, Jeeps and Mustangs are the ride of choice. Once you've left Haʻiku behind, houses give way to thick jungle, and the scenery gets more dramatic.
3. Big Island
In Hawaii, the Big Island is like the sometimes awkward older sibling. Forgotten in favor of adorable little brothers and sisters, her attributes are often glossed over. Maui is for fun and families. Oahu attracts surfers, partiers and outdoor adventurers. Kauai is for romance and luxury. And the Big Island is just … big.
Majestic is more accurate. Geographically unique, the Big Island boasts everything from black-sand beaches to snow-covered peaks, from hardened lava deserts to steamy and lush rainforests. And it's still growing. The Big Island's trump card — the active, fire-spitting Kilauea volcano — has been increasing the island's land mass since 1983. It's true that if you arrived here hoping for a stereotypical Hawaiian getaway that's full of Tiki, luaus and a honeymoon-esque atmosphere, you've probably missed the mark. But the hiking trails and state parks that are here hold sights that no other Hawaiian island can boast of. And the beaches are colors you've probably never seen.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
From the often-snowy summit of Mauna Loa, the world's most massive volcano, to the boiling coast where lava pours into the sea, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a micro-continent of thriving rainforests, volcano-induced deserts, high-mountain meadows, coastal plains and plenty of geological marvels in between. At the heart of it all is Kilauea – the earth's youngest and most active shield volcano. Since 1983, Kilauea's East Rift Zone has been erupting almost nonstop from the Puʻu ʻOʻo vent, adding nearly 500 acres of new land to the island. The national park staff excel at managing this chaotic landscape. Their education programs deftly blend modern science with ancient beliefs and customs, and their outreach feels boundless. Ample interpretive signs, unusually informative trail guides, a slew of well-thought-out ranger-led hikes, living history programs and a weekly lecture series all provide visitors with a solid connection to the park and the people of Hawaii.
Waipiʻo Valley
Waipiʻo Valley occupies a special place on an already special island. Reaching the end of Hwy 240, you look out across a spectacular natural amphitheater, as if an enormous scoop was scalloped from the emerald coastline. Waipiʻo ('curving water') is one of seven valleys carved into the windward side of the Kohala Mountains; at the other end is the Polulu Valley in North Kohala. The valley goes back 6 miles, its flat floor an emerald patchwork of jungle, huts and taro patches. Hidden is Hiʻilawe, a distant ribbon of white cascading 1450ft, making it the longest waterfall in the state. The water flows into a river that ends at Waipi‘o's black-sand beach, a rugged beauty surrounded by dramatic running cliffs that disappear around the corner of the island.
4. Kauai
Brilliant sunsets, pristine beaches, aquamarine skies – Kauai has mastered seduction. But the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain doesn't have to resort to over-the-top luxury or tourist traps to entice; instead, it appeals to a no-muss, no-fuss type of traveler. You prefer rural to resplendent? Kauai's your island – there are only two major highways, and some regions can only be explored on foot. Resorts are no taller than a coconut tree. Some would say that you need little more than a good pair of hiking boots, an umbrella and an adventurous spirit to visit. But we should warn you: You might also need a little cash. Kauai has put a premium on its natural beauty and prized hiking trails, and room rates during the winter can reach $500 a night. To get the most and save the most, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons.
Na Pali
Roadless, pristine and hauntingly beautiful, this 16-mile-long stretch of stark cliffs, white-sand beaches, turquoise coves and gushing waterfalls links the island's northern and western shores. It's arguably Kauaʻi's most magnificent natural sight. While fit trekkers tackle the exposed, undulating, slippery trail from Haʻena to Kalalau Valley, it's also possible to experience the coastline by kayak, raft or catamaran. Kalalau, Honopu, Awaʻawapuhi, Nuʻalolo and Miloliʻi are the five major valleys along the coast, each seemingly more stunning than the last.
5. Lanaʻi
When billionaires are fighting over something, you know it's special. That's the case with Hawaii's most exclusive island, Lanaʻi. Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO, has been trying to lay his hands on some Lanaʻi real estate for some time. Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, took control of 98 percent of Lanaʻi in 2012. But don't let this clash of titans stop you from visiting.
Here is where Mother Nature puts on quite a show, providing remote beaches, otherworldly rock formations and colorful underwater reefs. You'll probably need an off-roading vehicle and a taste for adventure to reach them — top sights like Shipwreck Beach and the Munro Trail are literally off the beaten (or paved) paths. Cool down from exploring the terrain at one of the area's posh hotels where you can expect to luxuriate in exceptional cuisine, first-class service and upscale accommodations. Should you crave more activity back on resort ground, you can try your hand at deep sea fishing, horseback riding, lawn bowling and more. With all this, how can you resist the coveted charms of tiny Lanaʻi?
Source: Lonely Planet; US News - Travel
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