It’s no secret that Hawaii is one of the prettiest places on earth. It may be part of the USA, but it feels like a totally different world. The tropical plants and animals give the place a vibrant feel, and the culture and history of the state are rich and interesting.
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, you may be wondering what to see and do while you’re there. You’ll likely have a wonderful time in Hawaii no matter what you do, but there are some experiences and destinations that deserve a spot on your Hawaii bucket list.
Read on to learn about our top Hawaii bucket list ideas for the Rainbow State.
Table of contents
- Bucket List Vacations: Hawaii’s National Parks
- Haleakalā National Park
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
- Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
- Sample a Cup of Kona Coffee
- Spend a Day at Waikiki Beach
- Hike Diamond Head
- Explore a Volcanic Crater
- Walk Through a Lava Tube
- Taste Fresh Pineapple
- Try Kālua Pork
- Spend an Evening on Mauna Kea
- Attend a Luau
- Go Snorkeling
- Take a Whale or Dolphin Tour
- Swim with Manta Rays
- Explore Waimea Valley
- Walk to the Islet of Mokoliʻi
- Check Out Rainbow Falls
- Stroll Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
- Drive the Hana Highway
Bucket List Vacations: Hawaii’s National Parks
In our opinion, some of the best things to see in any state are those run by the National Park Service. From monuments and historical sites to full-fledged national parks, these sites are always well-kept, well-presented, educational, engaging, and beautiful.
Below are our favorite NPS sites in the state of Hawaii.
Haleakalā National Park
Head to Haleakalā National Park to see endangered species that don’t live anywhere else on earth. Admire the volcanic landscapes and explore the sub-tropical rainforests, all while surrounding yourself with Hawaiian culture.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park has two of the world’s most active volcanoes and is the perfect place to go to learn about Hawaii’s incredible natural features. Be sure to check out the lava show put on by Kīlauea late at night.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Kalaupapa National Historical Park tells the story of the inhabitants of Kalaupapa Peninsula on the island of Molokai. This was once a place to banish those with leprosy and has also been used as a prison. Now, the peninsula is home to the few people who are cured but live in isolation.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park shares how native Hawaiians survived in this hot and arid environment. Discover their ancient ways of fishing—including how they built fishponds—and learn about other traditions that carry on into modern times.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in US history. Pearl Harbor National Memorial shares about this historic event in the very place where it happened while also remembering those who lost their lives that fateful day.
Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is rich with Hawaii history. Here you can walk in the footsteps of a king, learn about a stranded sailor who made himself chief of an island, and watch as sharks swim over the top of a submerged temple.
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park tells the story of those who broke the sacred laws known as the kapu. The punishment for breaking these laws was death, and those who reached Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau were protected from this fate.
Sample a Cup of Kona Coffee
Most of us love coffee, but Kona coffee beans take the experience to another level. True coffee fanatics might want to consider a tour of the farms that create these beans, or you can attend the yearly Kona Coffee Festival.
Spend a Day at Waikiki Beach
Obviously, no trip to Hawaii is complete without a few beach days. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the state (and perhaps the world) and well worth a visit.
But we also highly recommend the quieter beaches of the north coast of Oahu, as well as Keaukaha Beach Park, where you are surrounded by small “islands”, creating a unique landscape.
Hike Diamond Head
One of the most popular hikes in Oahu is the Diamond Head Trail. The path takes you up a mountain and ends with stunning views of the city and the seascape. It’s a hike that is well worthwhile.
Explore a Volcanic Crater
Speaking of hikes, we also highly recommend a trek through Kīlauea Iki Crater. Walk down into the crater to see the steam rising dramatically from the earth and feel the heat that goes along with it.
Walk Through a Lava Tube
You can also walk through an actual lava tube in Hawaii. The Thurston Lava Tube is located just a few miles from Kīlauea Iki Crater. It’s bizarre to think that lava used to rush through the very tube you’re walking through now.
Taste Fresh Pineapple
Pineapple grows all over Hawaii and is available in almost every store, shop, and restaurant. Grab some local pineapple … it tastes better here than at home!
Try Kālua Pork
Kālua pork is a popular Hawaiian dish. It’s cooked in a special underground oven called an imu. It’s juicy, flavorful, and the perfect dinner entrée to eat alongside some fresh pineapple.
Spend an Evening on Mauna Kea
While climbing Mauna Kea Mountain is quite challenging, the view at the end is a great reward. If you time things just right, you’ll finish your climb with a spectacular sunset. Be sure to stick around after that for some of the best stargazing you’ll ever experience.
Attend a Luau
A luau is a must while in Hawaii. This is a traditional Hawaiian party that includes delicious foods, traditional games and music, and of course, hula dancing. Finding a luau to join isn’t hard, but you can also ask tourism offices or a hotel front desk for recommendations.
Go Snorkeling
Hawaii has some of the best snorkeling in the world. And one of the best things to look for during an underwater adventure? Sea turtles! Numerous sea turtles live off the coast, and they are some of the coolest ocean creatures to observe.
Take a Whale or Dolphin Tour
If you want to watch for sea creatures without getting in the water, try a whale or dolphin tour. The humpback whale season in Hawaii is from winter through mid-spring, while you can spot dolphins at any time of year.
Swim with Manta Rays
Manta rays are another interesting sea creature to watch during a visit to Hawaii. Manta ray snorkeling trips are easy enough to find, and are worth the investment, as they allow you to see these creatures right up close.
Explore Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley is a beautiful little gem. Many will recognize the falls here as the iconic falls from the Lost TV show, but everyone will appreciate the beauty of the place. Trees, flowers, and shrubs of all sorts fill the place with natural color and lovely smells, and you can even swim in the waterfall.
Walk to the Islet of Mokoliʻi
While there are only eight main Hawaiian islands, there are a number of smaller islets. One of these is Mokoli’i, a cute little islet about ⅓ of a mile from Kualoa Point on Oahu. At low tide, it’s possible to walk to Mokoli’i and do a bit of exploring. Just be sure to walk back before the tide rises.
Check Out Rainbow Falls
Hawaii is called the Rainbow State for a reason. The islands are full of rainbows. For starters, you can spot them in the sky after a rainstorm. You can also spot them on the Big Island at Rainbow Falls. Here, the light hits the water just right, creating gorgeous rainbows.
Stroll Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
If you’ll be in downtown Hilo, Liliuokalani Park and Gardens is an excellent place to visit. The lovely plants and well-manicured lawns create a very zen space that is perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Drive the Hana Highway
Finally, there is the Hana Highway. This road stretches for over 60 miles past incredible scenery such as amazing waterfalls, awesome ocean vistas, and gorgeous rainforests. It’s a wonderful way to see a lot of the island, and is a popular road trip for Maui visitors.
There’s no denying the fact that Hawaii has a lot of amazing things to put on your Hawaii bucket list. The best way to see as many as possible? A campervan! Traveling in an RV allows you to move from one spot to another easily so you can see more things. Why not book your Hawaii RV rental today?
