Hawaii is a tropical paradise and a favorite destination for families, retirees, and honeymooners alike who want to experience the Spirit of Aloha! The Hawaiian Islands has it all. From its beautiful sandy beaches, waterfall hikes, and delicious local cuisine, it is a great destination from the mainland US. However, it can be overwhelming for a first-time traveler to plan their Hawaiian dream vacation. Some basic tips can be helpful when trying to plan your holiday.
The first step is to determine if you want to travel to one island or go island hopping. Both are incredible experiences. However, plan on a minimum of 10 to 14 days for an island-hopping vacation. Hawaii is made up of the following islands:
- The Big Island of Hawaii
- Maui
- Oahu
- Kauai
- Molokai
- Lanai
- Niihau
- Kahoolawe
The first four islands are the most popular and most frequented by travelers. Each Hawaiian Island has an individual and unique history, culture, landscape, and a variety of excursions and attractions which will help in determining which island will be best for your dream trip.
Oahu, nicknamed ‘The Gathering Place’ is one of the most popular islands to visit because of the many major tourist sites, including Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Kualoa Ranch, Hanauma Bay and Iolani Palace. Oahu is best known for its beaches, shopping, surfing, food 
and culture. It is the most modern of the Hawaiian Islands, especially the Waikiki area. It is also noted for its local cuisine, top chefs, and high-end restaurants, such as Roy’s Waikiki and Doraku Sushi. For more casual dining, the food truck scene on the North Shore of Oahu can’t be missed! One of the best food trucks is Giovanni Shrimp Truck. I highly recommend watching the incredible surfing on the North Shore and stopping by. It’s one of the best cheap eats on the island and you will feel like a local. Don’t be surprised if you see Hawaiian Macaroni salad on many local menus. It’s an island favorite!
I highly recommend visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore. The center explores the six island nations of Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa, Fiji, and Hawaii. You can also experience an island luau and an amazing show there. Island accommodations are divided between regions. Waikiki Beach is the hub of Oahu, Ala Moana is on the western end of Waikiki Beach, and then there are options near Diamond Head, on the North Shore, and in Ko Olina, on Oahu’s West Side. Your interests and budget will determine the best location for your trip, and your Wishes & Dreams Travel Consultant can help you find the perfect resort!
Maui, nicknamed The Valley Isle, is known for its beaches, hiking, sightseeing, luaus, and activities. With over 80 beaches on the island, it’s a beach lovers haven. The most popular areas to stay at include: Wailea Beach, Kaanapali Beach, and Kapalua Beach. Each beach area has luxurious resorts with plentiful amenities and restaurants. For the outdoor enthusiasts, there are many fun excursions to enjoy, from snorkeling in Molokini Crater, driving the Road to Hana, hiking the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park noted for its beautiful cascading waterfalls, bamboo forests, and scenic vistas, to whale watching. If you want the best whale watching, visit Maui between December andApril. Don’t miss the beauty of the beachside luaus on the island as well. It’s fun to feel the island spirit, discover it’s history, and even learn some Hawaiian words. One good beach goer tip for Maui and all the Hawaiian Islands is that all travelers and locals must use Reef-Safe Sunscreen. It’s best to go shopping for your sunscreen when you arrive in Hawaii.
Hawaii, ‘The Big Island’ or ‘Orchid Isle,’ is best for the outdoor activities, culture, and wildlife. It’s famous for the black sand beach of Punaluu. The Big Island has the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which is home to Kilauea, the most active volcano on earth. There are many great hiking trails in the park. If you love adventure activities, then the Big Island is a great place for 
you. There is zip-lining on the Kohala Coast, helicopter tours, horseback riding at Kahua Ranch, and driving to the famous Captain Cook’s monument in Kealakekua Bay, the site where he was killed by the island’s natives. For accommodations, the Big Island is split between the East Side and the West Side. The west side of the island is Kailua-Kona side. Many travelers opt to stay on the Kona Coast known as the Gold Coast. Some of the best resorts and beaches are located in Waikoloa and Kohala on the Gold Coast. Staying on the east side of Hawaii is the town of Hilo and Volcano Town.
Kauai, nicknamed ‘the Garden Isle,’ is best for beaches, hiking, snorkeling, and sightseeing. Kauai is home to gorgeous beaches and amazing snorkeling opportunities. Hanalei Beach, Poipu Beach, Makua (Tunnels) Beach are some of the best beaches on Kauai. The dramatic landscapes of Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast are fun to explore. Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, has tons of amazing hiking trails and waterfalls, such as Waipoo Falls. The Island is divided into four geographic areas. The South Shore, (Poipu Area), North Shore, (Hanalei and Princeville Area), East Coast, (Kapaa, Wailua, Lihue), and the West Side, (Waimea Canyon Area). There are many beautiful accommodations on Kauai.
With so many choices of islands, activities, resorts, and travel options, choosing a Wishes & Dreams Travel Consultant who has experienced the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii is a must to help plan your dream vacation. And Mahalo (Thank you)!
Michelle Gilbert
Wishes & Dreams Travel Consultant & Hawaii Expert
