414 Best Sights in Hawaii, USA

The mighty Wailua River produces many dramatic waterfalls, and Opaekaa (pronounced "oh-pie-kah-ah") is one of the best, plunging hundreds of feet to the pool below. It can be easily viewed from a scenic overlook with ample parking. Opaekaa means "rolling shrimp," which refers to the tasty native crustaceans that were once so abundant they could be seen tumbling in the falls. Do not attempt to hike down to the pool. Just before reaching the parking area for the waterfall, turn left into a scenic pullout for great views of the Wailua River and its march through the valley to the sea.

The expanded Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, opened in 2021, has as its centerpiece the USS Bowfin, which launched one year to the day after the Pearl Harbor attack and which claimed to have sunk 44 enemy ships during World War II. Like the Arizona Memorial, the so-called Pearl Harbor Avenger commemorates the lost, but the mood here is lighter. Perhaps it's the childlike scale of the boat, a metal tube just 16 feet in diameter and packed with ladders, hatches, and other obstacles, like the naval version of a jungle gym.

Compartments aboard the vessel are fitted out as though "Sparky" is away from the radio room just for a moment and "Cooky" might be back to his pots and pans any minute. Among the intriguing artifacts is an oversize, vintage dive suit known as JAKE that is now in the gift shop window. A guided audio tour is included with admission to this privately operated museum. A snack bar is also on-site.

For safety reasons, children under four are not allowed aboard the submarine, though they can visit the museum. You can also purchase shuttle tickets to access the USS Oklahoma Memorial at the Bowfin's ticket counter, though you'll probably want to include that stop with a visit to the USS Missouri or the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, both of which are on Ford Island along with the sunken Oklahoma submarine.

A small but informative museum in a vintage First Hawaiian Bank building designed by noted Hawaii-raised architect C. W. Dickey provides tsunami education and scientific information. It may seem odd that downtown Hilo businesses tend to be far from the scenic bayfront, but the 1946 tsunami alone killed 158 people in Hilo. Visitors can peruse the history of these devastating disasters, with accounts taken from tsunami survivors from Hawaii and worldwide. Exhibits include a wave machine and interactive tsunami warning center simulation as well as films and pictographs detailing tsunamis in Japan, Alaska, and Indonesia. A safety-wall exhibit demonstrates how to be prepared and what steps to take during an evacuation.

About 16 miles east of Naalehu, beyond Punaluu Beach Park, Highway 11 passes directly by this sleepy little town, once a thriving sugar-plantation town and still inhabited by retired cane workers and their descendants. You'll miss it if you blink. There is a Longs Pharmacy, a gas station, a small supermarket, a hospital, a bank, and a post office, but not much else in terms of sightseeing.

Founded to serve the sugar plantation community, this little town is reminiscent of the Wild West, with its wooden boardwalks and vintage buildings. Secondhand stores, tie-dye/hemp clothing boutiques, smoke shops, and art and antiques galleries add to the "trippy" experience. In 2014, lava flows from Kilauea almost intruded into the town, destroying a couple of farmers' sheds as residents braced for the worst when plumes billowed in the near distance and flows glowed after dark. Then it all stopped within 500 yards of Pahoa Village Road, again ensuring the town's status as a survivor—until 2018, when Pahoa became command central for disaster assistance, Hawaii County Civil Defense, and reporters covering the nearby destructive eruption of Kilauea. Today Pahoa's funky main street—with buildings dating from 1910—boasts a handful of excellent, local-style eateries. To get here, turn southeast onto Highway 130 at Keaau, drive 11 miles and follow signs to the Village. (Traffic on Highway 130 can back up during rush hour.)

This is actually two very small pocket beaches separated by a slender rocky point. The narrow beach area can all but disappear in wintertime. However, in summer, the steep rocky trail (don't trust the rusty handrails and rotting ropes) that provides access reduces the number of beachgoers, at times creating a deserted beach feel. Winter's high surf creates dangerous conditions. The parking lot is small. Don't attempt the trail after a heavy rain—it turns into a mudslide. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: sunset; surfing.

Those tired of the same old white- or black-sand beaches can lace up good hiking shoes or sneakers to get to this olive-green crescent, one of the most unusual beaches on the island. It lies at the base of Puu O Mahana, at Mahana Bay, where a cinder cone formed during an early eruption of Mauna Loa. The greenish tint is caused by an accumulation of olivine crystals that form in volcanic eruptions. The dry, barren landscape is totally surreal but stunning, as aquamarine waters lap on green sand against reddish cliffs. Drive down to South Point; at the end of the 12-mile paved road, take the road to the left and park at the end. To reach the beach, follow the 2¼-mile coastal trail, which ends in a steep and dangerous descent down the cliffside on an unimproved trail. The hike takes about two hours each way and can get hot and windy, so bring lots of drinking water. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are no longer permitted on the trail. The surf is often rough and swimming can be hazardous due to strong currents, so caution is advised. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking.

This popular (and often-crowded) park is also known as Thousand Peaks because there's barely a break between each wave. Beginner to intermediate surfers say it's a good spot to longboard or bodyboard. It's easy entry into the water, and you don't have to paddle out far. The beach itself leaves something to be desired, but there is some shade, mostly from thorny kiawe trees; footwear is a good idea. There's roadside parking, and portable toilets are available. Camping is allowed by county permit. Amenities: toilets. Best for: surfing.

You may have to do a little exploring to find Papaoneone Beach, which is tucked behind three condos. Park on the street, and then duck through an easy-to-spot hole in the fence to reach this extremely wide, sloping beach that always seems to be empty. The waters are that eerie blue found only on the west side. Waves can get high here (it faces the same direction as the famed Makaha Beach), but, for the most part, the shore break makes for great, easy rides on your bodyboard or belly. The only downside is that all facilities, with the exception of a shower, are for the adjacent condos, so it's just you and the big blue. Amenities: showers. Best for: solitude; swimming.

Just beyond the entrance to the Summit District, you’ll find the Park Headquarters Visitor Center. This center offers essential resources such as trail maps and informative displays on the park’s geology, Hawaiian culture, and the unique endangered species protected within Haleakala. Hikers and campers must stop here for updates before heading up the mountain. The gift shop is also a great stop, offering maps, posters, and other keepsakes to remember your visit.

The ruins of this stone fort, built in 1816 by an agent of the imperial Russian government named Georg Anton Schäffer, are a reminder of the days when he tried to conquer Kauai for his homeland, or so one story goes. Another claims that Schäffer's allegiance lay with King Kaumualii, who was attempting to keep leadership of his island from the grasp of Kamehameha the Great. The crumbling walls of this National Historic Landmark are not particularly interesting, but the signs loaded with historical information are. A bronze statue of King Kaumualii was installed in 2021, marking 200 years since the king was kidnapped to Oahu aboard the ship Haaheo o Hawaii in July 1821, during a reception aboard. Follow the statue's gaze for a splendid view of Niihau.

This tribute to aviation in the Pacific battlefield of World War II is on Ford Island in Hangars 37 and 79, actual seaplane hangars that survived the Pearl Harbor attack. The museum consists of a theater where a short film on Pearl Harbor is shown, an education center, a restoration shop, a gift store, and a restaurant. Exhibits—many of which are interactive and feature sound effects—include an authentic Japanese Zero and various other vintage aircraft that help narrate such great battles as the Doolittle Raid on Japan, Midway, and Guadalcanal. The actual Stearman N2S-3 that President George H. W. Bush flew is housed in Hangar 79.

Ride in Fighter Ace 360 Flight Simulators, take a docent-led tour, and visit the Ford Island Control Tower for additional fees. Purchase tickets online, at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, or at the museum itself after you get off the shuttle bus that departs for the museum and the USS Missouri from the visitor center.

This temple, the largest heiau (stone temple) in Polynesia, was built for a great 16th-century Maui king named Piilani and his heirs. Hawaiian families continue to maintain and protect this sacred site as they have for centuries, and they have not been eager to turn it into a tourist attraction. However, there is a brochure that helps you to tour the property yourself. The heiau is within the 122-acre Kahanu Garden, a research center focusing on the ethnobotany of the Pacific.

Located next to Isaac Hale Beach is Madame Pele's newest creation, Pohoiki Black Sand Beach, formed when molten lava from the eruption of 2018 became pulverized as it flowed into the ocean. This added newly created—albeit rough—sand that washed up on the shore and cut off access to the boat ramp. The beach is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. There is a portable restroom but no running water in the area. This is not a good swimming beach since the water can be rough and dangerous. To get there, take Highway 137 from Kalapana and turn left on Highway 137. Amenities: toilets. Best for: walking.

This gorgeous swimming and snorkeling beach is protected by a long breakwater left over from a now-defunct boat harbor. The entire length is sand, and a reef creates smallish waves perfect for novice surfers. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Draws of this often-deserted beach include long, wide stretches of white sand, where sea turtles lay their eggs; unobstructed views of Molokai; and, at the northern end, a rocky lava cliff with some interesting tide pools. Strong currents and a sudden drop in the ocean floor make it very dangerous to swim here; at times, strong trade winds make it uncomfortable to sunbathe or walk here; and a dirt access road with pockets of deep sand makes it hard to get here in dry weather and impossible to do so when it rains. If you do manage to reach it in your 4WD vehicle, do not endanger the sea turtles by driving on the beach. Note, too, that thirsty wild bees sometimes gather around cars. To get rid of them, put out water some distance away and wait. The beach is 11 miles north of Lanai City; turn right onto the marked dirt road past Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods). Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

Small and secluded, this crescent fronts the Fairmont Kea Lani. Swimming and snorkeling are great here, and it's a good place for whale-watching. As at Wailea Beach, private umbrellas and chaise lounges occupy the choicest real estate, but there's plenty of room for you and your towel. There's a nice grass picnic area, although it's a considerable distance from the beach. An area pathway is a great spot to jog or to take in awesome views of nearby Molokini and Kahoolawe. Rare native plants grow along the ocean, or makai, side of the path—the honey-sweet-smelling one is naio, or false sandalwood. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

At the tip of North Kohala, this is one of the Big Island's most scenic beaches. Rain and erosion over millennia have created a stunning, deep-cut windward valley with a windswept gray-sand beach that is piled with large, round boulders and driftwood and backed by ironwood trees and sheer green cliffs. The trail is steep and rocky; it can also be muddy and slippery, so use caution. A Pololu Trail Steward program stations local “stewards” at the trailhead to share historical and cultural perspectives of the valley. Please visit with respect for the land and for all area residents. This is not a safe swimming beach even though locals swim, body board, and surf here. Rip currents and usually rough surf pose a real hazard. Because this is an isolated area far from emergency help, extreme caution is advised. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude.

Re-created individual villages showcase the lifestyles and traditions of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, the Marquesas Islands, New Zealand, and Tonga. In addition, the 42-acre center, which is 35 miles from Waikiki and which was founded in 1963 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has restaurants, hosts luau, and demonstrates cultural traditions, such as hula, fire dancing, and ancient ceremonies. The Hukilau Marketplace carries Polynesian handicrafts.

There are multiple packages available, including luau and Ha: Breath of Life show options. Every May, the center hosts the World Fireknife Championships, an event that draws the top fireknife dance performers from around the world. Get tickets for that event in advance. If you're staying in Honolulu, see the center as part of a van tour so you won't have to drive home late at night after the two-hour evening show.

At this small, rural post office you can mail a coconut anywhere in the world. You'll need to bring your own, and it needs to be dried, with no holes from bugs and no sprouts. You can then decorate (colored markers are provided) and address your coconut, and post office staff will affix eye-catching stamps to it from their extensive collection. Costs vary according to destination and weight; the only countries that won't receive the charming postcards are Australia and New Zealand.

A field next to Prince Kuhio Condominiums honors the birthplace of Kauai's beloved Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Known for his kind nature and tireless work on behalf of the Hawaiian people, he lost his chance at the throne when Americans staged an illegal coup against Queen Liliuokalani in 1893 and toppled Hawaii's constitutional monarchy. He served as a delegate to the U.S. Congress for 19 years after Hawaii became a territory in 1900. An annual commemoration is held around his March birthday, a state holiday. This is a great place to watch wave riders surfing a popular break known as PKs, or to see the sun sink into the Pacific.

Set on a private estate on the mauka (mountain side) of Kam Highway across from Princeville, these well-tended gardens include a diverse collection of native and “canoe” plants (brought by Polynesians), plus medicinal, rare, and endangered flowers. Visitors can join three-hour guided tours of the entire property, usually offered four mornings a week at 9:30 am. Tours include samples of seasonal fruit and honey from on-site beehives and a half-hour chocolate tasting. Reservations are required (no self-guided tours); book early, as tours fill well in advance.

For exceptional accommodations and service, this company has it all. It books huge, luxurious condominium villas and private beach houses, and provides customized services with attention to the smallest details. Rates start at $750 per night for a villa up to $16,500 per night for a home.

For a leg-stretching break (and restrooms) stop at this small roadside park just past mile marker 22. Here you can enjoy the short hike to a small waterfall and pool across the highway from the bathrooms. The park is one of the few places on the highway with a decent amount of parking. It also has picnic tables and friendly cats to welcome you.

If you're making a circle of the island, this is a great place to stop, stretch your legs, and get your toes wet. It's nice (there is a sandy bottom and mostly calm conditions) and easy (the sand literally comes up to your parked car). Plus there are full facilities, shops for picnic supplies, and lots of shade trees. Often overlooked, and often overcast, Punaluu can afford you a moment of fresh air before you get back to your sightseeing. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming.

Molokai's only working macadamia nut farm is open for educational tours hosted by the knowledgeable and entertaining owners. The family-owned farm takes up 1½ acres with a flourishing grove of 50 original trees that are more than 90 years old, as well as several hundred younger trees. The nuts taste delicious right out of the shell, home roasted, or dipped in macadamia-blossom honey. Look for Purdy's sign behind Molokai High School.

A 14,000-acre private ranch in the highlands of East Molokai, Puu O Hoku was developed in the 1930s by wealthy industrialist Paul Fagan. Route 450 ambles right through this rural treasure with its pastures and grazing horses and cattle. As you drive slowly along, enjoy the splendid views of Maui and Lanai. The small island off the coast is Mokuhooniki, a favorite spot among visiting humpback whales and nesting seabirds. The ranch is also a retreat center and organic farm; the 12-bedroom lodge can be rented out by groups or large families.

Worth a stop for its spectacular views from a bluff high above the ocean overlooking Waimea Bay, this sacred spot spans 2 acres and is the largest heiau (place of worship) on Oahu. At one time it was used as a heiau luakini, or a temple for human sacrifices. Puu o Mahuka may have been built in the 17th century, and its use for religious purposes ended in 1819. The remnants of its stone walls are impressive, and the site is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Turn up the road at the Pupukea Foodland and follow it to the site.

Often called Sweetheart Rock, this isolated 80-foot-high islet is steeped in romantic Hawaiian lore. The rock is said to be named after Pehe, a woman so beautiful that her husband kept her hidden in a sea cave. One day, the surf surged into the cave, and she drowned. Her grief-stricken husband buried her on this rock and jumped to his death. It is also believed that the enclosure on the summit is a shrine to birds, built by bird-catchers. Protected shearwaters nest in the nearby sea cliffs July–November.

The coastline along the community of Princeville is primarily made up of sea cliffs with a couple of pocket beaches. The sea cliffs end with a long narrow stretch of beach just east of the Hanalei River. Public access is via 100-plus steps around the back of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay; hotel guests can take the elevator to sea level. The beach itself is subject to the hazards of winter's surf, narrowing and widening with the surf height. On calm days, snorkeling is good thanks to a shallow reef system pocked with sand. Sometimes a shallow sandbar extends across the river to Black Pot Beach Park, part of the Hanalei Beach system, making it easy to cross the river. On high-surf days, the outer edge of the reef near the river draws internationally ranked surfers. The 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay pool is off-limits to nonguests, but the hotel's restaurants and bars are not. Note that parking is limited. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing.