414 Best Sights in Hawaii, USA

This narrow, pedestrian-only bridge may not be the biggest adventure on Kauai, but it's enough to make your heart hop. What is interesting is that it's not just for show: it actually provides the only access to taro fields across the Hanapepe River. Considered a historic suspension bridge even though it was rebuilt in 1996 after the early-1900s original was destroyed—like so much of the island—by Hurricane Iniki, the bridge was also repaired following flood damage in 2019. If you're in the neighborhood, it's worth a stroll.

From this roadside lookout, you can take in the farms on the valley floor with the majestic mountains and misty valley as a backdrop. The dramatic canyon-like divide and fertile river valley once housed a thriving Hawaiian community of taro farmers, with some of the ancient fields still in cultivation.

This 1½-mile self-guided walking tour takes you to 14 plaques with historic photos and stories mounted on buildings throughout Hanapepe Town. This little main street had a colorful past––it was a portside "free town," not governed by sugar plantation company rules or decorum, and a deadly labor battle known as the "Hanapepe Massacre" happened here in 1924.

At mile marker 24, just as you approach the bridge, look toward the mountains to catch a glimpse of Hanawi Falls. This lush spring-fed stream travels 9 miles to the ocean, and the waterfalls are real crowd-pleasers, even when rains have been light. The best views are from the bridge.  It is not safe to hike to the falls, and you must cross private property to get there. We strongly advise against this.

The capitol's architecture is richly symbolic: the columns resemble palm trees, the legislative chambers are shaped like volcanic cinder cones, and the central court is open to the sky, representing Hawaii's open society. Replicas of the Hawaii state seal, each weighing 7,500 pounds, hang above both its entrances. The building, which in 1969 replaced Iolani Palace as the seat of government, is surrounded by reflecting pools, just as the Islands are embraced by water. A pair of statues, often draped in lei, flank the building: one of the beloved Queen Liliuokalani and the other of the sainted Father Damien de Veuster, famous for helping Molokai's Hansen's disease (leprosy) patients. You can take a self-guided tour of the capitol using a brochure provided online or in person (Room 415 at the capitol) by the governor's office.

The Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau Room, on the first floor in the library's mauka (Hawaiian for "mountain") courtyard, houses an extensive Hawaii and Pacific book collection and pays tribute to Kamakau, a missionary student whose 19th-century writings in English offer rare and vital insight into traditional Hawaiian culture.This beautifully renovated main library was built in 1913.

Opened in 1922, this theater earned rave reviews for its neoclassical design, with Corinthian columns, marble statues, and plush carpeting and drapery. The so-called Pride of the Pacific was rescued from demolition in the early 1980s, underwent a massive renovation, and is now listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The 1,400-seat venue hosts concerts, theatrical productions, dance performances, and film screenings. Guided tours of the theater end with a miniconcert on the historical orchestral pipe organ and can be booked through the box office. If you're interested in the guided tours on Thursdays at 11 am, call a few days ahead to reserve.

Located off Highway 11 at mile marker 70.5, the Kahuku section of the park takes visitors over many trails through ancient lava flows and native forests. Ecological wonders abound in this beautiful but isolated region that encompasses more than 116,000 acres. Guided hikes with knowledgeable rangers are a regularly scheduled highlight.

You can grab a bite and take in the unique street art here at any time of the year. Formerly known as the POW! WOW! Worldwide art collective, this project was founded in Hawaii in 2010 and has spread to cities globally. Its most visible Oahu endeavor is a multiblock area where colorful, eclectic, and innovative murals are painted on once-derelict-looking warehouses and other buildings. Every year, artists from all over come to refresh existing murals and add new ones. In 2023, the projects moved out of Kakaako for the first time (to Kalihi-Palama in the first year).

Starting in the 1800s, immigrants seeking work on the sugar plantations came to the Islands like so many waves against the shore, and this open-air museum examines the lives and cultures of the arrivals. Just 30 minutes from downtown Honolulu (without traffic), visit more than 25 authentically furnished buildings, original and replicated, that re-create and pay tribute to the plantation era. See a Chinese social hall; a Japanese shrine, sumo ring, and saimin stand; a dental office; and historic homes. You can explore on your own or take a guided tour (included in admission, but reserve ahead; several offered each day).

Determined missionaries arrived in Hawaii in 1820, gaining royal favor and influencing much of Island life, and their descendants became leaders in government, business, and education. Here you can learn about their influence and walk through their original dwellings, including Hawaii's oldest Western-style wooden structure, a white-frame house that was prefabricated in New England and shipped around the Horn. A hale pili (traditional Hawaiian dwelling) sits nearby. Be sure to sign up in advance for one of the hourly guided tours: docents not only paint an excellent picture of what mission life was like, but they also take you to areas of the museum you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. Special Hawaiian, architectural, and history tours are also offered on certain days, and you can take a self-guided tour of the cemetery across the street. Rotating displays showcase such arts as Hawaiian quilting, portraits, and even toys, and a rich archival library is also open to the public.

This stone platform, once an impressive temple dedicated to the god Lono, was built by King Kalaniopuu. When Captain Cook arrived in 1778, ceremonies in his honor were held here. It's still considered a religious site, so visit with respect and do not walk on the platform. There are small pathways nearby, and the heiau is tended to by lineal descendants of people who lived in the area.

With all the buzz about Kona coffee, it's easy to forget that estate-grown coffee is produced throughout the rest of the island; the Hilo Coffee Mill, on 24 acres in lush Mountain View, is a pleasant reminder of that. In addition to farming its own coffee on-site, the mill has partnered with several small coffee farmers in East Hawaii in an effort to put the region on the world's coffee map. You can sample the company's efforts, tour the mill, and watch the roasters in action. They host a farmers' market every Saturday from 9 to 2.

While mostly rocky topography makes swimming and snorkeling a bit difficult here, this little park is still scenic and relaxing. Take the short trail over to the petroglyph trail; interpretive signs will guide you. There are showers, picnic tables, and restrooms; public parking is limited.

There is a lot going on at this USDA-organic-certified coffee farm and processing facility, from growing the beans to milling and drying. The processing plant next door to the farm demonstrates how the beans are roasted and packaged. A flock of 50 geese welcomes visitors and "provides fertilizer" for the plantation at no charge. Holualoa also processes beans for 200 coffee farms in the area. Enjoy a cup of their finest as you peruse the gift shop after the tour.

Not technically a beach, this beautiful small bay is an underwater wonderland. Living in and among a wide stretch of lovely coral gardens, yellow tangs, coronet fish, triggerfish, eels, eagle rays, and even Hawaiian green sea turtles make daily appearances. Access is via a lava rock step. Due to its easy access, this spot has seen much overuse in recent years and can get very crowded. Only a few parking spots are available outside the bay as it's also an active fishing launch area. Please visit with the utmost respect to other users of the bay, including residents, canoe club members, fishermen, and others. Please do not stand on coral, use toxic sunscreen, or chase or herd dolphins ($500 fines for violators). Early is best for all conditions—there will be fewer humans and more fish.

This tiny but scenic white-sand-beach park is best known as the birthplace of boogie boarding. That's because boogie board inventor Tom Moray first tried his foam creation out right here in 1971. The Honl's nickname honors a family that once resided here, but its official name is Waiaha, which means "gathered waters." Lots of rocks limit easy access, but it's worth a stop for the history alone. Amenities: parking (no fee); picnic tables; showers; toilets. Best for: body boarding, swimming, sunbathing.

One of the most consistent places on the east side to catch a wave, Honolii is popular with the local surf crowd. The beach is a mix of black sand, coral, and sea glass, with plenty of rocks. A shady grassy area is great for picnics while you watch the surfers. Note that the presence of surfers is not an indication that an area is safe for swimmers; winter surf is very rough. A pond just to the north is good for swimming, but it's deep and there is a drop-off. There's limited parking on the narrow roadside. Walk down the stairs and veer left over the rocks. Amenities: lifeguards; toilets. Best for: surfing.

This Mediterranean Renaissance–style building was constructed in 1929 and serves as the center of government for the City and County of Honolulu. Stroll through the shady, open-ceiling lobby with exhibits of works by local artists. During the winter holiday season, the Hale (Hawaiian for "house") becomes the focal point for the annual Honolulu City Lights, a display of lighting and playful holiday scenes spread around the campus, including the famous, gigantic Shaka Santa and Tute Mele. The mayor's office keeps a calendar of upcoming events.

The world definitely has bigger and newer zoos, but this 42-acre facility features well-paved, walkable trails amid a lush garden with tropical flowers. To get a glimpse of the endangered nene, the Hawaii state bird, check out the zoo's Kipuka Nene Sanctuary. Other highlights include a Japanese Giant Salamander habitat and an ectotherm complex, which houses a Burmese python, elongated tortoises, and a giant African snail. Though many animals prefer to remain invisible—particularly the big cats—the monkeys and elephants appear to enjoy being seen and are a hoot to watch. It's best to get to the zoo when it opens because the animals are livelier in the cool of the morning. Children adore the petting zoo, where they can make friends with a llama or stand in the middle of a koi pond.

There's an exceptionally good gift shop. On weekends, the Art on the Zoo Fence, on Monsarrat Avenue on the Diamond Head side outside the zoo, has affordable artwork by local contemporary artists. Metered parking is available along the makai (ocean) side of the park and in the lot next to the zoo. Parking is free at the lot across the street (at the Waikiki Shell), but it can fill up early. TheBus makes stops here along the way to and from Ala Moana Center and Sea Life Park (Routes 8 and 22).

The 2½-mile road to this secluded little gem feels like you're venturing off the beaten path, through an area rich in history. Remnants of an old steamship pier testify to its former role as a thriving port town, complete with (now gone) post office, church, and stores. A favorite of writer Robert Louis Stevenson, Hookena suffered virtual abandonment after tsunami, earthquakes, and the decline of steamship travel. Today, though much quieter, it's still an active Hawaiian fishing village, beloved by residents and tended to by a county-community partnership. The beach has a soft mix of dark brown and gray sand and is backed by steep emerald embankments and a dramatic sloping pali (cliff) that make for picturesque tropical vistas. The bay is usually calm, tranquil, and clear with small surf. The park caretakers oversee beach concessions, camping permits, and security. You can rent equipment, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Rice grew in the taro fields of Hanalei Valley for almost 80 years—beginning in the 1880s and ending in the early 1960s—and today this history is embodied in the Haraguchi family, whose ancestors threshed, hulled, polished, separated, graded, and bagged rice in their 3,500-square-foot rice mill. It was demolished once by fire and twice by hurricanes, and damaged by flooding in 2018 and 2021. Rebuilt to the standards of the National Register of Historic Places, the mill—with neighboring taro fields—is typically open for tours on a limited schedule mainly due to endangered-bird nesting areas. At the time of writing, tours were not available, but check the website or Instagram (@HanaleiTaro) for updates. The family still farms taro on the onetime rice paddies and also operates the Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. kiosk in Hanalei Town; see  hanaleitaro.com. All proceeds from the historic rice mill go to nonprofit education programs.

The grande dame of Maui's visual arts scene, "the Hui," hosts exhibits that are always satisfying. Located just outside Makawao, the center's main building is an elegant two-story Mediterranean-style villa designed in 1917 by Hawaii's architect of the era, C. W. Dickey. Explore the grounds, see locally made products, and experience community enrichment through art. Crafts, drawing, photography, and glass blowing are some of the classes offered.

On a walking tour of this 20-acre working coffee farm (by advance reservation only), visitors can witness the workings of a small plantation, pick and pulp their own coffee beans, watch a roasting demonstration, and savor a tasting. Lee and Karen Patterson have perfected their coffee over many years, winning local cupping competitions. The gift shop carries whole beans and logo swag including bags, T-shirts, and mugs. Coffee brewing workshops and one-on-one tours with a master roaster are also offered.

Highlights of this stunning church, which was established in 1832 and rebuilt in 1857, include a gleaming, restored koa interior and unusual wooden calabashes hanging from the ceiling. Be careful not to walk in while a service is in progress, as the front entry is behind the pulpit.

From Chinatown Cultural Plaza, cross a stone bridge to the Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii to visit the shrine established in 1906. It honors Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, a kami (god) who is believed in Shinto tradition to bring good fortune if properly courted (and thanked afterward).

To build the mill, wharf, railways, and other infrastructure associated with the short-lived Maunalei Sugar Company, its owners employed mostly Japanese contract laborers (more than 600 of them at the peak of operation), who also planted and harvested the sugar cane. During the three years (1898–1901) of the mill’s existence, approximately 70 workers died of various causes. In 1932, the Lanai Hongwanji built a memorial to honor them. Look for signs on the coastal road in the Kahalepalaoa area.

The name means "the heat," and, indeed, this windy, barren coast lacks both shade and fresh water (or any man-made amenities). Pack water, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, don sunscreen and a hat, and lock the car. The hike is along a rutted dirt road, mostly flat and nearly 3 miles long (one-way), ending at a rocky, sandy headland. It is here that Hawaiians believed the souls of the dead met with their family gods and, if judged worthy to enter the afterlife, leapt off into eternal darkness at Leina Kauhane, just south of the point. Note that the point can also be accessed by trail (the hike is about the same length) from West Oahu at the Keawaula entrance, off another part of Farrington Highway.  

In summer and at low tide, the small coves offer bountiful shelling; in winter, don't venture near the water. Rare native plants dot the landscape, and seabirds like the Laysan albatross nest here. If you're lucky, you might spot seals sunbathing on the rocks. From November through March, watch for humpback whales spouting and breaching. Binoculars and a camera are highly recommended.

In the Kahalepalaoa Beach area, on the makai side of the coastal road, are historical marker signs. Follow the path to the left to find the crumbling remains of the Kahalepalaoa church, meeting hall, and school house—the island's oldest Western-style building—which once served the windward communities of Lanai. Do not attempt to explore the structure's interior; indeed, stay behind the barrier that's here. You can also follow a path at the right off the road to the Maunalei Sugar Company locomotive, a remnant of the brief period when a doomed sugar mill operation changed the landscape. Be careful of thorny keawe (mesquite) branches while exploring.

This busy beach has everything: famous for the Canoes surf break, it's the launching spot for most of the catamaran charters that sail out to Diamond Head several times a day, as well as the place for surfing lessons and outrigger canoe rentals. Chair and umbrella rentals are available, and great music and outdoor dancing beckon at the lively Duke's restaurant, where shirt and shoes not only aren't required, they're discouraged. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Moana Surfrider are here. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; surfing.