Home of the Hawaii State Vacation Planner
Plan your Hawaii vacation, island by island.
Directories of hotels, activities and dining on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, insider tips from people who live here, and a free planner that brings matched providers to you.
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1,836
Hawaii businesses listed
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343
Insider guides and answers
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161
Reader love stories
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Since 1997
Helping visitors plan
Pick an island
Four islands, four very different trips
Each island has its own vacation planner: a directory of hotels, activities, dining, entertainment, weddings and more, plus maps, a scenic tour and insider reads.
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The Garden Isle
Kauai
Emerald cliffs, the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and quiet north-shore beaches.
Open the Kauai planner -
The Gathering Place
Oahu
Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore and the widest choice of hotels, dining and nightlife.
Open the Oahu planner -
The Valley Isle
Maui
Haleakala sunrises, the road to Hana, whale season and the resorts of Kaanapali and Wailea.
Open the Maui planner -
The Orchid Isle
Big Island
Active volcanoes, black and green sand beaches, Kona coffee and snow on Mauna Kea.
Open the Big Island planner
Best Hidden Places
Spots most visitors never find
Beaches, pools, trails and gardens that are off the bus route, with directions.
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Kauai
Allerton Garden
Tucked away in the Lawai Valley, in the middle of busy, sunny Poipu, on the South Shore of Kauai, the Allerton Garden is as close to the Garden of Eden as you may ever see. The Garden is the labor of…
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Oahu
Goat Island (Mokuauia)
The beach at Malaekahana is a mile-long crescent of sand bordering relatively well-protected ocean waters that are good for swimming when the surf is not too large. This is also a good beach for…
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Maui
Black Rock, Kaanapali Beach
Without question, this magnificent stretch of soft, sandy beach would be the beach of choice on Maui if it weren’t for the array of towering hotels and condominiums lining it. The flip side is that…
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Big Island
Ahalanui Pool
The Ahalanui Pool is the Big Island’s spa and infinity pool to the ocean. This ocean pool has only a low man-made seawall separating it from the rest of the Pacific ocean. But there’s some other magic…
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Kauai
Kauai by Air
This “place” is a departure from our usual specific location suggestions. This “hidden place” is the entire island of Kauai—as seen from the air. The Garden Island of Kauai is one of the least…
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Oahu
Halona “Eternity” Cove
Thinking about re-creating that famous kissing-in-the-surf scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity? The scene was shot in Honolulu (Oahu) at Halona Cove, also known as…
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Insider's Guide
Plan like you have a friend who lives here
Practical advice from the Best Places Hawaii team: what to pack, when to go, how to get between islands, and what to do when you land.
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Free Vacation Planner
Tell us about your trip; matched providers send information.
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Hints & Tips
Packing, flights, safety and local customs.
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10 Best in Hawaii
Beaches, snorkeling, golf, weddings and more.
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Best Hidden Places
Spots most visitors never find.
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Ask the Big Kahuna
Answers to the most common visitor questions.
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Island Maps
Orientation maps for all four islands.
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Weather
Seasons, trade winds and what to expect.
10 Best in Hawaii
Voted by readers, visited by us
- 01 10 Best Attractions in Hawaii
- 02 10 Best Beaches in Hawaii
- 03 10 Best Golf Courses in Hawaii
- 04 10 Best Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii
- 05 10 Best Things to Do in Hawaii
- 06 10 Best Wedding Locations in Hawaii
Ask the Big Kahuna
You asked, he answered
- Are there any nude beaches in Hawaii?
- Best time to visit Hawaii
- Best Time to visit Hawaii
- Can you really fish for trout in Hawaii?
- Can you really snow ski in Hawaii?
- Can you swim and snorkel in Hanauma Bay?
Love Stories of Hawaii
161 readers fell in love here
Proposals on Kauai cliffs, second chances on Maui, letters home from Honolulu. Read the collection, then add your own.
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Special Occasion
“Another Day in Paradise”
“Wake up John! We’ve overslept.” We flew out of bed, dressed quickly, grabbed our backpacks, and headed out the door. In the lobby we bought huge muffins that we nibbled on as we rode The Bus to the…
by Connie
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Marriage
“Don’t tease me”
I had met Kehaulani,from the Big Island of Hawaii, on a business trip to Portland in April of 2007. She worked at the hotel where I stayed. Business was slow, and I was able to talk to her for a few…
by Bob
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First Meeting
“Footprints on the Sands of Time”
It was the summer of 1960. Larry Windley and I sat around the Long Beach Veterans Hospital Olympic size pool, playing cards, taking in the warm July sun.
by Nick