A week in Hawaii
Honolulu is vibrant and welcoming, but so is the rest of Oahu. If you're visiting Hawaii for a week or more, we recommend you turn your holiday into an adventure with a trip around the island.
Seven days on Oahu
Air New Zealand's non-stop flights to Honolulu arrive just after 9am, so you can drop your bags at your accommodation and head out for lunch, then check in properly later.
Arrival
It helps to book accommodation that's handy to Waikiki Beach, so you'll be able to explore the holiday heart of Honolulu on foot.
- Head to the Waikiki Beach street front to find a restaurant for lunch.
- Japanese food is a Hawaiian specialty. Check out Sansai Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar or grab some sushi from Furusato and take it down to the beach.
- For a Hawaiian-style lunch, try Duke's Waikiki in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. Leave room for the hula pie – Hawaii's iconic ice cream cake.
- Tiki's Grill & Bar is another option for lunch, especially if you want a view of the ocean.
- Later, walk the Waikiki promenade to find statues - Makua and Kila (monk seal and surfer), Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (the inventor of surfing) and the Kapaemahu Stones (aka The Stones of Life).
- Wrap up the day with a sunset dinner cruise or a traditional Hawaiian luau (dinner and cultural entertainment).
Today's a day for hiking and relaxing, with a surfing lesson if you're keen. Depending on your appetite for exercise, you can get to the entrance of Diamond Head State Monument on foot or by Uber. After lunch you're at leisure on Waikiki Beach, swimming, sunning and soaking up the sights.
- Arrive at the entrance of Diamond Head State Monument, then walk into the crater. There's an entrance fee, but it's minimal.
- A single eruption around 300,000 years ago created the Diamond Head crater, which covers 475 acres and is almost perfectly circular. A military base (Fort Ruger) was built within and alongside the crater in 1906, so there's history here as well as hiking.
- The hiking trail takes around two hours. The first part of the trail is uphill to the summit, so you need to be moderately fit. The views from the top are epic.
- Waikiki Beach has perfect waves for beginner surfers. There are several surf schools if you need a lesson, or just hire a board and get out there.
- If it's the whale watching season, boats leave from Kewalo Basin Harbour. It's best to book ahead.
- Find a cost-effective food truck or diner meal in Waikiki's back streets. Local favourites include shrimp tacos, poke bowls, shoyu pork, sautéed squid and barbecued chicken.
A day at Pearl Harbour is one of the best things to do in Hawaii, even if you're not usually into military entertainment. The surprise attack on the Pearl Harbour naval base in 1941 led to USA joining World War II. Today the harbour is still an active military base.
- Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, memorial built over the remains of the USS Arizona battleship that was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. The memorial honours the 1,177 sailors and Marines who died on board the ship.
- Explore the USS Bowfin, a WWII submarine that's now a museum. You'll learn about its history and the history of submarines in general.
- Tour the Battleship Missouri – the 'Mighty Mo'. It's an extraordinary flowing museum that includes the site where Japan formally surrendered to the Allied powers, ending World War II.
- Be amazed at the Pacific Aviation Museum, which showcases the history of aviation in the Pacific, including planes used in World War II and other conflicts.
- Take a boat tour of the harbour for a unique perspective on the history and significance of Pearl Harbour.
- Eat Asian tonight – Vietnamese at The Pig and The Lady or Duc's Bistro, or Chinese at Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory, P.F. Chang's or Bo's Kitchen.
The main mode of public transportation on Oahu is TheBus. It covers most of the island and buses are frequent. Alternatives include renting a car or arranging a private driver. It takes around an hour to drive from Honolulu to Hale'iwa or about 1.5 hours by bus.
- On your way to the North Shore, visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation to learn about Hawaii's history of pineapple farming and enjoy pineapple treats.
- Stay in Hale'iwa, the main town on the North Shore, for easy access to Oahu's most famous big wave beaches - Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Ehukai Beach (also known as Banzai Pipeline).
- As well as surfing, the North Shore has places for hiking (to the west of Hale'iwa), snorkelling (Shark's Cove and Kuilima Cove) and whale watching (from Hale'iwa Boat Harbour).
- Hale'iwa is known for its historic district, which features buildings from the early 1900s. There are plenty of shops, galleries, bars and restaurants to keep you amused and well fed.
Kane'ohe and Kailua are two adjacent towns located on the windward side of Oahu. Kane'ohe is known for its lush greenery, calm bay and famous sandbar. Kailua offers pristine beaches, charming boutiques and restaurants, and a range of outdoor activities.
Things to do in Kane'ohe:
- Take a boat trip to Kane'ohe Sandbar and go snorkelling. You can also play beach volleyball, enjoy a picnic and bask in the beauty of Kane'ohe Bay.
- If you're an experienced hiker, explore the trails in the Ko'olau Mountains. The tracks are rugged, but the views are extraordinary. Hiking poles are helpful.
- Explore the lush Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, a 400-acre paradise established by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1982. Entry is free and the walk takes around an hour.
- Visit the Byodo-In Temple, a non-denominational place of worship built in 1968 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The giant sacred bell weighs over three tons – you can ring it as you enter.
- Kayak to nearby Mokoli'i Island. You can also swim or wade across to the island when the tide is low.
Things to do in Kailua:
- Relax on gorgeous Kailua Beach, voted one of the best beaches in the world. Go kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing or stand-up paddle boarding.
- Visit Kailua's charming town centre with its boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Call into Lanikai Brewing Company for beer tasting and bar snacks.
- Hike the Lanikai Pillbox Trail for panoramic views of the coast. If you're up early enough, sunrise is amazing from the top.
- Take a kayak tour to the nearby Mokulua Islands, a sanctuary for Bulwer's petrels and wedge-tailed shearwaters.
When you're shopping in Hawaii, you're shopping in the USA. So you'll find iconic American stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales. You can also discover the USA's bargain brands, like Walmart, Ross Dress for Less and Target.
- Lose yourself at Ala Moana, the largest open-air shopping centre in the world. You can drift around more than 350 shops and restaurants. Luxury brands, department stores, tech stores – they're all here. Entertainment options include a movie theatre, a virtual reality experience centre and a bowling alley.
- Waikele Premium Outlets is 40 minutes west of Honolulu. It includes more than 50 designer and brand name stores offering discounts on clothing, footwear, accessories and more. To drop just a few names, you'll find bargain Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger.
- If you're in Honolulu on a Saturday, head for the farmers' market at Kapiolani Community College. It's a great place for Hawaiian street food and hand-made souvenirs.
- Another popular outdoor market is the Honolulu Farmers' Market, which is held on Wednesday afternoons at the Neal S. Blaisdell Centre. This market offers locally grown produce, artisanal foods and handmade crafts.
Big Island add-on
The Big Island, also known as Hawaii Island, is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and home to Volcanoes National Park. The park features two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, which have shaped and expanded the island's landscape over millions of years. Adventurers can hike through lava fields, explore unique volcanic formations and discover interesting wildlife.
The flight from Honolulu to Hilo takes less than an hour. Located on the eastern coast of the Big Island, the area around the town is known for lush rainforests, beautiful waterfalls and black sand beaches.
- The town of Hilo has many historic buildings and landmarks. On a self-guided walking tour you can discover 21 important places dating from 1870 to recent times.
- Hilo has been inhabited since 1100 AD, so it has a fascinating past. Visit the Lyman Museum and Mission House to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.
- Take pictures at Rainbow Falls, a wonderful 80-foot waterfall that's a 30-minute walk from downtown Hilo.
- Explore Liliuokalani Gardens, a serene Japanese-style garden with ponds, bridges, and pagodas.
- Enjoy Hilo's restaurant scene. Check out Pineapples for poke bowls, Moon and Turtle for Asian-fusion, Hilo Bay Café for fresh seafood with a Pacific Rim twist and Ken's House of Pancakes for an American diner experience.
To get from Hilo to Volcanoes National Park, take Highway 11 (aka Hawaii Belt Road). The drive takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and road conditions. If you don't want to rent a car, there are local tour operators who can drive and guide you.
Volcanoes National Park is open 24/7 week and you'll pay a vehicle charge to enter. There are numerous walking routes in the park. Be sure to check with park rangers for current trail conditions and any closures before heading out on a hike. We recommend two days of hiking with overnight accommodation in or near Volcano village. Here are some of the walks:
- Kilauea Iki Trail: A 6.5km round-trip hike that takes you through a rainforest, then across a solidified lava lake to the rim of the Kilauea Iki Crater, which erupted in 1959. The hike is moderately challenging and takes up to three hours.
- Devastation Trail: A short hike that's a great choice for families or those with limited mobility. It leads you through a forest that was devastated by the 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki and provides views of the crater.
- Pu'u Huluhulu Trail: A 5km round-trip hike that wanders through a lava field to the top of Pu'u Huluhulu, a cinder cone with views of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The hike takes up to three hours.
- Mauna Ulu Trail: A 4km round-trip hike that takes you through a lava field created during the 1969-1974 eruption of Kilauea. You'll see steam vents, lava trees and the impressive Mauna Ulu crater. The hike is moderately challenging and takes about two hours.
- Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube) Trail: A short hike through a lush rainforest to the entrance of a 500-year-old lava tube.
Return to Hilo in time for an evening flight back to Honolulu. Stay the night near the airport, so you can catch the 10.45am Air New Zealand flight back to Auckland.