Each Hawaiian island has it’s own personality. Learn a little about each one below and see some sample itineraries to get your sense of wanderlust activated.
🌴Oʻahu – “The Gathering Place”
- Vibe: Energetic, diverse, and iconic.
- Best For: First-timers, families who want a mix of beach + city + history.
- What Makes It Unique: Combines big-city buzz (Honolulu) with legendary surf towns and rich cultural history.
Maui – “The Valley Isle”
- Vibe: Laid-back luxury with epic scenery.
- Best For: Families who want scenic drives, whale watching, and beach days.
- What Makes It Unique: Haleakalā volcano, the Road to Hāna, and upscale resorts with aloha charm.
Kauaʻi – “The Garden Isle”
- Vibe: Quiet, lush, and adventurous.
- Best For: Nature lovers, hikers, and families looking to unplug.
- What Makes It Unique: Dramatic cliffs, wild coastline, and a chill, old-Hawaiʻi feel.
Island of Hawaiʻi (Big Island) – “The Adventure Island”
- Vibe: Rugged, raw, and wildly diverse.
- Best For: Curious families who want to explore volcanoes, waterfalls, and black sand beaches.
- What Makes It Unique: Active volcanoes, two very different coastlines, and stargazing like nowhere else.
🌊 OʻAHU SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Itinerary 1: Culture + City + Coast
Stay: The Kahala Hotel & Resort (Honolulu)
Top Family Activities:
- Visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial
- Learn to surf in Waikīkī with a local instructor
- Hike up Diamond Head for sunrise views
- Explore Bishop Museum for Hawaiian culture
Itinerary 2: North Shore Escape
Stay: The Ritz Carlton Turtle Bay (North Shore)
Top Family Activities:
- Snorkel or tidepool at Shark’s Cove
- Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center (great for all ages!)
- Watch surfers at Sunset Beach
- Zipline or horseback ride at CLIMB Works or Gunstock Ranch
🌺 MAUI SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Itinerary 1: Volcano Sunrise + Scenic Adventures
Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Top Family Activities:
- Watch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā
- Explore waterfalls along the Road to Hāna
- Take a snorkel tour to Molokini Crater
- Enjoy a beach day at Kapalua Bay
Itinerary 2: Beach Days + Cultural Experiences
Stay: Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Top Family Activities:
- Visit the interactive Maui Ocean Center
- Take a whale-watching cruise (Nov–April)
- Play at the resort’s expansive water park & pools
- Attend a traditional lūʻau with fire dancing
🌿 KAUAʻI SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Itinerary 1: Coastlines + Canyon Views
Stay: Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi Resort & Spa (Poʻipū)
Top Family Activities:
- Hike or take a helicopter tour of the Nā Pali Coast
- Trek through Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”
- Watch sea turtles at Poʻipū Beach
- Visit Spouting Horn blowhole
Itinerary 2: Romance + Relaxation
Stay: 1 Hotel Hanalei (north shore)
Top Romantic Activities:
- Kayak the Wailua River to a hidden waterfall
- Explore Hanalei Bay for beach + small-town charm
- Hike the Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail (easy oceanfront trail)
- Take a garden tour at Allerton or McBryde Garden
🌋 ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI (BIG ISLAND) SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Itinerary 1: Volcanoes + Stargazing
Stay: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection (Kohala Coast)
Top Family Activities:
- Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- See lava tubes and crater landscapes at Kīlauea
- Go stargazing at Mauna Kea Visitor Center
- Explore a black sand beach (like Punaluʻu)
Itinerary 2: Coast to Coast Adventures
Stay: Fairmont Orchid (Kohala Coast)
Top Family Activities:
- Snorkel in crystal-clear waters at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay
- Tour a local coffee farm in Kona
- Visit the colorful town of Hilo + nearby waterfalls
- Swim with manta rays on a night snorkel tour
Want help deciding which island is the best fit for your family or customizing the perfect itinerary? Let me know—I’d love to help you design a seamless and unforgettable trip. 🌺
Priceless Gem Travel 