Hawaii

Few destinations capture the imagination quite like Hawaii. Six islands, each with its own personality, offer everything from world-class surfing on the North Shore to the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of the Big Island. Donna, our luxury South Pacific specialist, has called the islands her favorite destination for more than 30 years — and when clients ask which island is her favorite, she always answers “the last one I visited.”

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Places To Go

The Islands

Oahu: The heart of Hawaii. Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, the historic North Shore, Diamond Head, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Best for first-time visitors and travelers who want a mix of beaches, culture, and city energy.

Maui: The Valley Isle. The legendary Road to Hana, sunrise at Haleakala, whale watching in winter, world-class luxury resorts in Wailea and Ka’anapali. As Donna says — Maui No Ka ‘Oi.

Kauai: The Garden Isle. Lush, dramatic, and quiet. The Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”), and miles of nearly empty beaches. Ideal for honeymooners and travelers who want nature over nightlife.

The Big Island (Hawai’i): Two active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, snow-capped Mauna Kea, the Kona coffee belt, and the historic Kohala Coast resorts. The most geographically varied of the islands.

Lanai: A private-feeling island that’s home to two Four Seasons resorts and almost nothing else. The ultimate quiet escape.

Molokai: The least-developed of the main islands, with traditional Hawaiian culture and very little tourism infrastructure. For experienced travelers seeking authenticity.

Things to See

Beaches & Coastline

Waikiki Beach, Oahu: The most famous beach in the Pacific — surf lessons, sunset cocktails, and people-watching steps from your hotel door.

Na Pali Coast, Kauai: Towering green sea cliffs accessible only by boat, helicopter, or a strenuous hike. One of the most dramatic shorelines on earth.

Hapuna Beach, Big Island: Half a mile of soft white sand consistently rated among the best beaches in the U.S.

Natural Wonders

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: See active lava flows, walk through lava tubes, and watch Kilauea’s glow at night.

Haleakala Crater, Maui: Sunrise above the clouds from a 10,000-foot dormant volcano — an experience worth the pre-dawn drive.

Waimea Canyon, Kauai: 10 miles long, a mile wide, and more than 3,500 feet deep — vivid red, green, and gold canyon walls.

Cultural & Historical Sites

Pearl Harbor, Oahu: The USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri battleship, and aviation museum — a moving morning for any visitor.

Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu: Six island villages with live demonstrations, evening luau, and the Ha: Breath of Life show.

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, Big Island: Ancient royal grounds and a place of refuge with restored temples and reconstructed traditional structures.

Things to Do

On the Water

• Snorkel with sea turtles at Molokini Crater, off Maui
• Surf lessons in Waikiki or watch the pros on Oahu’s North Shore (winter only)
• Sunset sail on a catamaran along the Kohala or Wailea coasts
• Humpback whale watching from December through April
• Kayak or boat tour of the Na Pali Coast

On Land

• Drive the Road to Hana on Maui — allow a full day, two if you can
• Helicopter tour over Kauai’s interior or the Big Island’s volcanoes
• Hike Diamond Head for sweeping Waikiki views
• Visit a Kona coffee farm and taste the harvest at the source
• Attend a traditional luau — we’ll steer you to the authentic ones, not the tourist traps

Notable Places to Stay

Luxury Resorts

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea: The standard-bearer for Hawaiian luxury. Three pools, daily activities for kids, and the kind of service that makes leaving feel like a personal loss.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai: A private-island retreat with two championship golf courses and almost no crowds.

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection (Big Island): An iconic Kohala Coast property recently renovated — spring-fed pools, petroglyph fields, and exceptional dining.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: Cliff-top setting, two top-rated golf courses, and a renowned spa.

Family-Friendly

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (Oahu): Disney’s only Hawaiian property, with a focus on Hawaiian culture and family activities. Barb, our Disney specialist, knows it inside and out.

Grand Wailea, Maui: A massive resort with a water park-style pool complex that kids never want to leave.

Dining Musts

Local Flavors

Plate lunch: Two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein (kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, or loco moco). The everyday Hawaiian meal.

Poke: Cubed raw fish marinated in shoyu, sesame oil, and seaweed — the original Hawaiian dish, long before the mainland trend.

Shave ice: Not a snow cone. Properly shaved, with real fruit syrups, often topped with ice cream and azuki beans.

Malasadas: Portuguese doughnuts — warm, sugar-coated, sometimes filled. Find them at Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu.

Fine Dining

Mama’s Fish House, Maui: A worthy splurge — book the moment your travel dates are set, weeks in advance.

Merriman’s (multiple islands): Peter Merriman pioneered Hawaii Regional Cuisine; his restaurants showcase island-grown ingredients beautifully.

Alan Wong’s, Oahu: Modern Hawaiian fine dining from one of the founders of the contemporary island food movement.

When to Visit

Year-round destination. Hawaii’s weather is gentle in every season — trade winds keep humidity in check and temperatures rarely move out of the 75–85°F range.

Peak season (mid-December through March): Whale watching, escape from mainland winter, highest prices. Book 6–9 months ahead.

Sweet spot (April–May, September–early November): Excellent weather, lower rates, smaller crowds.

Summer (June–August): Family-vacation peak, fully booked at top resorts, generally dry and beautiful.