Have you been to Hawaii? Okay, but have you been to all the Hawaiian Islands? 

That’s a trick question actually since you can’t visit all of the islands. But there are certainly more than a couple you can visit and each offers its own amazing experiences.

With good weather here and summer on its way, let’s take some time to explore these legendary islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so you can decide which to visit first, or next, and plan a tropical paradise photoshoot with one of our local, Hawaiian photographers.

Aloha

Imagine we’ve draped a lei of flowers over your shoulders, and now we’ll properly welcome you to Hawaii.

The name Hawaii is thought to come from Hawaiki for the ancestral home of the Polynesians who traveled to and settled the islands of Hawaii. In 1959 the islands became the 50th and final State to join the United States of America. 

The Hawaiian islands are volcanic mountaintops forming an arcing archipelago made up of 8 major islands and 124 islets (132 total!). They lie 2,397 miles off the coast of California. If you opted to get there by ship from California, you’d have six days at sea before the green islands appeared in your porthole. A flight, on the other hand, takes just over five hours direct from San Francisco. The main six islands people visit, from West to East, are Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Mau’i, and the Island of Hawai’i. (Yes, the Island of Hawai’i is spelled differently than the State of Hawaii!)

All of these islands boast stunning beaches, lush vegetation, and the scent of pikake (or jasmine) in the air. However, like siblings, each island has its own personality and characteristics, its own vibe, drawing different visitors. So let’s see if we can find your perfect island and next escape!

Kaua’i

Furthest West, the “Garden Island” could arguably be described as the lushest and the most laid back of the Hawaiian Islands. It is a paradise of steep mountains, deep valleys, thick rainforests, and cascading waterfalls. Mount Waialeale is considered the world’s wettest spot and gets over 450 inches of rain a year. But this is warm Hawaiian rain, the kind you can weather in your bathing suit. Also, the oldest of the islands, where visitors can feel like they’ve truly traveled back to Jurassic times. Even with its natural wonders, Kaua’i offers everything visitors seek from the Islands, including the pristine beaches of Poipu and luxury hotels of Princeville.

We recommend you don’t miss:

• Taking a helicopter to see those areas only accessible by air

• Shopping for fresh fruit at the “Sunshine Markets” or Farmers Markets

• Hiking through Waimea Canyon or the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

• Attending a traditional luau and rum tasting at Kilohana Plantation

• Getting a view of the epic Na Pali Coast from a sunset boat ride

O’ahu

Aptly nicknamed “The Gathering Place,” this island is the most populated and where you’ll experience the multicultural personality of the Islands in the restaurants and activities on offer. The State’s largest city of Honolulu glitters beside the ocean with both skyscrapers and lovely, historic hotels. Amidst it, all is Chinatown and the palaces of the Hawaiian monarchy.  O’ahu Is also home to a wondrous natural beauty and a legendary surf scene. Venture around the island to discover beautiful beaches, dramatic backdrops, and epic waves.

We recommend you don’t miss:

• Ordering drinks and relaxing under a beach umbrella on Waikiki Beach

• Hiking Diamond Head for a view of Honolulu and the ocean

• Experiencing the historical and emotional exhibits at Pearl Harbor National Memorial 

• Getting underwater, scuba diving, or in an Atlantis Submarine

• Spending a day or two on the North Shore taking surf lessons

Moloka’i

Unique in shape and history, the “Friendly Island,” as it’s called, is 38 miles long and 10 miles across, boasting some of the highest sea cliffs in the world, the largest population of those with native Hawaiian ancestry, and a national park memorializing its former leper colony. This island is for those who want to feel like they’ve immersed themselves in Hawaiian culture and history and enjoy a more secluded adventure. The island is accessible by car, bike, or even foot. There are coconut groves and fishing ponds, jungles, and beaches, each revealing the spirit of Hawaii to the quietly adventurous soul.

We recommend you don’t miss:

• Catching a view of Diamond Head on O’ahu from the beach of Papohaku Park

• Walking the long stretches of deserted sandy beaches

• Snorkeling amongst sea turtles and rainbow fish along the 28-mile long fringing reef

• Taking a guided hike back in time through Halawa Valley

• Braving a mule ride down sea cliffs into Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Lana’i

Nicknamed the “Pineapple Island” for its historical development by pineapple king Sanford Dole, this smallest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands is a well-kept secret. Golf courses and luxury resorts have replaced the pineapple fields and farms. Lana’i is the ultimate escape, with 18 miles of secluded beaches and 400 miles of red dirt trails perfect for exploration by foot, horse, or four-wheel drive. In fact, only 30 miles of the island’s roads are paved. Whether you’re after a luxury experience or rugged adventure, here you can imagine yourself on your very own island paradise.

We recommend you don’t miss:

• Horseback riding through island woodlands and hiking its many trails

• Scuba diving into the lava caverns of Lana’i Cathedrals

• Four-wheeling the empty beaches of North Lana’i

• Enjoying the view of Moloka’i and Mau’i from Shipwreck Beach

• Indulging in a round of golf at renowned Manele Golf Course

Mau’i

The second-largest island in the archipelago, Mau’i promises visitors a taste of everything one dreams about when they dream of the Hawaiian Islands. If you’ve never been to the Islands, this might be the one to start with! “The Valley Isle” is mostly a dormant volcano, Haleakala, offering lush mountain adventures and beauty found in its national park and summit sunsets. But the island also offers countless activities, from golf to windsurfing, as well as art, shopping, and nightlife. For those interested in Hawaiian culture and history, soak up the paniolo, or cowboy, culture to include long horseback rides through the upcountry of this magical island.

We recommend you don’t miss:

• Enjoying as much of the 30 miles of red and black volcanic beaches as possible

• Driving Hana Highway and stopping at the small towns along the way 

• Visiting the largest Hawaiian temple, Pi'ilanihale Heiau, in Kahanu Garden

• Taking private or group hula lessons from one of the island’s many teachers

• Attending an art exhibit in Lahaina under the country’s largest banyan tree

Island of Hawai’i

Commonly known as the “Big Island,” this youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands is a bucket list destination full of adventure. Here two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Maunaloa, still erupt and flow, still changing the island's shape. Meanwhile, the dormant volcano of Mauna Kea rises 4500 feet from the ocean floor, making it technically taller than Mount Everest and making this island one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet, with snow-capped mountains, deserts, and lush forests in between. The Big Island boasts all the water and land activities you could wish for!

We recommend you don’t miss:

• Participating in a Kona coffee tour of a coffee plantation to include tastings

• Visiting Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau Historic Park for a glimpse of early Hawaiian life

• Witnessing active volcanoes at Volcanoes National Park

• Sunbathing on black sand beaches of Hamakua Coast

• Stargazing from the top of dormant Mauna Kea

Where to stay & what to eat

Accommodations 

The options in Hawaii for accommodations run the gamut, from beach cottages to luxury resorts. It all depends on two things: where on the island you want to stay and what experience you’re after.  

Once you’ve decided which island is for you, the best way to approach your personal paradise is by researching the areas of the island. Because of how the islands are formed, you’ll find that most towns and cities ring the island around mountainous centers, and each side of the island has different characteristics. Because of how the trade winds flow across the islands, each island has a windward side and a leeward side, the windward side being wet and lush, and the leeward side being drier and arider. Both sides are beautiful, and it’s up to you to decide which will be your home base (taking towns and sights into consideration, as well). Then you’re ready to find your ideal accommodation.

Cuisine

Just as the Hawaiian Islands are made up of many different peoples and cultures today, so is the Islands’ cuisine. Here is a list of dishes, some more native than others, that you’ll want to be sure to taste! 

• Loco moco

• Malasadas

• Spam musubi

• Poke

• Kalua pig

• Poi

• Garlic shrimp

• Shave ice

• Manapua

• Saimin

• Fish tacos

• Huli Huli chicken

We hope we’ve enticed you to escape to the Hawaiian Islands this year, whether it’s your first visit or a return visit. Whichever island you visit we’re ready to safely capture your tropical adventures. So before you pack the sunscreen and flip-flops, book one of our local Hawaiian photographers to make sure your Hawaiian escape doesn’t escape your memory once you return home!