Best Hawaii Beaches

Captain asked:


In April of 08 I have the chance to go back to Hawaii. I am thrilled to be going back and wonder if anyone has a top 10 thing they would suggest doing. Our top ten could include:
1.) Fluming the Ditch on the Big Island
2.) Taking a snorkeling and scuba diving cruise.
3.) Visiting Little McKenna Beach on Maui.
4.) Enjoying the jacuzzi on the cliff overlooking the Pacific at Shangri-la in Maui.
5.) Walking to the Volcano to see the flowing lava going into the sea.
6.) Enjoying the Polynesian Cultural Center.
7.) Visiting Pearl Harbor.
8.) 4 wheeling ot the green sand beach.
9.) Getting a tan at the beach.
10.) Enjoying more shaved ice.

What else is there to include and what is there on the other islands besides Oahu, The Big Island and Maui?

My wife and I are in our 40s if that helps.

Thanks

ME.

4 Responses to “Top 10 things to do in Hawaii?”

1. NWIP Says:
   May 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 am

   Visit the Punchbowl Cemetary
   Drive through the H3 to Kaneohe Bay just to see the view
   Stop at the Pali Lookout
   Pick up souvenirs at the Aloha Stadium Flea Market
   Have a Leonard’s Malasada
   Watch the sunset from a beach
   Pick up a tshirt in Lahaina that says ‘it’s tourist season, so why can’t we shoot them?”
   Do the best luau in Hawaii in Maui
   Drive around the islands
   Visit the Iolani Palace

2. Karen W Says:
   May 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 am

   Aloha.
   I am assuming you know about Little Makena? Go to Big Makena first then walk up and over the lava outcropping at the north end. Be aware it is clothing optional, as is red sand beach off the road to Hana.
   Some other options:
   On Maui –
   1) Road to Hana and be sure to stop @ Ohe’o gulch and visit the 7 sacred pools. Go with a full tank of gas. Be aware that not all rental companies want you taking their vehicles on this road…read your contract. (To me it’s more nauseatingly winding than rough, remember to watch the road and not the scenery, we want folks to come back, not leave in a body bag!)
   2) Bike ride down from the top of Haleakala (unless they have discontinued it, there was talk of doing so, due to a recent accident?)
   3) Maui Ocean Center (in Lahaina)
   4) Old Lahaina Luau – best in the state
   5) Tour a sugar or pineapple plantation
   6) ‘Iao Needle and there is a nearby cultural center whose name escapes me at the moment…
   On Hawai’i Island -
   1) Snorkel at Kahalu’u beach park – turtle sightings guaranteed!
   2) Drop into Waipio Valley (4WD)
   3) Go to the top of Mauna Kea, tallest mountain on earth if you count the part below sea level (also 4WD)
   4) Visit Parker Ranch
   5) You need 4WD to GET to green sand beach; you cannot drive a 4-wheeler ON it; you are not going to be able to rent or buy anything there; actually we have 3 green sand beaches, try and find them all (heheh)
   6) Just north of green sand, near south point, you can jump off the cliffs or into the “toilet bowl” – there’s a ladder to climb back up. Something everybody’s GOT to do at least once. Water is deep and there’s not much currrent here; good thing or we’d all end up in Australia.
   7) Hilo side – hike to Akaka Falls Manta Ray night dive (scuba or snorkel; scuba is best)
   9) Tour a coffee, mac nut, or orchid farm
   10) Visit the city of refuge (Pu’uohonua o Honaunau) this is a national park area as are Kilauea and Haleakala so get a parks pass that allows entrance to all 3.
   11) Just north of City of Refuge is two-step beach; also excellent snorkeling
   12) Kealakekua Bay – dolphins, excellent snorkeling, Captain Cook Monument; a kayak tour is a great way to visit this area.
   When visiting the flow at volcanoes national park, best to go just before sunset. Wear hiking boots or sneakers, take a flashlight, and plenty of bottled water. It is a 60-90 minute hike over the flows from where you park(mostly pahoehoe – think LARGE cowpies – but still uneven footing) I have seen visitors starting out as I was leaving (just getting back to pavement, at 10-11 pm) wearing flip-flops and carrying slumbering children; somehow I doubt they made it to the viewing area…) It really is a must-see, so don’t set yourself up for failure!
   On Oahu there’s the zoo, the aquarium, and I would definitely hike up to the top of Diamondhead. Drive up to the Pali and on to the North Shore beaches, Sunset, Pipeline, Lanikai, etc.
   Kaua’i Lana’i and Moloka’i all have their own unique characters.
   You cannot visit Kaho’olawe, gov’t is still trying to clean it up.
   There are excellent golf courses here – world class.
   Although April is pushing it you might want to include a whale-watching tour. Best (hands down) will be out of Maui on a Pacific Whale Foundation boat.
   Get the “Revealed” books by Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman BEFORE you come!

3. boomer gal Says:
   May 24th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

   If you are hoping to do the ditch flume, I **** to dissapoint you, but the earthquake last year disrupted the water supply & there is no more flume.

   Here are some of my favorites:
   1) Haleakala at sunrise.
   2) Whale watching, either on a cruise or from an overlook.
   3) Snorkeling at Molokini, Kealakekua Bay, or Hanauma Bay.
   4) Eating a warm Leonard’s malasada.
   5) Enjoying a glider ride from Dillingham field.
   6) A boat ride along the Na Pali cliffs.
   7) Horseback riding (numerous places you can do trail rides) Driving to Hana
   9) Iolani Palace
   10) Hiking the Judd ******* Ginger trail in Nuuanu

4. MissRoyalT Says:
   May 27th, 2008 at 5:40 pm

   1. Go on a Kona Coffee tour
   2. Visit the ‘Imiola Astronomy Center in Hilo
   3. Whale watching
   4. Parasailing
   5. Visit Kamuela
   6. Visit Big Island Candies, Hilo
   7. Eat at Hawaiian Style Cafe, Kamuela
   8. Have someong take beautiful pictures of you and your wife with the sunsetting.
   9. Visit the black sand beach in Pololu
   10. Something new must try the Mokai (motorized kayaks) Kayaking