Hawaii Travel: One Week Each on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii

The Hawaii travel outlined below includes the three most popular islands: Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. The Hawaii attractions below should keep you busy for a week on each of the three islands, leaving ample time to enjoy the sun, surf and sand.

Remember that travel to Hawaii requires you to “hang loose” at all times. With this in mind the sights and activities outlined below are not organized in a day-by-day format. Your vacation in paradise only requires you to fit these activities into your schedule when you actually feel like it. This approach ensures that your travel to Hawaii will be as relaxing as possible.

Oahu:

1) Kawaiaha’o Church

2) Iolani Palace State Monument

3) Hawaii State Capitol Building

4) Pearl Harbor

5) Polynesian Cultural Center

6) International Market

For efficient travel, sites 1, 2 and 3 can be visited on the same day.

Maui:

1) Iao Valley State Park and Hawaii Nature Center

2) Haleakala National Park – watch the sunrise. Remember to get up early to make sure you arrive on time.

3) Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum

4) Tedesci Winery

5) The Road to Hana – the actual drive along “the highway to heaven” is the attraction, not the final destination.

6) Lahaina Historic Trail

7) Humpback Whale watching – this depends upon the time of year.

For efficient Hawaii travel, sites 2, 3 and 4 can be conveniently visited on the same day. Also sites 6 and 7 can also be conveniently visited on the same day.

Hawaii: The Big Island:

1) Hulihe’e Palace

2) Ahu’ena Heiau

3) Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

4) Lapakahi State Historical Park

5) Kona Historical Society’s Kona Coffee Living History Farm

6) Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park

7) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

8) Volcano Winery

9) Lyman Mission


For efficient Hawaii travel, the following sites could be conveniently visited on the same days:

a) Sites 1 and 2

b) Sites 3 and 4

c) Sites 5 and 6

d) Sites 7 and 8

Hawaii Travel Tips:

1) For the best Hawaii travel, consider a holiday package that includes flight and accommodations. Check out The Budget Travel Store for vacation packages and visitor passes to Honolulu, Oahu and Maui. Note that Hawaiian Airlines in particular specializes in inter-island travel.

2) You will require a rental car on all three of the islands.

3) Purchase the macadamia nut liqueur called Kahana Royale at Hilo Hatties or ABC Stores on any of the three islands.

4) Enjoy breakfast in Waikiki at Eggs n Things Restaurant 1911-B Kalakaua Ave. Try the coconut pancakes with coconut syrup.

5) Check out the Honolulu Meal Ticket for meal deals.

6) Purchase a CD guide outlining the Road to Hana and play it as you drive along. The CD can be purchased from Boss Frog’s. Check the local Maui Magazine. There may be a discount coupon in this free magazine.

7) Purchase some 100% Kona coffee on the Big Island. Visit either Greenwell Farms 81-6581 Mamalahua Hwy, Kealakekua Hawaii or Bayview Coffee Farm - approximately 0.4 miles north of the Painted Church on Painted Church Road.

8) Purchase large bags of over-roasted macadamia nuts at reasonable prices from Kona Coast Macadamia Nut Farm at the intersection of Hwy 11 at Middle Kei’i Road on the Big Island. You can also purchase reasonably priced bags of macadamia nuts at the outdoor public market next to St. Michael’s Church in Kailua-Kona. The market is open from Thursday to Sunday.

9) There are many great luaus on the islands. Ask around for the best deal.


Here is an article on Hawaiian history.

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