Discover Which Hawaiian Island is Best For You

On the eastern side of the Big Island, every stay at relative newcomer SCP (Soul Community Planet) Hilo hotel supports local beach cleanup efforts.

Volcano Village Lodge is in a quiet residential neighborhood a couple of miles from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Rooms feature small refrigerators, microwaves and toaster ovens; included gourmet breakfasts are placed in the room’s refrigerator so guests can enjoy them on their own schedule. Nearby Kilauea Lodge Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, as well as brunch on Sunday. You can’t beat the pad thai or papaya salad at the Thai Thai Bistro & Bar.

Kauaʻi: The top island for nature lovers

Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauaʻi boasts a dreamy landscape including sun-kissed beaches and towering serrated-edged mountains that reach for the sky, then plunge into the blue Pacific Ocean. It has all the makings for a romantic getaway or a vacation soaked in natural beauty.

Things to do on Kauaʻi

Nāpali Coast. Set on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, the 17-mile stretch of magnificent coastline is accessible only by boat, air or difficult hike. Capt. Andy’s offers tours that allow time for snorkeling and sailing (be on the lookout for turtles). Island Helicopters provides a bird’s-eye view of the isolated Nāpali Coast along with 400-foot-high Manawaiopuna Falls (featured in the movie Jurassic Park) and Olokele Canyon, the gateway to Waimea Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Poʻipū Beach Park. This inviting stretch of sand is frequented by visitors, locals and the occasional endangered Hawaiian monk seal. If you see a monk seal, enjoy it from a distance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends at least 50 feet; 150 feet if there is a mother with a pup. Lifeguards are on duty seven days a week.

Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures. Don a headlamp, grab a tube and gently float your way through a former sugarcane plantation. The mountain tubing adventure winds through channels, flumes and tunnels hand-dug circa 1870 to irrigate the Lihue Plantation sugarcane fields. Guides are fun and knowledgeable.

Accommodations and dining on Kauaʻi

There’s a range of accommodations to choose from when staying on Kauaʻi. Many visitors opt for the south side, near Poʻipū. Stretching 20 acres along Kauaʻi’s Poʻipū Beach, the Sheraton Kauai Resort is an easy walk to shopping and dining, including Uncle’s Shave Ice. The shave ice is top-notch, but the shave snow is even better. Inspired by Taiwanese shave ice, milk, sugar and flavoring is added to the water before it’s frozen into ice blocks, so unlike with shave ice, no syrups are needed on top. The flavor is in the ice. You’ll thank me later.

On a secluded bluff overlooking the North Shore, condominium accommodations at The Cliffs at Princeville are spacious, with well-equipped kitchens and private balconies. After a $300 million renovation, beachfront 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (formerly the St. Regis Princeville) is open. Native greenery and rooftop gardens help the resort blend into its striking cliffside location.

In addition to oozing old-school Hawaiian charm, Hanalei is loaded with delicious dining locales. The Hanalei Dolphin specializes in fresh seafood. Parked at the Hanalei Pier, by Black Pot Beach, Pat’s Taqueria white taco truck serves burritos and tacos with rice and beans, carne asada, kalua pork and fish. Wishing Well Shave Ice whips up smoothies, acai bowls and, you guessed it, shave ice, out of an old bus at the entrance to Hanalei town.

Lāna‘i: The top island for secluded natural beauty

A former pineapple plantation that once produced up to 75 percent of the world’s pineapples, Lāna‘i is home to rugged scenery and nearly 3,400 residents. The island has just three hotels, two of which are Four Seasons resorts. Larry Ellison, billionaire cofounder of software giant Oracle, owns 98 percent of Lāna‘i, the smallest of the six inhabited Hawaiian islands.

Things to do on Lāna‘i

Keahiakawelo. A windswept rock garden with striking red and orange hues, Keahiakawelo is what I imagine Mars looks like. Sometimes referred to as the Garden of the Gods, it’s about a 45-minute drive from Lāna‘i City and is accessible only in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A rental car is a must to truly explore Lāna‘i, and four-wheel drive is recommended, since only 30 miles of the island’s roads are paved. There are no traffic lights.

Lanai Cat Sanctuary. Home to nearly 700 rescue cats, this nonprofit invites travelers to spend vacation days playing with its residents. No reservations are needed; the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but tax-deductible donations are welcome.

Lānaʻi Adventure Park. Those seeking an adrenaline boost may gravitate toward zip-lining or the Aerial Tower, but guided e-bike island tours come with breathtaking views and Lānaʻi history lessons.

Hulopoʻe Bay. On Lānaʻi’s southern coast (next to the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Lanai), Hulopo‘e Bay is the most talked-about spot on the island for snorkeling and swimming. Summer conditions are best; surf and currents can intensify in the winter months.

Pu‘upehe. Less than a mile walk from Hulopo‘e Beach, Pu‘upehe is one of Lānaʻi’s most recognizable natural landmarks. The rocky islet, reaching 80 feet into the sky, and the neighboring cliffs offer a beautiful contrast to the vibrant blue surf. I was so taken with the view at sunrise, I made the early morning trek again the following day. The site is also known as Sweetheart Rock. According to Hawaiian legend, a warrior overwhelmed with grief jumped to his death here after his lover drowned during a storm.

Accommodations and dining on Lānaʻi

The Four Seasons Lanai overlooks beautiful Hulopo‘e Bay, and it would be easy to spend your entire vacation on the grounds, but with rooms starting at $1,450 a night, it’s a splurge. Guest experiences run the gamut: Think private catamaran tours, horseback riding and visits to an observatory where guests peer into the night sky and learn how early Polynesians and Indigenous Hawaiians used celestial bodies to navigate on the open ocean. Along with renowned Japanese restaurant Nobu Lanai, onsite dining options include the steak- and seafood-focused One Forty. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort focuses on wellness and is open to guests 16 and older.

Hotel Lanai, which has just 11 accommodations, is the island’s most budget-friendly hotel and home to the Lānaʻi City Bar & Grille. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, the menu features invasive axis deer alongside fish caught by Hawaiian boats. Nearby Dole Park is bordered by a handful of shops and restaurants, including the Blue Ginger Café, Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine and Pele’s Other Garden deli and bistro.

Getting here

There are no direct flights to Lānaʻi from the continental United States; the small Lanai Airport is served by interisland planes.

Molokaʻi: The top island to get off the beaten path

Another Hawaiian island without a traffic light, Molokaʻi is less developed than the other five inhabited islands, making a visit a bit like stepping back in time.

Things to do on Molokaʻi

Pāpōhaku Beach Park. On the island’s west shore, Pāpōhaku Beach Park is one of the largest white sand beaches in all of Hawai‘i, making it perfect for strolling. Swimming is recommended only when the surf is calm and flat. Conditions can be hazardous in fall and winter.

Hālawa Valley. With lush, stunning vistas and thundering waterfalls, this is a must-do for hiking enthusiasts. On Molokaʻi’s East End, the only way to explore the Hālawa Valley is on a guided hiking tour, so be sure to plan ahead.

Accommodations and dining on Molokaʻi

There are some home and condo rental accommodations and a couple of bed-and-breakfast options, but there’s only one hotel — Hotel Moloka‘i. The hotel restaurant, Hiro’s Ohana Grill, serves lunch and dinner and Sunday breakfast with ocean views.

Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi’s main town, is home to a handful of eateries, including the Kanemitsu Bakery, Molokai Burger and Molokai Pizza Café.

Getting here

There’s no ferry service to Moloka‘i, but there are interisland flights from Maui and Oʻahu. Public transportation isn’t available, so plan on renting a car from Alamo, Molokai Car Rental or Mobettah Car Rentals.