Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu
adobe stock
Hawaii’s Varied Island Escapes
With its perfect blend of sunshine, striking beauty, timeless history and fun diversions for every taste, Hawaii embodies everything you love about a tropical vacation. Do not overlook this remarkable destination, thinking you are doing locals on Maui and the Big Island a favor by giving them more time to recover from last summer’s fires. The truth is that your visit will help businesses and communities rebuild faster. Hawaiians are welcoming and encouraging visitors, asking them to come with compassion, empathy and respect.
The islands are safe to explore and, with the exception of the city of Lahaina on Maui, are open with plenty to see and experience. Spy aquamarine waters hugging pristine beaches, volcanoes bubbling and towering waves crashing—then, kick back at a sumptuous resort, where pampering reigns. From lush Maui to tiny Lanai, Hawaii’s six main islands beckon with both action and relaxation. AAA Travel partner Pleasant Holidays brings unrivaled expertise to help you figure out which island or island(s) might be right for you and then how to bring you the most value with a bundled vacation. Whatever your style, America’s 50th state offers something to make your stay here unforgettable.
Stunning view into Waimea Canyon, Kauai
getty images
Outdoor Adventurers
BEST: KAUAI
Kauai’s lush valleys, tall waterfalls, empty beaches and sheer cliffs are so striking that they’ve set the scene in movies like Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Kayakers can paddle through spooky mangrove tunnels and past spectacular 3,000-foot-tall cliffs along the Napali Coast. There are two ways to take in Waipoo Falls, the nearly-impossible-to-miss, two-tiered waterfall that courses down a sheer rock cliff into the 3,600-foot-deep Waimea Canyon. One is to hike to a lower tier, where you can splash around in the misty pool; another is to follow the trail to the top, an up-and-down climb that ends with a view into pleated depths of the canyon. Surfing is practically synonymous with Hawaii, and there are few places better to learn than in the gently rolling waves of Hanalei Bay on Kauai.
Talk to your AAA Travel Agent about AAA Member benefits and AAA Vacations® amenities for Pleasant Holidays vacations.Member Benefits: $50 per booking certificate toward purchase of optional sightseeing or activity.AAA Vacations® amenities: Double member benefit of up to $100 per booking savings or activity voucher (5-night minimum), 24/7 Member Care & Best Price Guarantee.
Lava tube entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island
RUNNER UP: HAWAII ISLAND
Hawaii Island, aka The Big Island, boasts two national parks, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where hiking through a giant lava tube (a cave formed by a river of lava) feels like journeying to the center of the earth. Experience one of the island’s most popular adventures: diving (or snorkeling) with manta rays.
Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Oahu
History Buffs
BEST: OAHU
Long before 1959 when Hawaii joined the United States, it was a multi-island kingdom, complete with kings, queens and palaces. Trace this history all the way back to Hawaii’s earliest Polynesian roots with a visit to the Bishop Museum, created by Charles Bishop to honor his wife, Hawaiian Princess Bernice Pauahi. The museum began with the family’s centuries-old collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal possessions and currently houses more than 25 million treasures. Hawaiian royalty is also on display in Honolulu at Iolani Palace, which is where the last of the nation’s reigning monarchs lived. A special docent-led tour explains the complex history of Hawaii’s royalty and its ultimate overthrow in 1893. The state’s Polynesian roots take center stage at Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center, where six villages representing the island cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga share their customs. (Try your hand at Tahitian spear throwing or take a Samoan cooking lesson.) The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and its museums pay tribute to the 2,341 military personnel and 49 civilians who died as a result of the December 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial along with its museums and visitor center. Tours booked through Pleasant Holidays include transport.
Protect your vacation investment with travel insurance. Click here for more information.
RUNNER UP: MOLOKAI
During the 19th century, Hawaii’s King Kamehameha V exiled all Hawaiians suffering from leprosy—now called Hansen’s disease—to the quiet island of Molokai, where they were held until their deaths.
Haleakala Crater, Maui; Guest receiving a lomi lomi massage
GETTY IMAGES; adobe stock
Wellness Seekers
BEST: MAUI
When relaxation and personal care top your list of vacation musts, this island delivers. Awaken early for morning meditation and to watch the sun rise over Haleakala, Earth’s largest dormant volcano. Next, spend the day at Montage Kapalua Bay’s pampering retreat, where massages, facials and full body therapies are done using local ingredients. Choose to enjoy a service outdoors, where sea breezes kiss your skin, or cocoon yourself inside a cozy spa suite. Split the balance of your time among the spa’s infinity pool, steam, sauna and full lineup of classes. Similarly, Ho’omana Spa Maui relaxes, revitalizes and smooths away tension with traditional Hawaiian treatments, such as lomi lomi massage, a ti leaf ritual and back walking. All spa products are made in house from coconut oil, sea clay, cane sugar, lemongrass and other natural ingredients. At day’s end, consider returning to Haleakala, where the deep, dark night sky surrounding the crater becomes a wonderland for star gazers.
RUNNER-UP: HAWAII ISLAND
Featuring outdoor treatment hales, or huts, perched beside the ocean, next to a waterfall or set amid fragrant greenery, the Spa Without Walls at the Fairmont Orchid resort is a relaxing oasis.
Fresh malasadas, a local treat in Hawaii
GETTY IMAGES
Foodies
Thanks to the Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese immigrants who arrived in the 19th century to work on Oahu, the island, particularly around Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, is a delicious mishmash of flavors and cooking techniques. Get a sense of the diversity at the KCC Farmers’ Market, which is held each Saturday and features local creamy poi made from taro root, sweet Portuguese doughnuts called malasadas, tropical mochi, local cheeses, Vietnamese street food and ahi tuna burgers. At the other end of the scale are restaurants Herringbone Waikiki, where beautiful seafood can be enjoyed in an open-air lanai, and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s Morimoto Asia.
RUNNER UP: KAUAI
A spike in tourism has helped give Kauai’s food scene new life. Bar Acuda, with its dedication to local providers and impeccable cooking, set the stage when it opened in the early 2000s. Red Salt, the island’s only AAA Four Diamond restaurant, is run by Executive Chef and Kauai native Noelani Planas, who integrates local flavors in dishes, such as lemon-pineapple souffle pancakes and vanilla bean-seared mahi. Another great option is Beach House Restaurant, which a AAA Diamond Inspector says, “offers a good selection of regional Hawaiian cuisine prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Reservations are a must for a sunset-view table during the busy season.”
Overlooking Launiupoko and the Pacific Ocean at sunset, Maui
DAY-TRIPPERS
BEST: LANAI
Known as the Pineapple Island because it once produced 75% of the world’s pineapple, Lanai today offers three posh hotels, several charming lodging rentals and miles of unpaved roads. It’s where luxury meets rustic. Sure, you could spend the night, but many people take the ferry from Maui or fly to the island for the day. Favorite excursions include renting a 4x4 vehicle and driving the rugged roads to scenic spots or visiting historic Lanai City to shop and savor at art galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
Steps leading down the steep mountain trail to Kalaupapa peninsula, Molokai
Access Hawaii’s fifth largest island via a half hour flight from Oahu or Maui, and step back in time. Of the six public islands, this is the one with the highest percentage of native Hawaiians—ancestors staying true to their roots and working to preserve their traditions and lifestyle. The island is the least developed, which means you might find a souvenir shop, but you won’t find a shopping mall. Spend your time, instead, riding a mule in Kalaupapa National Historical Park or snorkeling the state’s longest continuous fringing reef.
Plan your tropical escape to Hawaii with a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent today!