Hawaiʻi for First Time Visitors

Your first visit to Hawaiʻi is all about discovery, where most every sight, sound, taste and smell will seem brand new. The visit where everything you’ve ever read, seen or been told about Hawaiʻi finally hits your cerebrum for your own interpretation. Hawaiʻi pretty much has it all. A rich history comprised of the stories, traditions, cuisine, events and touchstones of multiple cultures that all began with Hawaiʻi’s indigenous Hawaiian culture – all of it still celebrated, perpetuated and still creating history. Some of the tastiest and most diverse cuisine offerings in the world, much of it originating from Hawaiʻi’s multicultural history. Mountain-to-sea natural wonders unlike any on Earth. An expansive array of activities for every level of adventure seeker. And, finally, multiple ways for you – even on your first visit – to contribute to preserving Hawaiʻi’s unique natural environment for future first-timers and your return visit. Read on to discover eight recommended experiences every first-time Hawaiʻi visitor should try to do. 

To visit (or live) in Hawaiʻi is to know that there will always be more that you can learn about these islands in your lifetime. Be open to opportunities to gain some knowledge while here and, even as a visitor, you’ll find lots of opportunities and places to learn as much as you desire about Hawaiʻi’s history, people, places of interest and especially its indigenous Hawaiian culture.

A short list of places to start include the Bishop Museum, ʻIolani Palace, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, Kona Coffee Living History Farm, Kauaʻi Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, Huliheʻe Palace, Lyman Museum and Mission House, and Celebration of the Arts.

Pāʻia in Maui  is a must-visit for a stroll past restored sugar plantation-era storefronts, now home to a modern mix of casually hip retailers, assorted eateries and, of course, surf shops. On Oʻahu, head north to Haleʻiwa, the welcoming gateway to world-renowned North Shore surf breaks. Hang out at shave ice stands, boutique retailers, laidback grocery markets, diverse eateries, and surf and dive shops. On Kauaʻi, don't miss Kōloa, the Hawaiian Islands' first plantation village. Founded in 1835 with the establishment of Kauaʻi’s (and Hawaiʻi’s) first sugar plantation and mill, Kōloa has kept much of its sugar town charm in the years since, restoring many of its main street plantation-era buildings, now occupied by an appealing mix of small businesses On the Island of Hawaiʻi, head to Waimea for some cowboy (paniolo) culture. Nestled in the cool, green and fertile saddle of wide-open pasturelands between Maunakea and Kohala mountains, Waimea proudly celebrates its past and present history and culture, adding superlative local-raised farm-and-ranch-to-table ingredients, cuisine and restaurants to its coolness.

Some of the places Hawaiʻi best celebrates the world-famous multicultural diversity of its population are its many annual cultural festivals, museums and special events welcoming anyone interested to attend or participate. They’re the places to go to experience the continued vibrancy of the cultures of our Islands, in large part, through the skills, knowledge, craftsmanship, personal histories, and genuine pride and willingness to share of our many cultural practitioners. Popular Hawaiʻi cultural festivals include the Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival, Okinawan Festival, Korean Festival, Maui Matsuri, Filipino Fiesta, Honolulu Festival, Pan-Pacific Festival, Kōloa Plantation Days and summertime Hawaiʻi OBon festival dances.

The Hawaiian Islands are surprisingly easy to navigate even if you're not familiar with driving on the right-hand side of the road. Many islands featuring one main loop road that goes the entire way around the island. The Road to Hāna on Maui is one of the world's most famous drives, taking you past stunning cliffside scenery, rainforest and waterfalls. Driving on the Island of Hawaiʻi will take you through the alien landscapes of the lava fields, truly a 'must-do' activity for first-timers. The main advantage of taking a road trip is that you can stop whenever you like at a shave ice stand, shrimp shack or lookout for a photo opp. There's plenty more roadtrip inspiration to be found in this list. 

Purchase something truly grown or made in Hawaiʻi to take back home From local-designer fashions inspired by Hawaiʻi’s natural world, woodworks crafted from Hawaiian koa and mango wood, and craft beers and spirits made with Hawaiʻi ingredients, to unique food items made from produce grown and raised on Hawaiʻi farms and ranches, and even custom-shaped surfboards and ʻukulele, you’ll find an ever-growing array of made-in-Hawaii items available at retailers, culinary stores, farmers markets and festivals statewide. Must-check-out annual homegrown product festivals include the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, Made in Maui County Festival, Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair and Kōloa Plantation Days Heritage Craft Fair.

The diversity of food found in the Hawaiian Islands today is the result of multiple origins – among them, the indigenous Hawaiian culture, dozens of multicultural influences, and modern-day cuisine from around the world. And although the Islands offer their fair share of prestigious dining options, one of the best ways to understand the cuisine locals truly enjoy most is by checking out our most popular and beloved food-truck, hole-in the-wall, and hidden-gem eateries. From shave ice and malasadas to saimin, oxtail soup, poke, loco moco, Hawaiian food mixed plates and beyond, if Hawaiʻi’s multicultural cuisine piques your palate, dig in! Find out what kind of Hawaiʻi foodie you are a see our guide to experiencing local eats.

For true practitioners of the Hawaiian dance form, hula is neither pastime nor hobby. It is Hawaiian culture perpetuated and an important part of their lives. Hula’s most steadfast practitioners, having learned the intricacies of the dance over years of instruction led by knowledgeable kumu hula (hula teachers), practice diligently, often with the intention of eventually showcasing their craft in prestigious hula festivals and competitions, many of these invitation-only affairs for skilled hālau hula (hula groups). When you witness hālau hula at a proper hula festival or hula competition, what you see is true hula. And it’s always a wonder to behold. 

Of course, festivals and competitions aren’t the only places one can experience hula at its best. But if you really want to see great hula, schedule your Hawaiʻi visit to coincide with the Merrie Monarch Festival (tickets are hard to come by but competition is broadcast live for TV in Hawaiʻi and livestreamed worldwide), Prince Lot Hula Festival, Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko and Eō E ʻEmalani I Alaka‘i, or Kū Mai Ka Hula.

Thanks to a growth in recent years of voluntourism opportunities for eco-conscious traveler, anyone who wishes to do so can now explore Hawaiʻi’s natural splendour up-close while positively impacting the Islands’ ecological wellbeing for years to come. Most voluntourism activities provide all the tools you’ll need to help out. Some even offer snacks and water. All you need to do is arrive with a desire to do some work for free, get your hands dirty, maybe get your feet muddy, and do some good for Hawaiʻi’s natural world.