Prior to arriving...

• Book in advance: flights and accommodations can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Also, don't forget to reserve your tours and make dining reservations (info and links below) WELL in advance! Places like Mama's Fish House often book up 60 days in advance!

• Pack lightly: you'll likely be spending most of your time in swimwear and casual attire.

• Research activities: determine what you want to do before arriving to maximize your time. Also check times/days for the places you'd like to visit to make sure they are open on the day you would be visiting. (There's nothing more disappointing than planning to go somewhere that just so happens to be closed on that particular day.)

• Learn about Hawaiian culture: respect local customs and traditions.

While in Hawaii

• Ocean safety: Always swim at beaches with life guards and be aware of ocean conditions. (Know what the flags mean, and take them seriously!)

• Respect wildlife: Observe marine life from a distance and avoid disturbing their habitat.

• Try local cuisine: Indulge in fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and other Hawaiian delicacies even if you aren't sure if you'll like it or not.

• Relax and unwind: Embrace the island lifestyle and take time to recharge.

• Pack reef-safe sunscreen: Protect the delicate marine ecosystem. If you aren't sure if a sunscreen is reef-safe or not, you can wait to purchase this once you're in Hawaii. 

• Bring a reusable water bottle & reusable bag: Help reduce plastic waste on the island.

• Consider a rental car: While public transportation is available, a car offers way more flexibility.

ALOHA

Fly into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) on O'ahu.

Rent a car. - The entrance to the car rentals are located directly across from Terminal 2 (outside of Baggage Claims 26 and 31)

• • I do recommend renting a car while you're in O'ahu since the public transportation options can take MUCH longer to get around, plus they don't go to all of the locations you will probably want to visit, so a rental car is ideal. Just know that hotels often charge a parking fee, so factor that into your budget when planning. Some recommend using THIS discount car rental company, but I prefer booking directly with the car rental company I'm using.

Head to your hotel to check in and drop off your bags before going to get dinner/drinks at The Beach Bar and enjoy a walk on the beach. 

Enjoy a twist on shave ice for dessert at Ice Monster !

BREAKFAST

Get up early and have breakfast at Eggs 'n Things! The time change is no joke, so we're going to use the fact that you'll want to get up early to our advantage. 

PEARL HARBOR

Next, make your way to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, specifically the USS Arizona Memorial, to learn about one of the most pivital moment in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor.  (CLICK HERE for Tickets - You'll want to get the earliest time available for the day that you're visiting.)

Once you're done (which hopefully will be no later than 10:30 am), drive to the Polynesian Cultural Center where you'll spend the rest of your day. 

LUNCH

For lunch, either grab something from a food truck that you see along the way, or head to Foodland (grocery store) to get some fresh Hawaiian specialties (I recommend the poke)! 

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

Arrive at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and enjoy a tour of the island villages, a Lū'au, AND the "HĀ: Breath of Life" show! There are several different packages, but I recommend the "Ali'i Lū'au Package" if you'd like to experience a lū'au and guided tour through the island villages, or you can do the "Gateway Buffet Package" which includes a self-guided experience along with a buffet with live music (but now a lū'au). (CLICK HERE for tickets)

MORNING

*BRING YOUR SWIMSUIT & TOWELS WITH YOU TODAY!

Grab an early breakfast at one of the local's favorite spots, The Sunrise Shack, before heading to ONE of the following options:

1. Hike the Diamond Head State Monument trail - Reservations are required - CLICK HERE to get yours! (Please note: there is a parking fee as well as an entry fee to do this option.)

2. Hike the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail for a quite challenging hike. (Bring water, snacks, shoes that can get muddy, a hat, and natural eco-friendly bug spray.)

3. Visit the Byodo-In Temple, a beautiful non-denominational Buddhist temple that was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to arrive in Hawai'i (CLICK HERE for tickets)

4. Go shopping at the world's largest open-air shopping center, Ala Moana Center. 

AFTERNOON

Drive towards Kualoa Ranch, and on the way, stop at Yummy Huli Huli Chicken for a delicious lunch.

Next, take THIS Kahula Ranch: Hollywood Movie Sites Tour. (Make sure to reserve a time later in the day when you reserve your tickets in advance.) If you think your crew would also like an UTV tour, consider THIS tour as well!

After the tour, check out the Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts store and get some delicious macadamia nut goodies. 

If visiting Kualoa Ranch isn't of interest to you, consider enjoying the spa at a resort or simply hanging out at the beach.

MORNING

Enjoy breakfast at Leonard's Bakery (the donuts are iconic) before making your way to the North Shore to do one of the following:

NIGHT

Ask a local for dinner recommendations! If you do any of the tours above, your tour guide is a great resource to find new, delicious places to eat!

GOODBYE, O'AHU

Today you'll be saying goodbye to O'ahu and hello to Maui! You can either sleep in or if you have the energy and desire, consider volunteering on the island! This is a fun way to get to know locals and help conserve the beauty of Hawaii. (CLICK HERE for details.)

Pack up and check out of your hotel. Drive to the airport (with plenty of time to drop off your car rental and fill up the gas on the way), and fly to Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui. (You can get a nonstop flight through Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest Airlines!)

HELLO, MAUI

When you arrive to Maui, get a small/compact car rental at the airport, then make your way to and check into your hotel. 

DINNER

Next, enjoy your dinner reservation at Mama's Fish House (if you were able to get a dinner reservation here - try getting these at least 60 days out) OR grab food from a food truck at the Kihei Food Truck Park before heading back to your hotel to enjoy the pool and sunset. 

You only have ONE full day in Maui, so if you want to squeeze in as much as you can in this one day, select one option to do for each part of your day below (making sure to watch your timing when booking your tours), OR you could simply choose just one of the options below and spend the rest of your time at your resort or on the beach. For lunch and dinner, enjoy the food trucks you stumble across!

. . .

As you may recall, Maui suffered from a horrible fire in 2023, mainly in the Lahaina area. If you'd prefer to spend your day volunteering on the island, click here and here for more details.

MORNING

Pack, check-out of your hotel, then go experience the Tropical Express Tour at the Maui Tropical Plantation. This is a great last day activity, plus you'll be able to pick up any last minute souvenirs you'd like before heading to the airport, dropping off your rental car and flying home. 

Bonus Tips:

• Make sure you're prepared for the weather and a lot of walking. Bring your walking shoes, a sweater, hats, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. so that you're prepared to keep going if inclement weather does happen.

• Book your experiences and make your reservations as soon as you can, especially if you're going at peak times (holidays and summer).