Hawai'i Family Adventure: Kauai, Big Island & Oahu

Kauai

What makes Kauai special:

Honestly, we just think it’s the prettiest, most lush island. It’s all about natural beauty and getting outdoors. There are so many hiking trails where you can find hidden waterfalls and remote beaches. The landscapes are just stunning. The views from the land are every bit as good as what you see from the water. You can sail the Nā Pali Coast or go snorkeling with all this amazing sea life. It has such a laid-back vibe that really gives your family the space to just reconnect. You get a great mix of adventure and relaxation, and there are plenty of beaches that are perfect for the kids. And I’m not kidding, the sunrises and sunsets are just otherworldly.

Best things to do with your family:

• Okay, you absolutely have to rent a Jeep. Driving through the mountains with the top down is just the best feeling. You can pull over for a gorgeous hike, find an amazing beach for a swim, and then grab lunch at a great spot in one of the little villages. The weather is perfect, and you’ll see rainbows everywhere.

• You can’t miss Waimea Canyon—they call it the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and for good reason. The views and hiking are unreal. You can drive up there yourself, but honestly, we thought hiring a private tour was the way to go. The guide will show you so much more than you’d ever find on your own.

• Poipu Beach is perfect for snorkeling and swimming, but here’s the real pro tip: you have to get a Puka Dog and some Hawaiian shaved ice while you’re there. If you stick around for sunset, there’s often live music with beautiful views over the bay.

• And if you’ve ever wanted to try surfing, this is the place to do it. There are tons of great spots to take a lesson.

• Seeing the Nā Pali coast by boat is a must-do. For us, the highlight of the entire trip was the tour we took with Na Pali Riders. Seriously, just book it.

• Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes. There’s a coastal path where, if you go at the right time of day, you’ll see hundreds of sea turtles and other wildlife all along the rocky shore. It’s an easy walk with a huge payoff.

• For something totally unique, you have to try the mountain tubing adventure. You literally float in an inner tube down these old sugar plantation waterways that wind through tunnels and flumes. It’s so much fun and unlike anything else.

• When you’re ready for dinner, you can keep it casual in Koloa Village. It’s a great little historic town with cute shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, head to The Shops at Kukui‘ula in Po’ipu. It has local boutiques, art galleries, and fantastic restaurants. Definitely try to go on a Wednesday afternoon for the gourmet farmers market, or on a Friday night to catch some great live music. It’s just a really cool vibe.

Big Island

What makes the Big Island special:

What we love about the Big Island is just how relaxed and welcoming it feels. You really get the sense that you’re having a more authentic Hawaiian experience. The best part is that there’s something for every type of person. It’s so easy to find incredible hiking, go ziplining, hit the beaches, do some shopping, or play a round of golf. But the wildest thing about the island is its different climates. I’m not kidding, you can drive from a lush tropical rainforest to a dry, volcanic landscape that looks like another planet, all on the same day. It’s pretty incredible.

Best things to do with your family:

• Okay, for the best beach on the island, you have to go to the one at the Mauna Kea Resort. I think its official name is Kauna’oa Beach. It’s just a perfect crescent of white sand, and you can rent chairs, paddleboards, and anything else you need right there. (If you need a break from chillaxin, you can hike straight from the beach—take the Ala Kahakai Trail both directions—killer vistas and a good workout.)

• You absolutely cannot miss stargazing on Mauna Kea. You’re so high up, you’re literally above the clouds, and since you’re in the middle of the ocean, there’s zero light pollution. I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. It is a truly mind-blowing experience. We booked a group tour with NASA astronomers who had all the gear for us—winter coats, furry blankets, and state-of-the-art telescopes. (The weather at 14k feet is chilly!)

• Another incredible day is kayaking in Kealakekua Bay. You can rent kayaks nearby, paddle across the bay, and the snorkeling by the Captain Cook monument is some of the best you’ll ever find.

• And this sounds made up, but you can actually swim with giant manta rays at night. They do these tours right off the coast near the Mauna Kea resort, and it’s a completely surreal and unforgettable thing to do.

• Set aside a full day for Volcanoes National Park, especially if you’re adventurous. There’s this amazing hike right from the visitor center that takes you down into the main crater, across the Kilauea Iki crater, and then pops you out at the Thurston Lava Tube. It’s the perfect way to see everything.

• On the food front: you have to eat as much local poke as you possibly can. It’s the freshest tuna I’ve ever had. Seriously amazing.

• If you’re up for a challenge, hike down into Waipio Valley. The road down is only a mile, but I’m not kidding, it is incredibly steep. The payoff is huge, though—you get down to this amazing black sand beach, and there are wild horses just roaming around.

• Lastly, if you’re thinking about a splurge, the helicopter tour is spectacular. Blue Hawaiian Tours is the biggest and the best one to go with.

Okay, for food, we were all about finding the most authentic local spots and trying the signature dishes. As a family, these were the things we made sure to hunt down—you have to try them.

• Poke: You’ll see this everywhere, and for good reason. It’s basically cubes of super-fresh raw fish, usually ahi tuna, marinated in things like soy sauce and sesame oil. It’s simple, incredibly fresh, and a total must-eat.

• Loco moco: This one sounds a little wild, but trust me, it’s amazing. It’s a big pile of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and then smothered in brown gravy. It’s the ultimate Hawaiian comfort food, perfect after a long morning of hiking or swimming.

• Huli huli chicken: You’ll probably smell this before you see it. It’s chicken marinated in this incredible sweet and savory sauce and then grilled on a rotating spit. Look for it at roadside stands—it’s so good.

• Shaved ice: The ultimate Hawaiian treat to beat the heat; this isn’t a crunchy snow cone but a mountain of fluffy, snow-like ice that soaks up amazing tropical syrups, best served over a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream.

• Haupia: For dessert, you have to find some Haupia. It’s a traditional dessert, kind of like a firm coconut milk pudding. It’s not overly sweet, just really creamy and refreshing. Sometimes you’ll find it in a pie, which is next-level delicious.

• Malasadas: You can’t leave without trying these! They’re basically Portuguese doughnuts without a hole. They come out hot, fluffy, and coated in sugar. They are seriously addictive—make sure you get them fresh.

And these were our favorite spots that hit the mark for food experiences:

• Puka Dog is Poipu’s iconic food stand that reinvents the hot dog by placing a Polish sausage into a toasted, hollowed-out bun and filling it with a signature garlic-lemon sauce and a choice of tropical fruit relishes.

• Nourish Hanalei is a farm-to-table cafe serving vibrant, healthy bowls and smoothies from a spectacular location with panoramic views overlooking the iconic taro fields of Hanalei Valley.

• Aloha Juice Bar, Hanalei Bay serves healthy options like acai bowls, hot and iced coffee, and fresh fruit smoothies. Tucked away in the historic art town of Hanapepe.

• Japanese Grandma’s Cafe is a beloved local spot serving authentic, homestyle Japanese cuisine and exceptionally fresh sushi in a charming, intimate setting. (This is a must-visit if you are on this side of the island)

• If you’re looking for the perfect spot to stock up for a picnic, you have to go to Kukuiolono Market. It’s a fantastic little general store that has everything you could possibly want, from a great selection of wine, beer, and cheese to amazing sandwiches that they make to order. It’s our go-to for grabbing all the good stuff before heading to the beach.

• Eating House 1849 is Chef Roy Yamaguchi’s brilliant take on Hawaiian history, serving up inventive, deeply flavorful dishes in a vibrant, open-air setting that’s perfect for a sophisticated and lively night out

• There are moments that truly define a trip, and enjoying a sunset cocktail at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay was one of them for us. You’re sitting there with this incredible, handcrafted drink that tastes like the island itself, and the view just unfolds before you. It’s an impossibly perfect, panoramic sweep of Hanalei Bay and the mountains. It’s not just a happy hour; it’s a deeply luxurious and peaceful experience.

• Merriman’s in Waimea is the definitive taste of the Big Island—a pioneering farm-to-table experience, been there for years, where every impeccably sourced, delicious dish is a tribute to its roots in Hawaiian ranching and farming

• For that one truly special, elegant night out, Canoe House is it. It’s set right on the beach with the most stunning ocean views, and the ambiance is pure barefoot luxury. While it’s certainly a splurge, it completely delivered—the chef who took over in 2020 is creating magic. Honestly, it was one of the best and most memorable meals we’ve had in years.

• A Sunday brunch at the Mauna Kea Hotel is an absolute must for a classic, luxurious Hawaiian experience. You’re sitting at the Manta restaurant’s beautiful open-air terrace, looking out over one of the most perfect white-sand beaches on the island. The view is simply unbeatable, the food is fantastic, and the whole vibe feels timeless. Even if you can’t make the full Sunday spread, their everyday breakfast there is just as magical.

• When you’re in Waimea, the go-to spot for your morning caffeine is definitely the Waimea Coffee Company. They have the best coffee in town and great food, too—the breakfast burrito melt is seriously hard to beat. Just a friendly heads-up, don’t go if you’re in a hurry, as the food service runs on its own relaxed ‘island time.’ But if you have a moment to chill, it’s absolutely worth the wait.

• For that perfect casual sunset, Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa is the spot. It’s exactly what you picture when you think of a fun beach bar in Hawaii: live music, a great ‘toes-in-the-sand’ vibe, and a front-row seat to the ocean. It’s the ideal place to unwind with a tropical cocktail and some easy beach bites as you watch the sun go down.