Whether you have lived in Hawaii your entire life and never plan on leaving, or have just moved to the islands, there are some things you just have to do or experience while in Hawaii. Some of these 31 items are easy, like visiting Honolulu’s Iolani Palace, while others are much more difficult, like completing as many hikes as possible. Without further ado, here is the ultimate bucket lists for the Hawaiian Islands.
- Go stargazing at Mauna Kea Observatory.
Christopher Chan/Flickr
- Immerse yourself in American history with a trip to Pearl Harbor.
JEB/Flickr
- Hike the Napali Coast along the Kalalau Trail.
Christian Arballo/Flickr
- Learn to make a lei.
Mandy Jansen/Flickr
- Witness the two beautiful waterfalls within Akaka State Park.
Alan Strakey/Flickr
- Drive the famous Road to Hana, perhaps the best drive in all of Hawaii.
Fanch DeLhucas/Flickr
- Watch whales frolicking off the coast.
Warren Antiola/Flickr
- Stroll through Thurston Lava Tube, a 500-foot ancient tunnel formed by flowing lava.
Thomas/Flickr
- See Molokai’s sea cliffs via helicopter, which measure in at more than 2,000 feet, making them the world’s tallest sea cliffs.
Versello/Flickr
- Relax at Oahu’s Waimanalo Beach, one of America’s best beaches.
Beth/Flickr
- See Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
Ali Eminov/Flickr
- Chow down on the best local food in Hawaii at Da Poke Shack.
Kirk K/Flickr
- Go camping on the beach.
Batschmidt/Flickr
- Snorkel at Molokini - a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater which forms a small islet located in Alalakeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoʻolawe.
Aftab Uzzaman/Flickr
- Watch as lava hits the ocean off the Big Island.
Susan Smith/Flickr
- Skydive over Oahu’s North Shore, or anywhere in Hawaii, actually.
Tyler S. Miller/Flickr
- Watch a sunrise from Mount Haleakala.
Andy Beal/Flickr
- Take a hula class.
Carlton Abas/Flickr
- Search for – and find – the best Acai Bowl throughout all of Hawaii. Good luck!
@rsseattle/Flickr
- Splash around in one – or ten – of Hawaii’s amazing tide pools.
Alex Avriette/Flickr
- Check out Papakolea, a green sand beach located at the southernmost point of the United States.
Steve Dunleavy/Flickr
- Visit Iolani Palace, the only palace on United States soil.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
- Swim with green sea turtles, or honu.
Steve Dunleavy/Flickr
- Tour an authentic Kona Coffee farm.
Horspowr1001/Flickr
- Visit Kaluapapa, a former leper colony located on Molokai.
David Holt/Flickr
- Do as many hikes through Hawaii mountain ranges as physically possible.
Marvin Chandra/Flickr
- Perfect your favorite Hawaiian recipe at home – and be able to make it for a large crowd.
Danny Luong/Flickr
- Visit one of Hawaii’s awe-inspiring black sand beaches, like Punaluu Beach on Hawaii Island.
Ali Eminov/Flickr
- No matter how scared you are, go cliff jumping, that is as long as you can swim well.
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
- Take a photograph with your sweetheart in from of Lanai’s sweetheart rock.
Andy Beal/Flickr
- And last, but not least, learn to surf – or at least take a class or two.
Kanaka Menehune/Flickr
Of course, there could never be an entirely comprehensive bucket list for all of the amazing activities and experiences Hawaii offers, but at least this is a start. How many of these bucket list items have you completed? What is on your Hawaii bucket list?
Christopher Chan/Flickr
JEB/Flickr
Christian Arballo/Flickr
Mandy Jansen/Flickr
Alan Strakey/Flickr
Fanch DeLhucas/Flickr
Warren Antiola/Flickr
Thomas/Flickr
Versello/Flickr
Beth/Flickr
Ali Eminov/Flickr
Kirk K/Flickr
Batschmidt/Flickr
Aftab Uzzaman/Flickr
Susan Smith/Flickr
Tyler S. Miller/Flickr
Andy Beal/Flickr
Carlton Abas/Flickr
@rsseattle/Flickr
Alex Avriette/Flickr
Steve Dunleavy/Flickr
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Horspowr1001/Flickr
David Holt/Flickr
Marvin Chandra/Flickr
Danny Luong/Flickr
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
Kanaka Menehune/Flickr
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