Hawaii

If you are looking for something akin to true backcountry travel and scrambling in Maui, the Lau'ulu trail and the Pohaku Palaha summit on the north/north east rim of the Haleakala volcano is a great option. You will find solitude, unparalleled views of the crater, surreal high-altitude tropical rai...

Stop first at Hal Ho'okipa, the park visitor information center. It[s about 4.1 miles south of Kona Airport. Its a neat little building where you can pick up a map and learn more about the area. From there you can take the 0.5 mile Ala Hele Ike Hawai'i trail that leads to the coastal trail (Ala Hele...

Rainbow Falls is a gorgeous and easily accessible pull-off from Highway 11. This is not really a hike - just a short walk from the parking lot to a gorgeous 80 foot waterfall (making this fun for all ages!). Hit up Cafe Pesto in Hilo for a meal after. If you want to learn about the mythology surroun...

Polihale Beach is at the western most point of Kauai and it's perfect white sand shore stretches for over 15 miles. Come here to avoid the notorious Kauai rain, as Polihale is typically sunny and cloudless throughout the year. The sunsets here are some of the best around and the island of Ni'ihau ca...

Coming from Honolulu you'll take the H1 West to the 93 West and just stay on that the whole way until you see the turnoff on your left. From the North Shore, it's a little more complicated, but take the 83 West to the 99 South, jump on the H2 South, then the H1 West to the 93 West (clicking on the d...

On the South Shore you can find the Spouting Horn. There's a small beach park with a great lookout where you can watch a blowhole spout a plume of thundering water into the air. This waterspout occurs whenever the waves are forced under the rocky shelf and up through a lava tube. The water sometimes...

Kawaikoi stream trail starts 3/4 mile beyond the Forest Reserve entrance sign on the Mohihi-Camp 10 road & across the stream at "Sugi Grove". It's a DLNR maintained trail, so there's signage & mile markers for the trail. At 1.75 miles total-roundtrip, it's a very easy walking trail, great fo...

Starting at the Kilauea Visitor Center, this 18.8 mile drive begins its 3,700 foot elevation change by meandering through the rainforest. Follow signs from the visitor center (near the entrance of the park) to Crater Rim Drive. Chain of Craters Road begins off of Crater Rim Drive, 3.3 miles south of...

Finding the location is fairly simple. If you are just going to snorkel and relax you don't need to go into Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park. Instead park just outside of it and facing the entrance of the park you will walk down a one way street on the right. You can attempt to park down the one w...

You will start your hike at the bottom of the volcano. The cost to get into the park is 5$ per vehicle or 1$ for a walk-in or taxi. The cost of the park is absolutely worth it. On the way up the mountain you will start on a wide paved path that starts out relatively flat but gets steeper on the way ...

Iliau, an endemic plant to Kaua'i's westside, grows along the path -- hence the name: Iliau Nature Loop -- is located in Waimea Canyon State Park. Not far after mile marker 8. It has the same trailhead as Kukui Trail. Native vegetation are identified in signs along the path. There are excellent view...

This beach lives up to Hawaii’s stunning fame. You can park in the curved area that is set away from the road, or along the street. Follow the little signs down the trail to the beach. It’s a bit of a scamper down some lava rocks to get there, so be careful. A highlight of this beach is that it is g...

Among all of the places in the Hawaiian islands, Kauai is my favorite. It's what you imagine when you think of Hawaii. It's still relatively undeveloped and there are no freeways on the island. Waimea Pier, which is located at Waimea Beach, epitomizes the old feel of Kauai. Located on the west side ...

This beach is a great if you're looking for a more secluded beach in Waikoloa Village. Rarely are there more than ten people there even during sunset when people flock to the beach. If you aren't staying at the Hilton next door then this spot is a little harder to access. There are two beach access ...

This hike starts directly across from Banzai Pipeline, the famous barreling wave at Ehukai Beach. It only takes half an hour to get to the pillbox so it's a great hike to do at sunset but bring a headlamp. IF you don't hike at sunset it's still an incredibly beautiful hike with views of Pipeline fro...

Even though the North Shore of Oahu is known for big waves in the Winter, in the Summer months (northern hemisphere) there can be a ton of great beaches to relax at and spend the day. Three tables is one of those places that can be sometimes overlooked, but well worth the stop if you are headed up t...