Hawaii has eight main islands. We guide you through the four you can explore — Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
The Hawaiian Archipelago
The Hawaiian archipelago stretches across 1,500 miles of the Pacific and comprises eight main islands — Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. Of these, four are the primary destinations for visitors and the focus of this guide: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Each has its own character, landscape, and spirit. Together, they offer a lifetime of discovery.
The Islands
Big Island
Watch lava meet the ocean. Stand at the edge of creation.
Explore Big Island
Top Ten Things To Do
Responsible Travel
In Hawaii, the land is not a backdrop. It is a living ancestor. The word aina — the land that feeds us — carries a responsibility that every visitor inherits the moment they step off the plane. To travel Hawaii with integrity means leaving every trail, reef, and shoreline better than you found it.
Stay on marked trails. Never touch or stand on coral. Respect kapu (sacred) sites and do not remove rocks, sand, or shells. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Support local businesses. Listen more than you speak. The aloha spirit is not a marketing slogan — it is a covenant between people and place.
"Aia i hea ka wai a Kane? — Where is the water of Kane?"
Traditional Hawaiian Chant — a reminder that water, land, and life are sacred and inseparable
Plan Your Journey
Helicopter rides, snorkel cruises, luaus, and guided hikes across all four islands.
From boutique hideaways to world-class oceanfront resorts — every island, every budget.
Find the best fares to Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, and Kona from anywhere in the world.
Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Avis, and more — compare rates and book direct.
Uber and Lyft operate on Oahu and Maui. Get around Honolulu and Lahaina with ease.
Paddle the Wailua River, explore sea caves on Kauai, or kayak to the Mokulua Islands.
Trusted Reviews
Maui
Peter Merriman helped define Hawaii Regional Cuisine, and his Kapalua restaurant remains its finest expression. The locally sourced fish, the sweeping ocean views, the unhurried pace of a meal that feels like a celebration — this is why you fly to Maui.
Read Full ReviewBig Island
Set against ancient lava fields on the Kohala Coast, Hualalai is the rare resort that earns every superlative. The bungalows open directly onto the ocean. The staff remembers your name. The snorkeling pond is stocked with manta rays. It is, simply, extraordinary.
Read Full ReviewMaui
The menu tells you which fisherman caught your fish and where. That is the promise of Mama's — a connection to the ocean that goes beyond the plate. Reserve weeks in advance. Order the catch of the day. Sit by the window. You will not forget it.
Read Full ReviewThe Waterfalls of Hawaii
Manoa Falls
Oahu
Waimoku Falls
Maui
Wailua Falls
Kauai
Akaka Falls
Big Island
Culture & Language
The Hawaiian language — Olelo Hawaii — is one of the most melodic and expressive languages on earth. Nearly silenced in the 20th century, it has been revived through immersion schools, cultural programs, and the fierce pride of a people who refused to let their voice disappear.
Aloha
Love, peace, compassion — a way of life
Mahalo
Gratitude, thankfulness
Ohana
Family — those bound together by love
Pono
Righteousness, balance, doing what is right
Kokua
To help, to give without expectation
Mana
Spiritual power, divine authority
Aina
The land — that which feeds us
Hana
Work, craft, to create with purpose