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10/05/2025 • 10 min
Best things to do in Hawaii
Experience incredible island living, stand beneath plummeting waterfalls and climb volcanoes with our list of the most fun things to do in Hawaii.
Say ‘Aloha!’ to the best things to do in Hawaii – the Aloha State. Step on sugar-sand beaches, catch some of the best waves in the world, and adventure through the tropical jungles and waterfalls of this enchanting island state.
With laidback island-living and plenty for the hardiest of thrill seekers, Hawaii has it all. Discover the crowning jewels of Hawaii as well as those lesser-known gems.
Brush up on your Hawaiian and prepare yourself for one of the most beautifully diverse landscapes in the world. Welcome, or “E komo mai”, to our Hertz guide to the best and most fun things to do in Hawaii.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
On Hawaii Island, colloquially known as the Big Island, is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This nature reserve, named after the giant, active volcanoes at its heart – Kīlauea and Mauna Loa – houses some of the most unique geological and biological landscapes found anywhere.
Here, you’ll be able to trek across a land both hardened and cracked, thriving with life that has adapted to a place where all elements are alive. Watch the earth erupt, discover challenging and scenic hiking trails across 354,461 acres, and drive down and around the slopes of Kīlauea until you reach the lava-warped cliffs near the sea.
In Hawaii, the land is alive – and no location on the island shows it more than this cherished, culturally rich swathe of land born of fire and sea.
‘Akaka Falls
‘Akaka Falls, Hawaii 96720
Visit ‘Akaka Falls State Park and treat yourself to a gentle hike through this tropical scenic loop rich with blooming flora, hidden fauna and verdant vistas at every turn. There’s so much to look at, you might forget your destination – the 442 ft. ‘Akaka Falls, which plunges in free-fall, crashing in a steam-eroded, deep island gorge.
The footpath is a half-mile circuit that circles the falls, mostly paved and with handrails, making it an accessible adventure. The loop trail is easy to follow, with a left-hand path at the first junction available for those who only want to see ‘Akaka Falls itself.
Nāhuku Lava Tube
#52, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
Lava runs through Hawaii as blood through veins, leaving its mark beneath the land to create fantastical subterranean cave formations that appear as though they were pulled from the pages of a fantasy epic. Beneath tropical tree formations and abundant flora sits the 500-year-old Nāhuku Lava Tube, where once a 2,000°F river of lava flowed through the earth.
Now, it hosts a uniquely fragile ecosystem of creatures, minerals and plant life. You can choose from several additional routes for more scenic viewing, including the Devastation Trail, Uēaloha, the Kīlauea Iki loop, or the Nāhuku all-in-one. Parking is limited, so it’s important to start your subterranean adventure early. Ultimately, you’re looking at a long but unchallenging scenic loop, with the Nāhuku Lava Tube taking about 30 minutes to an hour along a self-guided walk. With the additional routes, you can easily expect to spend the day.
The Nāhuku Lava Tube is one of the best things to do in Hawaii for anyone with an interest in the unique geology of volcanoes.
Culture and Cuisine in Hilo
Hilo, Hawaii
When you’re not scaling volcanoes, chasing ancient rivers of lava, or following thundering waterfalls, you might want to enjoy the culture (and cuisine) of some of Hawaii’s most famous cities and neighborhoods. Not only is it an incredible base of operations for nearby natural hotspots like the Boiling Pots – a collection of bubbling lava rock pools – but it’s an attraction in and of itself.
In Downton Hilo, you’ll find a historic town with as many shops, attractions, and cultural sites as seashells in the sand. Get a dose of island retail therapy along Kamehameha Avenue, which faces Hilo Bay, enjoy some road snacks or trinkets from Hilo Farmers Market, then head over to the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Centre and let the art scene inspire you.
Take a day away from the belly of the island and enjoy a visit to the Pacific Tsunami Museum, the Lyman Museum, Mission House, or the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center.
Visit Hilo today and place yourself in the middle of some of the best things to do in Hawaii.
Papakōlea & Kaihalulu Beach
Green Sand Beach Road, Naalehu, HI 96772 / Uakea Road, Hana, HI 96713
As anyone could tell you, one of the most fun things to do in Hawaii is visit the beach and catch some waves – you’re on an island, after all. You’ve heard about soft, golden sands and rocky cliffs, but Hawaii has so much more than that.
Cut like a crescent in the cinder cone, this geological wonder’s sands glow a glorious green and sweep down on a slope toward turquoise waters. This color is the result of olivine, a mineral held in the lava that has remained on the beach. To get to this olive outcrop, you’ll need to hike or pay for a 4x4 shuttle.
If green is not your color, then try Kaihalulu Beach. Also known as Red Sand Beach, these maroon shores are a secluded pocket of sand and sea stowed away in a hidden cove. It’s a dramatic sight, contrasting against the uncanny, deep-blue of the pristine shoreline. To get to Kaihalulu, you’ll need to take a challenging hike along a precarious 0.8-kilometer trail. Arduous, but worth the sights and the privacy. You can park your car at the end of Uakea Road in Hana. The trail starts beyond the yellow gate on your left.
Leave no stone unturned with Hawaii car rental options from Hertz.
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
189 Lihiwai Street #151, Hilo, HI 96720
In 1885, the Japanese began to settle in Hawaii to work on the sugar cane fields and soon became one of the island’s most prominent ethnic groups. With them, they brought their lives and their culture, adding to and transforming Hawaii’s island aesthetic. Those simple, serene and transient sensibilities can be seen in Liliʻuokalani Gardens, one of the largest and most unique ornamental Japanese gardens you’ll find outside of Japan itself.
These gardens, named after the late (and last) Queen Liliʻuokalani, were a tribute to those Japanese settlers given to them in 1917. The Liliʻuokalani Gardens are one of the best things to do in Hawaii for those who want to experience other important cultures and stroll through a serene and peaceful parcel of land.
With over 24 artfully kempt acres, the Liliʻuokalani Gardens transport you across the Pacific for a moment. That illusion is only ever challenged by the silhouettes of Hilo Bay and Coconut Island in the far distance, as the sun sets.
Kaulana Manu Nature Trail
State Route 200, Hilo, HI 96720
If you’re looking for a rewarding tropical hike, then the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail is one of the best things to do in Hawaii. It’s an easy-to-access loop trail spanning 3-4 miles and is a renowned bird-watching route. You’ll get to see some of Hawaii’s unique avian residents hiding amongst branches and filling your walk with birdsong. Some of the rarest species include the ʻakepa, ʻakiapōlāʻau, and ʻalawī.
What makes the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail so spectacular is the pockets of perfectly preserved forest that have survived between the surrounding lava flows. While it’s an easy route suitable for most walkers, the views are still incredible.
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
You might not expect to find snow in Hawaii, but you just might catch it at the peak of this dormant shield volcano. Mauna Kea rises over 4,200 meters above sea level – higher than Mount Everest. Don’t worry, though, you won’t need to plan a several-day mountaineering excursion. To access Mauna Kea, you’ll either need a 4x4 vehicle or book a Mauna Kea tour, which will provide one. There’s also the Humu’ula Trail, which is a taxing 12-to-14-mile round trip that requires a briefing with a ranger, specific gear, and acclimatization requirements. This is a steep, high altitude, exposed and slippery hike without a 4x4.
With a tour guide, you can stargaze at the highest point in Hawaii, tuck into a warm meal, and enjoy the safety of guides with experience. Many tours take the best part of the day and offer an experience you won’t soon forget, and it stands as one of our best things to do in Hawaii, both in the day and at night.
Pools of ‘Ohe'o
Hana, HI 96713
Only 15 minutes out of Hāna are the Pools of ‘Oheʻo, a tiered set of waterfall-fed pools that cut through ‘Ohe’o Gulch. Between the rock, verdant flora grows, and the pools remain pristine as the idyllic rainforest stream that formed the ‘Oheoʻo Gulch runs through, cascading into waterfalls along its ancient route. It’s no wonder then that the pools are one of the most popular attractions in East Maui and one of the best things to do in Hawaii.
The Pools of ‘Oheoʻo (or “The Seven Sacred Pools”) are in Haleakalā National Park, which itself contains a selection of wonderful hiking trails that take you deeper into the forest. If the Seven Sacred Pools aren’t enough cascading water for you, you can continue through onto the 400 ft. Waimoku Falls. Just be prepared, it’s not a short hike and you may want to consult the park rangers before you take it on.
Waiānuenue
967 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720
Visit Waiānuenue, or literally “Rainbow Seen in Water”. This waterfall is located just outside of Downtown Hilo, making it an incredible and easy-to-access day trip that fits on any Hawaii bucket list. Waiānuenue is a central piece of the Legend of Hina – the Hawaiian Moon Goddess and the surrounding land is steeped in rich lore. Also known as Rainbow Falls, this natural water feature is set at the top of the storied Wailuku River. When you arrive, you’ll find an 80-foot waterfall cascading down from a lava cave into a splash of prismatic mist from which it derives its name.
If you don’t fancy the short hike, Waiānuenue is only a brief walk away from a convenient parking lot. That means you can access this hidden oasis regardless of age or accessibility. If you want to make a day of your visit, you can find many trails leading into the surrounding jungle environment, thick with plant life and a network of roots hanging from the Banyan trees.
Learn more about Hawaii
Before you tackle the best things to do in Hawaii, you’ll want to get up to speed with staying, eating and driving around the Aloha State.
