2024 Travel Guide to Hawaii

by Scott Laird
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sat January 20, 2024

Hawai‘i has been a mass-market favorite among leisure travelers since the advent of jet airlines in the middle of the last century—and who can disagree? 2024, however, will be an extraordinary year for the Hawaiian Islands. Maui is working to recover tourism, carefully treading the need to communicate respect for the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Lahaina while also promoting the rest of the island as open for business.

Other destinations in the Aloha State are grappling with similar challenges, such as how to ensure tourism is additive to the local economy, without impacting the communities where residents live and work. With all that in mind, tourism remains Hawai‘i’s largest industry, and its position as one of the most sought-after destinations anywhere in the world remains solid.

Read on for some of the top spots in Hawai’i for travelers in 2024.

Best Destinations in Hawaii

Each of the Hawaiian Islands offers a distinctive personality—many with features emblematic only to those islands. The Na Pali Coast (best explored by air or sea) is only on Kauai. Le’ahi (Diamond Head) on O’ahu is one of the world’s most famous oceanfront vistas. The volcanic crater of Haleakala on Maui feels more like the surface of the moon than anywhere on earth, and the Island of Hawai’i’s active volcanoes are the only ones like them in the United States.

Napali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii. (photo via Adam-Springer/ iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Best Attractions in Hawaii

Hawai‘i is hardly an attraction-based destination. Visitors tend to instead gravitate toward the parts of the state where they find their best vibe. Many travelers like the urban excitement of Waikiki, with its ever-changing slate of new eateries and trendy nightlife, while other travelers might find sleepy Koloa Town on Kaua‘i more their speed. The state’s small towns are also starting to come into their own. Lihue, Kaua’i, and Kahului, Maui, both long regarded as non-resort areas, are becoming noted for locally-grown bars, restaurants, and shops selling made-on-island arts and crafts.

Must See 2024 Events in Hawaii

Hawai’i is known for events throughout the year. The Lunar New Year is particularly well-observed in Honolulu’s Chinatown in February. In April, the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Festival—the pinnacle event of which is a world-renowned hula competition—takes place in Hilo in early April. In June, King Kamehameha Day celebrations are held throughout the state. In July, Koloa Plantation Days celebrates the sugar plantation heritage of Koloa, Kaua’i.

July and August Bring Obon celebrations in the Japanese-American communities on all the islands. In October, both the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (O’ahu, Maui, and Island of Hawai’i) are to draws.

Best Places for Families in Hawaii

On O’ahu, Disney’s Aulani Resort in the Ko Olina Resort development are a top draw, but as a destination virtually all of Hawai‘i seems almost tailor-made for young ones, with tranquil beaches kissed by gentle surf, family-friendly luau and hula shows, and other attractions.

The younger ones may also enjoy the expansive pools and lagoons at Waikiki’s Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, or the famous waterslide at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. On the Island of Hawai’i, there’s a lazy river and dolphin lagoon at Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Kids will also enjoy the all-ages activities at Paradise Cove Luau on O’ahu or dedicated kids programming at the Bishop Museum.

Best Places for Couples in Hawaii

Couples can enjoy extra quiety interludes at the adults-only pool at The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea or the super-secluded rooms and suites at the sister property The Four Seasons Resort Lanai—many of which have views of Haleakala on neighboring Maui.

Couples wanting a longer stay with more condo-like amenities will like the oceanfront condo accommodations on the south shore of Kaua’i at Whaler’s Cove, with fully-equipped units perched above the surf crashing onto the lava rocks, with sunrise views of Mount Ha‘upu.

On Hawai’i Island, hidden away on Kahuwai Bay, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort sits on the grounds of an ancient fishing village, with some units perched just above the crashing surf with supreme sunset views. Sunset views also abound at Fairmont Orchid, where couples seeking extra pampering can indulge in the Fairmont Gold level accommodations, with daily food & beverage presentations in an exclusive ocean view lounge.

Best Places for Group Travel in Hawaii

Hawai’i’s larger resorts are well-suited for large groups of all stripes, particularly those offering a variety of accommodations ranging from standard to suite to club-level accommodations. Larger resorts also offer the benefit of expansive function spaces and restaurants sizable enough to accommodate larger groups.

There are also alternatives to booking vacation rentals, which are heavily regulated on most of the Hawaiian Islands. Condo-style accommodations, with up to three-bedroom units suitable for groups, can be booked with two popular condo outfitters, Outrigger and Castle. Specifically on Kaua’I, the historic cottages at Waimea Plantation Cottages are ideal for groups, where they can book entire “neighborhoods” of units nestled together, right on the beach.

Best Places for Solo Travel in Hawaii

Hawai’i is a fine destination for solo travelers. Whether they’re seeking the exciting nightlife of Waikiki or good old-fashioned seclusion in Hana in East Maui, there are accommodations and attractions for all.

Waves crashing on black rock coast with palm trees at sunset

Solo travelers planning on hiking, swimming, or beachgoing on their own should leave a detailed itinerary with their hotel or a friend at home. It also makes sense to invest in a waterproof key and phone pouch so they don’t leave their valuables in their car or on the beach while swimming. Solo travelers may find the most value in oceanfront hotels, resorts, or condo properties, so they can simply leave valuables in the room while enjoying time on the beach.

On board Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, which sails exclusively throughout the Hawaiian Islands, there are dedicated staterooms for solo travelers, allowing them to see a sampling of the Hawaiian Islands during a weeklong itinerary.

Best Foodie Destinations in Hawaii

Kaua‘i Native chef Noelani Planas has made a splash at Red Salt Restaurant at Ko’a Kea on Kaua’I with inventive dishes such as vanilla bean-seared mahimahi. On O’ahu, gastronomic kitchens at Halekulani and The Kahala Hotel & Resort offer dishes that focus on the latest culinary techniques paired with fresh island ingredients.

Non-resort areas in Hawai’i are also experiencing a culinary resurgence. Tasting Kauai does a food tour of downtown Lihue every Saturday. On Maui, Kahului’s noodle shops and taco trucks have started getting attention, in addition to casual favorites like Pa’ia Fishmarket and Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop.

On Hawai’i Island, there’s a new restaurant by celebrity chef Tyler Florence at The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Miller and Lux Hualalai offers steak and seafood with views of the 18th green at Hualalai Golf Course, with sumptuous dishes like Kona Lobster Thermidor and Truffle Deviled Eggs.

Best Places for Adventure Travel in Hawaii

Adventure travel can be a fraught undertaking in Hawai’i. Much of the attention gotten by adventure travelers lately tends to concern those who unwittingly trespass onto private or off-limits land, or who exceed their own limitations and require rescue from island first responders, taking up precious resources that could be devoted to community residents.

Because of this – Hawaii operators tend to focus on soft, guided adventure—think parasailing, ziplining, or surfing—activities that can all be easily arranged by resort concierges or some of the many outfitters that abound in tourism areas on each of the islands.

Tourist couple at Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai, Hawaii

On Kaua‘i a distinctive soft adventure activity is mountain tubing through old plantation canals, while visitors to each of the islands can also enjoy hiking various trails, mostly through state parks.

Visitors who plan to hike without a guide should take plenty of water, inform their accommodations or a family member of their plans, wear sturdy shoes, and check to make sure the trails are actually accessible to the public before setting out. Hikers should also know their limits and turn around at the first sign of difficulty in unknown terrain or challenging conditions.

Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts in Hawaii

For popular televised sports, O’ahu is the undisputed champion. Every year, the Hawaii Bowl is held in Honolulu around Christmas, and the University of Hawaii hosts other teams in Honolulu throughout the season. Volleyball is also a popular spectator sport in Hawai’i, even rivaling football.

Surfing—a sport invented by Hawaiian royalty—also has many tournaments in Hawai’i throughout the year, at some of the sport’s most legendary surf breaks, like the north shores of both O’ahu and Maui.

Surfer flying above wave crest with palm trees in background

Hawai’i is also a golfer’s paradise, with well-known courses designed by the sport’s legends on each of the four main islands, particularly in Kapalua, Maui; Princeville, Kaua’I; and the Island of Hawai’i’s Kohala Coast.

Unique to Hawaii

As one of the world’s most isolated land masses, the Hawaiian Islands are like few other places on earth—they’re one of the destinations that are truly extraordinary, and that’s what drives their popularity among both first-time and repeat visitors. Other parts of the United States are racially and ethnically diverse, but Hawai’i has the largest percentage of the population claiming two or more races on the census, and it’s also the only state with an Asian plurality.

The Aloha State’s superlatives ring loud and frequently: The only island state. The only state that was once a sovereign kingdom. The only state with a royal palace. The only state that grows coffee. The only state where “interstate freeways” aren’t actually interstate.

The biggest draw for many visitors may be the unique culture of Hawai’i—a pan Pacific blend of Polynesian, Asian, and European contributions, all underlined by native Hawaiian heritage that is still reclaiming its voice and position in these islands that the kanaka maoli—or Native Hawaiian People—have stewarded and called home since long before Europeans arrived.

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