Your first trip to Hawaii is primarily for exploration; practically every sight, sound, taste, and scent will seem fresh and new. Everything you’ve ever read, seen, or heard about Hawaii finally finds resonance in your head for your personal interpretation during your vacation. Hawaiʻi almost certainly has everything. Starting with Hawaiʻi’s indigenous Hawaiian culture, a rich history containing the stories, customs, cuisine, events. And touchstones of many civilizations is continuously cherished, maintained, and still making history.
Thanks in large part to its rich ethnic past, Hawaii offers some of the most varied and delicious cuisine available worldwide. Hawaii’s natural beauties stretch from the mountains to the sea. All adventure seekers can find a wide variety of activities to fit their preferences. Finally, there are several ways you can contribute, even on your first visit, to preserve Hawaii’s unique natural surroundings for future generations and your next trip. See below for eight suggested must-do experiences for your first Hawaii visit.
1. Learn about Hawaiian culture.
Visiting (or living) in Hawaii means realizing that, in your lifetime, these islands will always have more to discover. Even as a guest, you will discover many chances and sites to learn as much as you want about Hawaiʻi’s history, people, sites of interest, and particularly its indigenous Hawaiian culture. Be open to the possibility of learning something here. One of the things you really must do for your first Hawaii visit is learn about Hawaiian culture.
The Bishop Museum, ʻIolani Palace, Hale Hōʻike at the Bailey House, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, Kona Coffee Living History Farm, Kauaʻi Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, Huliheʻe Palace, Lyman Museum and Mission House, and Celebration of the Arts comprise a brief selection of locations to start.
2. Spend some time in some of Hawaii’s many captivating towns.
Pāʻia in Maui is a must-see for a stroll past rebuilt sugar plantation-era stores, now home to a modern mix of casually cool stores, varied cafes, and, of course, surf shops. Head north to Haleʻiwa, the friendly entrance to world-class North Shore surf breaks, on Oʻahu. Spend time at laid-back grocery markets, boutiques, shave ice stalls, different restaurants, and surf and dive stores. On Kauaʻi, see Kōloa, the first plantation community in the Hawaiian Islands. Originally founded in 1835 with the construction of Kauaʻi’s (and Hawaiʻi’s) first sugar plantation and mill, Kōloa has maintained much of its sugar town appeal in the years following, rehabilitating many of its main street plantation-era buildings now inhabited by a pleasing mix of small enterprises. On the island of Hawaii, visit Waimea to learn about cowboy (paniolo) culture. Nestled in the cool, green, and lush saddle of wide-open pasturelands between Maunakea and Kohala mountains, Waimea boldly celebrates its past and present history and culture, adding exceptional local-raised farm-and-ranch-to-table products, cuisine, and restaurants to its coolness. Spending time in these towns is absolutely one of the must-do experiences for a first Hawaii visit.
3. Attend a festival celebrating Hawaii’s multiculturalism.
Hawaiʻi’s various annual cultural celebrations, museums, and special events—which invite anybody interested in visiting or engaging—help to highlight the world-famous ethnic variety of its people. Our many cultural practitioners, primarily through their skills, expertise, craftsmanship, personal histories, and sincere pride and desire to share, serve as venues to witness the ongoing vitality of our islands’ cultures. Popular Hawaiʻi cultural events include the Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival, Okinawan Festival, Korean Festival, Maui Matsuri, Filipino Fiesta, Honolulu Festival, Pan-Pacific Festival, Kōloa Plantation Days, and summertime Hawaiian Obon festival dances. One of the must-do experiences for a first Hawaii visit is attending these celebrations.
4. Embark on a Hawaii road trip.
Though you’re not acquainted with driving on the right-hand side of the road, the Hawaiian Islands are shockingly straightforward to go around. Many islands have one primary loop road running all the way around them. Winding past breathtaking cliffside views, rainforests, and waterfalls is one of the world’s most well-known roads. For first-timers, driving on the island of Hawaii is an absolute must-do experience because it will take you across the strange landscapes of the lava fields. Making stops at a shave ice stand, a prawn restaurant. Or looking for a photo op whenever you choose is a major benefit of a road trip. There is plenty of inspiration on this list for road trips. Among the must-do experiences for a first Hawaii visit, a road trip most certainly counts.
5. To take something back home, purchase something truly grown or made in Hawaii.
Invest in authentically created or cultivated items from Hawaii for your return home. From local-designer fashions inspired by Hawaii’s natural environment, woodworks created from Hawaiian koa and mango wood. And craft beers and spirits made with Hawaii ingredients, to unique food items made from produce grown and raised on Hawaii farms and ranches, you will find an ever-growing array of made-in-Hawaii items available at retailers, culinary stores, farmers markets, and festivals statewide. Custom-shaped surfboards and ukuleles, the Made in Hawaii Festival. The Made in Maui County Festival, the Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair. And the Kōloa Plantation Days Heritage Craft Fair are among the must-check-out yearly homegrown product events. One of the fulfilling aspects of the must-do experiences for a first Hawaii visit is shopping locally.
6. Try local foods.
The diversity of food in the Hawaiian Islands now results from several sources, including the indigenous Hawaiian culture, scores of multicultural influences. And contemporary cuisine from all around the world. One of the best ways to really appreciate the cuisine residents enjoy is to visit our most well-liked food trucks. Hole-in-the-wall, and hidden-gem eateries, even though the Islands provide their fair share of elite dining alternatives. From shave ice and malasadas to saimin, oxtail soup, poke, loco moco, Hawaiian food mixed platters, and beyond, dig in if Hawaii’s varied cuisine appeals to your taste. Explore your culinary preferences and utilize our guide to savor the unique flavors of each region. Unquestionably, sampling the native cuisine is one of the must-do experiences for first Hawaii visit.
7. Experience real hula.
For actual Hawaiian dance practitioners, hula is not a hobby or past time. Their way of life revolves around and is a continuation of Hawaiian culture. Many of these are invitation-only events for talented hula groups. Hula’s most committed practitioners tirelessly practice after years of instruction from qualified kumu hula (hula teachers). Often, they practice with the intention of showcasing their skills in esteemed hula festivals and contests. True hula is evident when you witness it at a proper hula festival or hula competition. And it is always quite amazing.
Of course, one can enjoy hula at its best elsewhere than celebrations and contests. But if you truly want great hula, plan your Hawaii trip to coincide with the Merrie Monarch Festival (tickets are hard to come by, but competition is broadcast live for TV in Hawaii and live streamed worldwide). Prince Lot Hula Festival, Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko and Eō E ʻEmalani I Alakaʻi, or Kū Mai Ka Hula. One of the must-do experiences for first Hawaii visit is actually learning Hula.
8. Participate in an activity that keeps the islands beautiful.
Thanks to a rise in recent years of voluntourism possibilities for environmentally aware travelers. Anyone who wants to do so can now see Hawaii’s natural beauty up close while favorably benefiting the islands’ ecological well-being for years to come. Most volunteer projects include all of the resources you will need for assistance. Certain even provide water and snacks. All you need to do is arrive with a willingness to work for free, be prepared to get your hands dirty, possibly muddy your feet, and contribute to the preservation of Hawaii’s natural environment. One of the rewarding must-do experiences for first Hawaii visit is engaging in these events.
