Thing to Do in Hawaii

You won't find better--or more diverse--beaches anywhere. Waikiki's white-sand beaches are some of the prettiest in the islands, but they are also among the most crowded and sometimes have a spring-break feel to them. Elsewhere on Oahu, you'll find wide beaches on the North Shore, particularly at Sunset beach. On Kauai, the public beach at Poipu is pretty, but crowded, while Kee Beach and Tunnels, both on the west side are more secluded. On Maui, you'll find beaches just about everywhere. The road to Kehei passes numerous small beaches and coves while the beaches at Kaanapali and Kapalua have a resort feel. On the Big Island, stick to the beaches around Kona. While there are lots of resorts in the area, the beaches are cleaner and the water clearer than on the Hilo side.

You'll see plenty of fish at Hanauma Bay on Oahu. This protected reef has more than 400 species of fish and sometimes, just as many people. In the last decade, the bay was turned into a park and admission is required, but if the goal is to see plenty of fish, this is the place. There is good snorkeling throughout the islands, so if you're feeling adventurous, try snorkeling off the beach at Kuilima Cove or Alii Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore, at Kee Beach or at the boat ramp in Poipu (Kauai), at La Perouse Bay or at mile marker 14 on Highway 30 (Maui) or near Captain Cook Monument (Big Island). To get into deeper waters, try a snorkeling day trip to Molokini from the Lahaina harbor on Maui. Snorkeling equipment is available throughout the islands and Snorkel Bob's has locations all over, so you can rent on one island and return on another.

The Kilauea Caldera on the Big Island of Hawaii is an active volcano and you can see live lava flows or walk on lava fields. Depending on the volcanic activity, you may be able to walk to viewpoints to see the glowing orange lava flowing through tubes into the ocean or you can catch a small plane or helicopter to see the sights. You can also walk on hardened lava fields or across an inactive crater. Volcanoes National Park is located on the southeast part of the Big Island and is accessible by car from either Hilo (30 miles) or Kailua-Kona (95 miles). The drive to the park from either direction is filled with switchbacks and spectacular views.

All the Hawaiian islands offer excellent hiking. Among the most accessible and popular hikes is the Diamond Head Crater in Honolulu. The hour-long ascent is moderate and well-marked and you'll be rewarded by a spectacular view of Honolulu and the beaches of Waikiki. On Maui, there are plenty of hikes around the Hana and Haleakala areas, all of which feature stunning waterfalls and beautiful mountain and coastal scenery. One of the most popular is the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park. This is a moderate day-hike that ends at the Waimoku Falls. On Kauai, a hike on the NaPali Coast should not be missed. The trailhead is at Kee Beach and is well-marked. There is a moderately difficult day-hike to either Hanakapiai Beach (2 miles) or Hanakapiai Falls (4 miles). Both have spectacular views of the tropical forest and the ocean below. Backpackers may choose to camp and complete the entire 11-mile trail.

There's nothing that says Hawaiian vacation more than watching the sunset. If you're on Oahu, have a cocktail on the beachfront porch at the Royal Hawaiian, known locally as the "Pink Hotel." Watching the sunset is a truly Hawaiian thing to do and even the locals pause near the end of the day to enjoy the spectacular colors and search for the elusive green bolt (sometimes called the green flash) that is said to light the sky just as the sun drops below the horizon. The Royal Hawaiian (2259 Kalakaua Ave.) is right on Waikiki beach and the oceanfront deck has a full bar and restaurant. On Kauai, you can watch the sunset over Niihau from the secluded Polihale Beach. On Maui, choose from any number of establishments in Lahaina, grab a seat on the deck and enjoy the show.