Maui climate zones: all 7, and where to find each one
Maui has 7 of the world’s 13 climate sub-zones under the Köppen classification, and 4 of its 5 major zones. Only the Big Island has…
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Oʻahu for Beginners: Where to Stay and How Long to Go
About a million people live on Oʻahu, two thirds of everyone in Hawaiʻi. That one number drives most of the decisions on this page: Oʻahu…
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Big Island for Beginners: Need-to-Know Tips for First-Time Visitors
Nearly every mainland flight to the Big Island lands in Kona, on the west side of the island. Plan on 7 days here, with 4…
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What is the best time to visit the Big Island?
Whale season on the Big Island runs from November through April, and it’s the only time of year you’ll see humpbacks offshore. Winter brings its…
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How to avoid the crowds in Hawaiʻi
On an average day, about 230,000 visitors are somewhere on the Hawaiian Islands. September and October put the fewest of them in your way, roughly…
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When Is the Best Time to Visit Oʻahu?
Late October is the best time to visit Oʻahu. September and October post the lowest hotel rates of the year, roughly $263 to $265 a…
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How to Choose the Best Tour in Hawaiʻi: 7 Checks (and One Coin Flip)
To choose a good tour company in Hawaiʻi, read the 2-to-4-star reviews and list the two or three things you want from the day. Then…
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11 Common Tourist Mistakes in Hawaiʻi (and How to Avoid Them)
Never turn your back to the ocean. That’s rule number one in Hawaiʻi, where even small waves knock adults off their feet. Most of the…
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What is the Best Time to Visit Kauaʻi?
Winter storms can cancel Nāpali boat and helicopter tours and close the Kalalau trailhead for days at a time. Kauaʻi sits at the north end…
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When Should You Visit Maui?
NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary says thousands of whales gather in the ʻAuʻau Channel off Maui’s west coast between November and April, with the…
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Ecotourism in Hawaiʻi
In Hawaiʻi, ecotourism is concrete and doable. It means supporting the natural places you visit: paying the fee that maintains a trail, learning why a…
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6 Ways to Save Money when Planning a Trip to Hawaiʻi
A week on the Big Island costs about the same as a week in Paris. The difference is you can cut it by a third…
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20 Great Books about Hawaiʻi to Read Before your Trip
When planning a trip to Hawaiʻi, you’ll spend a lot of time reading about all there is to see and do. But don’t let your…
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Big Island or Kauaʻi: which island fits your trip?
Kīlauea has erupted in more than 50 episodes since December 2024, and the Big Island is the only Hawaiian island where that’s true. That settles…
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Maui or Kauaʻi, which is better?
Maui is the all-rounder: the best beaches, the biggest food and nightlife scene, and two volcanoes to Kauaʻi’s one, including Haleakalā at 10,000 feet. Kauaʻi…
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Oʻahu vs Kauaʻi: Which Island Should You Visit?
Only 72 miles of ocean separate Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, yet Oʻahu holds more than 13 times the population. Pick Oʻahu if you want city energy,…
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Big Island or Maui, which is better?
The Big Island? Maui? Or both? Plan your trip to Hawaii by comparing the activities, volcanoes, night life, beaches, and natural variety.
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Oʻahu or Maui, which is better?
O'ahu? Maui? Or both? Plan your trip to Hawaii by comparing the activities, the volcanoes, the night life, the beaches, and the natural diversity
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Oʻahu or the Big Island: which is better?
O'ahu? The Big Island? Or both? Plan your trip to Hawaii by comparing the activities, the volcanoes, the night life, the beaches, and the natural…
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COVID-19 and your trip to Hawai‘i
Learn about the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place on Hawaii and what they could mean for your upcoming trip
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