Hawaiʻi is a living tapestry of voyaging tradition, royal pageantry, and volcanic wonder. From the only royal palace on U.S. soil to rainforest valleys and rare endemic birds, the islands invite slow mornings and technicolor sunsets—especially for couples chasing a romantic escape.

On Oʻahu, history and modern culture share the shoreline. Waikīkī’s curving sands, Honolulu’s art-forward neighborhoods, and the solemn waters of Pearl Harbor are all within easy reach. In Maui, time softens: you snorkel clear coves, linger over farm-to-table dinners, and unwind in world-class spas beneath palms that rustle like a lullaby.

Practical notes: interisland flights are short (~40–50 minutes), reef-safe sunscreen is required statewide, and some sites—like Diamond Head and Haleakalā sunrise—use timed reservations. Renting a car is highly recommended on Maui; on Oʻahu, rideshares and TheBus supplement city exploring.

Honolulu (Oʻahu)

Honolulu blends Pacific history with beach-town ease. Waikīkī’s crescent beach fronts classic surf breaks, while breezy cafés and tiki-lit lounges set the mood for date night. Downtown and Chinatown pack in galleries, speakeasies, and hapa (mixed) cuisine shaped by generations of island migrants.

• Top sights: Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Iolani Palace, Diamond Head (Lēʻahi), Kakaʻako street art, Tantalus Lookout.
• Romantic picks: sunset mai tais at House Without a Key; a starlit stroll on Queen’s Beach; couples’ treatment at Moana Lani Spa (inside the Moana Surfrider).
• Local eats to know: Helena’s Hawaiian Food (classic plate lunch), Marugame Udon (hand-pulled udon), Ono Seafood (poke), Maguro Spot (quick poke bowls).

Where to stay: For a stylish, mid-range boutique vibe with a retro pool scene, consider The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club. For a splurge-worthy stay with oceanfront elegance and live Hawaiian music at sunset, Halekulani Hotel. Families or Disney fans can head west to Ko Olina’s Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Honolulu) or apartment-style options via VRBO (Honolulu).

Getting in: Search competitive flights to Honolulu on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From the airport, it’s ~25–30 minutes to Waikīkī by taxi or rideshare.

Day 1: Touchdown Waikīkī

Afternoon: Arrive in Honolulu and check into your hotel. Shake off the flight with a barefoot stroll along Waikīkī Beach—Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon to Queen’s Surf is a gentle, scenic path for couples.

Evening: Toast the trip with oceanfront cocktails and live Hawaiian music at House Without a Key (think ahi poke, coconut cake, and a view of Diamond Head at dusk). For dinner, choose Hula Grill (line-caught fish, plantation-era recipes) or Marugame Udon for a friendly-priced, satisfying bowl.

Day 2: Pearl Harbor, Downtown Art, and a Waikīkī Luau

Morning: Join a guided visit to the USS Arizona Memorial to deepen your understanding of WWII history. Book the Pearl Harbor tour here: Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial.

Afternoon: Coffee and toasties at ARVO in Kakaʻako, then wander vibrant street murals. Pop into Iolani Palace (the U.S.’s only royal palace) and the King Kamehameha statue for historic context.

Evening: Celebrate with an oceanside lūʻau right in Waikīkī—hula, ʻukulele, and a generous island-inspired dinner. Reserve: Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott.

Day 3: Turtles, Spa Time, and Skyline Views

Morning: Glide over turquoise water to snorkel among honu (green sea turtles) at Turtle Canyons. Book: Turtle Canyons Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii.

Afternoon: Unwind with a couples’ massage—Moana Lani Spa is beachfront and serene. Quick, delicious lunches nearby include Marugame Udon or Ahi Assassins for fresh poke.

Evening: Drive or rideshare up to Tantalus Lookout for a golden-hour panorama of Honolulu. Dine at Michel’s at the Colony Surf (classic French, candlelit) or Noi Thai (contemporary Thai in Royal Hawaiian Center) for a romantic finale on Oʻahu.

Maui

Maui whispers romance—lava-rock coves, palm-lined beaches, and a culinary scene that treats local farms like family. Wailea brings spa sanctuaries and calm swimming; Kā‘anapali offers long, walkable sands and brilliant sunsets. Inland, Upcountry’s rolling ranches and botanical farms slow the pace.

• Top sights: Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, ʻĪao Valley, Wailea Beach Path, Keawakapu Beach, Haleakalā National Park (sunrise reservations required).
• Romantic picks: couples’ treatment at Spa Montage Kapalua Bay or Willow Stream at Fairmont Kea Lani; sunset on Polo Beach; starry skies away from town lights.
• Local eats to know: Tin Roof (Hawaiian comfort by Chef Sheldon Simeon), Paia Fish Market, Leoda’s (pies), Ululani’s (shave ice), Lineage (island-style family plates), Monkeypod Kitchen (craft cocktails, kiawe wood pizza).

Where to stay: For value and easy island access, Maui Seaside Hotel is a smart mid-range base. If you’re ready to splurge in Wailea, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a romance icon; on Kā‘anapali’s long beach, consider The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas. Browse more on Hotels.com (Maui) or explore villas via VRBO (Maui).

Getting there (Oʻahu → Maui): Morning flights from HNL to OGG take ~45 minutes; expect ~$39–$120 one-way depending on season. Compare interisland fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car for beach hopping and dinner runs.

Day 4: Fly to Maui, Wailea Beach Walk, Lūʻau by the Sea

Morning: Fly to Maui and check in. Fuel up at Akamai Coffee (cold brew, mac-nut lattes) or Kihei Caffe (hearty island breakfasts).

Afternoon: Ease into Maui with the Wailea Beach Path—palm shade, tide pools, and luxe resort gardens all in one stroll. Swim at Ulua or Polo Beach where the water is often calm for couples floating side-by-side.

Evening: Celebrate your first Maui sunset with storytelling, hula, and a bountiful buffet at Wailea’s signature lūʻau: Te Au Moana Luau at The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort on Maui, Hawaii.

Day 5: Molokini Crater and Turtle Town

Morning: Board a spacious catamaran for Maui’s classic snorkel duo—crescent-shaped Molokini and the sea-turtle haven of Turtle Town. Reserve: Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel Adventure aboard Pride of Maui.

Afternoon: Post-snorkel, grab savory plates at Tin Roof (garlic shrimp, mochiko chicken) or Paia Fish Market (grilled opah or mahi sandwiches). Nap by the pool or read beneath kiawe trees at Keawakapu Beach.

Evening: Sunset from Mākena’s Big Beach overlook is cinematic. For dinner, Monkeypod Kitchen (famous lilikoi foam mai tai, fresh island fish) or Lineage (Hawaiʻi family recipes reimagined) both deliver date-night energy without breaking the bank.

Day 6: Spa Morning, Upcountry Afternoon (Optional Ocean Wildlife Tour)

Morning: Book a couples’ ritual—try Spa Montage Kapalua Bay’s oceanfront hale or Willow Stream at Fairmont Kea Lani. Expect locally-inspired ingredients (kukui, ti leaf, volcanic clay) and private relaxation areas.

Afternoon: Head to Upcountry: sip coffee in Makawao’s paniolo (cowboy) town, walk the ʻĪao Valley viewpoint for emerald spires, or sample lilikoi treats at a farm stand. If you’re set on the sea, consider this small-group wildlife and culture outing: Eco-Raft Tour: Intro to Hawaiian History & Whale or Dolphin Watch.

Evening: Casual dinner at Leoda’s (savory pot pies, banana cream pie) or Star Noodle (hand-pulled noodles, garlic noodles, hapa bites). End with Ululani’s shave ice—pick lilikoi, guava, and coconut for a classic trio.

Day 7: Slow Morning & Departure

Morning: Coffee and a shoreline stroll—Wailea’s early light is gold for photos. Quick brunch at Kihei Caffe or Nalu’s South Shore Grill (island scrambles, fried rice) before packing up.

Afternoon: Fly out of OGG. Compare fares and timing on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If your flight’s late, enjoy one last dip—many hotels can store luggage and offer post-checkout showers.

Insider tips and practicalities:

• Reservations: Book Diamond Head time slots and Haleakalā sunrise well ahead; luaus and snorkel boats sell out in peak months.
• Budget stretchers: Mix a boutique hotel with a couple of special-occasion dinners; enjoy plate lunches and food trucks for flavor without the splurge.
• Respect & recovery: West Maui continues long-term recovery; avoid entering closed areas and support local businesses that have reopened outside of Lahaina’s restricted zones.
• Ocean safety: Heed beach flags, avoid sharp coral, and use reef-safe sunscreen.

Across one week, you’ve balanced Oʻahu’s poignant history and city energy with Maui’s clear-water beaches and spa serenity. Expect to leave with salt in your hair, new stories to share, and a promise to return for the islands’ next chapter.