Hawai‘i is where Polynesian voyaging genius meets volcanic fire. Kingdom-era palaces rise in Honolulu, World War II echoes at Pearl Harbor, and island breezes carry the scent of plumeria over long, golden beaches. Each island has a distinct personality; this one-week itinerary focuses on energetic O‘ahu and the Big Island’s Hilo side, home to emerald falls and living geology.

Expect big days outdoors—snorkeling at a protected marine bay, hiking crater rims, watching surfers on the North Shore, and tracing fresh lava landscapes inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Balance that with culture: Iolani Palace, Chinatown’s creative kitchens, and Hilo’s markets and gardens. Coffee breaks, shave ice, malasadas, and poke will happily fuel the journey.

Practical notes: Reserve popular sites in advance—Pearl Harbor (USS Arizona timed tickets), Diamond Head (nonresident reservations), and Hanauma Bay (opens bookings 2 days prior at 7:00 a.m. HST; closed Mon–Tue). Use reef-safe sunscreen only, and treat sacred places and wildlife with respect. Interisland flights are short, letting you maximize beach time and crater hikes.

Honolulu (O‘ahu)

Honolulu is Hawai‘i’s historic heart and its modern crossroads—dukes, diplomats, and surfers share the same shoreline. Waikiki is famous for its gentle break and sunset silhouette of Diamond Head, while downtown holds Iolani Palace, the only royal residence on U.S. soil.

Food is a highlight: plate lunches and laulau at old-school institutions, inventive Vietnamese and new-American in Chinatown, and poke so fresh it barely left the boat. Street art blooms at Kaka‘ako, and the island’s east and north coasts tempt with hikes, blowholes, and big-wave legends.

• Top sights: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Kaka‘ako murals, Hanauma Bay, North Shore.
• Eat & drink: Helena’s Hawaiian Food (pipikaula short ribs), The Pig & The Lady (modern Vietnamese), Marugame Udon (hand-pulled noodles), Ono Seafood (poke), Leonard’s Bakery (malasadas), Island Vintage Coffee, Bar Leather Apron (serious cocktails).
• Good to know: TheBus is excellent (HOLO card daily cap), but rent a car for North Shore days. Reservations required for Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay; Pearl Harbor USS Arizona program is free with a $1 booking fee, released 8 weeks out with additional next-day drops.

Where to stay (Waikiki/Downtown): Compare hotels or condos at Hotels.com – Honolulu or browse vacation rentals at VRBO – Honolulu.

Getting there: Fly into Honolulu (HNL). Typical mainland–O‘ahu fares vary widely by season; interisland flights run ~45 minutes. Search flexible options via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu, Settle into Waikiki

Morning: In transit. On arrival, pick up a HOLO card if using TheBus or your rental car if you plan island day trips. Check in mid-afternoon.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs along Waikiki Beach from Duke Kahanamoku’s statue toward the calmer Kuhio Beach. Pop into Island Vintage Coffee for a Kona cold brew and acai bowl, or grab a quick musubi at Musubi Cafe Iyasume for a salty-sweet snack.

Evening: Casual dinner at Marugame Udon Waikiki—watch the udon pulled and choose tempura sides. Catch sunset at Queen’s Surf. On select nights, enjoy the free outdoor hula show at Kuhio Beach. Nightcap at House Without a Key (live Hawaiian music) or, for craft cocktails, Bar Leather Apron downtown (reservations recommended).

Day 2: Pearl Harbor and Historic Honolulu

Morning: Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Reserve USS Arizona Memorial boat tickets (free program; $1 reservation fee) and arrive early for exhibits and the somber memorial. History buffs can add the Battleship Missouri or Bowfin Submarine (separate tickets).

Afternoon: Lunch at Helena’s Hawaiian Food (pipikaula, kalua pig; go early or expect a wait). Continue to Iolani Palace for a guided or audio tour, then visit the King Kamehameha statue and the Hawaii State Capitol. If time allows, explore artifacts at Bishop Museum.

Evening: Chinatown dining: The Pig & The Lady (creative Vietnamese) or Fête (market-driven bistro). After, stroll nearby murals and grab dessert at Holey Grail Donuts (taro doughnuts) or a drink at The Manifest.

Day 3: Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and the Windward Coast

Morning: Hike Diamond Head at sunrise (nonresident reservation required; ~$5 per person, parking ~$10 per vehicle). Breakfast at Koko Head Cafe (local brunch favorites) or ARS Cafe (espresso and pastries) back in town.

Afternoon: Snorkel at Hanauma Bay (reserve 2 days ahead at 7:00 a.m. HST; closed Mon–Tue; nonresident entry ~$25, parking ~$3). Alternate on closed days: Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail (paved, ocean views) and Halona Blowhole/eternity beach lookout. Grab poke bowls from Ono Seafood or Maguro Spot.

Evening: Sunset from Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park. Dinner at Merriman’s Kaka‘ako or Moku Kitchen in the SALT complex. Dessert run to Leonard’s Bakery for hot malasadas tossed in sugar.

Day 4: North Shore Road Trip

Morning: Early drive to the North Shore (1–1.5 hours). Coffee stop at Green World Coffee Farm. In winter, watch surfers at Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay; in summer, snorkel the tide pools of Shark’s Cove (bring reef-safe sunscreen and tabis/reef shoes).

Afternoon: Lunch at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (garlic shrimp) or Romy’s. Stroll historic Hale‘iwa town. If you want a short hike-and-swim, head to Waimea Valley (admission required; life jackets provided near the falls when swimming is permitted).

Evening: Shave ice at Matsumoto (try lilikoi). Drive back to Honolulu. Casual dinner at Highway Inn (laulau, poi, lomi salmon) or The Surfing Pig in Kaimukī for small plates and cocktails.

Hilo (Big Island)

Lush and low-key, Hilo sits on the rainy side of Hawai‘i Island where banyans, gardens, and waterfalls frame the bay. Downtown retains plantation-era storefronts and a fantastic farmers market, while the world’s most active volcanic landscapes lie just up the road.

Come for Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls, stay for mochi boxes from Two Ladies Kitchen, poke at Suisan, and nights of starry skies. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park steals the show with craters, steam vents, lava tubes, and—conditions permitting—glimpses of glowing lava.

• Top sights: Rainbow Falls, Lili‘uokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, Hilo Farmers Market, Akaka Falls, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea stargazing (with altitude caution).
• Eat & drink: Suisan Fish Market (poke), Pineapples (island fare), Hilo Bay Cafe (sushi and local fish), Cafe Pesto (Italian-island twist), Ken’s House of Pancakes (24/7 institution), Two Ladies Kitchen (fresh fruit mochi), Big Island Candies (shortbread).
• Good to know: It rains often—pack a light shell and waterproof shoe. Park entry is ~$30/vehicle (7 days). Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) and key overlooks open/close based on conditions; check on arrival with rangers.

Where to stay (Hilo): Waterfront and bay-view favorites include Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, and value-friendly Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel. Compare more places on Hotels.com – Hilo or browse homes at VRBO – Hilo.

Getting from O‘ahu to Hilo: Morning interisland flights HNL → ITO take ~45 minutes; typical one-way fares run ~$70–$140 depending on season and sales. Compare times and prices on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car at Hilo airport for volcano and waterfall days.

Day 5: Fly to Hilo, Waterfalls and Gardens

Morning: Early flight to Hilo (aim to land by 10:00–11:00 a.m.). Grab coffee at Just Cruisin Coffee near the bay. Light lunch with poke bowls from Suisan Fish Market—order “half-and-half” ahi selections over rice.

Afternoon: Walk Lili‘uokalani Gardens and Coconut Island footbridge for bay views. Visit Rainbow Falls and nearby Boiling Pots; if you have a flashlight and sturdy shoes, explore the first section of Kaumana Caves (lava tube) cautiously.

Evening: Dinner at Hilo Bay Cafe (reservations suggested; sushi and island fish) or Pineapples (live music some nights). Dessert stop at Two Ladies Kitchen for strawberry mochi if available. If skies are clear, consider a guided Mauna Kea stargazing outing (dress very warm; note altitude and local regulations).

Day 6: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Morning: Drive ~45 minutes to the Kīlauea Visitor Center. Speak with rangers about eruption/viewing updates and trail conditions. Warm-up stops: Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks boardwalk.

Afternoon: Hike the Kīlauea Iki loop (4 miles; moderate) across a cooled lava lake with fern forests on either rim; then walk through Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) if open. Drive Chain of Craters Road to the sea cliffs—stop at overlooks and the dramatic coast at road’s end.

Evening: Return after dark to a recommended overlook (often Uēkahuna) if lava glow is visible that day; otherwise enjoy dinner in Volcano Village at Ohelo Cafe (wood-fired pizza, pastas) or Kīlauea Lodge Restaurant (island classics). Drive back carefully—watch for rain and fog.

Day 7: Akaka Falls and Hilo Markets, Depart

Morning: Coffee and breakfast at Ken’s House of Pancakes (mac-nut pancakes, loco moco). Head to Akaka Falls State Park (easy loop; parking ~$10 per vehicle, nonresident entry ~$5 per person) to see 442-foot Akaka Falls and neighboring Kahūnā Falls.

Afternoon: Snack your way through Hilo Farmers Market (bigger days Wed & Sat): try lilikoi butters, fresh fruit, and baked goods. Quick lunch at Cafe Pesto (thin-crust pizzas, pastas) before returning your car and catching your afternoon flight.

Evening: In the air with a camera full of crater rims, painted sunsets, and neon-blue bays—aloha a hui hou!

Local logistics and money-saving tips: TheBus fares on O‘ahu are ~$3 per ride with a daily cap via HOLO card (~$7.50). Waikiki parking is limited—check your hotel/resort fees in advance. Park fees: Diamond Head (~$5 pp + ~$10 parking), Hanauma Bay (~$25 pp + ~$3 parking), Hawai‘i Volcanoes (~$30 per vehicle, valid 7 days). Always carry water, a light rain jacket, and reef-safe sunscreen.

In one week, you’ll trace Hawai‘i’s story from royal Honolulu and Pearl Harbor to steaming craters and fern-choked lava tubes on the Big Island. With beach time, road trips, and markets folded in, this itinerary balances adventure, culture, and plate-lunch joy.