Road Tripping: An excellent way to explore Hawaii

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Enjoy the joy of putting tire to asphalt for a great road trip? Be sure to keep Hawaii in mind! While some will tell you truly wonderful road trips are only possible traveling long distances over vast stretches of countryside, the Hawaiian Islands' diverse (if more compact) landscapes and sightseeing experiences offer a fantastic canvas for enriching road treks that take hours of a day rather than multiple days of a week. Check out our suggestions below for travelers seeking to enjoy holoholo kaa (driving) adventures on the island of Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Maui:

Island of Hawaii ‐ Watching the vast and varied landscape of the island of Hawaii change on a leisurely road trip is one of the most mesmerizing ways of exploring the island. Encourage clients to explore the island's northeast Hamakua Coast and beyond, beginning their drive in bayside Hilo town. Suggest they walk the historic Downtown Hilo grid, with its museums, art galleries, retail shops and restaurants, then stop at Wailuku River State Park to take in Waianuenue Falls. On the way north up the coast on Route 19, the namesake 422-foot cascade of Akaka Falls State Park is one of the island's most majestic. As your clients drive further up the coast, make sure they explore former sugar plantation town Honokaa before heading to Waimea, a historic paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town whose cool, misty ranch lands offer a sharp contrast to the sun-baked lava landscapes of the South Kohala coast. Once on that coast, advise they soak in the sun and surf at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, one of the island of Hawaii's largest white sand beaches. Other great sites to check out as they drive north from South Kohala to Kohala on Routes 19 and 270 are Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Pololu Valley Lookout and Lapakahi State Historical Park.

Oahu ‐ Encourage clients visiting Oahu to see the island outside of its city and resort areas with a one-day car rental. From Honolulu and Waikiki, they can head eastward along the island's south coast stopping at Leahi (aka Diamond Head) State Monument, Oahu's world famous volcanic tuff cone, for a moderately challenging hike ending with stunning views of the city and several of its urban valleys. On Route 72, the Makapuu Point Lighthouse sits on the island's easternmost point on a bluff overlooking popular bodysurfing spot Makapuu Beach, family-friendly Sea Life Park and Oahu's striking Windward Coast. After some time at Waimanalo Beach Park, road trippers can opt for returning to Honolulu via the Koolau mountain range-crossing Pali Highway (Route 61), or extending their drive up the island's verdant Windward Coast on Route 83 until they reach Oahu's North Shore and its world-famous surf breaks. Idyllic picnic spots on the way up the coast include Kualoa Regional Park, Waimea Bay and Kahana Valley.

Kauai ‐ Kauai's eastside is sometimes referred to as the Royal Coconut Coast for the groves of coconut palms growing in its resort areas. Have clients begin their eastside road trip in Lihue ‐ Kauai's bustling main town ‐ and its scenic Nawiliwili Bay and Harbor. While there, suggest they stop at the overlook of thousand-year-old early Hawaiian fishpond Alekoko neighboring the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge just outside of Lihue. On the drive north on Route 56, suggest a stop in Wailua, hopping from auto to a boat for guided tours of the tranquil Wailua River, Hawaii's longest navigable waterway, which weaves through verdant rainforest landscapes. Back in the car, advise a stop at the lookout for Opaekaa Falls before heading onward to Kapaa town. Kinipopo Shopping Village in Kapaa is another great stop for its variety of fun retailers and eateries. Back on Route 56, encourage clients to look for the ridgeline of Nounou mountain (aka the Sleeping Giant), and its nature-made silhouette of a reclining colossus, as they leave Kapaa for scenic points north, including the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge.

Maui ‐ Road tripping Maui's remote northeast coast via its renowned and winding Hana Highway (Route 360) has long been a Valley Isle visitor must-do. Its 64 miles take drivers alongside and through multiple rainforests, all the while meandering past waterfalls, gorges and some of the island's most dramatic seascape views. Be sure to advise clients to slow down on the narrow, twisting road to best manage its 620 curves and 59 bridges, many of these single-lane. Have them begin their road trip in historic north shore surf town Paia, with its colorful, rustic storefronts occupied by art galleries, unique boutiques and a diversity of places to eat. East of Paia, on Route 36 a few miles before the Hana Highway begins, suggest they stop at Hookipa Beach Park, a go-to spot for surfers and windsurfers, to catch a view of the wave action and scenic coastline. After taking in all of the highway's scenery, but just before reaching the actual town of Hana, suggest they get off the main road to explore Kahanu Garden, home to massive Piilanihale Heiau, one of Maui's largest early Hawaiian places of worship, nestled in a large native hala (pandanus) forest with lovely sea level views of the coastline. After grabbing a bite to eat in Hana (perhaps enjoying it near the water at Hana Bay Beach Park), advise they finish their road trip at Waianapanapa State Park or Hamoa Beach.