5 Things To Do (Only in Hawai‘i)

1. Get to Know the Real Hawai‘i

From a rich history and culture to its tradition of Aloha hospitality, there’s a lot of Hawai‘i to explore beyond the tourist resorts. Live like a local, shop local, consume local, and stay on the beaten path. Mālama means to take care, to care for, or to give back. Experience the Hawaiian Islands while supporting the communities, living their culture firsthand. Experience the uniqueness of each one of the islands by taking a multi-island trip. Go on a storytelling journey through the hula (much more than a dance), and learn about North America’s last surviving monarchy.

2. Catch the Big Waves

Sure, you can surf elsewhere, but the waves that hit O‘ahu’s North Shore every winter lure elite surfers and crowds eager to watch them in action. Summer is the best time for beginners to learn.

3. Walk on Pacific Lava Flows

Maunaloa and Kilauea are the big stars of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where astonishing beauty and nature’s fury come together. It’s thrilling to get so close to the lava flows, but safety first! Pay attention to local updates, keep your plans flexible, and consider a guided tour to safely see the best of the park.

4. Try Real Poke

Sorry Instagrammers, but real Hawaiian poke (poh-keh) isn’t that photogenic, looking more like a cold fish curry than a mosaic of fresh flavours and colours. The good news? It’s even more delicious than you’ve heard, particularly with its traditional protein, ahi tuna. Learn about other traditional Hawaiian dishes and fill your mouth with exquisite local flavours.

5. Visit Jurassic Park

Also known as Kualoa Ranch, “Jurassic Valley” is a spectacular corner of O‘ahu. Home to the film’s famous stampede scenes, Kualoa offers tours designed to show off its natural wonders as well as filming sites. Nā Pali Coast on Kaua‘i also showed up in the 1997 sequel, The Lost World, proving that Hawai‘i is one of Hollywood’s favourite destinations.

This article was originally published in No. 32 of Globetrotting Magazine.