The Hawaiian islands can swell with upwards of 10 million visitors each year, so getting off the beaten path is the best way to appreciate the islands’ multicultural history.
Beyond its sandy beaches and seductive, jewel-toned waves, Hawaii’s lesser-known local tours and activities make the days in paradise more meaningful. Whether it’s mellowing out at a rum tasting that acknowledges Hawaii’s sugar-producing past or exploring the lush countryside on horseback, these are our 10 favorite ways to embrace the state’s aloha spirit.
1. Taste Locally Made Rum on Oʻahu and Kauai
For more than 100 years, the sugar industry shaped Hawaii into one of the most diverse populations in the world as plantation laborers and managers arrived from various countries. Although the last sugar mill closed in 2016, visitors can still taste its history today.
Manulele Distillers in Oʻahu cultivates more than 30 varieties of native Hawaiian sugarcane as part of their Kō Hana line of agricole rum. While most rum on the market is made from molasses, Kō Hana spirits are made from pure sugarcane juice. Witness part of the process in action with a tour, which passes through its native cane garden and includes a rum tasting.
On Kauai, Koloa Rum Company offers daily tours and tastings at Kilohana Plantation, which got its start as a working cattle ranch in 1896.
Planning tip: The rum distilleries are the perfect spot to buy yourself a unique souvenir, such as the rum aged in koa wood barrels available exclusively in Kō Hana’s tasting room.
2. Visit Honolulu’s Chinatown
An area once associated with gambling and brothels, Honolulu’s historic commercial district now has a great restaurant and arts scene. After a delicious meal, catch a live musical, comedy, or theater performance at the renowned Hawaii Theatre. To be whisked back in time, join a food, history, and cultural walking tour that enhances your understanding of this vibrant community.
3. Watch the Island Grow at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Island may be the largest of the Hawaiian islands, but it’s also the youngest because of the active volcanoes at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. There’s plenty to do within this UNESCO World Heritage Site regardless of eruptions.
Hike the lava fields (wear sturdy, covered footwear) while on the lookout for native wildlife. Additionally, don’t be tempted to take home a piece of the park, or you may face the wrath of the local legends surrounding volcanic goddess Pele, who calls Kīlauea home.
4. Learn About the Significance of Hawaiian Places
Often, outdoor recreation areas cross paths with historical and cultural sites that, without context, visitors may not recognize as significant encounters. A nonprofit organization on Oʻahu aims to change that.
This organization offers resources on how to spend time outdoors responsibly in Hawaii, including best practices for interacting with sacred sites such as traditional Hawaiian burial grounds and petroglyphs.
Planning tip: Want to help out? Occasionally, the group hosts cleanups, which are announced through social media.
5. Explore Kauai’s Food Scene
A three-hour food tour in Kauai curates a tasting journey through the lens of the traditional Hawaiian ahupua’a, or land division system tied to ancient agricultural and spiritual practices. Local tastes might include unique fruits like breadfruit and guava.
6. Hike with Local Guides in Maui
A small-group hike with local and long-time resident guides contextualizes your experience of the island, featuring stops at waterfalls and tropical jungles in Haleakalā National Park. Guides complete a comprehensive training course to learn about Hawaiian culture, history, geology, and botany.
Planning tip: Lunch and snacks are commonly provided, along with transport to and from the trailhead.
7. Rest Up in Maui’s Upcountry
Wend your way up the long-dormant Haleakalā volcano to check in to a charming bed and breakfast located in Upcountry Maui. While snorkeling or windsurfing represents classic Maui imagery, the inland areas present a unique perspective on local culture.
Upcountry is also home to Maui’s cowboy culture, where historical experiences enrich your visit. Don’t miss the Saturday local farmers market and fragrant lavender farms for a taste of local life.
8. Ride Horseback to the Shore of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island)
Signs of Hawaii’s lesser-known paniolo, or cowboy, culture persist in Hawaiʻi Island’s northern parts. Enjoy a paniolo-led horseback tour that takes you through one of Hawaii’s oldest working cattle and sheep ranches, featuring breathtaking panoramic views.
9. Spend the Night on a Historic Ranch
Continue enjoying the ranch vibes with an overnight stay in one of Puakea Ranch’s charming cottages. Many were built by working plantation families during the 1920s and ’30s, all featuring ample lanai space or a wide veranda, reflecting the architectural style of the time.
