Hawaii Destination Expert – Hawaii Travel Agent

Aloha! If you are looking for an experienced Hawaii travel agent, you have come to the right place. In addition to completing my Hawaii Destination Expert certification by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, I have personally visited multiple Hawaiian Islands and have sold many Hawaii trips to my clients. There’s no place on earth quite like this handful of sun-drenched Pacific islands. Here you’ll find palm-fringed blue lagoons, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, soaring summits (some capped with snow), a volcano, and beaches of every hue: gold, red, black, and even green. Roadside stands offer fruits and flowers for pocket change, and award-winning chefs deliver unforgettable feast. Sample kalua pork, mac salad, poke bowls, and so much more. Each of the main islands possesses its own unique mix of natural and cultural treasures—and the possibilities for adventure, indulgence, and relaxation are endless.

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In this blog, you’ll see an overview of the islands, popular things to do, sample vacation package pricing, and more. The first thing you need to do in planning your Hawaii vacation: Decide which island(s) you want to visit. Typically, my recommendation is visiting ONE island per WEEK. However, no judgment here. I have personally visited THREE islands in 2 Weeks – Oahu, Maui, and Island of Hawaii, also known as “The Big Island”

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Hawaiian Islands Overview

Oahu Island

For those who are Hawaii “first-timers” I highly recommend starting with Oahu Island. Known as “The Gathering Place,” this island lives up to its name. The third largest Hawaiian island is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of East and West cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. It is the perfect island for solo travelers, couples, and families alike.

Oahu has it all: wide, sandy beaches; year-round surf; breathtaking ridge hikes; and a vibrant urban city in Honolulu. Home to Pearl Harbor and the only royal palace in the United States, Honolulu is imbued with history. Always deeply mindful of its past, it is also racing into the future. The revitalization of old neighborhoods has sprouted trendy boutiques and attention-grabbing cuisine, and Waikiki, the world-famous vacation playground, continues to refine itself with stylish and luxurious new hotels, and the shops to match. Sure, Oahu may be Hawaii’s most crowded island, but its rich human tapestry—locals of myriad ethnic mixes, wealthy Japanese expats, Mainland sunseekers, surfers from around the globe—makes it unlike any other place in the world.

Oahu Highlights Include: Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay, Byodo-In Temple, Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, and Dole Pineapple Plantation. For movie lovers, check out Kualoa Ranch to see where famous movies were shot. I also enjoyed my time at Paradise Cove Luau. Here is my full review!

Maui Island

Maui Island is the perfect location for couples. It exudes so much romance. For many, Maui inhabits the sweet spot. Hawaii’s second-largest island is a tangle of lovely contradictions, with a Gucci heel on one foot and a puka-shell anklet on the other. Culturally, it’s a mix of farmers, paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys), aspiring chefs, artists, New Age healers, and big-wave riders.

The landscape runs the gamut from sun-kissed golden beaches and fragrant rainforests to the frigid, windswept summit of Haleakala. Sure, more traffic lights sprout up around the island every year and spurts of development have turned cherished landmarks into mere memories. But even as Maui transforms, its allure remains. Note that Maui County also includes Lanai and Molokai, which are easily day trips from Maui.

Maui Highlights Include: Snorkeling at Molokini Crater, enjoying lunch at the Ali’i Lavender Farm, enjoying a luau, relax at Kaanapali Beach, taking surf lessons and shopping at Whalers Village. For early risers, it’s worth the sunrise trek up to Haleakala! Just be sure to reserve your space ahead of time. For adventure seekers, I also highly recommend driving ‘The Road to Hana’ – here are my top tips!

Big Island

As a Hawaii travel agent, I just had to squeeze in 3 nights on The Big Island. I wanted to experience it for myself. That way, I can properly give my clients the best recommendations. After having spent time here, I can confidently say The Big Island is perfect for all types of travelers. This is an island, however, I would save for when you’ve at least visited Oahu Island first. Or, if time permits, you can add this onto a trip with Oahu. It’s a magical island which offers 8 different climate zones!

For the island’s best swimming, snorkeling, and bodysurfing head to Hapuna Beach, a 1/2-mile crescent of gold sand. Families flock to Kahaluu Beach, on the Kona Coast, where brilliantly colored tropical fish convene in the reef. Green Sands Beach is a spectacle to behold—tiny olivine pieces in the sand give the beach its shimmering green shade.

Big Island Highlights Include: Visiting Volcanoes National Park, night snorkeling with manta rays, stargazing at the Mauna Kea Summit, and driving around the whole island from Kona side to Hilo side.

Kauai Island

Kauai Island has it all as a tropical paradise: moody rainforests, majestic cliffs, jagged peaks, emerald valleys, palm trees swaying in the breeze, daily rainbows, and some of the most spectacular golden beaches you’ll find anywhere. This is the place for people who need to relax and heal jangled nerves, as well as those looking for hiking, swimming, golfing, and other adventures.

On an island with some of the world’s best beaches, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect one for you. Gentle waves roll across the golden sands of half-moon Hanalei Bay in the North Shore, where sheer volcanic ridges laced by waterfalls rise to 4,000 feet in the background, making it perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing, canoe paddling, and kayaking. On the south shore, big, wide Poipu Beach features a lava-rock jetty, protecting a sandy-bottomed pool that’s perfect for children on one side and an open bay attracting swimmers, snorkelers, and surfers on the other. Given that 80% of the island is only able to be seen by plane or boat, it’s recommended to take a helicopter tour.

Kauai Highlights Include: Sail around the Na Pali Coast, enjoy a helicopter tour, kayaking in the Wailua River, dinner at a luau, and explore Waimea Canyon, known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

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Sample Hawaii Vacation Package Pricing

Check out my sample Hawaii vacation packages below. Note that a rental car would be an additional cost, and I highly recommend renting a car. Regardless of which island you travel to, it’s SO much easier and quicker to drive around. That way, you can stop and see things at your own pace.

Minimum deposit: $265 per person
Remaining balance due: 45 days before departure

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