13 Of The Greatest Destinations Most Hawaii Locals Overlook

Keawa'ula Beach — or as it is commonly known — Yokohama Bay, is the northernmost beach on Oahu's western coast before you reach Kaena Point, making it one of the most secluded beaches on the island. The beach is home to stellar surfing during the winter months and was once a popular hangout for squid. Backed by the striking Waianae Mountains and featuring crystalline turquoise waters and sparkling white sand, it doesn't get much prettier than this rugged stretch of off the beaten path coastline that’s untouched by development.

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Makauwahi Cave is not only the largest limestone cave in Hawaii but also one of the state’s largest archaeological sites. This relatively unknown archaeological site was formed when the once fossilized sand dune collapsed. After you squeeze through the mouth of the cave, you will be rewarded with stunning views of a spacious open-air amphitheater.

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This short and sweet trail within the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside will reward adventurous tourists and locals with a relatively secluded and picture-perfect waterfall cascading into a crystalline turquoise pool. Located on Maui’s famous Hana Highway, many tourists overlook this short path and stop at the 5-acre park for a quick bathroom break, but for those adventurers in the know, it’s a lovely little spot worthy of a visit.

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Located on historic Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hulihee Palace is one of only three royal residences left in Hawaii, and one of the few real palaces on United States soil. Built out of lava rocks, coral lime mortar, koa, and ohia timbers in 1838 by John Adams Kuakini, governor of the Island of Hawaii during the Kingdom of Hawaii, Hulihee Palace has housed countless members of the Hawaiian monarchy throughout the years, from Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani to King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani.

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Located on the isolated northeast corner of Molokai, this sprawling 921-acre preserve protects one of the state’s last intact coastal regions, a holdover from an ancient era. Steady and strong northeast trade winds have shaped the linear sand dunes, which measure in at nearly a mile long and hundreds of feet wide. It is within these seemingly barren dunes that native grasses and shrubs flourish. In fact, here you will find more rare coastal species than any other single location in the main Hawaiian Islands.

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Kanewai Spring is not only a gorgeous oasis with sparkling crystalline water, but it is one of Hawaii’s last remaining freshwater springs. What was once an overgrown, dark, and murky destination found on private property is now a special spot brimming with life and lush scenery, thanks to seven years of hard work by the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center and hundreds of volunteers. How stunning is this little slice of paradise?

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Situated along Kauai’s fabled Na Pali Coast is Hanakapi’ai Beach, a stunning slice of paradise accessible only via a strenuous four mile round trip day hike. It is at the edge of this magnificent beach that you will find a series of incredible aboveground caves carved into the cliffside — and if you continue along the trail for another two miles one-way, a cascading waterfall.

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With lush, verdant greenery, and black lava cliffs jutting into the crystal blue ocean, Waianapanapa State Park is easily one of the prettiest parks you’ll find in the Aloha State. Nestled along the coast of southeastern Maui is this beautiful state park with scenery so diverse you’ll certainly believe as though you’ve stepped into another world — perhaps one from your favorite childhood storybook. Here you will find countless natural wonders, including a black sand beach, sea caves, freshwater pools, a blowhole, and cascading waterfalls.

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Located near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, this cave is not only full of ancient mysteries, but it is the longest and deepest lava tube in the entire world. You can even organize a tour through this otherworldly cave for an unforgettable adventure you’ll never forget. Found on the eastern slopes of Kilauea Volcano — which has been constantly erupting since 1983 — is Kazamura Cave, a massive lava tube that originated from the nearby Kilauea Iki Crater approximately 500 years ago.

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Dedicated to saving, restoring, and protecting Hawaii’s railway history, the Hawaiian Railway Society is not only the only historic railroad on the island, but the only operating railroad museum in the state as well. This narrow gauge heritage railway operates three restored diesel locomotives to operate on approximately 6.5 miles of restored train tracks from Ewa to Nanakuli. The restored portion of track is part of a 12-mile remnant of track that ran from the city, Honolulu, to the country, Kahuku, and was once used for passenger and freight service between 1888 and 1947.

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This two-mile stretch of coastline nestled along the southern coast of Kauai known as Mahaulepu is home to striking lithified sand dunes sure to mesmerize anyone who loves nature. These ancient sand dunes along Kauai’s southern shore have slowly been turned to stone — or lithified — over time, and are now being slowly eroded away by the ocean. The landscapes found along the trail look almost prehistoric, and you will easily be transported back in time to an era when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

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Created in 1968 as a native Hawaiian plant reserve by Warren McCord, Kula Botanical Garden is Maui’s first public garden, and is positively enchanting, to say the least. Featuring both tropical plants and native Hawaiian flora, the Kula Botanical Garden is unlike any garden you’ll find on the United States’ mainland. Covering approximately eight acres of hilly terrain at approximately 3,300 feet above sea level, this breathtaking secret garden is home to several paved paths meandering through the garden, perfect for exploring.

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Found off the breathtaking Chain of Craters Road within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this petroglyph site is not only gorgeous but historically and culturally significant. More than 23,000 petroglyph images can be found in this expansive field, and you will see many of them along the 1.5-mile (round trip) boardwalk trail.

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