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Plan a week in Hawaii — beaches, hiking, and local food
Start your Hawaii week on Oahu's south shore. Waikiki's touristy but the beach is classic, and the food scene nearby is legit. Grab your rental car tonight for tomorrow's early start.
7days
25stops
DAY01
Honolulu Airport → Kalakaua Avenue
Overnight in Kalakaua Avenue
- 14:00Honolulu Airport· start
- 16:00Waikiki Beach
- 19:00Kalakaua Avenue· overnight
First Bites in Honolulu
- Marukame Udon · Cheap, fast, legendary udon. The tempura station is the move — grab shrimp and sweet potato.
- Leonard's Bakery · Hot malasadas since 1952. Original sugar or li hing powder — both are game-changers.
Day 1 Budget
- Waikiki hotel (mid-range)
- $180
- Rental car pickup
- $60/day
- Gas & parking
- $25
DAY02
Diamond Head Trail → Lanikai Beach
Overnight in Lanikai Beach
- 06:00Diamond Head Trail· start
- 10:00Kailua Beach Park
- 17:00Lanikai Beach· overnight
Windward Side Eats
- Kono's North Shore · Kalua pork everything. The bomber burrito will fuel your whole day.
- Kalapawai Market · Local deli in Kailua, perfect beach picnic supplies. Get the poke bowl.
Day 2 Budget
- Diamond Head entry
- $5
- Parking
- $10
- Kailua beach gear rental
- $40
DAY03
Haleiwa Town → Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
Overnight in Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
- 09:00Haleiwa Town· start
- 11:00Banzai Pipeline
- 15:00Sunset Beach
- 18:00Giovanni's Shrimp Truck· overnight
North Shore Classics
- Giovanni's Shrimp Truck · Garlic shrimp plate — butter, garlic, rice, mac salad. Messy, glorious, mandatory.
- Matsumoto Shave Ice · Rainbow shave ice since 1951. Get ice cream on the bottom, thank me later.
- Ted's Bakery · Chocolate haupia pie. Grab a whole one for the road, seriously.
Day 3 Budget
- Shrimp plate lunch
- $16
- Shave ice & pie
- $12
- Beach parking
- $10
DAY04
Honolulu Airport → Kilauea Overlook
Overnight in Kilauea Overlook
- 08:00Honolulu Airport· start
- 09:30Hilo Airport
- 12:00Kilauea Iki Trail
- 15:00Thurston Lava Tube
- 20:00Kilauea Overlook· overnight
Volcano Village Dining
- Kilauea Lodge Restaurant · Cozy volcano village spot. Elk burger or fresh catch after a long day.
- Thai Thai Bistro · Surprisingly solid Thai in Volcano village. Good for something different.
Day 4 Budget
- Inter-island flight
- $120
- Volcanoes NP entry
- $30
- Volcano area lodging
- $150
DAY05
Pohoiki Beach → Rainbow Falls
Overnight in Rainbow Falls
- 08:00Pohoiki Beach· start
- MacKenzie
- 14:00Akaka Falls
- 17:00Rainbow Falls· overnight
Hilo Food Scene
- Pineapples Restaurant · Hilo local favorite. Loco moco or fresh ahi, plus killer mai tais.
- Moon and Turtle · Hilo's best dinner spot. Small plates, local fish, sake selection.
Day 5 Budget
- Pohoiki warm springs
- $0
- Waterfall valley entry
- $25
- Dinner in Hilo
- $50
DAY06
Mauna Kea Access Road → Kailua-Kona
Overnight in Kailua-Kona
- 14:00Mauna Kea Access Road· start
- 15:00Mauna Kea
- 17:30Mauna Kea Summit
- 21:00Kailua-Kona· overnight
Kona Seafood
- Da Poke Shack · Kona's poke institution. Spicy ahi and wasabi crab — line up early, sells out.
- Umekes Fishmarket · Upscale poke bowls and local plates. The furikake ahi is the move.
Day 6 Budget
- Mauna Kea 4WD or tour
- $250
- Kona lodging
- $200
- Dinner
- $40
DAY07
Kahaluu Beach Park → Kona Airport
- 08:00Kahaluu Beach Park· start
- 10:00Mountain Thunder Coffee
- 13:00Kona Airport
Last Meals
- Island Lava Java · Oceanfront breakfast in Kona. Kona coffee, eggs, last ocean views.
- Scandinavian Shave Ice · Kona's best — fine ice, real fruit syrups. Mac nut ice cream base.
Day 7 Budget
- Kona coffee farm tour
- $25
- Airport drop-off
- $0
- Return flight
- $400
Heads Up
- Inter-island flights book up — reserve early
- Mauna Kea requires 4WD or tour, no exceptions
- Winter North Shore = dangerous surf, check conditions
- Volcano activity changes daily — check NPS alerts