Hawaiʻi, answered.
Reservations, rules and plain-spoken plans for every island, with a link to the official source for anything that can change.
Start with where you are going
Visitor counts are 2025 arrivals by island from the HTA annual report.
Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna, Molokini and whale season. Our first full guide.
2,531,472 visitors in 2025Guide liveOʻahuDiamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor and North Shore surf safety.
5,665,698 visitors in 2025Nā Pali, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei. Recovering after the 2026 storms.
1,407,632 visitors in 2025Kona, Hilo, volcano country and Maunakea.
1,724,952 visitors in 2025Quiet island reached by ferry or flight. Covered on Maui FYI for now.
32,911 visitors in 2025Via Maui FYIMolokaʻiRural, cultural and unhurried. Covered on Maui FYI for now.
23,482 visitors in 2025Places that need a reservation
Walk-ups are turned away at these. Residents with Hawaiʻi ID are generally exempt at state parks.
| Place | Island | Who needs one | Booking window | Cost | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haleakalā sunrise | Maui | Per vehicle, 3 to 7 a.m. entry | 60 days to 2 days ahead, 7 a.m. HST | $1 reservation plus park entrance fee | Official site |
| Waiʻānapanapa State Park | Maui | Non-residents | Up to 30 days ahead | $10 parking per vehicle plus $5 per person | Official site |
| ʻĪao Valley State Monument | Maui | Non-residents | Up to 30 days ahead | See official page | Official site |
| Diamond Head State Monument | Oʻahu | Non-residents | Up to 30 days ahead | $5 per person plus $10 parking | Official site |
| Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve | Oʻahu | Recommended; limited walk-in tickets at 6:45 a.m. | 2 days ahead, 7 a.m. HST; closed Mon and Tue | $25 non-residents | Official site |
| USS Arizona Memorial | Oʻahu | Everyone, all ages | 8 weeks or 1 day ahead, 3 p.m. HST | Free, plus $1 per ticket booking fee | Recreation.gov |
Check before you go
Conditions change after storms and high surf. These official pages carry the current status; we link rather than copy so you never read a stale closure.
- State parks closuresHawaiʻi DLNR park notices
- Weather and storm warningsNational Weather Service Honolulu
- Haleakalā National ParkNPS alerts and conditions
- Maui County newsCounty road and area updates
Reach visitors while they are still planning
Founding sponsor spots are open on every island: one sponsor per category, clearly labeled, beside the guides visitors read before they book.
See sponsor optionsIsland listing from $99 a month
Category sponsor and network partner tiers available. Founding rates are locked for 12 months.
Planning more than a trip?
Sister directories from the same team, each built for one job.
Island Vows
Hawaiʻi wedding venues, planners, photographers and bridal beauty, island by island.
Open Island Vows →Hawaiʻi Aesthetics Guide
Med spas and aesthetic clinics across the islands, with a nurse-reviewed treatment guide.
Open Hawaiʻi Aesthetics Guide →Hale Keeper
Home watch, caretaking and property managers for Hawaiʻi second-home owners.
Open Hale Keeper →Common questions
Do Hawaiʻi residents need reservations at state parks?
Residents with a Hawaiʻi driver's license or state ID are generally exempt at state parks such as Diamond Head, Waiʻānapanapa and ʻĪao Valley. Visitors traveling with residents still pay and book.
How do I book the Haleakalā sunrise?
Book a $1 vehicle reservation on Recreation.gov. Tickets release 60 days ahead and again 2 days ahead, both at 7 a.m. HST. The park entrance fee is paid separately.
How do I get USS Arizona Memorial tickets?
Reserve on Recreation.gov. The program is free, with a $1 per ticket booking fee, and tickets release daily at 3 p.m. HST for 8 weeks and 1 day ahead. Same-day walk-up tickets are no longer given out.
Which Hawaiian island gets the most visitors?
Oʻahu, with 5,665,698 visitors in 2025, more than half of all arrivals. Maui was second with 2,531,472, per the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.