7 Days in Hawaii: From Maui’s South Shore to Oahu Adventures

The ultimate travel diary filled with tropical eats, stunning hikes, and unforgettable moments (sharks and karaoke included).

Day 1: Travel Day – Sunset & Tacos

We flew into Honolulu, then hopped over to Maui. After a long travel day, we kicked off our trip with dinner at a Mexican restaurant with incredible sunset views. We stopped at Fred’s Mexican Cafe Kihei for a light dinner after a long travel day!

Day 2: South Shore, Gardens & the Road to Hana

Morning at a local farmers market for fresh breakfast (try Kula Country Farms).
Explored Japanese Gardens in Kula – peaceful and lush.
Stopped at Sun Yat-Sen Park – surprise cow encounter on the road!
Twin Falls hike – quick and beautiful.
Road to Hana highlights:
- Rainbow eucalyptus trees – must-see stop.
- Lunch at Maui’s Garden of Eden with peacocks, followed by a 2-mile garden hike (Garden of Eden Arboretum).
- Explored lava tubes at the Hana Lava Tubes.
- Spotted multiple rainbows along the way.
- Memorable roadside stop: under a tree cave (with a slight head injury incident…all part of the adventure). Mile marker 23! Here is a link to great article on where to find it.

Day 3: Whales, Snorkeling & Luau Vibes

• Whale watching tour (Pacific Whale Foundation).

• Snorkeled at Maluaka Bay – calm waters and sea life.

• Evening Luau – traditional dance, fire shows, tiki drinks and buffet style food at Myths of Maui.

• Wrapped up with live music and a hot tub soak at our hotel.

Day 4: Oahu Island Fun – Crabs, Fish & Thai Massages

Breakfast at Poblanos Mexican Grill – casual and delicious (Poblanos Waipahu).
Lunch at Kona Brewing Co. – fresh fish and local brews (Kona Brewing Co. Honolulu).
Explored China Walls – crabs, tide pools, and a turtle sighting!
Hiked through Koko Crater Botanical Garden (info here).
Relaxed with a Thai massage at Waikīkī Massage Clinic.

Day 5: Sharks, Food Trucks, and Karaoke

Shark cage dive off Oahu – thrilling and safe (North Shore Shark Adventures).
- Saw whales breaching while on the water. We saw more whales on this tour then we did on our whale watching tour!
Stopped at a roadside food truck park along the Kamehameha Highway – great for casual eats.
Chilled at Turtle Bay Beach – crystal waters and soft sand.
Finished with karaoke at a LGBTQ+ bar – a highlight! Try Wang Chung’s in Waikīkī.

Day 6: Temples, Dinosaurs & Comedy

Visited a peaceful Buddha temple (Byodo-In Temple) in the Valley of the Temples.
Kualoa Ranch movie site open air bus tour. This was super relaxing and enjoyable way to see a big portion of the ranch and all of the highlights (Kualoa Ranch).
Saw a comedy show at Anna O’Brien’s – intimate venue with great local acts (Anna O’Brien’s).

Day 7: Waikīkī Wrap-Up

Pool and hot tub morning – relaxation mode. One more moment of relaxation before it was time to head to the airport.
Lunch at Hula Grill Waikīkī – beachfront, fresh, and perfect for people-watching (Hula Grill).
Shopping at Royal Hawaiian Center and snagged some souvenirs as a reminder of our time in Hawaii (Royal Hawaiian Center).

What I’ve Learned About Traveling to Hawaii:

1. Book in advance – excursions, restaurant reservations, even parking passes. Everything fills up quickly.

2. Mix adventure with downtime – Hawaii has so much to offer, but the real magic is also in just soaking up the vibes.

3. Respect the land and wildlife – from sacred sites to marine life, take only memories, leave only footprints

Aloha until next time!