15 days in Hawaii Itinerary

In many ways much more Asian than American, Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city and its center of government, transportation, commerce, and tourism.

We've included these beaches for you: Banzai Pipeline and Lanikai Beach. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Sunset Beach Park and National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Venture out of the city with trips to Kapolei (Ko Olina Lagoons & Dolphin & Whale Watching), Haleiwa (Waimea Valley, Laniakea Beach, & more) and Kailua Beach Park (in Kailua). There's much more to do: trek along Koko Crater Railway Trail, examine the collection at Bishop Museum, pause for some photo ops at USS Utah Memorial, and kick back and relax at Kapiolani Regional Park.

To find where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Honolulu online road trip planner .

Use the Route module to see travel options from your home to Honolulu. In January, daily temperatures in Honolulu can reach 81°F, while at night they dip to 67°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) so you can travel to Kihei.

Stretching over 9.7 km (6 mi) of pristine south Maui coastline, Kihei is the island's driest and sunniest region, making it a perfect location for water activities and beach leisure.

We've included these beaches for you: Wailea Beach Path and Ulua Beach. For shopping fun, head to Hana Coast Gallery or Surf Ripper Shave Ice Co. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kihei: Lahaina (Kayaking & Canoeing & River Rafting & Tubing) and Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu Beach) (in Hana). The adventure continues: stroll through Kamaole Beach Park III, enjoy the sand and surf at Keawakapu Beach, take in the dramatic natural features at Ke‘anae Point, and sample the tasty concoctions at Maui Brewing Company.

To see photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Kihei trip builder tool .

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Honolulu to Kihei takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car. In January, daily temperatures in Kihei can reach 81°F, while at night they dip to 63°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Volcano.

Those who named Volcano opted for simplicity in choosing a title, taking the nearby fire-spewing Kilauea as a source of inspiration.

Step off the beaten path and head to Kilauea Iki Trailhead and Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku). For shopping fun, head to Volcano Garden Arts or Banyan Gallery. Explore Volcano's surroundings by going to Liliuokalani Gardens (in Hilo), Punalu‘U Beach (in Pahala) and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (in Papaikou). The adventure continues: examine the collection at Jagger Museum, trek along Sulphur Banks, Head underground at Kilauea Caverns of Fire, and take in the exciting artwork at 2400 Fahrenheit Art Glass.

To see photos, ratings, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Volcano route builder website .

Getting from Kihei to Volcano by combination of taxi, flight, and bus takes about 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 81°F in January, and nighttime lows around 64°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Captain Cook.

A small town with big ocean views, Captain Cook lies on top of an ancient fault line that was responsible for creating the nearby Kealakekua Bay thousands of years ago.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Wed): take in the spiritual surroundings of The Painted Church, relax in the rural setting at Kona Coffee Living History Farm, experience rural life at Greenwell Farms, then get a taste of the local shopping with Kona Joe Coffee, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the activities along Kealakekua Bay, kick back and relax at Manini Kapahukapu Beach, then explore the activities along Honaunau Bay, and finally admire all the interesting features of Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.

To find ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Captain Cook day trip site .

Getting from Volcano to Captain Cook by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 80°F in January, and nighttime lows around 67°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) so you can travel back home.