This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Hawaii Island Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

What are some other natural wonders in Hawaii to explore?

Hawaii is a big, wonderful, bucket-list destination for many, and there are so many places to explore, it would take a lifetime to see them all! If you're looking for a solid foundation for your adventures in the Aloha State, check out these spots:

• Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea measures in at 13,796 feet above sea level, the highest point in the state of Hawaii. In fact, when measured from its oceanic base deep in the vast Pacific, the mountain measures in at more than 33,000 feet tall – that’s higher than Mount Everest. The summit is also home to state-of-the-art observatories, with more than a dozen telescopes funded by 11 countries. At approximately one million years old, Mauna Kea passed the most active shield volcano stage hundreds of thousands of years ago. But don't worry about it spewing any fiery ash: the volcano last erupted 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, and is now considered dormant.
• Maui’s Road to Hana is perhaps the most popular scenic drive on the island – and possibly all of Hawaii. This infamous 64.4-mile highway that stretches from Kahului to Hana is popular not for the destination – Hana Town – but for the incredible journey it takes to get there. The Hana Highway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and you should allot approximately two and a half hours to make the 60-some mile journey, and that’s if you don’t make any stops at the incredible parks, beaches, waterfalls, and snack stands you’ll find along the way.
• Haleakalā National Park. Just 27 square miles short of equaling the entire size of Oahu, Mount Haleakala is a gentle giant – a dormant volcano that has inspired those who make the journey to its summit for centuries. Translating to “House of the Sun,” Haleakala rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level, comprises 75 percent of Maui Island, and is home to desert-like conditions, rainforests, and everything in between.
• Ka'anapali Beach. Once the vacation retreat of choice for Hawaiian royalty, today Ka'anapali Beach is one of the island’s most popular expanses of white sands, surrounded by luxury hotels and resorts.
• Pearl Harbor. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor triggered the United State’s entry into World War II. You may not have known that Hawaii was put under martial law until the end of the war. Today, Pearl Harbor houses a variety of historical sites, and is home to more than 160 commands. If you only see one thing while visiting Pearl Harbor, it has to be the famous USS Arizona Memorial.
• Waimea Canyon. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. Unlike many similar canyons, Waimea Canyon was not formed solely from steady erosion, but also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created the island of Kauai. At 10 miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, it is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon.
• Na Pali Coast. This piece of rugged Kauai coastline is said to be one of the most unspoiled natural beauties in all of Hawaii: thousand foot cliffs are eroded to create vaulted valleys and hidden beaches.