Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Hawaii
By Trent Jonas|Published March 17, 2024
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Springtime in the Aloha State is a little different from the season in other places, because our spring weather tends to be similar to that of other seasons in the islands. Our state’s year-round beauty is one of the reasons people visit throughout the year. Nevertheless, there are many things to do in Hawaii in spring, whether you’re a native Hawaiian or a spring break visitor. Here are a few of our favorites.
One of the best things about life in Hawaii is the fact that we have flowers throughout the year, and many flowering plants blossom year-round. A few, however, blossom only in the spring, like the invasive (but beautiful) cultivars golden trumpet trees on Oahu. Here are a couple of spots with flower blooms that we particularly enjoy when it’s springtime in Hawaii.
Popularity: Very busy at sunrise (reservations required) and sunset.
Price: $15 per person, pedestrian or bicycle; $25 per motorcycle; $30 per private passenger vehicle; free with annual park or interagency pass.
The drive up to the Summit District of Haleakala National Park is one of the most stunning you’ll find in Hawaii - or just about anywhere else, frankly. Upcountry Maui is particularly spectacular in the spring, though, when the jacarandas explode with color. Start looking for them as you get up to Kula and then along the entrance road to the park. The more adventurous can enjoy them while bicycling down or ziplining along the slopes of this dormant volcano.
2. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, State Hwy 160, H?naunau, HI 96726, USA
Location: 2. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Captain Cook, The Big Island Hawaii
Popularity: It can be crowded on weekends or during special events.
Price: $10 per person, pedestrian or bicycle; $15 per motorcycle; $20 per private passenger vehicle; free with annual park or interagency pass.
The drive from the Belt Road on the Island of Hawaii down to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, or Place of Refuge, involves a descent along narrow roads from the uplands of the Kona Coast to the rugged shoreline of Kealakekua Bay. Along the way, especially in March and April, you’ll find bougainvillea bursting with oranges, reds, and other colors along the sides of the road.
The drive, itself, is a worthy destination, but keep going because the Place of Refuge is an important site in Hawaiian culture that should not be missed. You’ll find the ruins of a heiau (temple), fish ponds, and a gorgeous white sand beach surrounded by swaying palm trees. There are several interpretive sites throughout the park. It is a sacred place where cultural traditions have been preserved and are remembered, and where new generations can learn about them. Because of this, you won’t find the typical recreational opportunities you might expect. However, there are a couple amazing spots for snorkeling and kayaking just north of the park, as well as at Kealakekua Bay, which teems with marine life, including sea turtles and spinner dolphins. The latter is a state park and another significant cultural site, so be sure you have all the required permits and proper equipment before you go. We recommend going with one of the local snorkeling tours that you can book out of Captain Cook or Kailua-Kona to ensure both your safety and compliance with cultural and legal regulations.
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Botanical Gardens In Hawaii
With its amazing climate, which includes ample rainfall in many parts of the state, Hawaii is the perfect place for growing incredible plants and trees. And the state’s botanical gardens show off the results. Visiting a botanical garden is one of the more fun and, dare we say, romantic things to do in Hawaii in spring. Here are a couple spots you should definitely visit to see just how incredible our flowers, trees, and plants are in the Aloha State.
3. Iolani Palace Grounds
Iolani Palace, 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Popularity: Replace this text with the correct information.
Price: There are several ticket/tour and pricing options available, ranging from $6 to $125. A basic adult (18 and older) ticket is $11.95 for Hawaii residents and $26.95 for non-residents.
The grounds of Hawaii’s famous Iolani Palace, while not officially a botanical garden, are like an arboretum in the middle of downtown Honolulu. This makes it a perfect spot to enjoy the incredible trees, including a majestic banyan, on a lovely spring day in Hawaii.
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4. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, 27-717 Mamalahoa Hwy, Papaikou, HI 96781, USA
Location: Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Papaikou, The Big Island, Hawaii
Popularity: Moderately popular, rarely crowded.
Price: Adults 12 and older, $30/$25 (visitor/Hawaii resident); Hawaii college students, $25; Active military, $25; Children 6 through 12, $22/$15 (visitor/Hawaii resident); Children under 6 are free.
Located north of Hilo on the incredibly lush Hamakua Coast, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is an eden for plant lovers. Boasting more than 2,500 species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees in a rain forest setting, this garden is a place you could spend an entire spring day - or longer! - exploring.
Parks To Visit In Hawaii This Spring
The Hawaiian Islands are home to many amazing parks and public natural areas that are play host to all manner of outdoor activities. Some do require fees, but most are free to residents of the state. This is why visiting parks is one of our favorite cheap things to do in Hawaii in spring.
Popularity: It can be busy during events, such as the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Price: The park is free and open to the public.
Hoolulu Park in Hilo, on the Big Island, is home to Edith Kanak’ole Stadium, which plays host to most of the hula events during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival. The festival takes place every spring, usually immediately after Easter, and encompasses all of downtown Hilo with a week of events, including a parade, and some of the best hula in the world. Dancers converge on Hilo from throughout the Hawaiian Islands to celebrate and preserve Hawaiian culture and tradition in an event that started in 1963. It is named in honor of King David Kalakaua who strove to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture.
Location: Wai'anapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Popularity: This is a very popular park that can be quite crowded, especially on weekends and holidays.
Price: Free entrance for Hawaii residents with ID. Non-residents must pay $5 per person entry fee. There is also a $10 per vehicle parking fee for non-residents. Non-resident reservations are required for entry.
A visit to Wai'anapanapa State Park is a must-do stop along the must-do Road to Hana. Famous for its black sand beach and sea caves, this park highlights the rugged coastline on the north shore of Maui. The park also offers camping and cabin rentals if you’re interested in spending more time on this part of the island. Nonresident day visitors must be careful to make a reservation well in advance of their visit and time their visit with their time slot, as they will be turned away without a valid reservation.
7. Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Location: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Waimea, The Big Island, Hawaii
Popularity: This is the most popular beach on the Big Island.
Price: Free entrance for Hawaii residents with ID. Non-residents must pay $5 per person entry fee. There is also a $10 per vehicle parking fee for non-residents.
The Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is home to a gorgeous crescent of white sand, which is one of the reasons that it’s the most popular white sand beach on the Big Island. The beach is located on the Kohala Coast, about half an hour north of Kailua-Kona and below the often-snow-capped peak of Mauna Kea volcano. Humpback whales can often be seen in the waters off the beach in the springtime. There’s a decent amount of marine life in the waters, and there are some good spots for snorkeling at Hapuna. In fact, manta rays often visit a nearby resort at night. If you’re interested in seeing these creatures, spring is a good time to do it. We recommend booking a night time snorkeling adventure out of Kailua-Kona with a guide who knows where to find the manta rays.
Location: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, Kihei, Hawaii
Popularity: Not usually too busy.
Price: Free.
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center in the Maui town of Kihei is a fantastic place to learn about - and possibly see - humpback whales in Hawaii. The whales migrate to Hawaiian waters in the winter and stay through spring, usually heading back to their home waters in Alaska by April or May. While in Hawaii, humpbacks can be found just about anywhere in the state’s waters, from the Na Pali Coast on Kaua'i to South Point on the Big Island. But the biggest concentration in the state is in the relatively shallow waters of the ‘Au’au Channel off the west coast of Maui - i.e., right in front of the marine sanctuary’s visitor center - and off the Kona and Kohala (which refers to the humpback whales in the Hawaiian language) coasts of the Big Island.
During springtime, you can see these magnificent creatures breaching and frolicking in the Pacific waters right from the shoreline as they mate, calve, and teach their newborns the ways of the ocean. Enjoy the gorgeous white sand beach right in front of the marine sanctuary visitor center as you scan the water for humpbacks and other marine life. So, when you visit, be sure to bring your beach gear, as well as a camera and a good pair of binoculars. You can get a closer look by taking a guided tour on a whale watching vessel, catamaran, or even kayaks. These boat tours usually run from nearby Ma’alaea, just north of Kihei.
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Spring Hikes In Hawaii
While there are not huge temperature swings between seasons in the Aloha State, generally speaking, summer does tend to be hotter – and you really notice the sun when it’s beating down on you from directly overhead. This makes spring an ideal season for hiking on the islands, especially when the hikes are in exposed areas with few places to seek shade. Moreover, hiking is one of the best cheap things to do in Hawaii in spring. Check out a few of our favorite spring hikes in Hawaii.
9. Pu'uloa Petroglyphs Trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Location: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, The Big Island, Hawaii
Popularity: Very popular. Despite its size, the park can reach its visitor capacity at times.
Price: $15 per person, pedestrian or bicycle; $25 per motorcycle; $30 per private passenger vehicle; free with annual park or interagency pass.
At 1.2 miles, the Pu'uloa Petroglyphs Trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is not a long walk, but it’s a completely exposed hike over rugged lava rock, so it can feel a bit longer than it is. But the payoff is worth it! Located along the Chain of Craters road, near the where it meets the Pacific, and the Moana stretches eastward, uninterrupted by land for more than 2,000 miles, this collection of petroglyphs is stunning. Its placement in the middle of a lava field at the base of Kilauea feels almost eerie. But it’s also a fantastic hike and a great way to escape the more-crowded areas near the caldera and lava tubes.
10. Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head State Monument, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Location: Diamond Head State Monument, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Popularity: Very popular due to its location near Honolulu. The park is often crowded with visitors.
Price: Free entrance for Hawaii residents with ID. Non-residents must pay $5 per person entry fee. There is also a $10 per vehicle parking fee for non-residents. Non-resident reservations are required for entry.
Diamond Head State Monument encompasses the iconic Diamond Head Crater near Honolulu and much of the land that surrounds it. This large park is extremely popular with area residents, as well as visitors to the area. The Diamond Head Summit Trail is relatively short, at under a mile, but it’s considerably difficult because of how steep it is. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most popular hiking trails in the Aloha State because of the reward for reaching the top: views out over the Pacific Ocean to Molokai and along the coast to Waikiki, where you can see surfers waiting in the lineup or riding a wave into the famous Waikiki Beach. You can even see past downtown Honolulu to Pearl Harbor on a clear day.
11. Iao Valley State Monument
??ao Valley State Monument, 54 S High St, Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
Location: Iao Valley State Monument, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
Popularity: It can be very crowded, especially on weekends.
Price: Free entrance for Hawaii residents with ID. Non-residents must pay $5 per person entry fee. There is also a $10 per vehicle parking fee for non-residents. Non-resident reservations are required for entry.
Iao Valley State Monument is a visual feast with its impossibly steep verdant valley carved into the dramatic West Maui Mountains, punctuated by the prominent peak of the Iao Needle. A short trail winds through the front country of the monument, detailing its natural and historical significance. This is a perfect place to stretch your legs, enjoy some incredible scenery, and learn more about Hawaiian culture and history on a beautiful spring day.
Spring Picnic Spots In Hawaii
Nothing says “spring” quite like a picnic does it? And picnics are a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty of the Aloha State. Here are a few of our favorite spring picnic spots in Hawaii.
12. Poipu Beach Park
Poipu Beach Park, 2179 Hoone Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA
Popularity: This beach is very popular, especially on weekends.
Price: Free.
There may be no better place for a spring picnic and an afternoon of relaxation than Poipu Beach Park on the island of Kauai. While you’re relaxing on the sand, you may be joined by sea turtles or even endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Further out, humpback whales are often visible in the springtime. If you’re a surfer or up for a snorkeling adventure, you can pick up rentals nearby.
13. Wailuku River State Park
Wailuku River State Park, 2-198 Rainbow Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Location: Wailuku River State Park, Hilo, The Big Island, Hawaii
Popularity: Very popular.
Price: Free.
Wailuku River State Park is located right in Hilo town, one of the state’s largest cities and main cultural centers. Inside this park, with its stunning waterfalls - including the popular Rainbow Falls - and rain forest setting, you may not even realize you’re in a city. This is why we think it’s a wonderful place for a picnic and one of our favorite free things to do in Hawaii in spring.
Location: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii
Popularity: Very popular. All non-Hawaii residents must have a timed-entry reservation.
Price: $25 for non-Hawaii residents 13 and over; Hawaii residents and children 12 and under are free.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a pristine beach preserve located just outside of Honolulu. It’s highly protected in order to maintain the quality of the water, reef, and marine life in the area. It’s also a wonderful place to spend a day. Although concessions are available, including snorkeling gear rentals, at the park, we recommend bringing a picnic and making a day of it.
As you can see, there are a ton of fun things to do in Hawaii in spring, making it a wonderful season to spend time outdoors in or visit Hawaii. If you time your visit after spring break and before summer, you may be able to find some relatively reasonable airfares from the mainland. What are some of your favorite spring activities in Hawaii?
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