To the undiscerning eye, it may not be obvious when fall comes around in the Aloha State. But folks who have lived here for a while know the signs of the seasonal change. We also know what to look for when it comes to things to do in Hawaii in the fall. If you need some of your own inspiration for autumn in paradise, check out these 15 suggestions for things to do and watch for when it's fall in Hawaii.

Signs of Fall in Hawaii: Where to Go in Hawaii to Find Fall

As you know, fall in the Aloha State tends to be quite a bit different from autumn in the rest of the United States. The water is a little bit cooler, it starts to rain a little more often, and the nighttime temps may dip a few degrees. But we don't see the drastic temperature drops or the changing colors of leaves on the trees. Nevertheless, there are a few things that let us know when fall has arrived in Hawaii.

1. Humpbacks Return to the Islands

• Location: Throughout Hawaii
• Need to Know: Look for humpback whales from late October through early May

Few creatures in Hawaiian waters are as incredible or iconic as humpback whales. These seasonal visitors to the Aloha State (from Alaska!) can start returning as soon as late October to breed and calve. They start to arrive in earnest by November, and some will stick around until early May, though most will have traveled back to the Last Frontier by April. Seeing your first humpback spout of the year is a sure sign that fall has arrived.

2. The North Shore Waves Start to Go Off

• Location: North Shore of Ohau, Hawaii
• Need to Know: The North Shore sees its biggest swells between November and February

The waves for which Hawaii is best known - those on the North Shore of Oahu, like Banzai Pipeline - are due largely to winter swells that hit the islands from weather systems in the North Pacific Ocean. These swells start to arrive in November, and the big waves on the islands' northern shores all start to pop - from Hanalei Bay to Peahi. Ground zero for big waves, though, is the North Shore of Oahu, which sees the most consistent waves and attracts big wave surfers from around the world, who flock to the island to try their mettle against these monsters.

3. Sunflowers Are Blooming

• Location: Oahu, Maui, Kauai
• Need to Know: Look for blooming sunflowers in October/November and again in the spring.

Sunflowers are not native to the Hawaiian Islands, but of late, they've been seen as a sustainable replacement crop for sugar cane, which requires an incredible amount of fresh water and other resources to process. So, these days, you can see several sunflower fields blooming throughout the islands - often in the fall. Pacific Biodiesel Technologies has major sunflower plantations on Maui and Kaui and hosts regular events and festivals. On Oahu, Waimanalo Country Farms' sunflower field in Hawaii (pictured) is usually blooming during its annual fall festival.

4. Makali'i (the Pleiades) Rises at Sunset

• Location: Eastern horizon, after sunset
• Need to Know: Watch for Makali'i to rise in late October or early November

The return of Makali'i - the star cluster also known as the Pleiades, Subaru, or the Seven Sisters - in mid-autumn signals the beginning of Makahiki season. The season marks the ancient Hawaiian New Year, and it is a time for relaxation and renewal. Harvest festivals and celebrations dedicated to the god Lono traditionally marked the season, which lasts for around four months.

5. Nēnē Begin to Nest

• Location: Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Big (Hawaii) Island
• Need to Know: According Hawaii DLNR, most nēnē nest and lay their eggs between October and December

The nēnē is the world's rarest species of goose, another of the Hawaii's iconic native species, and the official state bird. It's found only in Hawaii and on only a few of the main islands - Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island. Most nēnē nest in the fall, which is also when the majority of eggs are laid. So, a nēnē on a nest is pretty solid sign that autumn has arrived. Nēnē are a threatened species protected under Hawaiian law, so you should be careful not to disturb them or their nests. But if you'd like to catch a glimpse of our state bird from a safe distance, both Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks are nēnē strongholds - as are, in my experience, several golf courses across the islands.

Best Pumpkin Patches in Hawaii

Another pretty sure sign that it's autumn in Hawaii is the appearance of pumpkins. The mainland tradition of decorating with gourds for Thanksgiving and Halloween has made its way to the Islands - as has the annual trip to a pumpkin patch to pick out just the right pumpkin(s) for the season. Here are a few of our favorite pumpkin patches in Hawaii.

6. Waimanalo Country Farms

• Location: Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii
• Need to Know: Open Tuesday - Sunday, September 28 through November 9, 2024; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends; adult admission starts at $12 per person

Waimanalo Country Farms, in Waimanalo on Oahu, hosts an annual Fall Festival that's a wonderful way to celebrate the autumn season in the Aloha State. Mainlanders can experience a bit of what they left behind and kama'aina can enjoy a slice of mainland Americana. You'll find a pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, a country market with all sorts of farm-fresh goodies and, of course, the farm's famous 'Nalo Made lemonade. Visit Waimanalo Country Farms on the web for exact pricing and parking information.

7. Kula Country Farms

• Location: Kula, Maui, Hawaii
• Need to Know: September 29 - October 31, 2024; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; tickets are $5; children three and under are free

You'll find the best pumpkin patch on the Valley Isle in the Upcountry Maui community of Kula. Kula Country Farms leans into the autumn season with its own fall celebration. You'll find all sizes and shapes of pumpkins in the patch, as well as drinks and snacks for sale, keiki activities, fall decor, sunflowers, and even pumpkin carving tools. Food vendors are on hand on weekends during the festival. For all the details, head over to Kula Country Farms' website.

8. Aloun Farms

• Location: Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii
• Need to Know: Weekends in October, starting October 12, 2024; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets are $5 person and include parking; children under 2 are free

Another pumpkin patch option on Oahu is Aloun Farms in Kapoei. The best time to go, of course, is when the farm hosts its annual Pumpkin Festival, an Oahu tradition for more than two decades. Enjoy entertainment, hayrides, keiki activities, food, and even a carnival rides during the event. You'll also have the opportunity to pick pumpkins, as well as corn and string beans. Get all the details and other information on the Aloun Farms website.

9. Pa'ani Ranch

• Location: Mountain View, Hawaii (Big) Island, Hawaii
• Need to Know: October 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2024; ticket prices and packages vary

On the Big Island, we think the best pumpkin patch can be found at Pa'ani Ranch in Mountain View. Each year, the ranch goes all-in on the autumn season when it hosts its Fall Festival in late October. Visitors will enjoy food vendors, hay rides, bounce houses, and even a petting zoo. And, of course, you get to pick out the perfect pumpkin for the seasons. For ticket information and more details, check out Pa'ani Ranch on the web.

Best Fall Festivals in Hawaii

Many of the best festivals in the Aloha State take place during the autumn months. They largely celebrate the bounty of harvests and the coming new year (Makahiki). Here's a trio of our favorite fall festivals in Hawaii.

10. Aloha Festivals

• Location: Oahu, Hawaii
• Need to Know: The dates of these events change annually. Check the Aloha Festivals website for up-to-date info.

The Aloha Festivals, which celebrate the star-based start of a new year (Makahiki season), are the longest-running festivals in the Hawaiian Islands. The arrival of the Makali'i (the Pleiades) dictates just when the Aloha Festivals will take place, usually early fall. Several events take place over a couple of weeks, and you can expect to enjoy parades, music, hula, and, of course, food. It's a marvelous way to say "Aloha!" to autumn in Hawaii.

11. Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival

• Location: Kilohana Plantation, Lihue, Kauai
• Need to Know: October 20, 2024, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of event; children under 12 are free

The annual Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival at Kilohana Plantation is one of the most anticipated events on the Garden Isle each autumn. The festival celebrates all things coffee and chocolate (is there anything else?!) with samplings, live entertainment, crafts, vendors, and even workshops and demonstrations by farmers, chocolatiers, baristas, roasters, and chefs. To see a complete schedule and purchase tickets, head on over to the Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival website.

12. Hawaii Food and Wine Festival

• Location: Hawaii (Big) Island, Maui, Oahu
• Need to Know: Hawaii (Big) Island, October 18, 2024; Maui, October 25-27, 2024; Oahu, November 6-10, 2024

The annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival takes place every October across several islands. The event showcases the incredible foods and wines that are produced in the Aloha State and attracts top culinary talent from across Hawaii (and the world) to prepare amazing dishes from the highlighted products. To see this year's calendar and complete list of events, take a look at the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival website.

Free & Cheap Hawaii Fall Activities

Although many things about life in Hawaii are quite expensive, we also enjoy many extremely special things that don't cost us anything but time. And some of the best things about the autumn season are some of our favorite free and cheap things to do in Hawaii in the fall.

13. Go Whale Watching

• Location: West Maui, Kona/Kohala Coasts of Hawaii (Big) Island, north shore of Kauai, southeast Oahu
• Need to Know: A good pair of binoculars is always helpful for spotting an watching whales

You don't need to drop the big bucks for a whale watching excursion to see humpback whales in Hawaii. Rather, there are many places where you can see them right from the shore. West Maui is probably the best place. McGregor Point, near Ma'alaea, and Olowalu are both excellent places for whale watching, as is Kihei, where you'll find the headquarters for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The Kona and Kohala Coasts - the latter is actually named after the Hawaiian word for humpback whale - are also excellent spots for shore-based whale watching. On Kauai, try Kilauea Point, and on Oahu, Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail is the place.

14. Visit a Tropical Garden

• Location: Throughout the islands
• Need to Know: Many tropical gardens charge a fee and require tickets, but others are free. Be sure to check online or call before you go.

While the Aloha State doesn't see changing leaves that mark autumn on the mainland, we still have plenty of stunning fall color in Hawaii. Instead of leaves, though, you'll find them on the fruits and flowers that are blooming or in season during the autumn months. According to the University of Hawaii, these include lilikoi (pictured), lychee, starfruit, guava, and many others. Tropical and botanical gardens in Hawaii - of which there are many - are excellent places to enjoy such colors. Some, like Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden on Oahu, are free to visit.

15. Watch Surfers Challenge the Swells

• Location: Northern shores of Oahu, Kauai, and Maui
• Need to Know: Look for waves that offer plenty of space for spectators, well back from the breaks

One of my favorite activities at this time of year is to head for a break on a day when a swell is hitting and watch folks paddle out and try to catch a wave. Bring along some snacks and something to drink (as well as water and sunscreen), and it's a great way to spend a few hours on an autumn day in Hawaii. Personally, I look for spots where there's plenty of room on the beach for spectators or a good overlook - I took this shot at Ho'okipa, near Pa'ia, Maui - so I'm not jostling for space or struggling to get a view (or in spot where I'm going to get smacked by a rogue wave).

If you're from the mainland and miss the change of seasons, hopefully these things to do in Hawaii in the fall will help you take your mind off of it. But those who've lived here for a while know what to look for and see these things as part of the rhythm of life in the islands. These autumn activities in Hawaii are annual experiences to look forward to. Which of these have you done? Let us know, and be sure to tell us about your favorite things to do in Hawaii in the fall.