Hawaii | Worth the Flight?
You can now listen to this article!
Key Takeaways
- Yes, Hawaii is worth visiting, but not just for a traditional beach vacation.
- Explore the unique landscapes, such as volcanic terrains and secluded beaches, for a true Hawaiian experience.
- Makalawena Beach is an example of a stunning beach that requires a hike, showcasing Hawaii’s natural beauty.
- The Big Island is ideal for first-time visitors, offering rich cultural experiences and diverse attractions.
- Consider coffee farm tours to immerse yourself in Hawaii’s culture and enjoy breathtaking views.
Hawaii
I’m going to cut right to the answer, yes. Hawaii is a place worth visiting. I say that for a few reasons. If you follow along with what I write, there isn’t really a place I’ve visited that isn’t “worth it,” with a few exceptions (Aruba). However, Hawaii is “worth it” in many ways you may not have thought of, and not “worth it” for certain types of vacations. Hawaii has so much more to offer than the touristy beaches of Waikiki. The group of islands that make up Hawaii are all amazing in their unique ways and need to be appreciated on their own. I’ve been to Hawaii twice and still have a lot of islands left to see. Let me take you through my experiences and the research I’ve done. In the end, I’m sure you’ll want to visit, but for very different reasons than you might expect.
Traditional Beach Vacation
Living on the East Coast of the United States, a direct flight to Hawaii can be around 12 hours. Both times I visited, I lived in southern New Hampshire and flew out of Boston. I flew Delta with a stop in Salt Lake City, totaling just around 13 hours in the air. For comparison, Boston to Dubai is 12 hours and 10 minutes nonstop. L.A. to Sydney is around 15 hours. I personally don’t hate long flights, but my time is valuable, so what am I getting from a full day of travel? I’ll cut to the chase: it better be more than a traditional beach vacation.
I intentionally used the word traditional to separate the fact that Hawaii has some amazing beaches, and it may very well be worth the trip for your classic “lay on the beach with a frozen cocktail for a week” type of vacation.
I don’t think I’m doing a great job getting my point across here, so let me try a different angle. Let’s say you live in Missouri and you’re planning a stress-free five-day getaway. All you’re looking for is peaceful sand with gentle waves ever so slightly hitting your chair while someone places a third mimosa on the tiny table next to you as you continue reading your book (I know, I should be a novelist). Well, I could find you that dream for less than $800 and a two-hour flight. That goes for a majority of North Americans. Don’t waste Hawaii on that. Save it for something more.
Non-Traditional Beach Vacation
Does Hawaii offer what I just described above? Yes, and it does it well. But like I said, it’s a waste in my opinion. Fine, get off the plane in Honolulu after seven hours from L.A. or 13 from D.C., take a nap, and hit Waikiki Beach. But after that, book yourself a flight to the Big Island and land in Kona. Rent a car and make your way to Makalawena Beach.
It’s the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been to, but it took some work. It requires a beautiful hike from a trailhead. Big Island Hikes says:
“The hike out to Makalawena keeps the crowds away, especially on weekdays. It’s really tough to find a more perfect beach anywhere in the Hawaiian island chain. Swimming is usually pretty safe when waters are calm. The land behind Makalawena is private. The most northerly bay has a protected spot that’s very calm. ʻŌpaeʻula Pond is behind Makalawena, and its twelve acres are a National Natural Landmark that protects nesting and breeding areas for some native Hawaiian birds.”
Big Island Hikes
To me, this is beaching in Hawaii, and this is what makes it unique and worth the journey.
The Other Hawaii
I traveled to Honolulu for work back in 2018 and enjoyed it, but didn’t have much time to leave the greater Waikiki area. Waikiki is a neighborhood in Honolulu that reminded me of the Vegas Strip if you replaced casinos with beach resorts. I enjoyed it, but for the price paid, I kept thinking there were many other places I wanted to explore before bringing my wife here.
Fast forward to 2021. Our trip to Europe was in jeopardy because of COVID. About six weeks before our trip, it looked like the trip east over the Atlantic would come with a lot of risk and challenges related to testing and the potential to get stuck. I did some research and found that we could dramatically change our itinerary and take the twice-as-long trip to Hawaii instead.
At that time, the isolated state of Hawaii had heavy restrictions on who could enter, and we met them all. With that came a discounted price tag, and we ended up with a net refund when it was all said and done. Two days in touristy Waikiki, then off to the Big Island for some hiking, volcano exploring, and of course, beaches.
Volcano
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is on the Big Island and was worth the drive from Kona. If you actually stop to enjoy the sights, which you absolutely should, you can expect 10 to 12 hours minimum to drive around the entire island. Kona to Hilo is about 3 to 4 hours.
The volcano is an amazing sight to see, with lots of trails and views to explore. We visited on 9/25/21, and there was a major eruption on 9/29/21. Always visit the National Park website before your trip to check current conditions and restrictions.
Waipi‘o Valley
When someone asks, “What is the most stunning natural thing you’ve ever seen?” I’m never confident I can answer, but this comes close. Waipi‘o Valley (pronounced why-PEE-oh) is one of the most breathtaking and historically significant places on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. It’s a lush, deep valley on the northeast coast of the island, about 90 minutes from Kona. We took it all in from the lookout, but you can also book a tour if you wish: Love Big Island – Waipi‘o Valley.
Fun fact: Do you have an Apple TV? You’ve seen the valley on a screensaver.
Video I took from Waipi‘o Valley
Coffee
Coffee is a big part of Hawaii’s culture and economy. Take the time to explore some amazing coffee farms and learn about the process and the local culture around coffee. We visited Kona Coffee, and while the coffee and education were great, the views were breathtaking. Here are a few others worth checking out:
| Name | Location / Notes | Website |
| Greenwell Farms | Kona region; complimentary daily farm tours (9:00am–3:00pm) Greenwell Farms+1 | https://www.greenwellfarms.com |
| Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm | Holualoa, Kona district; “From Bean to Brew” walking tour + tastings Heavenly Hawaiian+1 | https://heavenlyhawaiian.com/ |
| Hula Daddy Kona Coffee | Kona / Holualoa region; plantation tours, tastings | https://huladaddy.com/ Hula Daddy Kona Coffee |
| Rising Kona Coffee Farm Tours | Kona area; hourly guided tours (reservations required) Rising Kona Coffee Farm Tours | https://www.risingkonacoffeefarmtours.com/ |
| UCC Hawaii (Coffee Estate) | Holualoa / Kona; self-guided estate tours, coffee sampling UCC Hawaii | https://ucc-hawaii.com/ |
| *Kona Coffee & Tea | Kailua-Kona; 2-hour immersive farm + processing tours Kona Coffee & Tea | https://www.konacoffeeandtea.com |
Summary
Hawaii is amazing, and yes, it’s absolutely worth it. That’s my statement. But there’s more to it than that. Hawaii isn’t just a postcard image or a perfect resort view; it’s a living, breathing collection of islands with deep history, culture, and energy. It’s a place that deserves to be seen beyond the surface of tourism and beyond a Wikipedia page or a week at a resort in Maui.
I haven’t been to Maui yet, and I still have a lot of Hawaii to see. But even from my time on the Big Island, I’ve realized that each island has its own rhythm and its own way of teaching you something new. From volcanic landscapes that look like another planet to quiet coastal towns where life slows down, Hawaii makes you stop, listen, and look closer.
FAQ
Yes, Hawaii is absolutely worth the 13-hour journey from the East Coast, but not for a traditional beach vacation. Hawaii offers unique experiences like volcanic landscapes, secluded beaches requiring hikes, and cultural immersion through coffee farm tours that you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re just looking for sand and cocktails, save Hawaii for something more adventurous, there are closer beach destinations for that type of trip.
The Big Island is ideal for first-time visitors seeking authentic Hawaiian experiences. Unlike touristy Waikiki in Oahu, the Big Island offers diverse landscapes including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waipi’o Valley, secluded beaches like Makalawena, and coffee farm tours in Kona. The island is large enough to explore for a week but manageable with a rental car, taking 10-12 hours to drive around the entire island.
Makalawena Beach on the Big Island is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches. It requires a scenic hike from the trailhead, which keeps crowds away, especially on weekdays. The beach features pristine white sand, turquoise water, and a protected bay that’s very calm for swimming. The land behind Makalawena includes ʻŌpaeʻula Pond, a National Natural Landmark protecting nesting areas for native Hawaiian birds.
It takes 10 to 12 hours minimum to drive around the entire Big Island if you stop to enjoy the sights. The drive from Kona to Hilo alone takes about 3 to 4 hours. Plan for multiple days to properly explore attractions like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waipi’o Valley lookout, coffee farms, and secluded beaches rather than rushing through in one day.
The Kona region offers several excellent coffee farm tours including Greenwell Farms (complimentary daily tours 9am-3pm), Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm (bean-to-brew walking tours), Hula Daddy Kona Coffee (plantation tours and tastings), Rising Kona Coffee Farm Tours (hourly guided tours by reservation), UCC Hawaii Coffee Estate (self-guided tours), and Kona Coffee & Tea (2-hour immersive farm tours). Most farms offer tastings and education about the coffee-growing process with stunning ocean views.
One Comment