Hawaii

O’ahu

This trip to Hawaii was originally planned as a birthday getaway in December of 2020, but like many travel dreams during that time, it was postponed due to Covid. We finally made it out there in July 2021, and it was more than worth the wait. A full week of sunshine, beaches, and unforgettable excursions made it feel like the ultimate reset.

Normally, I’m not a morning person. At all. But something about being in Hawaii changed that. Each day, I found myself naturally waking up around 6 a.m., feeling excited and ready to start the day. It quickly became a quiet little routine. We would head across the street to a nearby café and order the most incredible papaya fruit bowl. I’m still dreaming about it. Then we would walk over to the beach just as the sun was fully rising.

The best part was that no one else was there. For at least two hours each morning, we had the beach almost entirely to ourselves. It felt like having our own private stretch of paradise before the rest of the world caught up. There was something incredibly peaceful about those early mornings: the stillness, the warm breeze, and the feeling that time had slowed down just for us.

📍 Places I Visited

Waikiki Beach: Famous for its golden sand, gentle waves, and stunning views of Diamond Head.
Sunset tour: Boat ride on the Pacific Ocean with the most incredible views as the sky turned gold and pink over the ocean (this was part of my TripMasters package, so I don’t have a direct link for it).
Parasailing: High above the water, with panoramic views of the coastline (Viator Link).
Island Tour: A full nine-hour island tour that gave us a deeper look into Oʻahu’s history, beauty, and hidden gems (Viator Link):
- Dole Pineapple Plantation for fresh pineapple ice cream and some fun touristy moments
- Visiting the peaceful Byodo-In Temple
- Learning about local history at the Battle of Nuʻuanu lookout, where the views were just as powerful as the stories
Swimming with dolphins and turtles: Felt like a dream come to life (this was part of my TripMasters package, so I don’t have a direct link for it, but it does come with a funny story below).
Cage diving with sharks: Easily one of the most thrilling things I’ve ever done (Viator Link).
Pearl Harbor: Historical site in Hawaii where you can explore memorials, museums, and exhibits honoring those affected by the events of December 7, 1941.
Waimea Bay Beach Park: Relaxing beach time at with perfect water and soft sand.
Manoa Falls Trail: Hike that is surrounded by dense greenery and ending at a beautiful waterfall.
Diamond Head: A must-visit volcanic crater in Hawaii offering a moderately challenging hike and panoramic views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.

🏨 Where I Stayed

OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel: 4.9/5 ⭐️
- You really couldn’t ask for a better location. The hotel was just a short walk from Waikiki Beach, which made it easy to pop over anytime we wanted. Even better, it was right on the same street as all the major designer shops. And with Hawaii’s low sales tax, it felt like the perfect excuse to do a little shopping. Everything we needed was right there: beach, shopping, and good food all within steps.

🌺 Travel Tips

Pack reef-safe sunscreen
Start your days early: Especially on Oʻahu, popular spots get crowded fast. Whether it’s hiking Diamond Head or hitting the beach, mornings are quieter, cooler, and way more peaceful.
Book popular excursions in advance: Tours like cage diving, dolphin swims, or visits to Pearl Harbor fill up quickly. Booking early can save you stress and make sure you don’t miss out.
Respect the land and local culture: Hawaiians are deeply connected to the land and traditions.
Don’t underestimate the sun: The UV index in Hawaii is intense, even on cloudy days. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and stay hydrated.
Support local businesses: Skip the big chains when you can. There are so many incredible local cafés, food trucks, and shops that offer a more authentic and memorable experience.
Car Rental: Rent a Car through Turo to drive up to the North Shore.

🐬 A Dolphin Swim… and a Rescue That Wasn’t

One of the more embarrassing (but also hilarious) moments from the trip happened during our dolphin swim excursion. It all started off pretty normally. The boat staff welcomed us aboard, walked us through a few safety rules, and even did a hula dance to get everyone excited. The instructions were simple: don’t touch the dolphins or sea turtles, and if you’re in trouble or need help in the water, wave your hands in the air so the crew can come rescue you. I listened, nodded along, and felt completely ready.

Once we got into the water, it was pure magic. There were schools of fish, coral in every shade imaginable, and sea turtles gliding right past us. At one point, I spotted a turtle nearby and got excited to show my friend, but she had already swum off. Without thinking, I started waving my hand in the air to get her attention. I waved once, then again, and then a third time before it hit me.

I was using the exact distress signal they had warned us about.

Before I could stop myself, one of the crew members had already jumped into the water to rescue me. Another one paddled over quickly on a board, ready to help. I was completely fine, of course, and immediately started apologizing through my snorkel. I tried to explain that I had just been trying to flag down my friend, not call for help.

Thankfully, they laughed it off and were incredibly kind about it. From that point on, I made sure to keep both hands firmly to myself.

🖼️ Favorite Photos

🌋 Last-Minute Hike Up Diamond Head

After spending an entire week in Honolulu, I realized I hadn’t hiked Diamond Head yet. It felt unthinkable to come all the way to Hawaii and miss one of its most iconic landmarks. The night before our flight, I brought it up to my friend and told her how much I wanted to do it. Actually, it wasn’t just a want at that point, it felt like something I needed to experience before leaving.

She suggested we look up some YouTube videos to get a better idea of what the hike involved. Since we were leaving the very next day, she wanted to be sure it was actually doable. We needed to figure out how much time it would take and whether I could make it back in time to shower and get to the airport without rushing.

Almost every video made the hike sound intense. One guy said it would take more than two hours to reach the top and that we’d need several bottles of water. My friend thought I was a little crazy for considering it, but I was determined to make it happen.

I set my alarm for 5 a.m., got up, threw on my workout clothes, grabbed a protein bar and a bottle of water, and called an Uber to the trailhead (I didn’t want to risk being late or cutting things too close). When I arrived, I bought my ticket and waited in line until the gates opened. By 6 a.m., I was already making my way up the trail.

The early morning air was crisp, the views were stunning even partway up, and everything felt calm and peaceful. The hike was actually easier than I expected, especially with the cool breeze and quiet surroundings. I had originally planned for it to take about two hours, but I reached the top in just 45 minutes.

At the summit, the views were absolutely worth it. I took a few moments to take it all in. I watched someone get proposed to, saw a helicopter land on the emergency pad to assist someone who had gotten sick in the tunnel, and felt completely in awe of the scenery around me. It was the kind of moment that sticks with you long after the trip ends.

After soaking in the views, I made my way back down, returned to the hotel, showered, and packed up. My friend and I grabbed a quick meal and picked up a few last-minute souvenirs before heading to the airport. Ending the trip with that hike felt like the perfect final memory.

Maui, Hawaii

In September 2025, my friend invited me to join her on her babymoon. It was going to be one week in Maui of nothing but relaxing by the pool and beach, eating, and wandering through flea markets while helping support the community after the devastating Lahaina fires in 2023. Because my friend was six months pregnant, we couldn’t do too many adventurous things, but we did manage to secure tickets to watch the sunrise at the Haleakalā Summit, which was absolutely magical. Somewhere in between all the relaxation, we also survived Hurricane Kiko, which downgraded to a tropical advisory and then eventually turned into nothing more than a sprinkle. The food and fruit on the island were top notch, and the pancakes??!! I had to eat them at every meal.

Sunrise

📍 Places I Visited

Haleakalā Summit : Waking up at 2 a.m. was worth it for the magical sunrise above the clouds. You’ll need tickets for sunrise but not for sunset. The sunrise ticket costs just $1, but don’t forget you’ll also need the $30 parking pass (Link).
Local Flea Markets : Full of handmade crafts, fresh fruit, and local goods, these markets were a wonderful way to support the community after the 2023 fires.
Beaches of Maui : Soft sand, warm water, and the perfect place to do absolutely nothing.
Resort Pools : A dreamy spot to unwind, float, and soak up the island sun.
Local Restaurants & Cafés: The food was incredible, the fruit was some of the freshest I’ve ever had, and the pancakes were so good I ate them at every meal.
Paʻia: A charming little town where we wandered through local boutiques and embraced the laid-back vibe.
Nākālele Blowhole: A dramatic natural wonder where the ocean puts on a show, spraying water high into the air.
Kihei & South Maui Gardens: A peaceful escape filled with lush greenery, tucked away in the heart of South Maui.
Food Trucks: Scattered everywhere across the island, serving up everything from fresh seafood to Hawaiian treats.

Haleakalā Summit Sunrise

🏨 Where I Stayed

Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villa: 4.5 /5 ⭐️
- Timeshare property that was incredibly spacious and even came with a full kitchen, which made it easy to stock up on groceries and enjoy some meals in. It was also just a quick two-minute drive to Whalers Village, where we had plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from.