Hawaii is a beautiful place to spend your off time. However, the humid heat can make it difficult to find something to do. The best way to stay cool during the Hawaiian heat is to sit and relax near your newly cleaned air conditioning system, but any outing in The Aloha State can feel like a vacation so you may want to spend your time elsewhere. In this case, here are a few things you can spend the day doing.
Luaus
This Hawaiian party is one of the many things these Islands are known for and is a bucket list experience for anyone. Luaus are common throughout Hawaii with prices ranging around $100 per person. Each location has a slightly different experience, but they all have a feast and some form of entertainment. Food served usually consists of Poi, Kalua Pig, Laulau, Haupia, and Poke. Kalua Pig is food most people think of when hearing about a luau. This pork is prepared in an underground oven known as an imu and shredded for the luau. Each part of the meal is delicious and is worth a visit even without the added entertainment. The dancing and festivities during the luau make it that much more worth the price. Stopping to enjoy your local luau will make your day unforgettable.
Beaches
The Islands of Hawaii have more beaches than you’ll know what to do with. Spending the day at one of these beautiful beaches is an easy way to embrace the heat. Some of the best beaches to visit are Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai, or Hulopoe Beach on the island of Lanai. At these beaches, you can get your surf or swim on. If you are more of an adventurer, consider taking a trip beneath the ocean’s surface. Snorkeling is a fun way to cool off while exploring the native sea life. Those who enjoy a little more excitement can consider shark diving. Different experiences are provided by different groups all costing upwards of $100. No matter your budget, the beaches all around Hawaii have something just for you.
Nature
Beauty in nature is abundant, especially in Hawaii. There are loads of ways to experience this beauty such as by visiting botanical gardens, the local zoo, or an aquarium. Botanical gardens provide some shade away from direct heat and allow you to see the native vegetation. The Big Island has a handful of botanical gardens such as the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Hilo, which has a zoo and garden both providing free admission. Botanical gardens can be found on each island, usually with free or cheap admission. Sea Life Park in Waimanalo Beach is a popular destination for aquarium lovers. They also have opportunities to see penguin shows and swim with dolphins. There are plenty of aquariums on each of the islands but this one is the most highly reviewed.
Museums
Museums provide good ways to get out of the heat while learning about something new. Good choices for a visit are the Kaua’i Museum on the island of Kaua’i, the Museum of Natural History on the island of Oahu, or the Maui Historical Society on the island of Maui. The Kaua’i Museum has an admission fee of $15 or less depending on the age of visitors. Here you can learn about the royal family and their heritage. The Museum of Natural History is in Brigham Young University and is free to enter. It’s known as a hidden gem on the campus and is a great way to stay cool while learning about plants and animals. The last museum mentioned is the Maui Historical Society. Here you can see Hawaiian artifacts that teach you of their cultural roots. While only three museums were mentioned, there are plenty of other ones you can visit on a hot day. They are all nicely cared for and provide visitors with knowledge in a fun and interesting way
Dessert
No hot day is complete without a cold dessert in your hand. Getting some ice cream makes being out and about in the sun much easier to withstand. Some of the highest rated ice cream shops are Lappert’s Hawaii in Honolulu and Anuenue Ice Cream and Shave Ice in Waimea. A stop at your local ice cream parlor may not fill the entire day but it will make anything you do after much cooler. Walking around the mall or enjoying the heat at the beach is much more doable after having a refreshing shaved ice or gelato. Hawaii has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth and cooling you down.
Other Ideas
Avoiding the heat is made easy inside a mall or shopping center. There are malls on each of the main islands but the biggest one is the Ala Moana Center. This specific shopping center has shopping and dining to look forward to. Honolulu has a Children’s Discovery Center, perfect for bored children. It has many activities for younger kids and is a nice excuse to get inside and beat the heat. Escape rooms can be an easy way to appreciate some air conditioning while bringing out your inner detective. Breakout Waikiki is a highly rated escape room in Honolulu. If none of the above options suit you, or you are looking for something to fit in between other activities, there are plenty more ideas to consider. You can spend some time bowling at Fort Shafter Bowling Center, enjoy some drinks at Thomway Hale Hawaii Lounge, play some games at the HPU Esports Arena, or jump around at iTrampoline Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands might get hot and humid, but it is worth it for the stunning scenery and exciting places to visit. With the options provided, worrying about the heat will be no more! From Ni’ihau to the Big Island and each Island in between, there is something to do in any climate for anybody.
