What kind of destination is Hawaii?
Hawaii is an archipelago of eight main islands in the middle of the Pacific, about 3,900 km from the nearest mainland and thus one of the most isolated inhabited island groups on Earth. The four most-visited islands, Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai, each have their own character: big city and history on Oahu, active volcanoes on Big Island, rainforest and steep coasts on Kauai.
As a US state, the same entry procedure applies as for the rest of the country; details are on the USA page. Anyone wanting to combine several islands needs a plane in practice, since there are no public ferries between the main islands, only domestic flights.
There is no nonstop connection from Europe: all travellers from Switzerland, Germany or Austria connect either on the US mainland or in Asia before landing in Honolulu.
What kind of travel destination is Hawaii?
Hawaii is geographically and culturally a special case among US states: its own time zone with no daylight saving time, its own indigenous language with official status, and a history as an independent kingdom that was overthrown only in 1893. The everyday language is mostly English, often mixed with Hawaiian Pidgin and Hawaiian words like "aloha" or "mahalo".
The Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown on 17 January 1893 by a group of American and European businessmen, backed by US Marines; Queen Liliʻuokalani was forced to abdicate. In 1898 the US annexed the Republic of Hawaii, in 1900 it became a US territory, and on 21 August 1959 it finally became the 50th state.
After being banned in schools from 1896, the Hawaiian language had nearly died out by the 1980s, with under 2,000 native speakers. Since it became an official language alongside English in 1978, and since Hawaiian-language preschools were founded in 1982, the number of speakers has recovered, to around 26,000 people who now identify as Hawaiian speakers.
Because of its island location, the cost of living is high: almost all goods are imported, which makes food, petrol and rent noticeably more expensive than on the US mainland.
What does it mean that Hawaii is a US state?
Hawaii has been the 50th US state since 21 August 1959, with the same federal laws, the same currency and the same entry rules as any other state. Unlike the rest of the mainland, however, the archipelago lies in the middle of the Pacific, about 3,900 km from California, which strongly shapes travel, time zone and everyday life.
For Swiss, German and Austrian nationals, entering Hawaii follows exactly the same procedure as entering any other US state; details on ESTA, the Visa Waiver Program and length of stay are on the USA page and are not repeated here.
The time zone, however, is distinct: Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (UTC−10) all year round with no daylight saving time, which changes the time difference to the rest of the country depending on the season. There are also Hawaii-specific import rules: between the islands and when leaving the state, the agriculture department inspects fresh fruit, plants and certain animals to stop invasive species from spreading to other islands or the mainland.
Sources: USAGov · National Archives · Wikipedia
Which islands are worth visiting in Hawaii?
Oahu combines Honolulu, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor, Maui is known for the Road to Hana and the Haleakalā volcanic crater, Big Island for the active volcanoes of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Kauai for the Na Pali cliff coast. For a first visit, two islands combined by domestic flight are usually enough.
Oahu: Honolulu, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor
Honolulu, with its airport (HNL), is the gateway from overseas and, with around 350,000 residents, the state's largest city. The city beach of Waikiki, in front of the crater mountain Diamond Head, is considered the birthplace of modern surfing; on the North Shore, some of the world's biggest surf waves break in winter.
About 18 km to the west lies Pearl Harbor: the USS Arizona Memorial above the battleship sunk in 1941 is free to access, but tickets for the boat programme are reserved via Recreation.gov, released 56 days in advance; the earlier walk-in allocation at the visitor centre was discontinued at the end of 2021, and since then there is only a limited, non-guaranteed standby waitlist on site.
Maui: Road to Hana and Haleakalā
Haleakalā National Park rises to 3,055 m (10,023 ft); a vehicle reservation costing USD 1 is mandatory for sunrise at the crater rim between 3 and 7 am, in addition to the regular park entrance fee. The winding "Road to Hana" on the east coast passes waterfalls and bays on its way to the small town of Hana.
Off Maui, in the Auʻau Channel between Maui, Molokai and Lanai, an estimated 75% of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population gathers every winter; the official season of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary runs from 15 December to 15 May, peaking in February.
Big Island: volcanoes and coffee
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, covers about 354,461 acres around the active volcanoes Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Since late December 2024, Kīlauea's summit has produced lava fountains in irregular episodes; by mid-September 2026 the U.S. Geological Survey had counted 54 such episodes, with the alert level at "Watch" and an orange aviation colour code. The park advises checking online for current visibility and access conditions before travelling.
At higher elevations on the Kona Coast grows the famous Kona coffee, and further up stands Mauna Kea (4,207 m), the state's highest point, whose observatories rank among the most important in the world.
Kauai: Na Pali Coast
The "Garden Isle" is the oldest and greenest main island, defined by the Na Pali cliff coast in the northwest, accessible only by boat, helicopter or a multi-day hike on the Kalalau Trail. In September 2026, Hurricane Lowell struck parts of the north coast; at the time of writing, Haena State Park, the Kalalau Trail and parts of the coastal road remained closed, around 83% of the island had power restored, and an island-wide brown water advisory discouraged water activities in affected waters. Check current conditions at gohawaii.com/lowell.
Sources: MauiHawaii.org · National Park Service · National Park Service · NOAA · National Park Service · U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory · Go Visit Hawaii
What is the best time to visit Hawaii?
Hawaii is warm year-round, so the best time to visit depends more on activities than on temperature: December to April for humpback whales off Maui, winter for big waves on Oahu's North Shore, summer for calmer seas for snorkelling on most coasts. The rainy season from November to March brings more rainfall, especially on the windward north and east coasts.
Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Kailua-Kona (Big Island) and Lihue (Kauai): average daily high and low temperatures and monthly rainfall
| Honolulu | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
| Low °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| Rainfall mm | 71 | 82 | 94 | 54 | 47 | 37 | 40 | 44 | 50 | 73 | 86 | 93 |
| Kahului (Maui) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
| Low °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| Rainfall mm | 61 | 63 | 83 | 47 | 37 | 28 | 32 | 40 | 38 | 55 | 65 | 71 |
| Kailua-Kona (Big Island) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 |
| Low °C | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| Rainfall mm | 81 | 88 | 134 | 85 | 66 | 50 | 53 | 74 | 49 | 67 | 93 | 98 |
| Lihue (Kauai) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
| Low °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Rainfall mm | 68 | 84 | 125 | 57 | 49 | 43 | 41 | 47 | 51 | 76 | 84 | 100 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station HONOLULU (2 km, 3 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station MOLUOLOE (2 km, 4 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station KONA INTL AT KEAHOLE ARPT (11 km, 11 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station LIHUE AIRPORT (3 km, 32 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
The differences between the stations mostly show up in rainfall: Lihue on Kauai, the "Garden Isle", is noticeably wetter than the drier Kailua-Kona on the leeward side of Big Island. Air temperature varies little over the year, generally between about 20 and 30 °C on the coast.
| Period | Suited to |
|---|---|
| 15 December to 15 May | humpback whales off Maui, peak in February |
| November to March | big waves and surf competitions on Oahu's North Shore |
| April to October | calmer seas, good snorkelling visibility on most coasts |
| Year-round, irregular | Kīlauea volcanic activity, depending on the current alert status |
Sources: NOAA · U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
What do you need to enter Hawaii?
Hawaii is a US state, so the same rule applies to Swiss, German and Austrian nationals as for the rest of the country: enter visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid biometric passport and an approved ESTA (Visa Waiver Program). Details on cost, validity and exceptions are on the USA page; only the Hawaii-specific points are given here.
Anyone connecting via the US mainland, for example in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle, goes through immigration already at the first US airport, not in Honolulu; the onward flight to Hawaii then counts as a purely domestic flight.
On every arrival in Hawaii, even on a domestic flight from the mainland or between islands, the agriculture department inspects any fruit, plants and animals being carried; anyone transporting such items must declare them on the baggage form to keep out invasive species.
Sources: USAGov
What vaccinations and precautions does Hawaii require?
No vaccination is mandatory; the same recommendations apply as for the rest of the USA: up-to-date routine vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and polio. Hawaii-specific precautions mainly concern freshwater swimming and strong sun protection in the tropics.
The CDC notes occasional dengue outbreaks for the USA, including Hawaii; mosquito protection during the day is also advisable. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection from contaminated freshwater, occurs in Hawaiian streams and waterfall pools; open wounds should be covered when swimming there.
Sun exposure is intense in the tropics; strong sun protection and drinking enough water are essential. Since 2021, Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, which damage coral reefs; mineral "reef-safe" sunscreen is the approved alternative.
Sources: CDC Travelers' Health · Surfrider Foundation
How safe is Hawaii for travellers?
As part of the USA, the same safety assessment applies to Hawaii as to the rest of the country. The bigger risks for travellers are nature-related: strong currents and high waves in the ocean, occasional storms in late summer and, on Big Island, active volcanoes.
According to rescue services, drowning from currents and surf is the greatest safety risk for visitors; unsupervised beaches without lifeguards should be used with caution, especially during winter wave warnings on the North Shore. In September 2026, Hurricane Lowell struck Kauai with flooding and power outages; affected areas, closed parks and a brown water advisory were still in effect at the time of writing according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, so the current situation should be checked before travelling to Kauai.
On Big Island, the U.S. Geological Survey continuously reports on Kīlauea's alert level; the national park closes affected areas at short notice when needed because of volcanic gas or unstable terrain. For general safety assessments of the USA, see the USA page.
Sources: Go Visit Hawaii · U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory · USAGov
How do you travel to Hawaii and between the islands?
The international gateway is Honolulu Airport (HNL) on Oahu; nonstop flights come from major US mainland cities, from Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, and from Australia and New Zealand, but there is no direct connection from Europe. Between the main islands, only aircraft operate, usually several times an hour on the main routes.
Travellers from Switzerland, Germany or Austria usually connect on the US West Coast, for example in Los Angeles or San Francisco, or fly via an Asian hub. From there, numerous nonstop connections run to Honolulu as well as directly to the neighbouring islands.
Between the islands, Hawaiian Airlines dominates with an average of around 170 flights a day between Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Lihue (Kauai), and Kona and Hilo on Big Island. On the busiest route, Honolulu–Kahului, about 161 km or a good half-hour flight, over 190 flights a week operate together with Southwest and Alaska Airlines. There are no public ferries between the main islands.
On each island itself, a rental car is practically indispensable; a public bus network of any real extent exists only on Oahu. For the Na Pali Coast on Kauai or parts of the Kīlauea zone on Big Island, boat or helicopter tours are an option where roads are absent.
Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections
What does Hawaii cost, and how do you pay?
Payment is in US dollars, as in the rest of the country, and cards are accepted everywhere. Because of its island location, the cost of living is significantly higher than on the mainland, especially for groceries, rental cars and accommodation during high season.
Tipping follows US standards: 15 to 20% at restaurants, often suggested on the payment terminal, and tipping guides on tours is also common. Park admission and activities are a noticeable budget item, especially when visiting several islands.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Haleakalā National Park, sunrise vehicle reservation | USD 1 |
| USS Arizona Memorial, Recreation.gov reservation fee | USD 1 (admission free) |
| Inter-island flight Honolulu–Kahului, one way | from around USD 60 to 100 |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, daily vehicle entrance fee | see nps.gov/havo, seasonal |
Sources: National Park Service · National Park Service · FlightConnections
Where do you stay in Hawaii?
Waikiki on Oahu offers the greatest density of hotels in all categories, resorts along the coast dominate Maui and Big Island, and Kauai leans more towards smaller hotels and vacation rentals. During the high season from December to April, and in summer, popular properties are booked out months in advance.
Outside the big resort areas, condo rentals and smaller bed and breakfasts are available on every island, often cheaper than the hotel chains on the main beaches. Camping with reservation is possible in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and other state parks.
What do you eat in Hawaii?
The cuisine blends Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and Portuguese influences. Typical dishes include poke made from marinated raw fish, poi from taro root, "Spam musubi" as a snack, and the "plate lunch" with rice, coleslaw and a meat or fish side.
A traditional luau with pig roasted in an earth oven ("imu"), hula dancing and live music is, for many travellers, the cultural highlight, though today it is usually staged for tourists. Fresh pineapple, mango and Kona coffee from Big Island are popular souvenirs.
What cultural traits should you know?
The "Aloha Spirit" stands for hospitality and respect and is enshrined by law in Hawaii as a guiding value of government. Hula is originally a religious dance for the oral transmission of history and mythology, not merely a show, and the Hawaiian language, as an official language, is part of public life.
Surfing ("Heʻe Nalu") originated in pre-colonial Hawaii and was brought to international fame in the early 20th century largely through the swimmer Duke Kahanamoku. Respectful behaviour at sacred sites ("heiau") and when photographing locals is taken as a given.
Sources: National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
What experiences are worthwhile in Hawaii?
Among the strongest experiences are a sunrise at the crater rim of Haleakalā, a lava field hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, humpback whale watching off Maui between December and April, a boat tour along Kauai's Na Pali Coast, and a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
| Experience | Island | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise at Haleakalā | Maui | vehicle reservation mandatory, 3 to 7 am |
| Lava fields and craters | Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes NP | access depends on Kīlauea's alert level |
| Humpback whale watching | Maui, Auʻau Channel | 15 December to 15 May, peak in February |
| Na Pali Coast by boat | Kauai | only by boat, helicopter or multi-day hike |
| USS Arizona Memorial | Oahu, Pearl Harbor | free, ticket reservation 56 days in advance |
| Surfing the North Shore | Oahu | big waves November to March, for advanced surfers |
| Road to Hana | Maui | winding coastal road past waterfalls |
Sources: National Park Service · National Park Service · NOAA · National Park Service · U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
How do you travel more sustainably in Hawaii?
Since 2021, sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate have been banned because they damage coral reefs; only mineral "reef-safe" products are allowed. When swimming with sea turtles and while hiking, the rules are: keep your distance, stay on paths and don't touch coral or lava formations.
Agriculture and conservation authorities strictly control the import of plants and animals between the islands to curb invasive species that threaten native ecosystems. Hikers in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park stay on marked trails because of toxic volcanic gases and unstable edges; fresh lava must not be walked on.
Sources: Surfrider Foundation · National Park Service
What can Hawaii be combined with?
The most obvious option is a stopover on the US mainland, usually in California, since almost all connections from Europe transfer there. Travellers coming from Asia can combine Hawaii with Japan, South Korea or the Philippines, all of which fly direct to Honolulu.
Within the USA, Hawaii combines well with a West Coast tour, for example via Los Angeles or San Francisco; there is even a direct domestic flight connection to Alaska, from Anchorage to Honolulu, without a mainland transfer.
Who is Hawaii a good fit for, and who is it less suited to?
Hawaii suits travellers who want to combine beach, volcanic landscape and watersports and are willing to accept a long journey with a connection. It is less suited to short trips, travellers on a very tight budget, since the island location makes almost everything more expensive, and anyone who depends on consistently calm seas.
Hawaii suits families with children well on Oahu and Maui, where sheltered beaches like Waikiki or Kaanapali are safe for swimming year-round, as well as hikers and volcano enthusiasts on Big Island.
Anyone planning to surf or snorkel on the North Shore should avoid the winter season, when at times life-threatening waves roll in; conversely, winter is especially good for humpback whales off Maui. Because of the long journey with a connection, Hawaii is better suited to a longer stay than a short stopover.