The very last state that we visited on our 7 year, 50 state road trip was Hawaii. We spent a total of four weeks there, one week at a time on four different islands – Kauai, Maui, the Big Island and Oahu.
We had a wonderful time on the islands, managing to find a good mix of relaxing while also seeing as much as we could. Here’s the last of our posts where Shae and I rate our best and worst things from each state.
Favorite Accommodation We Stayed At
Stephen – This one’s easy – the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Not only was it one of my favorite hotels of last year, but it was one of my favorite hotel stays from the entire 7 year road trip.
Shae – It’s definitely a no-brainer – the Grand Hyatt for me too, but an honorable mention goes out to our location in Waikiki for New Year’s.
Favorite Meal
Stephen – We had so much good food in Hawaii. Objectively, the best meal was probably at STRIPSTEAK in Waikiki. That’s where we celebrated our last night on the road trip, as well as New Year’s Eve. We had caviar, a seafood platter, A5 Wagyu steak and lots more. It was a delicious meal that we’d never have gotten to experience if we didn’t have tons of credits in the inKind app.
That meal was very pricey though, so I also want to pick the BBQ pork sliders I had at Spinners Kailua Cantina on the Big Island. These were just deliciously tasty – even more than I’d been expecting them to be. I’m kinda disappointed we didn’t go back there for another round of them.
Shae – The best meal was definitely STRIPSTEAK in Waikiki. However, for local places I really enjoyed my meal at Hawaiian Style Café which was recommended by the friend of a friend. My friend is a foodie, so I knew she wouldn’t steer me wrong even if she hadn’t been there before and her recommendation was spot on as expected.
Most Disappointing Meal
Stephen – I don’t think we had a bad meal, but there were some places where the food was just OK rather than being particularly noteworthy.
I’m going to say that the most disappointing meal was one that we didn’t get to have though. We’d gotten a recommendation to stop at Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread on our journey back along the Road to Hana, but it was closed for the day by the time we arrived.
Shae – Easy one for me, Coconut Glen’s. Sadly, the name didn’t clue me in to the fact that it was vegan, coconut ice cream. I can tolerate a bit of coconut here and there, but generally it’s not a flavor I enjoy.
Favorite Free Activity
Stephen – Nakalele Blowhole on Maui. It was a superb blowhole, especially compared to the other blowhole we tried to check out on Oahu.
Shae – Seeing the banyan trees at Wailuku River State Park on the Big Island.
WAIT!! What am I saying!? Swimming with and photographing Honu on the beaches on all four islands was definitely my favorite!
Favorite Paid Activity
Stephen – The Lavaloha Chocolate Farm Tour on the Big Island. They were simply lovely, the tour was very informative and the chocolate was delicious.
Shae – I would say the chocolate farm too, except that I got to go scuba diving in Kauai to try it out and that was a really neat experience.
Least Favorite Activity
Stephen – Driving the Road to Hana at nighttime. It’s such a winding road with narrow bridges and tight corners that driving it in the dark isn’t much fun, plus you miss out on all the beauty along the way.
Shae – Leaving Kaua’i! Just kidding (sort of) – I’d probably pick parasailing. In theory it was very cool and I think if I tried it again, now that I know what to expect it would be much better. But jumping in at the 1000 ft height was pretty terrifying for someone who doesn’t love heights, even if my awesome mom was with me!
Favorite Hike
Stephen – Probably the hike to Nakalele Blowhole. It was a hot day and there wasn’t much shade, but clambering over rocks along the coast was fun – and scenic – nonetheless.
Shae – The hike to the Nakalele Blowhole for me too.
Favorite Quirky Thing We Did
Stephen – Probably eating a Puka Dog.
Shae – It’s not quirky per se, but it’s very Hawai’i specific – making leis at the Grand Hyatt.
Favorite Memory
Stephen – Driving around Kauai in a convertible. We got a fantastic upgrade to a convertible Ford Mustang and we loved getting to experience that considering we’d spent the entire 7 year road trip in a 2004 Toyota Corolla!
Shae – Oh man, there are too many to count! Getting Duke, the stuffed Pepper, astrophotography with the sea turtles on Poipu Beach, driving in the convertible, scuba diving, and so much more!! Although the top spot probably goes to getting tattoos with my mom at Tattoolicious on Oahu.
Funniest Moment
Stephen – The whole situation where Shae was given a parrot plush toy (Duke) at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. The fact that they gave it to her, then she was worried another staff member would think she’d stolen it, then her joy when she saw how much it meant to Shae and more, it was both excellent and amusing.
Shae – Me and Duke is probably the funniest moment for most people since I’m a 43 year old woman that loved that stuffie and took photos and videos with it like I was a kid.
Thing We Most Regretted
Stephen – Not having a car for the entire week on the Big Island. It was far too expensive to rent a car for that long over Christmas, but it meant we missed out on seeing the eruptions at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park a day or two after we returned our rental.
Shae – Oh, yes, I definitely regret not having the car longer on both the Big Island and Oahu. Missing the Eddie by a week! I’d have liked more time at the Dole Plantation too.
Something We Missed & Want To See
Stephen – Oh man, so much! Because of our strict budget (we were trying to do it on $125 per day), we didn’t get to do some of the particularly cool experiences like helicopter rides, snorkeling in Molokini Crater, etc.
Shae – We missed so much but seeing the volcano erupting is probably one of my biggest misses.
Our Biggest Surprise
Stephen – How cold the ocean was. Because of how hot it is there, I’d expected the water to be much warmer than it was.
Shae – How much I loved Hawai’i. I didn’t plan on being too impressed since we’ve seen so many beautiful, tropical places but it was perfect and pushed Washington out of its third place spot on my top states list.
My Hawaii Drinking Game Would Be…
Stephen – I have three. Take a drink when:
- There are signs for nene but you don’t see any (nene are geese)
- Something is lilikoi (passionfruit) flavored
- You see a Cybertruck. We saw a surprising number of these fugly vehicles in Hawaii and made a w*nker sign at them each time
Shae – Stephen Pepper – you don’t get to take three!!! Grrr…. My drinking game would be take a drink each time you see the shaka (bonus points if it’s a ridiculous tourist making this mannerism poorly.)
Summary Of Hawaii In 10 Words Or Less
Stephen – Wonderful, beautiful, interesting, tasty, relaxing, scenic, unique…and expensive.
Shae – Definitely worth visiting all the islands you can. Eachhasits ownflavor. (that’s 10!)
Hawaiian Islands We Visited In Order From Favorite To Least Favorite
Stephen – Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Big Island
Shae – Kaua’i, Big Island, Oahu and Maui
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