Which Hawaiian Island to Visit in 2026? Best Picks & Closures

In September 2026, Hurricane Lowell hit Kauai. On 24 and 25 September, DLNR also closed parks on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Molokaʻi ahead of Tropical Storm Nolo. Kauai's biggest draws, Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe, are closed until further notice. The closures matter most if your trip depends on Kauai's major parks and hiking trails.

This guide compares Oʻahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi so you can choose which Hawaiian island to visit. Park and attraction statuses were checked against official Hawaiʻi DLNR, National Park Service and City and County of Honolulu sources on 21 October 2026. Tax details and the storm timeline come from news reports, linked below. This guide has no day-by-day plan. For that, see our 14-day Hawaii itinerary, but check the status below first, because its Kauai days were written before Hurricane Lowell.

Quick Answer: Which Hawaiian Island Is Best?

The right island depends on how long you have and what you want to do. Here is how they compare today:

Hawaii Right Now: What the Storms Changed

Here is what the notices say. DLNR (Hawaiʻi's land and parks department) updates its notices often, so treat this as a snapshot and re-check before you fly.

Kauaʻi (Hurricane Lowell)

• Hurricane Lowell struck Kauai on Labor Day weekend. DLNR closed Hāʻena State Park on 6 September.
• On 16 September, DLNR said all of its lands on Kauai were closed "into the foreseeable future." It described "catastrophic, unmitigated hazards" in Kōkeʻe State Park, with trees across Waimea Canyon Drive and Kōkeʻe Road, and no power or water restored there at that time.
• In mid-September, news reports quoted officials telling tourists to skip Kauai for the time being. That was a few days after the storm, so don't treat it as today's advice. Ask your hotel and the county for the current situation.
• On 13 October, DLNR said Hāʻena State Park would reopen on 15 October, 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., with the shuttle resuming the same day. On 21 October, the Go Hāʻena booking page showed shuttle and entry options and no closure notice. Day-use hiking to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, Valley and Falls is open. Overnight camping and hiking past the 2-mile point on the Kalalau Trail stay closed until further notice.
• Kōkeʻe State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park are closed until further notice due to extensive damage.
• At Wailua River State Park, individual kayakers can't go to Fern Grotto. Hiking past the trailhead and Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) stay closed. DLNR says Smith's Motor Boat Tours may still use the Fern Grotto landing.
• DLNR's wording is that all other Kauai state parks are closed to visitors and campers.

Maui, Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu

• Maui and Molokaʻi: all state parks have reopened except Polipoli, which stays closed because of downed trees.
• Hawaiʻi Island: state parks have reopened except ʻAkaka Falls (partial trail closed) and Lapakahi State Historical Park (closed because of fallen trees). Camping and cabins at Hāpuna Beach, Kīholo and Kalōpā stay closed, though day use is open at Kalōpā and Kīholo. The Waialea section of Hāpuna Beach was due to reopen on 17 October, and DLNR's 19 October notice no longer lists it as closed.
• Oʻahu: vehicle access to Kaʻena Point State Park has reopened, but the Keawaʻula Trail stays closed and vehicle access is restricted past the restroom parking lot. At Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, the upper Makapuʻu Lookout area is closed for repairs from 21 October to 4 November, with limited viewing, and it is closed all day on weekends and holidays.
• Statewide: if your state park reservation fell on a storm-closure day, DLNR says you get an automatic refund, minus non-refundable service charges.

Oʻahu: Best for a First Trip or a Short Stay

Oʻahu is the easiest island to build a first trip around. Honolulu and Waikīkī put hotels, restaurants, beaches and history in one compact area, which suits a stay of fewer than a week.

Hanauma Bay: a rule that can ruin a plan

Hanauma Bay is a popular snorkeling spot on Oʻahu, and it has strict rules. From the City and County of Honolulu's official page (last modified 20 August 2026):

• Open Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday, and on 25 December and 1 January.
• Entry from 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You must leave by 4 p.m. The city says the schedule can change at any time.
• Non-residents pay $25, plus a 2.35% online fee if you pay online. Children 12 and younger are free. Hawaiʻi residents with photo ID and US military with ID get in free.
• Admission-only bookings open 2 days ahead at 7:00 a.m. Hawaiʻi time. Admission with Roberts Hawaiʻi transportation can be booked up to a month ahead. The city recommends reservations for non-residents, and they are non-refundable unless the bay closes for unforeseen reasons.
• Parking is cash only, $3 for non-residents.
• Everyone must watch the education video on every visit.

The page had no storm notice when we checked. Call (808) 768-6861 if weather has been rough.

Maui: Best for Beaches and the Haleakalā Summit

Maui suits travelers who want beach days with a few big outings. The headline outing is Haleakalā National Park. If you plan to see sunrise there, read this part carefully.

Haleakalā sunrise: what the National Park Service says

• A reservation is required for each vehicle entering the Summit District from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. (see the NPS sunrise FAQ). It costs $1.00 per vehicle.
• Book only on Recreation.gov. Reservations open 60 days ahead, and a portion is released 2 days ahead. The park's FAQ says inventory is released at 7:00 a.m. Hawaiʻi time and often sells out within fifteen minutes. No tickets are sold by phone or at the gate.
• Without a reservation, you can't enter the summit district until 7:00 a.m.
• The reservation does not include the park entrance fee. Fee-free days don't waive the sunrise reservation either.
• The park's FAQ says 150 vehicles can access the sunrise viewing areas. That page was last updated in April 2024, so treat the number as a guide.
• The reservation is good for one day only. There are no refunds or exchanges for clouds.

Haleakalā entrance fees (from the NPS fees page, last updated 18 December 2025)

The park does not take cash. Bring a card.

Other Maui notes

• State parks reopened after the storms, except Polipoli. DLNR also says camper-van camping reservations at Waiʻānapanapa State Park are unavailable from 1 July 2026 through March 2027 because a new comfort station is being built.
• West Maui and Lahaina were devastated by the August 2023 wildfire. If you plan to stay in that area, check Maui County's current visitor guidance and be respectful of the community.

Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island): Best for Volcanoes and Variety

The Big Island is the biggest island by far, and it feels different from the others. You come here for landscapes: Kīlauea, lava fields, waterfalls and long scenic drives. It's more of a road trip than a resort stay, so plan time in the car.

• Volcano activity changes plans. Kīlauea has been erupting in episodes at its summit during 2026. USGS recorded episode 54 on 25 August 2026. Activity pauses between episodes, and viewing areas can close for gas, tephra or unstable ground. Never build your trip around seeing lava.
• Check before you go: the National Park Service alerts for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. We couldn't confirm an official alert level for this guide, so we're not quoting one.
• Parks open now: DLNR says state parks reopened, except Lapakahi State Historical Park. ʻAkaka Falls has a partial trail closure from fallen trees.
• Park passes: the Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass covers Hawaiʻi Volcanoes too, but only for US citizens and residents.

Kauaʻi: Rugged and Green, With a Big Caveat

Kauai is green, rugged and quieter than Oʻahu or Maui. It is also the island hit hardest by Hurricane Lowell. The full status is in the section above. Here is what it means for your plans:

• If Waimea Canyon, Kōkeʻe or the Kalalau Trail is your reason to go: wait. They are closed or limited, and DLNR has given no reopening date.
• If you want green scenery and a slower pace: Kauai can still work, with limits. Hāʻena State Park reopened for day use on 15 October, as DLNR scheduled: no camping, and no Kalalau hiking past the 2-mile point. Entry options on the Go Hāʻena site are a shuttle plus entry pass (from the free Waipa Park & Ride in Hanalei, or from Princeville with no parking) or a very limited parking plus entry pass. At Wailua River State Park, river and landing access is open, but individual kayakers can't go to Fern Grotto and hiking past the trailhead is closed. Out-of-state visitors reserve Hāʻena at gohaena.com: $5 per person (children 3 and under free) and $10 per vehicle. Confirm each place before you book.

Boat and helicopter tours of the Nā Pali Coast depend on each operator, the weather and ocean conditions. We found no official statement on them, so ask the operator before you book. Choose a refundable option where you can.

Our advice: if you're flexible on dates, wait for DLNR to reopen Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon. If you can't wait, treat Kauai as a slower scenery-and-relaxation trip, not a hiking trip, and book your hotel with a flexible cancellation policy. After heavy rain, ocean water can carry runoff, so check Hawaiʻi Department of Health advisories and Kauai County beach notices before you swim.

Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi: Quiet, With Limits

These two smaller islands get far fewer visitors than the big four. You usually reach them through another island, and services are limited, so plan more carefully. DLNR says Molokaʻi's state parks reopened after the storms. We didn't find a current official notice for Lānaʻi, so check with your hotel or tour operator before you plan around it.

Fees and Rules That Can Change Your Choice

The Green Fee is not a separate charge on your bill. It's part of the tax rate. News coverage of the new law gave one example: about $3 extra for every $400 spent on lodging. That $3 is only the increase, not the full tax on your bill. Other taxes can be added on top, so check the full tax rate with your hotel before you book. The state expects to use the money on nature protection, disaster resilience and visitor-area improvements.

If you're travelling from outside the US, see US national park fees for international visitors before you buy a park pass.

Which Two Islands Should You Combine?

If you have a week or more and want to visit two islands, these pairings make sense. We don't give a day-by-day plan here. Use the 14-day Hawaii itinerary for that.

Under 7 days? Choose one island. Every island change can cost you much of a day in packing, airports and cars.

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Hawaiian Island

1. Trusting an old itinerary

Check the date on any itinerary, including ours. Anything written before September 2026 may send you to Waimea Canyon or the Kalalau Trail.

2. Treating Hanauma Bay as a flexible add-on

It's closed two days a week and needs a booking. Put it on a Wednesday to Sunday and reserve it.

3. Assuming a pass or fee-free day covers sunrise

It doesn't. Haleakalā sunrise needs its own $1 reservation even on a fee-free day.

4. Forgetting that storm season isn't over

Central Pacific storm season runs into November. Weather can close parks at short notice. Read your policy before you buy. Our guide to cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance explains what extra cover can and can't do, and how to choose travel insurance covers the basics.

5. Planning your whole trip around lava

Kīlauea erupts in episodes. Treat lava as a bonus, and plan other park experiences too.

6. Trying to see too many islands

Each island move eats time. Fewer islands usually mean a better trip. See how to plan a successful trip for a simple way to set priorities, and our guide to national parks in the USA if parks are your main reason to travel.

Choose by Trip Style

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Pick Oʻahu for an easy first trip. Pick Maui for beaches and the Haleakalā summit. Pick the Big Island for volcano scenery and long drives. Pick Kauai only if you can stay flexible and don't need Waimea Canyon or the Kalalau Trail. Whichever you choose, check the official notices a few days before you fly. Notices change fast.

Sources: DLNR — Hāʻena State Park reopening (13 Oct 2026) · DLNR — Kauaʻi lands closed after Hurricane Lowell (16 Sep 2026) · DLNR — Important Park Notices · DLNR — Hāʻena State Park · Go Hāʻena — reservations and shuttle · NPS — Haleakalā fees and passes · NPS — Haleakalā sunrise reservations FAQ · City and County of Honolulu — Hanauma Bay · Hawaii Tribune-Herald — Green Fee and 2026 laws · Kauai Now — State parks closed after Hurricane Lowell · Local10 (AP) — Tourists should skip Kauai for now (11 Sep 2026) · USGS HVO — Kīlauea summit episode 54

Information checked on 21 October 2026. Park closures, fees, reservation rules and volcano activity change often, so confirm with DLNR, the National Park Service, the City and County of Honolulu and your county before you travel. This guide is not a substitute for official safety advice.