Visiting the National Parks of Hawaii

There are many vast green spaces in the United States called national parks. While there are only sixty-three actual national parks, many other areas are included within the national park system. There are actually nineteen different naming designations within the park system. So, national trails, preserves, and even national historical parks are included within the group. A total of four hundred twenty-three units make up more than eighty-five million acres of land. During a vacation in Hawaii, you can easily see a few of our country’s national parks. There are a total of five national parks or national historical parks located on the Hawaiian Islands. And honestly, it is fairly simple to go visit the national parks of Hawaii as you are exploring the islands.

Visiting the National Parks of Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the one national park that most people have heard about on the Hawaiian Islands. This park is located thirty miles to the southwest of Hilo. It is an excellent option when you are looking for a daylong activity on your family vacation.

While your family can see many different volcanoes on the Hawaiian Islands, the two most active ones are within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Those two volcanoes are Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The latter has erupted in recent years, spewing hot lava everywhere and closing down sections of the park occasionally.

When you are inside this national park of Hawaii, you must do the following:

• Visit Kilauea Crater – You can see this from the Kilauea Visitor Center.
• Hike Through the Thurston Lava Tube – Walk through a lush tropical forest before reaching the gorgeous cavern.
• Drive the Chain of Craters Road – This is a nineteen-mile scenic drive that provides stunning views.
• Check Out the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs – There are twenty-three thousand petroglyphs to observe up close. Just don’t touch them.
• Wander Across Old Lava Flows – Have you ever wanted to walk across a glacier but thought it would be too cold? Well, old lava flows won’t be super-hot like real lava, but it is a unique experience similar to glacier walking.
• Walk Along the Boardwalk at Sulphur Banks – This is perfect for younger children, and your whole family will love the “wonderful” sulfur smell!
• Go Stargazing – It is best not to leave Hawaii Volcanoes National Park without taking the time to do a little stargazing. On really clear nights, your family can see thousands of stars in the sky!

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park on the Big Island

This national historical park can be found on the western side of the Big Island. It can be quite hot on this side of the island, so you must make sure you take lots of water with you. This will ensure your family stays hydrated while visiting this national park.

The spirit of the Kanaka Maoli people thrives inside Kaloko- Honokohau National Historical Park. You will find that it will be easy to learn about the local cultures and traditions during your visit.

As you are exploring this national historical park during your family vacation in Hawaii, you must take the time to:

• Check Out the Ancient House Site Platforms – called Kahua
• Visit the Religious Sites – called Heiaus
• See the Petroglyphs – called Kii pohaki
• Hike Parts of Kings Trail – Also known as the Mamalohoa Trail

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island

This national historical park can be found on Honaunau Bay. The one hundred eighty acres were once a refuge destination for any locals who had broken sacred laws. This is an excellent place to step back in time with your family. You can walk through some exceptional living Hawaiian history during your visit.

During your time in this national park of Hawaii, you should consider doing the following:

• Take the Self-Guided Tour – This tour is a half-mile long.
• Attend a Park Ranger Talk – These talks are given at the Amphitheater next to the Visitor’s Center. They are an excellent way to learn about the history of Hawaii.
• Stop Into the Visitor’s Center – Grab a map and visit the gift store.
• Walk Around the Royal Grounds – During this walk, you will discover the Hale o Keawe Temple.
• Visit The Pu’uhonua – This is where people took refuge when arriving in this area.
• Explore the 1871 Trail and the Ki’ilae Village – The hike along this trail to the village is two and a half miles long.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Molokai

Over on the island of Molokai, there is a national historical park that is well-known yet far away from the rest of civilization. The Kalaupapa National Historical Park is where all leprosy patients were sent starting in 1866. While no one is being sent to this area of the island anymore, there are still a few past patients and their descendants living here.

The only way you can reach this national historical park is via boat, airplane, or hiking. Due to current guidelines, hiking down into the colony and even taking a boat in are not options. Until restrictions loosen once again, you must take a plane if you want to visit.

You must be sixteen years old to visit the colony. And you are not allowed to stay overnight on this part of the island. It is important that you are respectful to those who live in this area. This means limiting your photographs and listening when a person tells you not to do something.

Things to do in this area include:

• Visiting With the Locals
• Pay Your Respects at St. Philomena Church

Haleakala National Park on Maui

Haleakala National Park contains more than thirty-three thousand acres of land. It is located along the southeastern coast of the island of Maui. There are numerous endangered species within this park. Most of those species cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

As your family is hiking through this national park, you will be surrounded by lush rainforests and barren volcanic landscapes. Time spent in this national park of Hawaii will have you learning quite a bit about Hawaiian culture.

A few things you must do while spending part of your family vacation in Haleakala National Park include:

• Watch the Sun Rise or Set from the Summit – Either option is incredible, according to the national park staff and past visitors!
• Go Hiking – There are multiple trail options, so you can find an easy or difficult trail perfect for your family. The Hosmer Grove Loop Trail or the Supply Trail are two options that offer amazing views. I also recommend hiking into the Haleakala Crater.
• Find the Silverswords – Silverswords are endangered plants that are only found in this park and on two volcanoes on the Big Island.
• Go Stargazing at the Astrophysical Complex – The best place to look through a telescope with unobstructed views.
• See Views of the Haleakala Crater from the Kalahaku Overlook
• Take a Bike Tour of Haleakala – This bike ride is twenty-three miles long, so plan your day accordingly!
• Go Swimming at the Seven Sacred Pools of Ohe’o – Check to see if the pools are open before you go. They are often closed after heavy rains.

These are the national parks of Hawaii you can visit during your next family vacation. Each one offers a unique history of the Hawaiian Islands. I know you will probably want to visit all these national parks and national historical parks, but…

Which national park of Hawaii is at the top of your list? Are you ready to plan your next family vacation there?

If you already know which park you want to visit, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you are taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you aren’t sure which park you want to see the most, you can always sign up for my newsletter here. This will allow you to receive all the helpful travel information I share. And it may help you decide where your next family vacation should be!