Hawaiʻi Island Summer Guide: Aloha & Welcome

Summer on Hawaiʻi Island brings fourth of July parties, celebrity chef BBQs and sunrise canoe paddles. It's an ideal time to visit if you want to swim with manta rays, hike Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, take a boat ride to the Captain Cook Monument or drive the Hāmākua Coast.

A Letter From the Editor

Aloha kākou,

Last December, I visited one of our writers who lives in Waimea on the north end of Hawaiʻi Island. We had the best time exploring the town — she took me to all her favorite spots and I introduced her to Kekela Farm stand and the only sake brewery in Hawaiʻi. This summer, we will meet up on the west side for the 9th Annual Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival hosted at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort. The 3-day event has a fashion show, a firkenife competition, hula, live music and, of course, amazing food. While in town, we plan to go for an evening manta ray snorkel and find all the best restaurants and shops, throughout Kailua-Kona and Captain Cook, so we can report back to you on what our favorites are. I can't wait to try the famous pork chops at the 100-year-old Manago Hotel Restaurant.

I'm fortunate to be able to hop over to the Big Island a couple times a year to tour each area of the island is short spurts. If you are coming from anywhere else in the world, I recommend staying at least a week. There are so many interesting things to do and see here and because of the size of the island it takes at least 5 days to cover all the major points. For me, that includes Hilo, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hāmākua Coast, Waimea and Kailua-Kona. If you need activity ideas, we've got tons. Take your time, map it out and enjoy your time. Hawai'i Island is like no other.

—Sarah

2026 Hawaiʻi Island Summer Guide: Letter from the Editor

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