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How to live like the locals on the Island of Hawaiʻi

The Island of Hawaiʻi offers dramatic volcanic terrain, and connection to land and culture for those who seek it. Just follow the locals.

Arriving on the Island of Hawaiʻi, the terrain looks molten and raw, streaked with hardened lava flows that run toward a restless ocean. The youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, nicknamed the ‘Big Island’ is still being shaped by fire. At its heart is Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire – a powerful presence, spoken of with reverence by locals who understand the land as a living force.

Volcano chasing may be the drawcard, but to reduce the island to lava alone is to miss its deeper story. This is an island of farmers, fishermen and storytellers who honour place through food, music and ritual. The Hawaiian concept of kuleana (responsibility) guides daily life, shaping how visitors are welcomed and how the land is cared for.

“I am personally held accountable and responsible for the care of my home, community and our visitors – in work and life," says Nani Kupihe, Director of Cultural Experiences at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa.

That ethos is echoed everywhere, from sunrise chants on sacred shores to menus showcasing what the land and sea provide. Before arriving, visitors are encouraged to take the Pono Pledge, a simple commitment to tread lightly and travel mindfully, setting the tone for a more grounded experience on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

Pololu Sunrise on the island of hawai'i
Discover the the Island of Hawaiʻi. (Credit: Island of Hawai’i Visitors Buereau/ Mahesha Thapa)

Island of Hawaiʻi restaurants and bars

1. Huggo’s on the Rocks

Few places capture the Island of Hawaiʻi’s laid-back vibe quite like Huggo’s. With sand underfoot and the Pacific lapping at the edge of the terrace, this beachfront institution could feel kitschy with palm-fronded entry, tropical cocktails topped with umbrellas, but instead it’s fun and welcoming. Locals and visitors sit side by side at the bar, swapping stories over Mai Tais and Mahalo Margaritas.

2. Merriman’s

Merriman's Waimea on the island of hawai'i
Step into Merriman’s flagship.

Peter Merriman is widely credited as a pioneer of Hawaiʻi’s regional cuisine and this is where it began. Merriman’s flagship showcases island-grown produce and sustainable seafood within a rustic dining room. Try the tako ‘escargot’, where octopus replaces snails, swimming in garlic-parsley butter and served with grilled house bread.

3. Meridia

seafood dish from Merida restaurant on the island of hawai'i
Sit down to delicious seafood dishes.

Chef Sotiros Kontos brings Mediterranean sensibility to this swoonworthy coastal restaurant. Kontos spent 17 years in New York kitchens after being spotted in Greece by Robert De Niro, before trading Manhattan intensity for island life. Here seafood shines: the Meridia crudo features the catch of the day marinated in a dirty martini leche de tigre, finished with finger lime.

Island of Hawaiʻi guide

Morning

Volcanoes National Park on the island of hawai'i
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/ Kirk Aeder)

Nani recommends hiring a car for ultimate flexibility. Start the day by joining an E Ala E sunrise ceremony, a traditional chant welcoming the day and honouring the ocean. Coffee naturally follows; sip a locally roasted Kona brew before heading inland with Hawaii Forest & Trail to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Expert guides bring the landscape to life, explaining the island’s volcanic past and Pele’s enduring influence. Pause for lunch at the historic Volcano House, perched on the rim of Kīlauea, looking directly into Halema‘uma‘u crater.

Afternoon

Halau at the Puuhonua o Honaunau on the island of hawai'i
Visit Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority)

Obsessed with the historical drama Chief of War? Visit Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, bringing to life the epic rivalry between warrior chiefs Karmehameha and Keōua Kū‘ahu‘ula. Through cinematic screens, brutal artefacts and imposing lava rock temple, the experience feels visceral rather than museum bound.

Evening

Nani recommends that visitors looking an immersive cultural experience join Kona’s Feast & Fire Luau. Enjoy music, dance and shared food on the Keauhou Bay oceanfront, participation encouraged. Arrive early to learn basic hula steps, then dine under the stars as dancers bring ancestral stories to life.

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Island of Hawaiʻi accommodation

1. OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa

aerial shot of OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa
Check into OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa.

Perched on top of lava-rock cliffs, immerse into local culture and the Island of Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty at this family-friendly resort. Enjoy features like an oceanfront pool, waterslide and a strong focus on cultural connection.

2. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Chekc into The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort for understated luxury and direct beach access. Join in cultural and wellness activities offered by the resort, like lei making and beachfront yoga.

Shopping on the Island of Hawaiʻi

Nālani Farm Store on the island of hawai'i
Pick up locally-made souvineers at Nālani Farm Store. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/ Ben Ono)

Wander downtown Hilo and trawl for handmade and vintage finds at KD’s Gifts & Crafts, pick up locally made goods from Nālani Farm Store and check out Hilo Farmers Market – one of Hawaiʻi’s most vibrant, where tropical fruit, fresh flowers and yes, durian, jostle for attention. Cool off with Kula Shave Ice or refuel at this community-minded precinct at the beloved Cafe Pesto.

More ways to explore

a manta ray of the coast of hawai'i
Visit Hawaiʻi’s underwater inhabitants. (Credit: Getty-Dai Mar Tamarack)

Take to the water with Kohala Blue, Hawaiʻi’s only renewable electric sailing charter, for eco-conscious whale watching, snorkelling or sunset sails. For something truly unforgettable, join Eka Canoe Adventures for close up encounters with manta rays aboard the traditional double-hulled canoe Kini Kini.

Start planning your Island of Hawaiʻi adventure at gohawaii.com.

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12 grand journeys throughout North America

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    Discover North America’s epic adventures — from Route 66 and Alaska cruises to Hawai‘i road trips, NYC culture, Mexico trails and more.

    1. Route 66, the Main Street of America

    Travelling with: Ricky French

    Sunset on Route 66 in the California Mojave Desert.
    Hit the open road and trace America’s legendary highway. (Image: Getty/Der_Thomasa)

    Dubbed the Main Street of America, Route 66 radiates serious main character energy, cemented into popular culture through everything from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath to the Disney Pixar film Cars. Spanning nearly 4000 kilometres from Chicago to Los Angeles, the historic highway celebrates its centenary next year, a timely invitation to take the mother of all road trips along the Mother Road. Allow two to three weeks to tackle the full length, or bite off a smaller chunk at either end, cruising the dramatic deserts of California or the more pastoral landscapes of Illinois, lined with neon-lit diners, retro gas stations and quirky roadside attractions.

    2. Mexico’s Día de los Muertos

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    emblematic catrina of mexico with flowers and necklace with sempasuchil flowers
    Celebrate life and honour loved ones in vibrant style. (Image: Getty/Fabian Pacheco)

    You might know Oaxaca as the birthplace of mole and mezcal. But the state in southern Mexico is also where the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) began. Time your visit to coincide with the colourful holiday, on 1–2 November, which honours and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Oaxaca is also Mexico’s Michelin-starred culinary capital, with 18 restaurants and a humble taco stand listed in the 2025 guide.

    3. Museum-hop in New York City

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    The Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiralling exterior, a highlight of North America Epic Adventures.
    Step inside and marvel at bold, world-class art. (Image: Damiano Fiore)

    Your map app will look like it’s been scattered with confetti after you’ve dropped pins on all the museums you want to visit in New York City. Must-sees are the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art aka the Met, and the Museum of Modern Art. The American Museum of Natural History is also a draw. It’s also worth venturing into the boroughs to browse institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, which has a huge permanent collection categorised by culture.

    4. The USA’s music scene

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    The Seattle skyline at night, aglow with city lights on North America Epic Adventures.
    Soak up skyline views and dive into the city’s coffee culture. (Image: Abigail Boone)

    If you’re a muso, chances are you’ve wanted to make a pilgrimage to the United States, the epicentre of so many beloved genres. Whether you’re head-banging your way around the Grunge Circuit in Seattle, chasing the twang of the pedal steel through Tennessee or bouncing between blues bars in the Mississippi Delta, the USA’s rich music culture has something that’ll strike a chord.

    5. Road-tripping Hawai‘i

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    A woman surfing in Hawaii, gliding across turquoise waves on North America Epic Adventures.
    Catch the waves and ride Hawaii’s iconic swells. (Image: Ben Ono)

    Hawai‘i is one of the most diverse US states to road trip around. Of the six major islands to visit, the Island of Hawai‘i packs in everything from the snowy summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to black-sand beaches and lava fields frozen in the act of flowing forward. Change down a few gears on the island of O‘ahu, too, where you can find your own patch of sand on Waimanalo Beach. Visit poi and pineapple plantations. And hang ten on beginner-friendly waves on the North Shore.

    6. Cruising Alaska

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Explora Journeys ship cruising in Alaska.
    Sail past glaciers and spot whales in pristine waters.

    Seeing Alaska from the sea allows you to cover a lot of distance quickly. This immersive frontier now beckons more than ever before with Explora Journeys adding the American state to its global destination portfolio. Best of all are the pre-and post-journey immersions that connect the luxury of a cruise onboard Explora III with the rugged grandeur of the Alaskan interior. UnCruise Adventures also weaves in access to remote national parks, legendary wildlife corridors and authentic cultural experiences on its Alaskan itineraries.

    7. The Wixárika Route in Mexico

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    People journeying through the Wixarika Route.
    Journey deep into sacred Huichol traditions and art.

    For generations, the Indigenous Wixárika People of Mexico have walked a sacred path known as Tatehuarí Huajuyé, or ‘The Path of Our Grandfather Fire’. The annual pilgrimage route spans 500 kilometres, taking in significant sites in Wixárika spirituality and cosmology. The route passes through the deserts, mountains and forests of northern Mexico before reaching Wirikuta, believed to be the place the sun first emerged. The route is a living cultural landscape of Indigenous culture pre-Columbian influence and, in July this year, was formally inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    8. Drive the Iceberg Coast in Canada

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Iceberg off the east coast of Canada
    Chase icebergs along Expedition 51 on Canada’s east coast. (Image: Canadian Tourism Commission/ Chris Hendrickson)

    Download the icebergfinder.com map to better plan your road trip along Canada’s Iceberg Coast. The new highway, which has been nearly 25 years and CAD$1.1 billion in the making, threads through the country’s pleated coastlines around Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick before looping in the French islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. As well as chasing icebergs along Expedition 51, travellers will have the opportunity to engage with cultures that have thrived in the pristine provinces for thousands of years.

    9. A foodie tour of Nova Scotia

    Travelling with: Katie Carlin

    Lunenberg Nova Scotia
    Try lobster rolls in Lunenburg on the east coast of Canada in Nova Scotia. (Image: Natalia Kvitovska/ Unsplash)

    World-famous for its lobster, Nova Scotia is a Canadian province best savoured through its culinary clout shaped by sea and terroir. Bite into lobster rolls at historic Lunenburg’s Salt Shaker Deli & Inn and sip maple rum at Ironworks Distillery. Winery-hop around Wolfville’s rising vineyards (don’t miss Lightfoot & Wolfville). Take a maple syrup tour at Sugar Moon Farm near Earltown. And pull up a seat at waterfront Bar Sofia in Halifax, where Nova Scotia oysters aguachile arrive bright with cucumber, lime and pickled onion.

    10. Soak up the sun in the Caribbean

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Overwater bungalows off a beach in the Caribbean
    Experience the white-sand beaches and cerulean seas of the Caribbean on board a cruise.

    The Caribbean is on the radar for seasoned cruisers. And it’s easy to see why, with white-sand beaches, cerulean seas and swaying palms so picture-perfect they look AI-generated. Cruise with Windstar, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity on its inaugural Xcel season to the Caribbean to enjoy action-packed excursions such as snorkelling coral reefs and shopping for local trinkets. And those sea days? Spectacular.

    11. Red Chair Hikes of Canada

    Travelling with: Kassia Byrnes

    Red Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Minnewanka in Canada
    Take a seat at Lake Minnewanka, one of more than 400 red Adirondack chairs scattered across Canada’s hiking routes. (Image: Getty Images/ Autumn Sky Photography)

    No one appreciates the great outdoors more than Canadians, emerging from snow-covered winters to tread glacial rivers and snowshoe through forests, or to hike mighty mountains and wildflower-strewn valleys come spring. Along popular hikes around the country, more than 400 red Adirondack chairs have been placed in peaceful, breathtaking locations. What started as a social media contest now sees hikers soaking in classic Canadian lake and mountain vistas, overlooking historic sites or gazing down on the mountainous path they just travelled.

    12. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, USA

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Sweeping views from the Rocky Mountaineer.
    The Rocky Mountaineer will continue as the Canyon Spirit in 2026, seen here carving through Ruby Canyon.

    Sighting wild animals is one of many incredible thrills along the two-day luxury Rockies to the Red Rocks route onboard the Rocky Mountaineer across America’s Southwest between mid-April and mid-October. In addition to the lone bear, we spot bighorn sheep, elk, beavers, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles and ospreys. Riding the rails onboard the luxury train, which was founded in Canada in 1990 and has been awarded the prestigious World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train several times, has never been about just getting from A to B. Ride the train from Denver to Moab and you will see the scenery change from snow-capped peaks to meadows, red-rock canyons and soaring cliffs that resemble ornate Gaudí-esque cathedrals. But it’s not until you get off the train that you can produce the ultimate Venn diagram, with nature and adventure in the intersecting spheres.