5 Epic Hawaiian Adventures to Plan on Different Islands for 2020

Kauai’s Kalalau Trail is an epic adventure.

Photo: Kevin Allen

From mule tours to shipwreck scuba diving, here are a few epic Hawaiian adventures on different islands one may want to try in 2020.

By Kevin Allen Jan 2, 2020

1. Learn to Surf

It’s all fun, sun and smiles at Waikiki.
*Photo: David Croxford*

I would actually love to learn how to surf! Cat and Kevin make it sound so fun, and it’s something that I think I should try at least once.

—Kayla Rivera, art director, HAWAII Magazine

2. Hike the Kaupo Trail, Maui

For years, my husband and I have talked about doing the Kaupo Trail, which starts at the Paliku campground in the summit area of Haleakala National Park on Maui and ends on the island’s southern coast. It’s a strenuous 8.6-mile trek through rough lava and bushland with stunning ocean views—or so I’ve heard. We like the remoteness of the trail—though we’ll need to find a sitter for our toddler. He’s not coming!

—Catherine Toth Fox, editor, HAWAII Magazine

3. Go on a Mule Tour at Kalaupapa, Molokai

The Guided Mule Tour down Molokai’s Kalaupapa Trail is a day trek that takes riders to the historic settlement of Kalaupapa National Historical Park where more than 8,000 Hawaii citizens with Hansen’s disease were once exiled. The tour is an experience that includes stunning ocean views, a deep, tragic and previously untold historical aspect of Hawaii that appeals to me—and mules!

—Tracy Chan, digital media manager, HAWAII Magazine

4. Hike the Entire Kalalau Trail, Kauai

I’m planning an epic adventure to celebrate my birthday this summer: hiking the 11-mile Kalalau Trail along Kauai’s Napali Coast. The trail has reopened after devastating rain caused flooding and landslides in 2018. Several years ago, I hiked to Hanakapiai Falls – two miles along the Kalalau Trail and another two miles mauka toward the amazing, 300-foot waterfall – but this time, I want to hike all the way to Kalalau Beach. It gives me a good incentive to start training!

—Stephanie Silverstein, editor, Hawaii Home + Remodeling

5. Scuba Dive the USS YO-257, Oahu

After getting scuba certified earlier this year, I’ve been itching to do it again, it’s so much fun! My dive instructor recommended that I explore the USS YO-257, a Navy refueling vessel that was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef, for my next dive. It’s a deep dive, with the shallowest sections of the wreck being 65 feet underwater, but I’m fascinated by manmade structures being taken over by nature and this is a prime example.

—Kevin Allen, associate editor, HAWAII Magazine