USA TODAY 10Best
Polynesian Cultural Center wins Best Hawaii Attraction title
Best Hawaii Attraction (2017)
A chain of islands piercing the surface of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the nation's very own tropical paradise, complete with sandy beaches, some of the world's most active volcanoes and a near perfect climate throughout the year. The youngest state in the union has a long history and a rich cultural heritage characterized by the aloha spirit.
For the past four weeks, 10Best readers have been voting daily for their favorite must-see Hawaii attractions, and the results are in. The top 10 winners in the category Best Hawaii Attraction are as follows:
- Road to Hana - Maui
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve - Oahu
- Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum - Oahu
- Napali Coast - Kauai
- Haleakala National Park - Maui
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Big Island
- Iolani Palace - Oahu
- Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden - Big Island
- Pearl Harbor Historic Sites - Oahu
- Polynesian Cultural Center - Oahu
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson
No. 10:
Not for the faint of heart, this 52-mile road curves all the way around the eastern and southern coast of Maui. Travelers are rewarded by some of the most remarkable vistas and gorgeous sights imaginable. Waterfalls, gardens, and lush vegetation punctuate the journey, which is all about the ride rather than the destination.
Photo courtesy of iStock / PB57photos
No. 9:
At Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in East Oahu, visitors can swim up close to Hawaii's state fish: the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, the reef trigger fish. The volcanic crater is not only home to the humuhumu, but 450 additional fish species, as well as octupi, crabs and eels, darting in and out of big coral reefs. The horseshoe-shaped bay is a great place to snorkel on Oahu year-round.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 8:
Since its founding in 1889 as a repository for Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop's family artifacts, this museum has ascended to become the state's premiere institution for documenting the area's cultural and natural histories. Today, its holdings include fantastic collections of archaeological and anthropological items, which preserve the Pacific region's wide-ranging cultures. Millions of items chart the history of these islands in a variety of exhibits and multimedia displays. The facility also includes a planetarium.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 7:
The famous northern coastline of Kauai is easily recognized by its velvet green cliffs, slender waterfalls and deep valleys leading to the island's interior. To access this stunning area by land, travelers set out on the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, leading from Kee Beach to the delightfully secluded Kalalau Beach.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 6:
A visit to Maui wouldn't be complete without viewing a sunrise from the summit of Haleakala Mountain (a volcano, considered sacred by ancient Hawaiians and dormant since 1790) in historic Haleakala National Park.
Photo courtesy of Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) / Paul Zizka
No. 5:
Encompassing over 300,000 acres, this national park is one of the most photographed locales in the Hawaiian chain. For more than 70 million years, volcanic heat and pressure have molded the dramatic landscape, which includes the still-active Halemaumau Crater, Thurston Lava Tube and Pu'u O'o vent, which has been spewing lava since 1983.
Visitors can explore the park by vehicle, with more than 66 miles of roads, but with more than 155 miles of marked trails, it’s a park best explored on foot. Always check with park rangers or the park website about the latest eruptive conditions, which change daily.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 4:
Built in the early 1880s, this graceful Italian Renaissance structure is America's only royal palace and was home to Hawaii's last two rulers. When American businessmen overthrew the monarchy, they used the palace as the capitol until 1969; after it was vacated by the state government, restoration was begun. These days, three of the building's four floors are open to tours, and visitors can glimpse the ornate throne room, koa-wood staircase and a wealth of plasterwork and elaborate furnishings.
Photo courtesy of Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) / Kirk Lee Aeder
No. 3:
About 10 miles outside of Hilo Bay, overlooking the Big Island's dramatic north shore, sits the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, a virtual Eden consisting of more than 2,000 varieties of palms, heliconias, ferns, orchids, gingers and bromeliads. A tranquil network of paths leads visitors past the garden's many attractions, including the enchanting Onomea Falls, Banyan Canyon and the Lily Lake Vista.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 2:
Oahu's Pearl Harbor is most famously home to the USS Arizona Memorial, part of the larger WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument. But the harbor houses other notable historic attractions as well, including the Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 1:
One of Oahu's top attractions provides glimpses into the cultures of Polynesia (Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Fimi, New Zealand, Marquesas and Tonga). Each one maintains a separate village, where visitors are regaled with information about celebration and survival in ancient days. Demonstrations, performances, narratives, and even a luau are presented, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the spectacle and character of the past.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Sheila Beal (GoVisitHawaii.com), Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi (Honolulu Star-Advertiser), John Fischer, Jake Marote, Douglas Peebles (Pacific Island Images) and Jimmy Wilkinson were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in the islands.
Congratulations to all these winning attractions!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi has covered Hawaii for... Read More
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi has covered Hawaii for numerous Mainland and local publications. The author of 12 books about Hawaii, she is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the Asian American Journalists Association. “Hawaii’s Backyard,” her weekly travel column for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (the largest daily in the state), has received many SATW awards.
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi has covered Hawaii for numerous Mainland and local publications. The author of 12 books about Hawaii, she is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the Asian American Journalists Association. “Hawaii’s Backyard,” her weekly travel column for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (the largest daily in the state), has received many SATW awards.
Douglas Peebles
Douglas Peebles works out of Kaneohe, on Oahu. He... Read More
Douglas Peebles works out of Kaneohe, on Oahu. He has been photographing Hawaii and the South Pacific for over 30 years. His distinctive images appear regularly in books, magazines, ads, annual reports and other publications. Douglas has also done over 50 photo books on Hawaii. Some of his work can be seen at Pacific Island Images.
Douglas Peebles
Douglas Peebles works out of Kaneohe, on Oahu. He has been photographing Hawaii and the South Pacific for over 30 years. His distinctive images appear regularly in books, magazines, ads, annual reports and other publications. Douglas has also done over 50 photo books on Hawaii. Some of his work can be seen at Pacific Island Images.
Jimmy Wilkinson
Jimmy Wilkinson was born and raised in Kailua on... Read More
Jimmy Wilkinson was born and raised in Kailua on the island of Oahu. His love for adventure in Hawaii's oceans and mountains melds perfectly with his passion for drone photography...capturing paradise from a whole new perspective! Follow Jimmy on Instagram or Facebook.
John Fischer
John Fischer
John Fischer is a freelance travel writer who specializes in writing about Hawaii. John has visited the islands over 40 times in the past 25 years. Follow John on Facebook.
Sheila Beal
Sheila Beal has been sharing award-winning Hawaii... Read More
Sheila Beal has been sharing award-winning Hawaii travel advice at GoVisitHawaii.com since 2006. With her visitor's perspective and writing as though she's giving advice to her friends and family, Sheila's style has resonated with Hawaii visitors around the globe. Follow Sheila on Twitter or join the Go Visit Hawaii Facebook community.
Sheila Beal
Sheila Beal has been sharing award-winning Hawaii travel advice at GoVisitHawaii.com since 2006. With her visitor's perspective and writing as though she's giving advice to her friends and family, Sheila's style has resonated with Hawaii visitors around the globe. Follow Sheila on Twitter or join the Go Visit Hawaii Facebook community.
