7 days in Island of Hawaii Itinerary

Volcanoes have played an important role in shaping the Earth, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shows visitors the process in action.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is known for nature, trails, and scenic drive. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: hike along Kilauea Iki Trailhead, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, take a memorable drive along Devastation Trail, and get great views at Keanakakoi Crater Overlook.

To see photos, maps, ratings, and tourist information, read Hawaii Volcanoes National Park day trip planning tool.

Washington to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an approximately 16.5-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) is minus 5 hours. Traveling from Washington in December, things will get much hotter in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: highs are around 80°F and lows about 65°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) so you can travel to Kailua-Kona.

Thanks to its favorable location near a mountain range blocking the northeasterly trade winds, Kailua-Kona gets little rainfall, allowing adventure seekers and nature lovers a chance to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Thu): identify plant and animal life at Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mokuaikaua Church, then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and finally take in the waterfront at Kailua Pier.

Start your trip to Kailua-Kona by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Explore your travel options from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to Kailua-Kona with the Route module. In December, daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona can reach 82°F, while at night they dip to 70°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Hilo.

One of the island of Hawaii's major towns, Hilo contains a mix of Asian and Polynesian cultures and is known for its proximity to a national park encompassing two active volcanoes.

On the 30th (Fri), take in the dramatic scenery at Rainbow Falls, take in the dramatic scenery at Akaka Falls State Park, then admire the natural beauty at Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, then take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Liliuokalani Gardens.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Hilo travel route builder website.

Drive from Kailua-Kona to Hilo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect little chillier evenings in Hilo when traveling from Kailua-Kona in December, with lows around 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.