7 Things to Do in Hawaiʻi this Spring
Experience the best springtime activities in the Islands.
From fresh fresh flower blooms and verdant valleys to mild temperatures and less crowds, springtime is a severely underrated season in Hawaiʻi. Here’s proof why this time of year is great for visiting the Islands and these activities will help you spring into the season.
1. Experience Spring Foliage
Cherry blossom trees in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island.
Photo: David Croxford
New flower blooms are ubiquitous for representing the start of spring around the world. Sakura, which means a flowering cherry tree in Japanese, is an iconic symbol of the season. In Japan, the delicate pink flowers begin to bloom in southern prefectures in February, continuing into March and April. Travelers from around the world arrive in Japan to witness these beautiful blooms. Yet, few know about the pockets of cherry blossom trees hidden in the Islands.
In the 1950s, the trees were introduced to Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island. By the 1970s, dozens of trees were planted at Waimea’s Church Row Park. Today, the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held every year in February to celebrate the cultural significance of the trees here in the Islands and beyond. The event was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, but has since returned for its 31st year. Festival highlights include a tea ceremony, art show, crafts, cooking demonstrations and a bon dance—all surrounded by the beauty of the Sakura trees. But Waimea isn’t the only town to boast a cherry blossom tradition in Hawaiʻi. Wahiawā on Oʻahu, was gifted seedlings by Okinawa in the 1950s. Many of the town’s residents planted the trees in their front yards. Today, around 500 sakura trees bloom from January to February in Wahiawā. Visitors can drive through the streets to spot the pink flowers or hop on the Sakura Safari, a 90-minute trolley tour through the town.
But throughout the Islands, springtime flowers paint the landscape with vibrant colors. The sea of purple Jacaranda trees is a trademark of Upcountry Maui. Take a pleasant drive up to Kula to experience the crisp Upcountry air, sweeping views and glorious blooms.
2. Take a Lei-Making Class
Make lei this spring.
Photo: David Croxford
With springtime flowers in full bloom, there’s hardly a better time to learn to make lei.
As spring begins, creating a lei is a wonderful way to celebrate the new season. In Hawaiʻi, lei is often a gift for commemorating celebrations and life transitions, from birthdays and graduations to weddings and momentous achievements. Today, contemporary lei makers create botanical art, all while preserving Hawaiian culture and ensuring the tradition continues to flourish. Throughout the Islands, you can find artisans leading engaging workshops on how to string your own lei with fresh flowers.
3. Hike on the Western Coasts of the Islands
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Spring showers bring lush greenery and verdant valleys—across the Islands. Drier regions (typically the western coasts of the Hawaiian Islands) are nourished from the rain resulting in vibrant foliage that you don’t often see during other months of the year. On Oʻahu, the Māʻili Pillbox Trail, or the Pink Pillbox Hike, rewards hikers with stunning views of the Leeward coast and Waiʻanae Valley during the steep but short 1-mile trek to several pillboxes. The Lahaina Pali trail on Maui is a terrific adventure after the rainy season, as the trail weaves through the lush West Maui Mountains. Hikers climb to about 1,600 feet in 2.5 miles, reaching rows of windmills and breathtaking views of the Valley Isle.
4. Run a Race
View this post on Instagram
Held every April on Oʻahu, the Hapalua is the largest half marathon race in Hawaiʻi. The relatively flat 13.1-mile course takes racers through Waikīkī and around Lēʻahi (aka Diamond Head). With mild temperatures during April, the race is a great springtime challenge.
Read More: 8 Running Routes on Oʻahu for Every Runner
5. Chase Waterfalls
ʻAkaka Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson
While Hawaiʻi draws visitors for its world-class beaches, it often leaves travelers mesmerized by the dozens of cascading waterfalls. From roadside falls on the drive to Hāna on Maui to the epic 442-foot ʻAkaka Falls on Hawaiʻi Island, picturesque scenes are accessible throughout the Islands. And some of the falls are best seen after a healthy rain.
On Oʻahu Mānoa Falls and Waimea Valley offer easy routes to view impressive waterfalls. For a more challenging adventure, Maunawili Demonstration Trail is a 7-mile out-and-back to a 20-foot fall. For those on Maui, the Pīpīwai Trail in the Kīpahulu area of Haleakalā National Park leads hikers through an enchanting bamboo grove to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. In Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island, ʻAkaka Falls is a grand site, plummeting 442 feet into an emerald pool. And it’s just a short 0.4-mile loop to see the natural wonder. Hawaiʻi Island also boasts Waiāenuenue, known as Rainbow Falls. The 80–foot waterfall is just a short drive from Downtown Hilo and is visible from the parking lot. On sunny mornings, rainbows can often be seen in the mist, hence the name. And with miles of hikes through tropical rainforests and rugged terrain, Kauaʻi is an adventurer’s paradise. The Canyon Trail to Waipoʻo Falls is an easy 3-mile round-trip, great for novice hikers. Just north of Līhue, visitors can also venture to the 80-foot Wailua Falls.
Note: Check weather conditions before visiting any waterfall in Hawaiʻi. Flash floods can happen suddenly, making conditions muddy, slippery and dangerous.
6. Spot the Remaining Humpback Whales
Spring marks the end of the humpback whale season in Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/Justin DeLara
Every year thousands of humpback whales visit the sea surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. The creatures are known as koholā in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Koholā typically arrive by November and stay through May. While visiting the Islands in the spring, be on the lookout for these playful creatures slapping their tails and breaching off the coasts. Enthusiasts can see humpback whales from any of the Hawaiian Islands, but Maui is known for being the best island to view them. Whale-watching charters provide educational tours and also up-close experiences to these massive species. But beach goers just need to keep their eyes peeled on the horizon and they’re bound to see the active whales putting on a spectacular show.
Read More: Our Tips for Whale Watching in Hawaiʻi
7. Watch the Merrie Monarch Festival
View this post on Instagram
The Merrie Monarch Festival is the world’s premier hula competition. The festival begins every Easter Sunday. During this time of year, the sleepy town of Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island is booming with hula performances and activities. The week-long celebration showcases not only hula, but also traditional Hawaiian crafts and artforms.
The pinnacle of the week is the three-day hula competition held at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Hālau hula (hula schools) compete and are judged based on traditional techniques as well as more contemporary styles of dance. A dozen wāhine (women) also vye for the title of Miss Aloha Hula. Viewers from around the world tune into the exciting events happening in the small town. Coveted tickets sell out quickly, but viewing parties are held throughout the Islands.
