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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Hawaii

77 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Hawaii

Updated December 4, 2024

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Captain Cook
  2. Eleele
  3. Hana
  4. Hilo
  5. Honolulu
  6. Kailua
  7. Kailua Kona
  8. Kaneohe
  9. Kapa'a
  10. Kilauea
  11. Koloa
  12. Kula
  13. Lahaina
  14. Naalehu
  15. Pāhoa
  16. Wahiawa
  17. Waimea

Unusual Attractions in Hawaii

See All 77 Things To Do in Hawaii

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Hawaii

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Watery Wonders in Hawaiʻi, Without Setting Foot in the Ocean

Yes, we know, Hawaiʻi is surrounded by water—the state is a watery wonder in and of itself. But the ocean is only the beginning. The volcanic islands' dramatic topography, unpredictable coastlines, and high rainfall mean that water in and around the Paradise of the Pacific cavorts in all sorts of stunning ways: waterfalls, blowholes, pools, and more. (Plus rainbows. Lots and lots of rainbows.) And you can enjoy all of these natural showstoppers without having to get your feet wet.

View Itinerary

Explore Hawaii

Nature 11
Geology 11
Volcanoes 10
Natural Wonders 7
World War Ii 7
Islands 7
Water 7
Ecosystems 6

Hawaii Leaderboard

Recent Hawaii Activity

Stories About Hawaii

A Pond in Hawaii Has Turned a Shocking Pink

Scientists try to figure out why the water dramatically changed color over one weekend.
by Hannah Seo

Podcast: Pā‘ula‘ula / Russian Fort Elizabeth

What do Russians have to do with this Indigenous Hawaiian fort?
by The Podcast Team

Hawai'i Tackles Invasive Little Fire Ants With Vigilance, Slingshots, and Gooey 'Sputter'

Across the archipelago, scientists and citizens are uniting against the tiny terrors, deploying an arsenal of creative weapons.
by Ashley Stimpson
The “shaka” hand is an iconic gesture in Hawai‘i, but its origins are uncertain, and likely involve a brutal past.

The Dark History of Hawai‘i’s Iconic Hand Gesture

The ‘shaka’ or ‘hang loose’ gesture likely originated from island plantations’ brutal working conditions.
by Sarah Durn
From inter-island diplomacy to broken treaties, this fort has witnessed the machinations of Hawaiians, Russians, and Americans.

Excavating the Hawaiian History of Kaua‘i’s ‘Russian’ Fort

A rich local history has long been overshadowed by a few months under a Russian flag.
by Sarah Durn
Hawaiʻi has excellent conditions for frequent, intense, long-lasting rainbows.

Why Hawaiʻi Is Perfect for Rainbows

According to one scientist, geography and weather make it the “Rainbow Capital of the World.”
by Luna Shyr
Lavafalls have filled the crater, replacing the water that had taken residence there.

Kīlauea’s Lava Lake Is Back, and Volcanologists Are Bubbling With Excitement

There's uncertainty, but the eruption is confined to the summit caldera.
by Robin George Andrews
The Stickleback's stern, resting two miles under the sea.

Found: The Cold War Wreck of a World War II Submarine

A training exercise in 1958 sent the USS Stickleback to the ocean floor.
by Isaac Schultz

Lists Featuring Hawaii

Red Seabeach
The otherworldly landscape of Padar Island.
Black Sand Beach

10 Unique Beaches From Around the World

From bright red grass to stranded shipwrecks, these beaches are anything but ordinary.

10

Including Driftwood Beach, Red Beach , and Padar Island

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