More National Park Service sites than most visitors realize
Hawaiʻi has eight National Park Service units spread across four islands — covering active volcanoes, a sobering isolation settlement, ancient royal grounds, and one of the most significant historical sites in the Pacific. This page consolidates them in one place, since our coverage of each is otherwise spread across several island and activity guides.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
The state's best-known National Park — home to Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Covered in depth in our hiking & volcanoes guide, including the Kīlauea Iki hike and current-conditions safety notes.
Haleakalā National Park (Maui)
The dormant volcano famous for sunrise views from its 10,023-foot summit, requiring a separate advance reservation for early-morning entry. Covered in our Maui guide and our sample Maui itinerary, which builds the sunrise into a full day plan.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial (Oʻahu)
Includes the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, and the Pacific Aviation Museum — one of the most visited and significant historical sites in the state. Covered in our Honolulu city guide, including the advance-booking specifics for the free Arizona Memorial boat tour.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park (Molokaʻi)
A former forced isolation settlement for people with Hansen's disease, and one of the most sobering historical sites in Hawaiʻi — access is tightly controlled out of respect for the community that still lives there. Covered in depth, including current access rules, in our Molokaʻi guide.
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (Big Island)
A remarkably well-preserved "place of refuge" — in ancient Hawaiʻi, a sanctuary where those who had broken kapu (sacred law) could seek absolution rather than execution. Includes restored temple platforms, royal grounds and carved kiʻi (images), a short drive from Kealakekua Bay covered in our snorkeling guide.
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (Big Island)
Preserves traditional Hawaiian fishponds and settlement sites on the Kona coast, with a genuinely peaceful, less-visited feel compared to the island's bigger attractions — a good stop if you're already based in Kona/Kohala, per our Big Island areas guide.
Puʻukohōlā Heiau National Historic Site (Big Island)
The site of a major temple built by Kamehameha I as part of the prophecy that led to his unification of the islands — covered briefly in our history guide. A significant, less-touristed cultural site on the Kohala coast.
World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument
Encompasses sites related to the Pacific theater of WWII beyond Pearl Harbor itself, including locations across multiple islands and even into the broader Pacific — the Pearl Harbor component is the part most visitors will actually see, covered above.