Hawaii 3 Week Vacations. Oahu Maui Big Island Itinerary.

When in Maui, you must save at least two days to cross off two amazing experiences: the Road to Hana, and Haleakala National Park. Road to Hana is an extremely dangerous (very, very tight roads with constant blind turns and swings around the mountainous landscape) but equally thrilling and spectacular road trip through the island, passing through gorgeous waterfalls to cannonball into, local farms and shops selling delicious pineapple treats, beaches, hiking trails, and stunning viewpoints. Expect to spend a lot of time getting in and out of your car to take pictures and enjoy everything Maui has to offer. Haleakala National Park also requires quite a bit of driving (or biking, if you have the stamina!), but you will be rewarded with views from above the clouds of a landscape that looks straight out of a different planet. Save a few extra days to explore the beautiful black and red sand beaches in the area, and go whale watching if you visit in the winter time. 

Hawai'i, also known as the Big Island, is a peaceful island filled with amazing sights that you'd be hard-pressed to find almost anywhere else in the world. A visit to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is mandatory, and you will be treated to spectacular sights of the formations created by lava long-solidified. You must also visit the green sand beach, one of only four in the world! The amazing olive green color comes from olivine, and exists on the island due to minerals from the volcanoes. You can take a ride to the beach for a small fee, however I recommend taking the hike - it's only about an hour long and almost completely flat, but you will get to enjoy beautiful views of the water and sand dunes all along the way. Bring a hat, as you will get lots of direct sun exposure. 

Oahu, home of Honolulu, is well-known as a huge tourist hub. It is for sure the most touristic of the islands, but this doesn't detract from its stunning appeal at all. Hiking, swimming, surfing, diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking are all unmissable in Honolulu. Be especially sure not to miss the Three Peaks Hike. I did the hike with a few friends I met that morning at the hostel, and we all agreed it was the best hike we've ever done! It was challenging, but not too arduous, and the constantly-varying terrain kept it interesting the entire way as we were bombarded with the best views of the island at every turn. Expect to spend at least 2-5 hours completing this hike, and start early in the morning. There is a lot of somewhat high-stakes scrambling involved (read: if you fall, there is the potential for death), but there is usually a rope to help you make it up and down. For sure take friends along for the ride, both to share in the fun and for safety in case of injuries. After your morning hikes, be sure to spend some time standup paddleboarding or kayaking to the small islands around the beaches (find lots of birds there), and don't forget to spend some time swimming, snorkeling and diving the stunningly clear waters as well! At dinner time, be sure to walk the main strip in Waikiki to see excellent street performers.