Not so long ago you could wake up at 3 a.m., drive to the top of Haleakalā and watch the sunrise without planning a thing. Those days are over. To protect fragile places and local communities, several of Hawaii’s must-sees now work on reservations – and some sell out within minutes. Here is, island by island, what to book, when and where, with fees checked for 2026.
Maui: sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā
This is the most competitive reservation in the islands. To enter the park between 3 and 7 a.m., every vehicle needs a sunrise reservation, available only on Recreation.gov. Tickets are released 60 days ahead at 7 a.m. Hawaii time and often go within fifteen minutes; a second batch is released 2 days ahead at the same time. The reservation is $1 per vehicle, on top of the park entrance fee ($30 per car, valid for 3 days).
On the day, the person named on the reservation must be in the car with photo ID. Without a reservation you can only drive in after 7 a.m. My advice: if you miss out, don’t worry. Sunset at the summit needs no reservation, is every bit as magical, and spares you a drive in the dark. Either way, bring warm layers – it is often close to freezing up there before dawn.
Maui: Waiʻānapanapa’s black-sand beach on the Road to Hāna
To stop at Waiʻānapanapa State Park (home of Pailoa’s famous black-sand beach), you need a parking slot plus an entry ticket for each person, booked on gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Slots open 30 days ahead at midnight Hawaii time. Fees are $5 per person (free for ages 3 and under) and $10 per vehicle. Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your slot or you may be turned away. Facility upgrades are under way, and beach access is currently routed through the western end of the park.
The rest of the Road to Hāna needs no booking – just an early start. Pick your Waiʻānapanapa slot based on when you realistically expect to get there.
Maui: what about Lahaina?
Lahaina was devastated by the August 2023 wildfire. Front Street reopened to traffic on August 1, 2026, and the interim ʻUlu o Lele marketplace, home to businesses affected by the fire, holds its grand opening on November 10, 2026. Rebuilding continues and many areas remain fenced and private. There is nothing to book here, but there is a mindset: drive through with respect, support the businesses that have reopened, and skip the photos of ruins. For people here it is a place of remembrance before it is a sight.
Oʻahu: Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial
The visitor center, museums and film are free and need no reservation. The boat to the USS Arizona Memorial, however, is booked on Recreation.gov: tickets are released 8 weeks ahead at 3 p.m. Hawaii time, with a second batch the day before at the same time, for a $1 reservation fee per ticket. Arrive an hour before your program, bring no bag (paid storage is available nearby), and use the address 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu.
Oʻahu: Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay
The Diamond Head crater hike is booked on gostateparks.hawaii.gov up to 30 days ahead: $5 per person, plus $10 per car if you park in the crater, in two-hour slots. The park is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the first slot of the day is the most pleasant, before the heat.
For Hanauma Bay, the marine preserve where you snorkel among tropical fish, reservations open only 2 days ahead at 7 a.m. Hawaii time. Entry is $25 for non-residents aged 13 and over (free for younger children), plus $3 cash parking. The bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and occasionally for maintenance, so check right before you go.
Kauaʻi: Hāʻena and the Kalalau Trailhead
At the end of the North Shore road, Hāʻena State Park gives access to Kēʻē Beach and the start of the Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Falls. Reservations are mandatory on gohaena.com, released 30 days ahead at midnight Hawaii time. Parking ($20 per time slot plus $5 per person) sells out within minutes; the shuttle from Hanalei ($45 for ages 16+, $25 for ages 4–15, entry included) is often the easiest option. Hiking beyond Hanakāpīʻai requires a separate camping permit.
Before you even fly: ESTA and the Green Fee
International visitors from Visa Waiver countries need an ESTA; on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, it now costs $40.62. Beware of third-party sites that charge much more. And since January 1, 2026, Hawaii’s accommodation tax has risen to 11% (the “Green Fee”), which funds environmental protection. It is usually included in your accommodation price.
My booking calendar
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days ahead, 7 a.m. HST | Haleakalā sunrise | Recreation.gov |
| 8 weeks ahead, 3 p.m. HST | USS Arizona Memorial | Recreation.gov |
| 30 days ahead | Diamond Head, Waiʻānapanapa, ʻĪao Valley | gostateparks.hawaii.gov |
| 30 days ahead, midnight HST | Hāʻena / Kalalau Trail | gohaena.com |
| 2 days ahead, 7 a.m. HST | Hanauma Bay (and Haleakalā 2nd batch) | City of Honolulu site / Recreation.gov |
These rules change regularly. I keep this article up to date, but always check the official sites listed below before booking. And if you are planning your trip with us, let’s talk it through on our call: we build your day-by-day itinerary around these release dates.
Official sources (checked on November 1, 2026)
- NPS – Haleakalā Sunrise Reservations FAQ
- NPS – Haleakalā Fees & Passes
- Recreation.gov – USS Arizona Memorial tickets
- NPS – Pearl Harbor: Plan Like a Park Ranger
- Hawaiʻi State Parks – Diamond Head State Monument
- Hawaiʻi State Parks – Waiʻānapanapa State Park
- Go Hāʻena – Hāʻena State Park reservations
- City & County of Honolulu – Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
- DLNR – ʻĪao Valley State Monument
- County of Maui – Front Street reopening (Aug. 1, 2026)
- Tourism Maui – Lahaina travel guide
- CBP – Official ESTA website
- Hawaiʻi Dept. of Taxation – TAT changes (Act 96)
