Hawaii's weather makes a perfect recipe for anuenue (rainbow) sightings across the Islands.
Enter the Rainbow Runway Challenge for the chance to win 160,000 HawaiianMiles, a 5-night stay at The Royal Hawaiian Resort and the opportunity to join Mark Kanemura at Honolulu Pride Parade and Festival in October. Find out how to enter on Hawaiian Airlines' TikTok and Instagram pages.
Here in Hawaii, rainbows are kind of our thing. Because of the Islands' abundant sunshine and light-reflecting rain showers, scientists argue that this is the rainbow capital of the world. So, when there’s a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities with rainbows, we of course want to join in — and strut the runway.
Lucky for us, we have the nationwide Pride Month in June and Honolulu Pride in October. (You could say we have twice the fun.)
To kick off the 2022 festivities, we’re hosting the Rainbow Runway Challenge, a social media dance-off featuring moves by Hawaii-born performer Mark Kanemura, with the chance the join our parade float at Honolulu Pride. Whether or not you’re ready for the Rainbow Runway limelight, you’re welcome to create your own rainbow-themed itinerary in Hawaii. Let your line shine in the Islands and explore the full spectrum of Hawaii’s vibrant nature spaces with us, one color at a time.
Maui’s highest peak, Haleakala, is known for its dark-red basalt landscapes.
Red: ancient volcano
Go to Maui to find an otherworldly red scene at 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala National Park, a vast volcanic landscape that almost looks like a different planet. You’re far from Mars but the Puu Ulaula summit, or Red Hill, will have you above the clouds and surrounded by dark red basalt. It's also one of the park’s four popular sites for sunrise viewing, which do require reservations made in advance online. Visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures. Closer to the trees, rare native birds also call Haleakala home, including two types of red honeycreepers, the iiwi and the apapane — see them on their quests for flower nectar around Hosmer Grove and Paliku Cabin.
Awe at the orange lava lake of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island.
Orange: lava flows
On Hawaii Island, witness the mesmerizing orange lava lake of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From the safe distance of a trail overlook, you might see the bright molten lava, which is even more stunning after hearing tales of the volcano goddess Pele. (The visitor center can tell you more.) Admire artists’ depictions of Pele in Pahoa on the island’s northeastern tip, with a beautiful mural outside The Pahoa Village Museum and the unique exhibits of Pahoa Lava Zone Museum. And after a day of exploring some of Hawaii’s most awe-inspiring places, you just might find yourself inspired to imbibe on an iconic lava flow cocktail, found at restaurants and bars statewide. They’re best paired with watching a bright orange sunset over the ocean horizon.
Admire Hawaii’s state flower, the yellow hibiscus, at gardens across the Islands.
Yellow blooming flowers
Hawaii’s state flower is the yellow hibiscus, an endangered plant endemic to the Islands. Look for its prized petals at Oahu’s Queen Kapiolani Garden in Waikiki or along the Rainbow Walk of Botanical World Adventures in Hakalau on Hawaii Island. If you’re looking for more yellow flora in the Islands, take advantage of Hawaii’s long sunflower season and head to Waimanalo Country Farms on Oahu, where you can book a photoshoot with the in-house photographer. You’ll also spot yellow sunflowers off the highway as you journey down the central valley of Maui, toward the direction of Kō Restaurant in Kihei, where chefs cook with Maui Sunflower Oil sourced from those very fields.
Get your hands a little dirty on an agritourism farm tour that has you harvesting kalo (taro).
Green lush farmlands
Dig into Hawaii’s green agriculture and get a little dirty along the way. At Kakoo Oiwi of Oahu, you can lend a hand harvesting green-leafed taro or pick up fresh poi, all while knowing you're supporting sustainable local agriculture and the restoration of historic wetlands. Explore a regenerative farm at Common Ground in Kilauea of Kauai, where tours guide guests through a thriving food forest to a waterfall, culminating with a picnic lunch made with locally grown ingredients. You’ll also get a taste of the Islands’ homegrown flavors in flight — Hawaiian Airlines is committed to locally sourcing 40% of food and beverage for Hawaii-based catering operations by 2025.
Kauai’s Makua Beach is known for its blue waters — be sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen when you visit.
Blue ocean waters
Everywhere you look in Hawaii, you’re bound to see blue. On Maui's western shores, Kaanapali Beach was once a vacation destination for Hawaiian royalty and remains a vision of sparkling blue waters. On Oahu, the Ko Olina area features four brilliant blue lagoons nestled next to acclaimed resorts like Disney's Aulani. Maniniowali Beach of Kua Bay on Hawaii Island has blue waters and white sands, plus rolling waves perfect for boogie boarding. Meanwhile, the clear blue waters of Kauai’s Makua Beach, or Tunnels Beach, is popular on calm days with snorkelers seeking a view of the large coral reefs and abundant sea life.
The familiar sight of our purple plane tails continues your journey through the Islands.
Purple plane journeys
At the edge of every rainbow is purple, just as we’re here for the beginning and end of all your Hawaii journeys. As the state’s largest and longest serving airline, we offer the most daily flights between the Islands and we fly to the most major U.S. cities with non-stop flights from Hawaii. We’re also the nation’s most on-time airline for 18 consecutive years (and counting), so you can count on seeing our purple plane tails at your gate when you’re ready to board. After all, there’s no time to waste when you’ve got a big rainbow itinerary to accomplish.