Best lookout points in Hawaii by visitors

Written by:
September 2, 2025
Kirill Kotlyarenko // Shutterstock

Best lookout points in Hawaii by visitors

Visit any given lookout point near you on a Saturday afternoon, and you're likely to be joined by several other people angling to get a glimpse of the view. Humans have always been drawn to vista points, whether for practical reasons such as surveying a large swath for scouting or simply to enjoy the natural (or human-made) landscape.

This has led to local and federal governments investing in parking, platforms, and public binoculars to better manage crowds gathering at lookout points across the United States. Arizona's Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River snakes around sandstone rock, draws around 2 million visitors annually. The city of Page, Arizona, has invested over $5 million in expanded parking, trail upgrades, and safety railings to manage the growing crowds.

Each year, more than 2 million people visit 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City for the panoramic skyline views from its "Top of the Rock" observation deck, perched roughly 850 feet above the streets. The spot attracts everyone from first-time visitors to couples planning proposals.

There are thousands of lookout points across the United States that offer special views like these, which means there are likely beautiful vistas near you. Stacker compiled a list of the best lookout points in Hawaii using August 2025 data from Tripadvisor to highlight the top-rated spots.

Tripadvisor rankings consider several factors—including average rating, total number of reviews, and page views—so a location with a perfect 5.0 might still rank below a 4.0 with more traffic. Only spots with at least 20 reviews were included.

1 / 18
Tripadvisor

#18. Kohala Mountain Range

- Rating: 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
- City: Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

2 / 18
Tripadvisor

#17. Wailua Valley State Wayside Park

- Rating: 4.3/5 (24 reviews)
- City: Kula Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

3 / 18
Tripadvisor

#16. Koloiki Ridge Trailhead

- Rating: 4.6/5 (28 reviews)
- City: Lanai City Lanai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

4 / 18
Tripadvisor

#15. Puu Hinahina Lookout

- Rating: 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
- City: Waimea Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

5 / 18
Tripadvisor

#14. Keanakakoi Crater Overlook

- Rating: 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

6 / 18
Tripadvisor

#13. Lanikai Pillboxes

- Rating: 4.7/5 (89 reviews)
- City: Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

7 / 18
Tripadvisor

#12. Ke'anae Point

- Rating: 4.7/5 (107 reviews)
- City: Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

8 / 18
Tripadvisor

#11. Lanai lookout

- Rating: 4.6/5 (91 reviews)
- City: Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

9 / 18
Tripadvisor

#10. Holei Sea Arch

- Rating: 4.4/5 (624 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

10 / 18
Tripadvisor

#9. Ohai Loop Trail and Overlook

- Rating: 4.6/5 (137 reviews)
- City: Lahaina Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

11 / 18
Tripadvisor

#8. Puuo Kila

- Rating: 4.8/5 (146 reviews)
- City: Waimea Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

12 / 18
Tripadvisor

#7. Hanalei Valley Lookout

- Rating: 4.6/5 (775 reviews)
- City: Princeville Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

13 / 18
Tripadvisor

#6. Nu'uanu Pali

- Rating: 4.4/5 (968 reviews)
- City: Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#5. Sleeping Giant Trail

- Rating: 4.6/5 (882 reviews)
- City: Kapaa Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#4. Pololu Valley Lookout

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,172 reviews)
- City: Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#3. Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,070 reviews)
- City: Honolulu Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#2. Waipio Valley Lookout

- Rating: 4.6/5 (944 reviews)
- City: Honokaa Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

18 / 18
Tripadvisor

#1. Waimea Canyon State Park

- Rating: 4.8/5 (8,704 reviews)
- City: Waimea Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 24 states.

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