Aloha State Daily | Here's the best of Hawai‘i, according to the people

alohastatedaily.com

The best of Hawai‘i — the best family attraction, cruise, lū‘au, resort, restaurant and tour company — has been decided by voters in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Nominees in each category were chosen with the help of a panel of experts but the winners were determined by votes and announced July 22.

Here's who made the cut in 2026:

Best Family Attraction in Hawai‘i

  • Polynesian Cultural Center, Lā‘ie
  • Outrigger Canoe Surfing with Waikīkī Beach Services, Honolulu
  • Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana, Honolulu
  • Ahi Lele Fire Show, Kīlauea
  • Lydgate Farms, Kapa‘a
  • Wai Kai, ‘Ewa Beach
  • Paniolo BBQ Dinner, Kamuela
  • Gunstock Ranch, Kahuku
  • Maui Ocean Center, the Aquarium of Hawai‘i, Wailuku
  • Hawai‘i Zipline Tours, Honomū

    • Best Hawai‘i Cruise

  • Hawaiian Seascapes Cruise on Safari Explorer, UnCruise Adventures
  • Circle Hawai‘i on Zaandam, Holland America Line
  • 14-day Hawai‘i from Los Angeles on Carnival Legend, Carnival Cruise Line
  • Glaciers & Volcanoes on Oceania Riviera, Oceania Cruises
  • Hawai‘i: Inter-island on Norwegian Pride of America, Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Hawai‘i Cruise on Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
  • Hawai‘i from Seattle on Carnival Spirit, Carnival Cruise Line
  • 16-day Hawai‘i from Seattle on Carnival Legend, Carnival Cruise Line
  • 16-day Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles on Emerald Princess, Princess Cruises
  • Alaska and Hawai‘i: Kaua‘i and Kona on Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Cruise Line

    • Best Lūau in Hawai‘i

  • Ali‘i Lū‘au at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Lā‘ie
  • Old Lahaina Lū‘au, Lahaina
  • Kaula Lū‘au at Ocean's Edge at Ko Olina, Kapolei
  • Ahaaina, a Royal Hawaiian Lū‘au, Honolulu
  • Legends of Hawai‘i Lū‘au at Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa Village
  • Waikīkī Starlight Lū‘au at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu
  • Chief's Lū‘au, Kapolei
  • Germaine's Lū‘au, Kapolei
  • Wailele Lū‘au at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Lahaina
  • Tales of the Kapa Moe Lū‘au at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Lahaina

    • Best Resort in Hawai‘i

  • Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū, Autograph Collection, Kōloa
  • Hilton Waikoloa Village
  • The Royal Hawaiian, Honolulu
  • Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Lahaina
  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
  • Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, Lahaina
  • The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
  • The Lodge at Kukui‘ula, Kōloa
  • Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Kōloa
  • Ko‘a Kea Resort, Kōloa

    • Best Restaurant in Hawai‘i

  • Koast, Wailea
  • Faria, Kailua
  • Moon and Turtle, Hilo
  • Adela's Country Eatery, Kāne‘ohe
  • The Terrace Hanalei, Hanalei
  • Poke for the People, Hale‘iwa
  • Giovedi, Honolulu
  • SingSing Thai Street Food, Honolulu
  • La Spezia, Kōloa
  • Honolulu Bistro, Honolulu

    • Best Tour Company in Hawai‘i

  • Blue Dolphin Charters, Kaua‘i
  • Holoholo Charters, Kaua‘i
  • Island Helicopters Kaua‘i
  • Redline Rafting, Maui
  • Hawai‘i Forest & Trail, Hawai‘i Island
  • Kona Boys, Hawai‘i Island
  • Atlantis Submarines, Hawai‘i Island, Maui and O‘ahu
  • Maui Pacific Tours, Wailea
  • The Umauma Experience, Hawai‘i Island
  • Ali‘i Kaua‘i Air Tours & Charters

    • Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.

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