Episode Details

Is Hawaii OK Right Now? June/July Travel Updates: Oahu Shuttle, Kalaupapa Tours, Kauai Closures, Kilauea, and Na Pali Sail-By Return

⚠️ UPDATE: Kalaupapa Tours are on hiatus 

Marcie shares a fast, island-by-island update for travelers asking if Hawaii is okay right now, covering shifting logistics after March storms and ongoing Kilauea activity. On Oahu, a new $5 North Shore Huaka‘i daily shuttle pilot (starting June 29) runs from Waikiki/Ko Olina to Waialua and Haleiwa with cultural storytelling, about 3.5 hours of free time, a passport stamp challenge, and a fixed return time to support storm-hit businesses. On Molokai, Kalaupapa National Historical Park begins ranger-led public tours July 9 (Thursdays/Saturdays), requiring a strenuous ~8-mile hike with 1,700 feet elevation change, age 16+, reservations via recreation.gov, and a 100-visitor daily cap. On Kauai, Waimea Canyon Drive construction closes a key section weekdays 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m. June 22–Aug 17. The Big Island’s Kilauea remains episodic with the park fully open, and Norwegian’s Pride of America restores the Na Pali Coast sail-by starting Oct 3 with an earlier Nawiliwili departure.

00:00 Is Hawaii Okay
00:46 Oahu Shuttle Pilot
02:28 Molokai Kalaupapa Tours
04:04 Kauai Road Closures
05:18 Big Island Kilauea Update
06:38 Na Pali Sailby Returns
08:04 Resources And Thanks
09:13 Final Wrap Up

Who this episode is for: Anyone with an upcoming Hawaii trip wondering how recent storms, construction, and volcanic activity might affect their plans.

What you'll learn: Current logistics updates across Oahu, Molokai, Kauai, and Big Island, including a new North Shore shuttle, Kalaupapa tour changes, road closures, and the return of the Na Pali sail-by on Pride of America.

Places discussed:

• Oahu (North Shore, Waikiki, Ko Olina, Waialua, Haleiwa)
• Molokai (Kalaupapa National Historical Park)
• Kauai (Waimea Canyon Drive)
• Big Island (Kilauea, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park)
• Na Pali Coast

Activities discussed:

• North Shore Huaka'i shuttle (Waikiki/Ko Olina to Waialua and Haleiwa, starts June 29, $5, cultural storytelling, passport stamp challenge)
• Kalaupapa ranger-led public tours (Thursdays/Saturdays starting July 9, ~8-mile strenuous hike, 1,700 ft elevation change, age 16+, reservations via recreation.gov, 100-visitor daily cap)
• Driving Waimea Canyon Drive (weekday closures 8 a.m.–11:30 p.m., June 22–Aug 17, due to construction)
• Watching Kilauea volcanic activity (park remains fully open)
• Na Pali Coast sail-by on Norwegian's Pride of America (returns Oct 3, with earlier Nawiliwili departure)

Marcie's recommendations:

• Book the North Shore Huaka'i shuttle if visiting Oahu's North Shore during the pilot — it supports storm-hit businesses and includes built-in free time
• If planning a Kalaupapa visit, confirm current tour status before booking (see update note above) and be prepared for a genuinely strenuous hike if tours are running
• Check Waimea Canyon Drive closure windows before planning a Kauai itinerary between June 22–Aug 17
• Kilauea's episodic activity doesn't mean avoid the Big Island — the park remains fully open
• If cruising on Pride of America after Oct 3, expect the Na Pali sail-by to be back on the itinerary

Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes:

• Moloka'i: The Island Most People Skip (And Why You Shouldn't)— Ep 128
• Oahu's North Shore vs. South Shore: Which Side Should You Choose?— Ep 43

About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent