I LIVED in a hostel dorm room in Hawaii for four months, and it was the best decision I ever made. In March 2021, my college friend and I sat in a bar in Nashville and spontaneously booked a three-week trip to Oahu, Hawaii , which turned into a four-month move and left us wanting to stay for the rest of our lives. Layne and I left the concrete walls of our college dorm rooms and arrived in the tropical heaven in May 2021, right as pandemic protocols were being lifted.
We checked in at the Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel and were escorted to our four-person female-only dorm. Our first full day visiting the island life changed everything. The two of us met a group of other guests through the hostel’s Whatsapp group chat and made plans to hike Koko Head Crater , a 1.
6-mile hike on the east side of the island. READ MORE ON HAWAII Throughout the summer, I hiked dozens of trails and waterfalls. Here are a few of my favorites, and the top-rated hikes on All Trails Lanikai Pillbox Hike: The 0.
9-mile trail near Kailua Beach is rated as "Moderate" on All Trails . I recommend going early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the heat and crowds Manoa Falls: The 1.7-mile trail near Honolulu is rated "Easy" on All Trails .
The trail is often closed during the rainy season, so be sure to check before heading over Diamond Head Crater: The 1.9-mile trail is arguably one of the most popular trails on the island. Non-Hawaii residents must book a time slot to hike the trail and pay a .