Paradise for All: Accessible Travel in Hawaiʻi

The Hawaiian Islands are ready to welcome visitors from all over the world and are an accessible destination for every traveller. From diverse cultural experiences to convenient beach parks, here are some of the top recommendations for travellers with special needs across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island.

All hotels in Hawaiʻi are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and are welcoming of service animals. Each hotel below offers accessible rooms, with amenities such as roll-in showers and grab rails, lowered door handles, vanities, and electrical outlets, TTY, and closed caption TV. However, there are many more accessible accommodation options across the Hawaiian Islands. 

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort, O‘ahu

This large hotel is only seconds from Oʻahu’s famous Waikīkī Beach, with spacious, flat walkways and easy beach access. Youʻll also find braille room numbers and elevators, an accessible swimming pool, and the hotel can arrange accessible transportation, with notice. 

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Maui

Set on the popular Kāʻanapali Beach, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is a great choice for an accessible hotel on Maui. It offers a pool lift, accessible entrances to the business center, spa, and meeting spaces, and use of a complimentary beach wheelchair for guests. 

Mauna Lani, Hawai‘i Island 

The inviting Mauna Lani, on the rugged Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island, has accessible paths throughout the resort and can also assist with transportation, with notice. Mauna Lani offers a range of guest rooms and suites designed for both hearing and mobility accessibility with either ocean or mountain views. 

Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa, Kauaʻi 

Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa is conveniently just minutes from the airport and offers braille signage, an accessible pool with lift, and accessible routes throughout the resort. Both the Rainbow Terrace and Lokelani Lounge are also accessible to all guests.

Hawai‘i’s iconic beaches are one of the best reasons to plan a visit! For guests with special needs, here are a few beaches you might love. It’s best to contact the relevant county Department of Parks and Recreation for more details on all-terrain wheelchair access. 

Accessible parking is also available across all of the Hawaiian Islands, but in popular areas, parking areas may fill up quickly. 

Ala Moana Regional Park, O‘ahu

With a long sandy beach, Ala Moana is conveniently located between Waikīkī and Honolulu. This beach park offers all-terrain wheelchair use, with reservations, and two entry points to the ocean via beach access mats. Ala Moana also has plenty of grassy areas to enjoy, plus tennis courts, picnic tables, and concession stands. 

Kama'ole Beach Park, Maui

Maui’s Kama'ole Beach Park I, II, and III are three beaches with calm waters and beautiful views, ideal for family fun. Beach Park I has a beach wheelchair accessible on a first-come, first-serve basis from the lifeguard station.
 

ʻŌhaiʻula Beach (Spencer Beach Park), Hawai‘i Island

ʻŌhaiʻula Beach (Spencer Beach), on Hawai‘i Island, stands out for its crystal clear water, gently sloped sandy beaches, and a flat boardwalk that leads almost to the water, ideal for swimmers of all ages. You can also find public camping, picnic tables, and plenty of shade. 

Poʻipū Beach Park, Kaua‘i 

This popular beach in southern Kaua‘i is both accessible and family friendly, with protected bays that are ideal for kids. Itʻs a top choice for swimming and snorkelling too—turtles and monk seals are commonly spotted! All-terrain wheelchairs are available at Poʻipū, at no cost, with smooth sand for easy access into the water. 

Beyond the beaches, the Hawaiian Islands have so much to offer when it comes to culture, eco-tourism, and authentic and unique experiences not found anywhere else. 

AccesSurf, O‘ahu

He‘e nalu, or wave sliding, is known by us today as surfing and is a popular sport on all of the Hawaiian Islands. On O‘ahu, AccesSurf is a non-profit organisation that regularly offers adaptive surfing workshops, with trained volunteers helping guests with disabilities experience the joy of surfing and the ocean. 

Maui Ocean Center, Maui

The Maui Ocean Center is dedicated to preserving Hawaiʻi’s unique marine life, with plenty of opportunities to learn about ocean conservation and culture. Complimentary wheelchairs are available and all areas of the center, including the aquariums, are fully accessible. Service dogs are also welcome. 

Body Glove Cruises, Hawai‘i Island  

Body Glove Cruises, on Hawai‘i Island, take guests out on unforgettable ocean adventures including snorkelling, whale watching (December through May), or nightly dinner cruises. The lower level of their 65’ catamaran is wheelchair and scooter accessible, with a customised boarding ramp. Body Glove can also assist with accessible pier parking. 
 

Waimea Canyon, Kaua‘i

Waimea Canyon State Park is one of the most spectacular sites on Kaua‘i, with a short wheelchair accessible loop, Waimea Canyon Lookout, taking travellers to the viewpoint. As you drive through the park, there are also many accessible areas to pull off the road and enjoy the views.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hawaiʻi and sharing our spirit of aloha with you. Please contact us if you’d like more information on accessible travel in the Hawaiian Islands on our Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Katie Dundas is an American freelance travel journalist based in Sydney. She’s been visiting the Hawaiian Islands with her family for many years and has a passion for outdoor adventures.