island hop to go to Pearl Harbor and Aulani

Question

Hi! WE are going to Maui for a week but wanted to hop over to this island to see Pearl Harbor and possibly check out Aulani hotel and have dinner there. I am a big Disney fan. How much time would be needed for this? THank you! Fam of 5 with 2 adult sons and a teen girl.

Answer

Island hopping from Maui to Oahu for a day trip to see Pearl Harbor and visit Aulani is ambitious but doable with careful planning. Since you are traveling with a family of five, time management and booking in advance are key.

Flight considerations:

Maui (OGG) to Oahu (HNL) flights take about 30–40 minutes each way.
Factor in 1–1.5 hours at the airport for check-in and security each way.
Early morning flights from Maui are best to maximize your time on Oahu, ideally around 6:00–7:00 a.m.

Pearl Harbor visit:

USS Arizona Memorial: The standard visit takes roughly 1.5–2 hours, including the museum, short film, and boat ride to the memorial.
Optional: Battleship Missouri and USS Bowfin can each take an additional 1–2 hours if you choose to include them.
Reservations: Tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are free but limited; booking in advance is recommended, especially for a larger group.

Aulani visit:

Depending on your interests, a walk around the resort and dinner could take 2–3 hours.
Reservation for dinner is highly recommended, as the resort is popular with both hotel guests and day visitors.
The resort is about 25–30 minutes from Pearl Harbor by car, so factor in travel time.

Sample timeline:

6:00 a.m.: Depart Maui on early flight to Oahu
7:00–7:30 a.m.: Arrive at HNL, pick up rental car or use rideshare
8:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.: Visit USS Arizona Memorial
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Drive to Aulani Resort
12:00–2:00 p.m.: Explore Aulani, have lunch/dinner at the resort
2:00–3:00 p.m.: Return to HNL for flight back to Maui
4:00–5:00 p.m.: Arrive back in Maui

Keep in mind that this schedule is tight and allows minimal flexibility. If you want a more relaxed experience or include additional attractions on Oahu, an overnight stay might be more comfortable. Alternatively, if your primary goal is just Pearl Harbor and Aulani, sticking to this early flight plan is possible.

Additional tips:

Book all tickets and dinner reservations in advance to save time and ensure availability.
Use a rental car for flexibility, as public transport options are limited and could slow you down.
Pack snacks and water, as your day will be long and full of moving between sites.

Overall, a well-planned island hop for a day is feasible, but be prepared for a long and busy day, especially with teenagers and a family of five.