Hawaii for Limited Mobility: 9 Wheelchair-Accessible Things to Do in Hawaii

If you’re a nature lover, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located on the Big Island, should be at the top of your list.

Getting to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is pretty easy. The park is about a 45-minute drive from Hilo International Airport. To make the most of your visit, consider renting a wheelchair-accessible vehicle at the airport or arranging for accessible transportation services before you arrive.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Oahu honors the lives lost during the attack on December 7, 1941. There are several attractions within the memorial itself, including the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

In terms of accessibility, the visitor center, restrooms, movie theater, Navy shuttle boats, exhibit galleries, bookstore, and drinking fountains are fully accessible. The USS Arizona memorial, which includes a short boat ride to the memorial, is also accessible, with assistance available for boarding and disembarking.

To reach Pearl Harbor, most people fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu Airport), which is about a 20-minute drive from the memorial. Public transportation and taxi services are also available, and many tour operators offer accessible transportation options.

No trip to Hawaii is complete without a day spent at Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world and one of the top wheelchair-accessible activities in Oahu.

The entire Waikiki neighborhood is highly accommodating for people with disabilities. The beach has multiple wheelchair-accessible entrances and paved paths leading right to the water’s edge. You’ll also find Oahu wheelchair rental services along the beach, offering scooters and all-terrain beach wheelchairs, which are great for navigating the sand and even venturing into the water. Additionally, the nearby Kuhio Beach Park has accessible picnic areas, restrooms, and showers.

Waikiki Beach is lined by dozens of ADA-compliant hotels and resorts. There are also public transportation options, such as buses and shuttles, which make getting around a breeze. And if you’re planning on renting a car in Oahu, there are many accessible parking spaces to choose from.

If you’re looking for wheelchair-accessible things to do in Hawaii with kids or during a rainy day, the Maui Ocean Center is a relatively small but just as charming aquarium in Maalaea, Maui. The center is home to a variety of exhibits showcasing tropical coral reefs, sea turtles, and amazing sharks. It also has a 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit, which offers you a unique view of marine creatures in their natural habitat.

The Maui Ocean Center is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators that allow you to navigate easily throughout the exhibits. Wheelchairs are available for rent based on availability.

The aquarium is conveniently located just off the Honoapiilani Highway, about a 20-minute drive from Kahului Airport. There, you’ll find lots of parking, including accessible spaces near the front entrance. The center is also accessible via public transportation, with bus services connecting it to major towns and resorts on the island.

If waking up at the crack of dawn is your cup of tea, the Haleakala National Park in Maui is an accessible spot famous for its breathtaking sunrises.

The park spans more than 300,000 acres, and many sites are fully accessible for visitors with limited mobility. The visitor centers at both the summit and Kipahulu districts are wheelchair accessible, with exhibits and information designed for inclusivity. There are also accessible restrooms and parking at key locations within the park.

Kahului Airport is about a 90-minute drive from the summit. The drive up Haleakala is winding and steep, so you might want to consider booking a car rental in Maui from Maui wheelchair rental companies that arrange transportation or a tour that offers ADA-compliant services. Also, be sure to dress in layers, as temperatures at the summit can drop significantly even during the day.

Experiencing a Hawaiian luau is a must if you’re visiting any of the islands. A luau is a traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian celebration featuring traditional music, hula dancing, and local food.

Many luaus across the islands are fully accessible, which means that all guests can participate in the festivities. Venues usually offer wheelchair-accessible seating, restrooms, and pathways. Staff are typically available to assist with any special needs.

Luaus are held at many different locations on all the major islands. Popular luaus, such as the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui and the Paradise Cove Luau on Oahu, are known for their accessibility and excellent performances. When booking a luau, it’s a good idea to give the place a call to inquire about specific accessibility features and any additional accommodations you may require.

Sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is a natural wonder on the island of Kauai and is the dream of every nature lover and photographer.

Waimea Canyon State Park is equipped with accessible facilities. Key lookout points, such as the Waimea Canyon Lookout and the Puʻu Hinahina Lookout, have paved paths and wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms. There are also accessible restrooms and handicap parking at these locations.

The park is about an hour’s drive from Kauai’s Lihue Airport, so renting a car in Kauai or arranging for a guided tour with accessibility options can make the journey more comfortable. Kauai wheelchair rental companies offering ADA-certified wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility equipment are also available near the airport.

If you love the ocean, nothing beats the thrill of exploring the wonders of the underwater world firsthand. With some adaptations, scuba diving can be accessible to anyone.

There are many dive operators that offer accessible scuba tours in Hawaii, which typically include adaptive scuba gear as well as personalized instruction and support. The dive sites are also carefully selected to make sure there are easy entry and exit points from the shore or adaptive boats available.

To join an accessible scuba tour, it’s best to book with a reputable dive operator known for their inclusive services. Both the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI) offer adaptive scuba courses and many PADI- and SSI-certified dive shops in Hawaii provide specialized tours. You can find qualified operators by searching the PADI and SSI websites.

About 24 miles from Waikiki, in Oahu, is Kualoa Ranch, a nature reserve and a working cattle ranch that has become famous for its stunning landscapes and Hollywood connections.

The ranch features a number of activities, including ATV rides, horseback riding, and zip-lining. They also offer several wheelchair-accessible tours, including a guided bus tour that takes you through movie sites and historical landmarks. And you’ll also find accessible restrooms and parking right on-site.

To get to Kualoa Ranch, most people make the roughly 45-minute drive from Honolulu, or, if you prefer not to drive, there are ADA-certified tour operators offering transportation services and wheelchair rental in Honolulu that can take you.