Here's the best of Hawai‘i, according to the people

The best of Hawai‘i — the best family attraction, cruise, lū‘au, resort, restaurant and tour company — has been decided by voters in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Nominees in each category were chosen with the help of a panel of experts but the winners were determined by votes and announced July 22.

Here's who made the cut in 2026:

Best Family Attraction in Hawai‘i

1. Polynesian Cultural Center, Lā‘ie
2. Outrigger Canoe Surfing with Waikīkī Beach Services, Honolulu
3. Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana, Honolulu
4. Ahi Lele Fire Show, Kīlauea
5. Lydgate Farms, Kapa‘a
6. Wai Kai, ‘Ewa Beach
7. Paniolo BBQ Dinner, Kamuela
8. Gunstock Ranch, Kahuku
9. Maui Ocean Center, the Aquarium of Hawai‘i, Wailuku
10. Hawai‘i Zipline Tours, Honomū

Best Hawai‘i Cruise

1. Hawaiian Seascapes Cruise on Safari Explorer, UnCruise Adventures
2. Circle Hawai‘i on Zaandam, Holland America Line
3. 14-day Hawai‘i from Los Angeles on Carnival Legend, Carnival Cruise Line
4. Glaciers & Volcanoes on Oceania Riviera, Oceania Cruises
5. Hawai‘i: Inter-island on Norwegian Pride of America, Norwegian Cruise Line
6. Hawai‘i Cruise on Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
7. Hawai‘i from Seattle on Carnival Spirit, Carnival Cruise Line
8. 16-day Hawai‘i from Seattle on Carnival Legend, Carnival Cruise Line
9. 16-day Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles on Emerald Princess, Princess Cruises
10. Alaska and Hawai‘i: Kaua‘i and Kona on Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Lūau in Hawai‘i

1. Ali‘i Lū‘au at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Lā‘ie
2. Old Lahaina Lū‘au, Lahaina
3. Kaula Lū‘au at Ocean's Edge at Ko Olina, Kapolei
4. Ahaaina, a Royal Hawaiian Lū‘au, Honolulu
5. Legends of Hawai‘i Lū‘au at Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa Village
6. Waikīkī Starlight Lū‘au at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu
7. Chief's Lū‘au, Kapolei
8. Germaine's Lū‘au, Kapolei
9. Wailele Lū‘au at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Lahaina
10. Tales of the Kapa Moe Lū‘au at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Lahaina

Best Resort in Hawai‘i

1. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū, Autograph Collection, Kōloa
2. Hilton Waikoloa Village
3. The Royal Hawaiian, Honolulu
4. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Lahaina
5. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
6. Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, Lahaina
7. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
8. The Lodge at Kukui‘ula, Kōloa
9. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Kōloa
10. Ko‘a Kea Resort, Kōloa

Best Restaurant in Hawai‘i

1. Koast, Wailea
2. Faria, Kailua
3. Moon and Turtle, Hilo
4. Adela's Country Eatery, Kāne‘ohe
5. The Terrace Hanalei, Hanalei
6. Poke for the People, Hale‘iwa
7. Giovedi, Honolulu
8. SingSing Thai Street Food, Honolulu
9. La Spezia, Kōloa
10. Honolulu Bistro, Honolulu

Best Tour Company in Hawai‘i

1. Blue Dolphin Charters, Kaua‘i
2. Holoholo Charters, Kaua‘i
3. Island Helicopters Kaua‘i
4. Redline Rafting, Maui
5. Hawai‘i Forest & Trail, Hawai‘i Island
6. Kona Boys, Hawai‘i Island
7. Atlantis Submarines, Hawai‘i Island, Maui and O‘ahu
8. Maui Pacific Tours, Wailea
9. The Umauma Experience, Hawai‘i Island
10. Ali‘i Kaua‘i Air Tours & Charters

Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.