HAWAIʻI Magazine has thrown open the ballots for its 2027 Readers' Choice Awards, and anyone with an opinion about the Islands — from the best malasadas to the most rewarding hiking trail — can weigh in. The last round drew thousands of voters crowning favourite hotels, restaurants and beaches across the state, and the magazine is expecting a similar surge this time.
The categories span all five island groups: Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. Voters can pick favourites across everything from poke bowls and lūʻau shows to beaches and accommodation, so the final list doubles as a crowd-tested cheat sheet for anyone planning a trip. The winners will be revealed in the magazine's 2027 Spring/Summer issue, which tends to be a handy bookmark for travellers who want locals' and repeat visitors' picks rather than generic guidebook suggestions.
There's also a reason to vote beyond bragging rights. One entrant will win a Hawaiʻi holiday: round-trip coach airfare for two with Hawaiian Airlines plus a four-night stay at Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauaʻi, the restored plantation-era beachfront retreat near Waimea town on the island's sunny west side. No purchase is necessary to enter, though employees of aio, Inc. and affiliated companies are excluded. The winner will be contacted in January 2027, and the stay is subject to availability, blackout dates and booking restrictions.
The deadline is firm: ballots close at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Sunday, 20 December 2026. Businesses that want in — or fans who want to nominate an overlooked spot — can submit entries for consideration separately.
For travellers, this is worth a few minutes either way. Voting gets you a shot at a free Kauaʻi stay, and when the results land in spring 2027 you'll have a voter-ranked rundown of the state's best beaches, plate lunch spots, hotels and hiking trails — useful ammunition if you're plotting an island itinerary for later that year. Anyone considering a Kauaʻi trip should keep Waimea Plantation Cottages on their radar too, since it sits handy for Waimea Canyon drives and Polihale-adjacent west side exploring.
