15 Hawaii Travel Tips

Headed to the paradise of Hawaii?  Here are some things that we think every traveler should know before you go.  Whether it’s your first time or your 100th here are the things our team has learned that they think are important!

Travel Tips to Hawai'i

1 - Embrace the Aloha Spirit and timing.

Etiquette is taken very seriously in Hawaii and so before you go there, plan on being extra polite and matching the Aloha spirit.  This is a very mellow, warm, and welcoming attitude, but it is also a more relaxed and unhurried way to live.

Due to this, plan for delays. Be easy going, friendly, and patient just like the locals.  If a tour or a driver or something you need is delayed, know that is expected.  They do everything slowly.  You might find you enjoy the pace of not rushing.  Don’t be concerned about punctuality, in fact, just plan for it.  Go with that mindset before you ever leave your home.  Embrace it.

2 - Learn a few words.

While most everyone speaks English, they do speckle in many Hawaiian words throughout their conversations.  It would be good to be familiar with some of the common words you might hear or want to use while you are there and what they mean. For example:

Aloha – Hello, Goodbye, Thank you

Mahalo – Thank you

Mahalo Nui Loa – Thank you very much

Malama da ‘Aina – Take care of the land

Kokua – Help (this may be used in a phrase such as, “Please kokua and pick up your trash or thank you for your kokua)

A Hui Hou – Until we meet again

Howzit – How are you?

Ono – Delicious

Grindz – Food

Pupu – Appetizer

Pau – Finished

Kiki – children.  Use this to ask for a kids menu

Ohana – family 

Kama’aina – Resident of Hawai’i

Haole – Person not native to Hawai’i

No Ka ‘Oi – The best or finest

E Como Mai – Welcome or Come in

‘Aina – Land

Mauka – Mountain side

Makai – Ocean side (you will often hear Mauka and Makai when giving directions)

Heiau – A shrine or place of worship (Heiau’s are very sacred and must be treated with the upmost respect when you come across them)

Shaka –  Hand gesture with the thumb and pinky extended.  While you may have learned that this means hang loose, it is used often to mean hello, goodbye, aloha, and mahalo and indicates the Hawaii spirit and feeling of friendship.

3 - Know the lei etiquette

A lei needs to be given.  Don’t give one to yourself, and if you are offered a lei, it is rude to not accept it.   Be kind and accepting of their generosity.  Follow the givers lead as to a hug and a kiss on receiving. 

If it’s a closed circle, wear it on your shoulders half in front and half down your back.  If it is open, it will hang around your neck as a necklace.

When you’re finished, leave the lei in the garden or throw a flower on the ocean to signal you’ll be back.  Just don’t throw it in the garbage.  Allow it to return to the earth.

4 - Plan for jet lag

Hawaii is far in location from pretty much everywhere in the US and even the world.  So it’s likely it will take you a couple of days to get your feet under you.  Think about this during your trip planning.  

If your trip to Hawaii is too short, you’ll spend your whole time jet lagged – just to go back and get it again.  Plan at least a week to stay on the islands and plan your big ticket most important activities you want to do later in your trip.

5 - Watch the weather

No matter when you travel, plan for rain at some point during your trip.  While Hawaii is known for sunny skies, rain is quite common.  Be flexible.  Weather can delay or change your plans.  Embrace the Hawaii relaxed spirit, and don’t let it spoil your day.  

Weather cannot be controlled and can change sometimes at the last minute.  But if you know something is coming and can change your itinerary you’ll be happier.  Just take the weather and season into your planning.  

One side of the island can be more rainy than the other, and one can be rainy while the other is sunny, so be flexible, move to a different spot and enjoy what it brings.

6 - Pack a sweater or jacket

Since we are talking about the weather, I know everyone thinks of the sun when they think of Hawaii, but it does go down at night and can get quite chilly.  Throw a sweater or jacket in your suitcase that you can slip on in the evenings and ward off the chill.

7 - Check your Sunscreen

It’s not a surprise that you will need sunscreen.  The sun is much stronger in Hawaii then say the Midwestern US, so apply liberally and often.  However, what you apply makes a difference as well. 

Due to all the tourism, the ecosystems and reefs are easily damaged, so Hawaii has passed many regulations to protect the area for current and future generations.  One of these is banning substances in sunscreen that can destroy the coral reef.

Check the label on your sunscreen to ensure that it does NOT contain any oxybenzone and octinoxate.  You can purchase reef safe sunscreen in Hawaii or bring your own, just make sure that it does not contain these substances.

8 - Consider bringing Dramamine

Or other nausea relief if you get car sick easily.  The main roads in Hawaii are well maintained, have good signage, and are packed.  You’ll likely travel slower speeds that you are used to.  However, they also have many smaller roads that can wind and meander.  If you get car sick, you may be grateful for some relief as you travel.

9 - Leave your valuables at home

We recommend this for any travel, not just Hawaii.  It’s better to not have your jewelry, expensive camera (use your phone), or extra items in your purse while you travel.  That just creates more for you to keep track of, care for on your trip, and that could maybe get lost or stolen.  

It’s better to have these items safely stored at your home.  However, if you have something valuable you just have to bring, make sure you keep it out of sight when it is not with you.

The hotel safe is the best place.  Your rental car is the worst place.  If you do have to leave something in your car, place it in your trunk out of sight before you leave for your location.  

Often thieves will watch what you put in your trunk when you arrive and can make quick work of popping it open to retrieve what you have stored.  It’s best to store it when they have no idea where you are headed.  This includes parking lots, trail heads and hotel parking

10 - The lifeguards are your friends

Don’t swim at a beach that doesn’t have lifeguards.  “Don’t turn your back to the ocean” is a local saying and it has reason and meaning behind it.  

Check in with the lifeguards when you arrive and they will advise you about current dangers, rip tides, special currents or other potential dangers. Safe spots change daily.

Jellyfish stings can be painful and although rare, shark attacks can happen.  Don’t swim where there are lava rocks.  A strong wave can force your body to scrape across them and it’s painful.  You don’t want to come home with an island tattoo.

Don’t walk across wet rocks.  Be aware of your abilities, don’t swim alone, – are you overwhelmed yet?  Then just remember:  don’t swim anywhere there aren’t lifeguards. They will ensure you keep the ocean rules that are honestly, too numerous to remember.

Read other ocean and Hawai’i safety tips here.

11 - Keep the local laws and regulations

Again, this is to take care of the ecosystems and areas so that tourism can continue.  

It is illegal to touch or feed animals.  Hawaii is a protected animal dense island.  Just avoid disturbing any of the animals.  Take pictures and videos but don’t touch or bother.

Don’t pick up things like rocks, sand, flowers, fruits or other natural resources while you’re out and about to take home.  The land is sacred to Hawaiians and you want it to still be here when you come back.  

Pick up after yourself on the beach, during your hikes and tours, or anywhere you will be.  Garbage cans are available and should be used.  Keep the area clean and beautiful for others.  

These regulations just make sense.  However, tourists are expected to know these laws and regulations before they come and not knowing is not a justifiable excuse.  So save everyone stress and follow them.  Integrate this attitude into your trip planning and it will be happy for everyone.

12 - Plan on doing some walking and hiking

The beach is beautiful, but if that is all you see you’ll miss so much.  Take a jungle hike and go see a waterfall or two.  Just make sure you stay on the path and check the weather.  Especially if your hike will cross a river or two.  Rain can make the rivers swell to dangerous levels so know before you go.

Make sure you bring clothes and shoes that can get muddy regardless of if it’s raining or not.  You are likely to find some mud.  It’s all worth it though we can attest!  This is something you don’t want to miss!  

If you see a Kapu sign that means it is sacred or private land and you are not allowed there.  Please respect and follow the signs and don’t trespass.  Respect is deeply important in Hawaii.

13 - Try some new food

Don’t just stick to the things you are familiar with you and just might come home with a new favorite and a reason to return.  Try the local restaurants instead of the familiar chain foods. 

The lists of what is great and what is don’t miss are as varied as people who travel to Hawaii.  But here are the favorites from our team:

Don’t skip the Poke Bowl, Fresh Coconut, Dole Whip, Shaved Ice, Lau Lau and Kalua Pork.  If you like donut type pastries check out Leonards it’s divine.

14 - Spend a whole day at the Polynesian Cultural Center

 – or go for two afternoons.  There is so much to see you just can’t do it all in an afternoon.  Purchase a package so you get the villages, dinner, and show.  All three are worth it and not to be missed. 

You won’t regret it.  Some packages have entrance to the center for up to three days.  This is one thing we would recommend splurging on even if you are traveling on a budget.

15 - Use the bus system to get around

If you pick up a pass at the Ala Moana Shopping Center or any ABC store you can go to many locations throughout the island that you will be interested to see.  It’s like a big island tour without the expense and you can take it as much or as little each day as you’d like.

Check beforehand to make sure it will fit in with what you want to do while there, but for many this is a fairly underrated resource and can really enhance your trip.

Leave a Comment