If you are traveling to Hawaii there are a few mistakes that you’ll want to avoid that lots of first timers traveling to Hawaii make. From trying to see multiple islands in a short period of time to misunderstandings within the Hawaiian culture, I got you covered with the Hawaii travel tips to know before you go.
For most, Hawaii is a dream destination. Whether you are searching for idyllic secluded beaches or an adventure through the rainforest to a hidden waterfall, the Hawaiian Islands have it all.
I want you to have the best trip possible, that’s why I wrote a post about Hawaii travel tips and what not to do. There are many common mistakes many travelers run into and I want to save you time and trouble from having to learn the hard way.
1. Trying to See Multiple Islands in a Short Amount of Time
If you only have a week to explore Hawaii, then choose one island and stick to it. Each island is diverse, has its own unique quality and a week won’t be enough time to explore it all.
Choosing to visit 3 different islands in one week will be ‘traveling for postcards’. You won’t get a true feel or understanding of any island, just a postcard that proved you stopped by. Which leads me to our next Hawaii travel tip.
2. Assuming all Islands are the Same
As I mentioned earlier, each island has its own flare and each island is very different. Thinking that the Big Island and Oahu are only different in size is completely off. Each Island is unique and rich in culture and history.
If you’re having trouble trying to pick an island that suits you best, here’s a quick rundown of each place. I am only listing the 4 most popular and well known islands (Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai). If you’d like to learn about Lanai or Molokai check out these posts.
Big Island
The Big Island is more diverse in natural landscapes and is a great choice if you love the outdoors.
Highlights:
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Rainbow Falls
- Manta Ray Night Dive
- Akaka Falls
- Hiking to a Green Sand Beach
Maui
Maui has a little bit of something from each island. It has the nightlife of Oahu, the seclusion of Kauai and a volcano to explore like on the Big Island.
Highlights:
- Driving the road to Hana
- Hiking the Pipiwai Trail
- Sunrise atop Haleakala Crater
- Black, red and white sand beaches
- Whale watch tours – Check out 15 epic things to do in Maui for more inspiration
- Molokini Crater – a great water activity on Maui
- Waimoku and Wailua Falls
- Iao Valley State Park
Oahu
Oahu is the most populated and visited Hawaiian Island. Oahu has the best nightlife and shopping compared to the other islands.
Highlights;
- Waikiki
- Exploring the North Shore – including Bonzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach.
- Diamond Head
- USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor
- Kailua Beach
- Hanauma Bay
- Waimea Falls
Kauai
Filled with secluded beaches, roaring waterfalls and the most dramatic landscapes, Kauai is the ultimate honeymoon destination.
Highlights:
- Hiking the Napali Coast (permits required)
- Year round surf
- Hanalei Bay
- Napali Coast from above in a helicopter
- Napali Coast by boat
- Waimea Canyon
- Wailua Falls
3. Not Renting a Car
One of the biggest mistakes people make when traveling to Hawaii is not renting a car. Renting a car in Hawaii gives you freedom to explore all the islands have to offer and on your own time.
For example on Maui – driving the road to Hana, driving the back road to Hana or driving the West Maui loop is best enjoyed with your own set of wheels.
Hawaii Travel Tip: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots they’re visiting.
The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. This will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to Hawaii. The Shaka Guide has several audio tours for each island.
However there is an exception to this rule. If you are traveling to Oahu and only plan on staying and exploring only Waikiki, I’d recommend saving a few bucks and not renting a car. But who doesnt want to explore the rest of the island?!
4. Driving Like you are Back Home
As you explore Hawaii you’ll probably notice homemade signs posted around that say ‘Slow Down, this ain’t the Mainland’. That’s because people from the mainland drive around Hawaii like they’re still on the mainland.
Plus these signs are usually posted around school zones or in residential areas where keiki (the Hawaiian word for kids) run around and play. Remember you’re on Hawaii time…so ease off the gas and experience Hawaii like a local, in the slow lane.
5. Leaving Valuables in your Car
One of the most important Hawaii travel tips is to not leave your valuables in your car. There are many places in Hawaii in order to explore them, you have to park on the side of the road and hike into.
Your vehicle could be unattended for several hours at a time making it very tempting for smash-and-grab thieves if you were to leave valuables in plain sight in your car. A strong tip is to bring your valuables with you and leave the car unlocked to avoid broken glass.
6. Spending all your Time on only One Part of the Island
You don’t travel to New York City only to experience Time Square. The same thing goes for Hawaii, you don’t want to fly all the way to Hawaii only to spend your time in a 4 block radius of your resort. Each island is so diverse and Waikiki is night and day from the laid back vibes of the North Shore. Do yourself a favor and explore as much of each island as you can.
7. Touching the Animals like Hawaiian Monk Seals or Sea Turtles
The fact that this is even has to be a Hawaii travel tip is such a disappointment. Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, making it illegal to touch, harass, injure or kill the animals.
Penalties can include up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine but the most common fine is $500. People must remain at least 50 feet away from the animals or 150 feet away from pups with their mothers. The areas are usually roped off (or soon to be roped off) and it’s roped off for a reason!
As for sea turtles, Hawaiian green sea turtles are federally protected and it’s illegal and harmful to touch or harass them. Feeding or touching turtles in any way is considered a disturbance and therefore illegal.
There has been many Instagram posts lately of tourists touching animals such as the Hawaiian Monk Seal and the Green Sea Turtle. Don’t be this person! You will not only be fined, get publicly hazed on the internet and probably won’t ever return to the Hawaiian Islands ever again.
8. Ignoring Kapu Signs
Kapu in Hawaiian means forbidden, sacred or holy. Signs are placed in certain areas for a reason. Kapu signs could signify private property, folklore comes from Hawaiian traditions and beliefs or simply, mindfulness.
If you see them don’t go past or enter. Be respectful to the land, the culture and the people and the islands will show you respect back.
9. Underestimating the Power of the Ocean
The ocean is powerful and relentless. Waves in Hawaii can include powerful surf, crushing shorebreaks and even tsunamis and hurricanes.
Waves can create even more dangerous situations with jagged rocks and reefs, and strong currents along remote, unguarded beaches. Underestimating the power of the ocean can cause series harm and in extreme cases death. Be aware of your surroundings and watch the waves visually when you arrive at a attraction that involves the ocean.
Hawaii Travel Tip: Do NOT just assume there are no waves if you arrive somewhere and there are none or that they are small. Bigger waves come in sets about every 15-20 minutes or longer and can be spaced very far apart.
10. Removing Sand from the Beach
A small container of sand sounds like a cool souvenir, especially if taken from a black, red or even green sand beach, but doing so is considered bad luck in Hawaiian folklore. Sand is a natural resource that takes years to form, so removing it harms the environment. Remember what I mentioned earlier, respect the islands and they will show respect back.
11. Getting to Close to Lava Rocks
We call this getting a Hawaiian tattoo. There’s nothing worse than getting too close to the waves while around lava rocks. Waves sweeping your legs from under you and being drug across lava rock can cause serious injury. Not to mention the strong current that’s potentially waiting for you in the ocean makes it very difficult to get back to safety.
A good rule of thumb is never to turn your back to the ocean.
Hawaii Travel Tip: If you are in an area like Shark’s Cove on Oahu or the Olivine Pools on Maui, that requires extra caution, check the rocks to see if they are wet and shiny looking. Wait it out from a safe distance to make absolutely sure that there are no waves and that the area is suitable to explore.
12. Protecting the Coral Reef
Hawaii is the first state to ban any sunscreens that contain chemicals known to harm the environment. Reef-safe sunscreen is the only sunscreen allowed in Hawaii.
Why wear reef sunscreen you ask? Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Not only do coral reefs provide homes for hundreds of species of marine life, they also help stabilize the sea floor, prevent coastal erosion and storm surge damage, contribute to the mitigation of climate change, promote tourism, support your fresh seafood habit, and filter and clean seawater.
Wearing reef safe sunscreen is a small part to protect the ocean and everything in it. Check out this post on the best reef safe sunscreens for your face.
13. Not Following the Unwritten Rules of Surfing
There’s nothing worse than someone being dangerous and ignorant in the water. This not only puts yourself in danger but others around you in danger as well. Here are a few examples.
- Not following the pecking order once you’re in the line up.
- Dropping in on someone or burning them on their wave.
- Paddling out to a break that is above your skill level.
- Taking a big board out to a break that is advanced, stick to a longboard wave.
14. Not Exploring Local Cuisine
It’d be a shame if you traveled all the way to Hawaii and didn’t sample the local cuisine. Many traditional Hawaiian foods are originally brought over from the Polynesian islands, so there’s always a little flare mixed in with the local dishes.
A few of the must try items when exploring the island are Ahi Poke, Poi, Lualua, Lomi Lomi Salmon and Opakapaka just to name a few.
15. Not Bringing Something Warm
Another one of those Hawaii travel tips that you’ll be happy you didn’t learn the hard way is bringing something warm. Yes, it gets cold in Hawaii and on some parts it even snows!
For example if you are traveling to Maui and are planning to watch sunrise or sunset atop Haleakala, you’ll want to be dressed appropriately. It gets chilly especially in the winter. Check out this post for what to pack for Hawaii to be fully prepared for your Hawaiian adventure.
16. Taking Lava Rocks
Don’t take rocks! Removing lava rocks from the volcano is considered bad luck. The lava is property of Pele, the volcano goddess. Leave rocks where you found them.
By leaving rocks in place we repeat Hawaiian beliefs and help nature thrive. Plus, you don’t want an ancient Hawaiian goddess angry at you. You’d be surprised how many packages of rocks taken from Haleakala National Park gets sent back because visitors were unaware of this Hawaiian faux pas.
17. Parking Where you Feel Like it
You’ll see this a lot at popular attractions and as you drive the road to Hana. This not only causes unnecessary traffic, it sometimes blocks locals driveways and it’s just rude. Like I’ve mentioned several times in this post, if you show respect, you will receive respect back.
18. Not Respecting the Aina
The Hawaiians believe in what they do today impacts the next seven generations. At the core of every Hawaiian’s values is the notion of malama ka `aina, meaning to care for and live in harmony with the land.
By simply taking care and respecting the land, it will sustain life. Easy ways to malama ka `aina is to try to eat locally sourced foods, recycle, and clean up your trash.
19. Not Getting to Know the Hawaiian Culture
Did you know that Hawaii is the only state that has two official languages? Yes, English and Hawaiian are Hawaii’s 2 official languages. There is so much beauty in the Hawaiian Culture and not getting to know it would be a disservice to yourself.
Most visitors to Hawaii only experience what I like to call the ‘ABC’ version of things but if you dive a little deeper, you’ll not only get a better understanding but probably fall head over heels with it like I did.
20. Not Taking off your Shoes when Entering Someone’s House
If you’ve ever been to someone’s house in Hawaii, you’ll notice a row of slippas at the doorstep. This custom came from a mix of cultures, such as Hawaiian, Chinese and Japanese, that took hold during the early plantation days.
Like most tips listed in this article, it shows respect to the owner of the house by keeping their home clean and not tracking sand, dirt and germs inside. Whatever you do, always leave with the same pair you came with. I can’t tell you how many times my husband left a party with 2 different slippas!
21. Not Having your Safe Travels Forms Filled Out Properly and In Time
Update: The Safe Travels Forms are set to go away starting 3/25/2022. I will keep this post updated on the effects.
The most recent Hawaii travel tip is properly filling out your safe travels form. This form needs to be filled out before you get on a plane to come to Hawaii. This form proves you’ve been vaccinated or that you have a negative test. Filling this form out properly allows for smoother travel, less lines and an easier time entering the state.
Hawaii Travel Guides
📍Plan your Trip:
🗺 How long to travel Hawaii: 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary
☔️ Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui
💰 Average Daily Budget:
⛺️ Hawaii accommodation Guides
- Best Area to Stay on Maui
- West Maui vs. South Maui – Where to Stay
- Where to Stay in Maui on a Budget
- Best Airbnbs in Maui
- Where to Stay in Hana, HI
- Top Honeymoon Resorts in Maui
- 10 Best Honeymoon Resorts in Hawaii
- Where to Stay on Oahu on a Budget
- Best Airbnbs in Oahu
- Where to Stay on Lanai
- Coolest Airbnbs in Hawaii
🪂 Highlights
- Driving the Road to Hana – Maui
- Sunrise over Haleakala
- Exploring Exotic Beaches
- Seclusion of Kauai
- Volcanos National Park in Hawaii
- Whale Watch
- Waikiki Nightlife
- North shore of Oahu
- Haleakala National Park Maui
- Napili Coast Kauai
- Snorkel Molokini
- Learn to Surf
- Big Islands Landscapes
🧳 What to Pack: What to Pack for Maui
🎥 Watch our Hawaii Series on YouTube
📧 Get on my Email list to see what I’m up to and all the best travel content!
That wraps up on all the Hawaii travel tips on what not to do! Happy planning and safe travels!
Hawaii Travel Planning ↓
Enjoy this Post?!?! Pin in for Later ↓
My wife and I really moved fast but that’s just us.We visited 4 islands in one trip of about two weeks. We drove almost every road in all 4 islands and complete loops where possible. Our only regret was we stayed in the exclusive huge resort hotels. Sometimes from parking our car to our room was close to half an hour. We are from Florida and Utah so we don’t need to see dolphins and water shows. We just wanted to see as much as possible. If we had to to do over, we would do bed and breakfast right on the way around every island. We did the back road to Hana and that was great. I would not recommend it to 90% of the population, but we are used to back country mounts roads with huge drop off and no side rails.