Hawaii Travel Guide and Planner
This Hawaii Travel Guide will benefit first-time visitors as well as seasoned travelers to Hawaii. It contains a wealth of material to inform you on what’s available for you to explore. But it also has a more practical aspect as a Planner, and will assist you in accomplishing the actual planning tasks and in making your travel project a success.
If you are set to visit Maui or Kauai, read our guides to those islands:
Maui Travel Guide
Kauai Travel Guide
Otherwise, keep reading to better understand your options.
Read Hawaii COVID-19 Information for the latest news on travel to Hawaiian islands.
Hawaii Travel Guide Contents
Why Travel to Hawaii
Which Hawaiian Island to Choose
How to Get to Hawaii
Where to Stay in Hawaii
Activities and Attractions
Transportation in Hawaii
Getting Travel Protection
Packing for your Hawaii Trip
Getting Help in Case of Emergency
Buying Gifts in Hawaii
Why Travel to Hawaii?
Hawaii is unique, diverse and beneficial to humans in every possible way. It’s kind, warm, beautiful and healing to the soul and body. And of course there are lots of places to see and things to do for our ever-active and curious minds.
The culture of Hawaii, the People, the Aloha Spirit
Hawaiians are descendants of Polynesian settlers, who arrived to Hawaii over 1500 years ago and have lived here for centuries. They transferred their belief that love and goodness is the natural state of being to later settlers – Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, settlers from European countries, etc. – everyone who arrived to Hawaii and contributed to its melting pot of cultures.
The people of Hawaii are one of the most friendliest in the world, and that alone is a good reason to travel here. The 50th state’s nickname is Aloha State. As all the words in Hawaiian language, Aloha has many meanings. In addition to saying hello and goodbye, it expresses love, generosity, sincerity, patience and other Hawaiian values. You will experience the Aloha Spirit everywhere, and it will make an impact on your life, it can be the biggest present to take home with you.
Nature and Climate of Hawaii
Hawaiian nature and climate are as diverse as its people. From white, green, red or black sand beaches and emerald mountains to fire and snow, every place is a natural wonder. Hawaii has the most diverse climate on Earth, boasting 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones.
Each Hawaiian island has its wet and dry sides. The south and west sides are usually dry and the north and east can get rain every day. It’s always summer at the sea level! The coolest months – December, January and February – have lows and highs around 65°F and highs 75°F respectively. The warmest months are July, August and September, with approximate lows 72°F and highs 88°F . The quoted temperatures are near the ocean; it’s cooler at higher elevations.
Check the annual average temperatures for each island: Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.
Check the annual average rainfall for each island: Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.
Sightseeing in Hawaii
All parts of Hawaii are beautiful to behold, some are stunning, and some are very hard to reach. There are sacred places looking exactly the same as hundreds of years ago. Sightseeing starts the moment you look out your window in the morning and continues every second you are outside. Whether you take scenic routes, visit the parks, watch the whales in season, snorkel, go on boat excursions, etc., keep you camera ready – the photo opportunities abound and each vista is unique. Make sure you learn how to take good photos in Hawaii. You’ll want your photos to capture the true magic of the islands.
The Food Scene
Since 1500 years ago, Hawaiians cultivated coconuts, yams, taro and other vegetables, fruit and nuts. They raised animals, fished and hunted and cooked their meat and fish in underground ovens. With later history of immigrant populations, Hawaii became a melting pot of different national cuisines with every culture adding its own flavors. Today, Hawaii comes out on top of the diversity food chain.
If you like to cook your own food, it’s best to stay in a vacation rental and buy delicious locally grown ingredients at farmers markets. The volcanic soil, warm weather and consistent sun and rainfall are extremely favorable for farming.
Innovative chefs contribute to Hawaii’s fame as culinary mecca for foodies. But you don’t have to splurge on elegant dinners. Great new eating options are everywhere from street markets to parking lots. The food truck movement is constantly coming out with new dishes and flavors. Local stores, including Costco, have deli sections to grab a Hawaiian plate lunch, a pulled pork sandwich or your favorite loco moco. And make sure to visit a Hawaiian Luau, for a feast of traditional Polynesian fare combined with captivating music and dance performances.ou; it is actually quite yummy!
Wildlife Viewing
There are many beautiful Hawaii animals you can see every day, if you pay attention. The stars of course are Humpback whales, who spend almost half a year in Hawaiian waters. The peak whale-watching season lasts from December to March. Many different boat operators offer snorkeling and dolphin-watching tours. Hire a private guide for a more intimate sea life encounter. Hawaiian green sea turtles and monk seals are easy to spot on their favorite beaches. Be respectful, keep a distance and never touch the wildlife.
Sports and Physical Activities
Coming soon…
Relax and Unwind
“To each its own” goes the old adage about human tastes. But human needs are largely the same. And one of the most important needs is to be able to relax, unwind and restore energy, depleted by worrying, working and caring for the family. And Hawaii delivers top-notch “to each its own” variety of pastimes.
How do you like to relax? Beaches might come to mind, but if you are actively playing in the water and are exposed to a lot of sun, beaches can get you tired! Let’s look at some other options.
Hawaiian Luau is one of the top leisure activities, combining great food with enticing entertainment. Sunset cruises are an excellent option – you might want to attend both a luau and a cruise, or maybe you’ll prefer one over the other. What about Whale Watching in winter from a beach or your oceanfront balcony? Make sure to pack a pair of binoculars. Check our Hawaii Travel Guides by island to see what leisure activities are available.
Which Hawaiian Island to Choose
The Hawaiian Islands is an archipelago in the middle of the Pacific ocean. It’s the most remote populated place on Earth, with North America being the closest land almost 2500 miles (4000 km) away. While Hawaii has over 100 small islands and atolls, its 8 major islands stretch in a chain from northwest to southeast. They are all mountains, or seamounts, formed by a volcanic hotspot. The oldest islands are Niihau and Kauai in the northwest, and the youngest – the Big Island (or Hawaii) in the southeast.
Out of the 8 major Hawaiian islands, 6 can be visited by tourists. Each island has its own shape, character, history, cultural vibe, and its own array of awesome wonders and attractions to explore.
Hawaii 101 or What Everyone Needs to Know About the Islands is a light-hearted and intriguing overview of the 8 major islands. of Hawaii.
Hawaii State Symbols: State Flower, Bird, Fish and More. Once you know major symbols of the 50th state in the US, you’re on your way to being a real local.
Official Colors and Flowers of Hawaiian Islands. 8 unique colors and 8 unique flowers represent the 8 major Hawaiian islands.
How to Get to Hawaii
Coming soon…
Where to Stay in Hawaii
Coming soon…
How to Get to Hawaii
Coming soon…
Activities and Attractions
This topic warranties research by island, so many different options! While there are always tours and activities available to buy for the same on next few days, the most interesting and popular options or seats might get sold a few weeks in advance, especially during holidays. If you like to go snorkeling in sunny weather, you might want to wait with booking until one-two days prior, but even the most recent forecast is not set on stone, and there is always risk that the best snorkeling boats will be full.
In some condominium resorts there is an activity desk on-site. For example, Kamaole Sands Resort in Maui, has an activity desk near the pool. On your first full day in the resort, you can attend a free island orientation with complimentary breakfast to learn about Maui and available activities. You can comfortably talk to a travel agent and select your excursions while watching your kids enjoying the pool.Hawaii Travel Guide: Transportation
We often hear this question: Do I need to rent a car in Hawaii? In general, Hawaii Travel Guide recommends getting a rental car. It’s convenient to have your own transportation whenever you need it and wherever you want to go. But in certain locations or circumstances, you might be better off taking public transportation, a shuttle, a taxi or a rideshare.
Oahu has a reliable and extensive bus system, called TheBus. It will get you to all of the major areas of Oahu, and the bus drivers are very helpful. Many resorts in Honolulu have steep parking fees, which will increase your transportation budget if you rent a car. But using public transportation always involves some advance planning and additional waiting times.
First, research transportation options for the location of your stay in Hawaii. And then base your rental car decision on your own preferences combined with the research. Should you decide to rent a car, take a look at this article about choosing the cheapest larger rental car on Maui. You can apply the same process to any other island.
Getting Travel Protection
It’s easy to add flight protection when buying flights; all online travel agencies offer to add it to your purchase. But what about protection of your lodging costs in case you have to cancel your vacation? Or things get stolen from your rental car in Hawaii? Hawaii Travel Guide highly recommends buying a travel protection plan and signing a contract with the vacation rental owner, so you can show it to the credit card or insurance when you file a claim for reimbursement.
One travel protection option is to pay for your vacation with a credit card that provides travel protection benefits. For example, Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Bank offers travel protection. Check their Guide to Protection Benefits and select “Travel Benefits” from left-hand navigation menu.
Another option is to buy a separate travel protection plan. Those plans offer better protection for the money. If you book your vacation rental directly from the owners, you will save on booking fees charged by online travel agencies. Oftentimes the savings will pay for a separate travel insurance. Homey Hawaii teemed up with Arch RoamRight to offer their excellent Pro and Pro Plus plans.
Packing for Your Hawaii Trip
Coming soon…
Getting Help in Case of Emergency
Coming soon…
Buying Gifts in Hawaii
It’s wonderful to bring home gifts from Hawaii, memories to share with friends and family, maybe even small gifts for colleagues and neighbors. Gift shops are everywhere on the islands, you can find locally made wear, artwork and craft, food items, and much more in local stores, farmer markets, museum and park gift shops. And with advanced planning, you can even order things online, and save big. Gifts made in Hawaii can be waiting for you upon your arrival from vacation, ready to be given away.
Check out this collection of Hawaiian Perfume by Forever Florals, a Honolulu-based company. All their Made in Hawaii perfumed products are locally manufactured. They include four cornerstone Hawaiian scents: Plumeria, Gardenia, Pikake and Passion Pineapple.
