Are you making your trip to Hawai’i? Here’s our top five tricks to making the most of your time on island:
1: Don’t Fill Your Trip
Yes, there are a lot of things to see. And no, you won’t see them all. We recommend spending 4-5 days on an island (at a minimum) so trying to see four islands in one week just won’t happen. Tell yourself, “I can see it next time.” This gives your brain permission to be present and have fun with what you can see now AND gets you excited as you think about what you can see on your next visit.
That’s one of the best pieces of travel advice we’ve ever been given (and we’ve seen firsthand what it does to a relationship on a trip when you’re trying to cram too much in. We’ve had those arguments ourselves and it’s neither romantic nor fun).
Also, this allows you to be more flexible and enjoy things that you might find along the way. There is beauty and wonderful experiences to be had all around you. Don’t rush past it.
2: Sunscreen
Sounds silly but we’re not joking. There are so many stereotypical tourists spending half of their vacation red and in pain from their first day or two in the sun. Especially if you’re visiting mid-winter and your skin hasn’t seen the sun in months. And we’re not even talking cancer risks or anything (which is also higher too!). Remember to apply it often. You’ll be able to buy some in Hawai’i at local stores at a reasonable rate, for the most part.
3: Prep for the long flight
For some people, this will be their longest flight they’ve been on. Make sure to load up your Kindle or iPhone/iPad with a variety of movies. We like to bring a few snack bars with us (just in case hunger kicks in). Most airlines (apart from Hawaiian Airlines) don’t normally serve free meals.
And often on the way back to the mainland you’ll be traveling overnight. The nice thing about this is that you’ll have a full day of exploration in Hawaii. The bad part is that no matter how much sleep you try to get, it will be a “short” night. Regardless, try to get as much sleep as you can.
One of our favorite purchases has been our Bose noise cancelling headphones. They help to take away the noises of the plane and people and allow for a private retreat, of sorts.
4: Rent a car and get around the island
Hawai’i is a state just like any other and there is so much to see. When visiting some tropical destinations it’s normal to sit around at a resort the whole time, you’ll be missing a lot of Hawai’i if you do that. There is some public transportation and there are tours you can take, yes. But it’s pretty easy to rent a car and easy to get around.
Extra tip: Slow down and drive with Aloha! There’s not a rush to get anywhere and people drive more kindly here, for the most part. Don’t use your horn (unless warning around a blind corner). It’s rude and will only say, “I’m a mainlander!”
5: Try at least one new food
There’s so many fun things in Hawai’i to try. Some you will like, some you might not, but try them anyway as you might find a new favorite! Spam masubi, poi, malasadas, shave ice. Take the time to appreciate the experience of food and new food items and you’ll be glad you did!
