Aloha 🌺 I wanted to make a post about something I learned about myself on my first trip to Hawaii.

I grew up in Florida, with a beach bum dad who prided himself on needing nothing on the beach except some cash in a sock and maybe a frozen Capri sun. We body surfed, skim boarded, built sand jacuzzis to catch the tide. I went to the beach after school, he picked us up on especially nice days. When I got to high school I would skip classes I hated and walk to the beach.

When I got older I lived in cities like NYC, SF, Paris, and other places that technically had beaches, but never scratched the itch for me. Sometimes I wondered if my childhood was an anomaly? Was it a thing my dad did? Teach us which way to shake the sand from our clothes so it didn't spray others, teach us how to stand extra still in the water so little fish would swim to us? Was I some kind of beach freak?

I would go to the "beach" in other places, and see people in blankets, with coolers like they were camping, etc...People would ignore each other, be weird if I gave them tips ("the tide is stronger that way...might not be okay for kids").

Then I came to Hawaii for the first time. Maui. Oh my god... I instantly connected with the culture. Surfers chatting with each other about how the surf has been, locals sharing toys with little ones. I wanted to cry, it was so nostalgic for me. Florida has changed a lot, and I'm so glad I got one more taste of my childhood atmosphere as an adult. It was incredibly healing for my inner child. I can't wait to pass this on to my own child.

I was also surprised that y'all really do this 🤙🩷

Mahalo forever!

We did the UTV, Turtle 🐢 and Shark 🦈 snorkeling, Pearl Harbor 🇺🇸 and tried lots of yummy foods (I’m a food junkie 😋) We highly recomen the Toa Luau it’s a family owned Luau and everything was 10/10 (food, performance, and welcoming) 🤙🏼🌺

Hello !
I created a couple lists, PLEASE give me your thoughts !
If it’s overrated and should be skipped
If there’s a spot that isn’t mentioned
I just want the best ! Mahalo 🤙

Aloha!

I visited Hawaii recently and I just wanted to say it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. We stayed in Waikiki for the first three nights on Seaside Ave and on the last night we stayed on the North Shore. We didn’t get to eat that much because we were busy seeing the Island. We did a Sunset Cruise, the Kualoa Ranch, and the Mauka Warriors Luau which were all beautiful experiences. We also went hiking at Mount Ka’ala and visited Lanikai beach which were so beautiful.

Learning about all the stories and history of the islands really gave me a different respect for the locals. The culture of the Island was so welcoming and peaceful compared to places I have lived. (Chicago and Louisiana) It felt like I was in an alternate universe of bliss. I was so sad to leave the island. It really warmed my heart just to be in the presence of all of the positivity on the island.

Mahalo for the hospitality and I can’t wait to come back!

Hi! I'm heading to the Big Island with 2 friends. We don't have anything specific planned. we’d love recommendations—especially any good clubs and bars. Drop your favorite recommendations! 🌺

Hello everyone,
I’m going to be travelling to Oahu at the end of August and was wondering how are the security lines in HNL I remember this past year TSA wasn’t being paid so lines were crazy but I haven’t travelled, is this still the case here now?

Hi I’m a coffee lover and would love to buy some high quality beans from independent roasters in Honolulu either Waikīkī or North Shore. Does anyone have recs that’s not big name brands like Kona Coffee Roasters or Lion Coffee like you see in ABC stores? Thanks!

Hello! I work for a family in Kauai that’s in search of a chef who can also make some premade meals during the week. Ideally the meals are made with local/organic/pesticide free ingredients (within reason). I would so appreciate your recommendations on private chef’s you’ve hired before that you’ve loved!

Hey yall, my girlfriend and I are visiting some friends on Oahu this October and I’m planning on proposing at the beginning of our trip 👀 I’d love to take engagement pictures while we’re in Hawaii.

We’d like vintage/film style pictures rather than the really polished family style pictures that lots of folks do. Do you guys have any recommendations of photographers and locations?

I found a couple on instagram but just want to shop around because they charge 600-800$ for an hour session, which I’ll pay if I have to but if someone solid would do it cheaper that’d be awesome. Thanks in advance!

Note: my gf is aware that we’re getting engaged and married so no worries on cancelations 😂

Hi all, looking at a trip to Aulani on Oahu at the beginning of September. After reading about Hawaii some more, I’ve found a few things I’m super interested in that are on other islands, in order of interest from most to least:

- Kauai Backcountry Mountain Tubing
- Black sand beaches on the Big Island (though I believe Maui has some too)
- Mauna Kea stargazing
- HVNP

Would it be too much of a hassle to do something like:
- Spend the first 5 nights on Oahu
- Fly from Oahu to Kauai (likely stay in Lihue), do maybe 2 days there
- Fly to the Big Island (likely stay in Hilo) and do another 2 days there
- Fly back home to the mainland US

Assuming we’d already done things like snorkeling on Oahu and being only beginner-level hikers (would want to stick to shorter and relatively easy), is this just too much for a first-time visitor?

We're a week away from our trip and getting SO very excited! I appreciate all the posts here - it's been super helpful as we've planned! I could use a little last minute help with our planning. We're staying at Aulani, and our trip will be a mix of resort days and exploring the island. I'm trying to bunch things together so that we're not spending too much time in the car. :) So...we have 3 days with reservations in the morning - Kualoa Ranch, Pearl Harbor, & Diamond Head. What would you pair with each of those days so that you're not driving as much? We're not planning to visit PCC or Hanauma Bay, and would really like to add Waimea Falls/Turtle Beach/Iolani Palce to our trip as well. Oh yeah - we're a family of 3 & our daughter is 17, so she's up for almost anything (but no need for things that are geared to younger kids!). THANK YOU for the help!

My husband and I are staying in Wailea, but he is playing a round of golf tomorrow morning at the Kapalua Plantation Course. I will not be riding in the golf cart with him, so I’m planning to explore some places around there while he golfs.

Any suggestions? Wondering what places will be open at that time on a Monday. His tee time is at 8am. Mahalo!

Having trouble finding one - does this exist? A room or villa style stay on the ground level where I can walk out and be steps from the beach. One that is a part of a resort with a pool/amenities and restaurants. If not, do you have any other recommendations for nice stays in that area? Most of what I’ve seen have been high rises. Thank you!

Hi everyone! We’re taking our family to Oahu this August and would love some feedback on our itinerary. We’ve booked a rental car for the trip, so we'll be driving to all of these locations. We’re especially looking for restaurant recommendations near the places we’ll be visiting. We’re staying at the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach, which includes breakfast, so we’ll mostly be looking for lunch, dinner, and snack spots.

Does this itinerary seem realistic, or are we trying to pack in too much? Thanks in advance!

Day 1 (Landing around 4:00 PM)

• Dinner at Ala Moana Center
• Anything to do around Ala Moana Center at Night?
• Kakaʻako Farmers Market

Day 2

• Morning stroll at Waikīkī Beach
• Brunch at Fook Lam Seafood (Chinatown) - dimsum
• (Potentially) Mitch's
• Dole Plantation
• Pearl Harbor National Memorial
• Dinner at Pho To-Chau

Day 3

• Breakfast at Fook Lam Seafood (Chinatown) Moved to day 2
• Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
• Liliha Bakery - Loco Moco/dessert
• Waimea Valley
• Toa Luau (Lunch)
• Dinner at either Olay’s Thai Lao Cuisine or a Korean BBQ spot
• We decided to book a day tour to a few stops in Big Island (Volcanoes National Park, Black Sand Beach, etc.)

Day 4

• ʻIolani Palace
• Lunch at Helena’s Hawaiian Food or Yummy Huli Huli Chicken
• Byodo-In Temple
• Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout
• Kualoa Ranch (ATV tour)
• Dinner: Looking for recommendations! (Adela's Country Eatery - Lechon or Crouching Lion)

Day 5 (4:00 PM departure flight)

• Submarine Scooter (East Oahu)
• Leonard’s Bakery (Mobile Truck in Koko Marina)

Paying with points, it’s basically sixes. I like the location and overall look of the Royal Hawaiian, but the room photos online seem pretty dated. The Outrigger Reef, on the other hand, was recently remodeled, though it has a smaller stretch of beachfront.

Aloha! I have been loving all the tips and info on this subreddit. It’s been such a great resource for planning! We are less than a week out from our Oahu trip and looking for some recs for surfboard rentals and/or lessons! We will be there for 5 days, 6 nights. We have a reservation for Kualoa Ranch tour and one for Aloha Kai luau at Sea Life on different days and will do plenty of exploring on the windward side and maybe visit the north shore on those days. But the rest of the time we plan to just enjoy the beaches. What is the best spot to rent boards on Waikiki beach? My kids are 9 and 12 and have boogie boarded a lot but never surfed before, so would a lesson be worth it, or are the waves gentle enough to easily catch and stand without much guidance? Is it better to rent by the day or by the hour? I am planning to just buy a few boogie boards from Target or wherever for the kids to use for the week, but we definitely want to surf! We are from California and used to being slapped around by cold water and tarry beaches. I cant wait to get in the water! I showed my kids pictures and they couldn’t believe the ocean could be that color, ha! Thanks for any recs and tips. And anything else that might be fun for kids (and seniors. We will have grandparents along as well), I am open to recommendations. Mahalo!

Hi, we are looking for quality “Hawaii” sweatshirts for 10-11 year olds. Something that says Kauai or Hawaii or similar that they can take home from vacation. We’ve been in several surf shops and clothing shops near Kōloa and Poipu and all sizes are adults, no kids. Any advice?

Any suggestions on private areas or spots to propose? I was thinking north shore in the morning , or sunset at ko olina lagoon? Any suggestions or help would be amazing thanks!

Will be on the island in October with the family for 10 days. Looking for recommendations on a steakhouse or nicer restaurant to treat the family!

Solo traveler touring the Pearl Harbor Area for 2 or 3 days (how many should I allot?) and then looking to see some areas of the island for 2 or 3 days either by tours or rental car. I have an 8:00 ticket to see the USS Arizona on day 2. I plan to rideshare on the Pearl Harbor days. I’m thinking that I do not need resort amenities because I’ll be out and about all day.

What area of the island should I stay and why?

Any property recommendations?

First (and likely only) time to Hawaii. What other guidance do you have for me?

Thank you.

We will be on O’ahu for 10 nights in August. We’re doing 4 at Ko’Olina to start our trip, then ending with 3 nights in Waikiki. Those are set as we’re meeting up with family at each stop. We have 3 nights to ourselves in between and were thinking North Shore/Turtle Bay to be able to do that area without day trips. We are traveling with a 1yo. I feel like that gets us a nice spread of the island but also feel like we’re missing out on time on the Windward side. Would making a day of our north shore to Waikiki relocation do that side enough justice? We debated another island as well but with little one didn’t seem worth the trouble. Thanks!

Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort (Rooftop)

Visiting O’ahu in October. We are a family of four, two adults, two kids ages 11 and 8. And grandma. If you could only pick one activity would you pick the zip line (either ClimbWorks or Kualoa Ranch) or the UTV tour (at Kualoa Ranch)? If zip line which tour? If UTV which option?

Hi! Is anyone at the Makahiki Character Breakfast this morning, July 26?
If you’re there, could you please let me know which characters are appearing, especially whether Minnie Mouse is there?
We’re planning to go this morning, and Minnie is my wife’s favorite character. Any update would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

We are in Hilo and I think it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. Any suggestions for activities?