You don’t often hear about the things not to do in Hawaiʻi, so let this be your guide. Think of them more like insider tips on how to stay safe, be respectful, and get the most out of your vacation, because we want you to have the best time possible.
1. Don’t stand next to the blowhole
Watching water shoot a hundred feet in the air is an exciting sight, but it is best viewed from a distance. Though Hālona Blowhole on the East Side of Oʻahu has fencing and signs to tell visitors to stay back, other blowholes, such as Nakelele on Maui, do not. The extreme force of the water can knock you down, wash you out to sea or suck you into the cave. It’s all happened before, and the results in some cases have been deadly.
2. Don’t only eat at chain restaurants
We all love the familiarity of a chain restaurant because you know what to expect—and you probably already know what to order. But if you eat at a Red Lobster or California Pizza Kitchen as you do back home, you will be missing out on one of the best things about traveling: discovering food you can’t find anywhere else. Get in the car (or call a ride-sharing service) and find the restaurants, holes-in-the-wall, and food trucks locals swear by. Here are just a few to get you started:: On Oʻahu, Ethel’s Grill, The Pig & The Lady, Haili’s Hawaiian Foods, Alan Wong’s, Liliha Bakery or J.J. Dolan’s; on Maui, Tin Roof, Star Noodle or Sam Santo’s; on Kauaʻi, Hamura Saimin Stand, Pietro’s Pizza, Jo2 Restaurant, Bar Acuda or Porky’s; and on Hawaiʻi Island, Nori’s Saimin and Snacks, Village Burger Waimea or Café 100.
3. Don’t let a commercial lūʻau be your only exposure to Hawaiian culture
Though many luau talk about their authenticity, it can be argued that what visitors see, eat, and do there is anything but Hawaiian. The grass-skirt-and-coconut-bra kitsch? They’re products of a Westernized movement to market Hawaiʻi to the masses. Those famous tiki drinks? They were invented in California. Fire-knife dancing? That’s Samoan. I think you get the point. Visiting the Bishop Museum on Oʻahu, instead, is the best way to learn about Hawaiian culture and its history. Or, even better, volunteer at places like Molokaʻi Land Trust and Heʻeia Fishpond on Oʻahu, or take a tour of Nā Mea Kūpono’s taro farm in Waialua on Oahu.
4. Don’t limit your visit to Oʻahu
Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial, the North Shore and Waikīkī Beach are understandably high on any traveler’s list of things to do. But if you’re going to fly all the way to Oʻahu for a vacation, consider including an interisland hop, too. Whether you choose Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, or the Island of Hawaiʻi, a day trip will give you plenty of time to explore, if you can’t stay longer.
5. And don’t avoid the Island of Hawaiʻi
Also known as the Big Island, it’s the youngest of the main Hawaiian Islands and makes world news headlines when the Kīlauea volcano is erupting. News flash: It’s not erupting anymore, nor was it dangerous to visitors when it was erupting in an isolated corner of a very large island. So there’s no reason to avoid the Big Island. What I love most about the place is that, out of all the islands, it still feels like you can “discover” places—because it’s so big. There are no signs pointing to every overlook, scenic view, beach, swimming hole, or waterfall. You have to actually do a little digging yourself to find out where some things are, which makes the reward of discovering a place that not everyone knows about all the more sweet.
6. Don’t turn your back to the ocean
Standing on a rocky ledge next to the ocean may seem like a great place to take a photo—until a wave you didn’t see coming knocks you down. Waves can be unpredictable, and those rocks become dangerously slippery when wet—they’re impossible to grab onto, leaving you at the mercy of the ocean and wherever it takes you. So whenever you’re near the ocean, always keep your eyes on it.
7. Don’t take lava rocks
Haleakalā National Park once stated it receives about 100 rocks a month in the mail from visitors who take them home and then send them back. Usually, they’re returned after the visitor learns the superstition that taking a lava rock will bring down a curse on you from Pele, the volcano goddess. Aside from it being illegal to take anything from a national park, rocks are just as important in Native Hawaiian culture as anything else in nature. Stones were used to build structures, create tools, and some can even represent gods. So just leave the rocks where they lay.
8. When in doubt, don’t go out
A popular water safety saying, “When in doubt, don’t go out” is a great mantra to follow when entering the many stunning beaches and shorelines in Hawaiʻi. Essentially, the phrase is your ward against putting yourself in potentially life-threatening situations that can occur when those not experienced with the strength and power of Hawaiʻi’s waters get caught by waves and rip currents. So if the waves are bigger than what you’re comfortable with—and if there are no lifeguards present—take it as an opportunity to rest and relax on the sand instead of getting your feet wet.
9. Don’t rent a convertible
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen a convertible pull to the side of the road because a lone cloud in a sunny, mostly blue sky decided to sporadically dump rain. Hawaiʻi’s weather is known for these random rain clouds, and it’s also common for the weather to be dramatically different from one side of the island to the other. This means a drive that starts on a cloudless west side of an island could end on an overcast and wet east side.
10. Don’t leave more than footprints and don’t take more than pictures
Two points with the same idea—treat the ʻāina (land) with respect. On hikes, be sure to bring a reusable trash bag to collect not only your own trash but any trash you see on your adventure. And when you’re enjoying the great Hawaiian outdoors, be sure to only take photos and nothing else. To keep Hawaiʻi looking beautiful, it takes not only the efforts of locals but of visitors as well, who love and respect the Islands.
Credits: Christine Hitt, Kevin Allen
Dreaming of your next vacation to Hawaii or beyond? I would love to help you design the perfect land or sea experience for your family! Click here to schedule a “Let’s Get Acquainted Session” with me so we can start planning your family’s next great adventure.
Until next time,
Ronna
