Which Hawaiian treats are you craving? It’s hard not to drool a little when you see pictures of li hing gummy bears or sour worms. Or chi chi dango mochi, kulolo, or chocolate haupia pie. Hawaiian treats are seriously the best!
But if you’ve moved to the mainland, like me, you might realize that in order to get some Hawaiian treats, you sometimes have to go to Asian markets or other speciality stores because the local markets don’t have specific ingredients. Don’t worry. I’ve created this list of easy Hawaiian trets to help you satisfy that island sweet tooth. A few of the following items on the list may require some assistance from your island friends and family (or you can order items online), but most of these are treats you can make from items at your local grocery store. Enjoy!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
I’m not sure if this counts as actually Hawaiian treats but it was my dad’s favorite so I always assumed it’s a Hawaii thing. Anyway, you can easily get a can of pineapple at your local supermarket, as well as the other ingredients like yellow cake mix, maraschino cherries, butter, and brown sugar. There are numerous recipes online but my favorite is the one where you don’t use a recipe and just pack that brown sugar and sugar on the bottom of the cake pan! Cheehoo!
Li Hing Mui Gummy Bears (or Worms or Watermelon)
You might need someone to send up a bag of li hing mui, but once you get your hands on it, the world of sweetness is yours! Sprinkle li hing mui on gummy bears, sour watermelons, sour worms, or even pineapple to make your own Hawaiian treats at home!
Haupia Chocolate Pie
This is surprisingly easy to make, especially if you’ve learned to do it from scratch. I like to buy the premade graham cracker crusts and make my own haupia, which is composed of coconut milk, corn starch, and sugar. The chocolate pudding mix is a breeze to make. Put that on top with some whip cream and you’re good to go. It might not taste exactly like Ted’s Bakery, but hey, it is good enough. 🙂
Guava and Lilikoi Juice
Did you know that you can find Guava juice at your local grocery store? It isn’t Hawaiian Sun brand–and it doesn’t really taste like Hawaiian Sun brand–but it’s guava and it’s good enough. I’ve also found Welch’s Passion Fruit drink, which tastes like heaven! (Disclaimer: My local grocery store is different from yours so it’s totally dependent on the location and availability! I wish you luck in finding tropical juice at your store though!).
Mochi
If you can find a box of mochi powder at your local supermarket, take advantage of it. There are numerous recipes online that will satisfy your mochi cravings. Chi chi dango can be made in the microwave while coconut mochi could be baked in the oven. If you’re ambitious like me, you might even try making mochi ice cream during the summer!
Cocoa Rice
This is super easy to make, and it tastes just like camping trips at the beach. Remember when all your family was there and they made cocoa rice cause it fed the army? There are some really great recipes online if you never learned how to make this warm island dessert from your kupuna. Can you smell the cocoa rice, coupled with the salty sea mist? Ono. 🙂
Tapioca Pudding
Mom makes cold tapioca pudding, kind of like halo-halo. Make the tapioca, add a can of coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, a can of fruit cocktail, a can of mandarin oranges, and, if you’re lucky like me, a can of lychee will do just the trick!
King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Most stores carry this, but you’re probably going to have to pay the price for it. I can say, however, that it is worth it to buy, especially if you’re craving it. I can’t count how many times I walked past it in the store and thought to myself, Come on Lei, just get it. So just reward yourself sometimes! King’s Hawaiian Sweet bread never disappoints and tastes just like home!
Pani Popo
I absolutely love pani popo. When I lived in the Philippines, I’d take advantage of making this, because it was so easy to make and tasted just like home. Also, if you’re not into making rolls (like me), then you can buy rolls ready-to-make (in the freezer section) or use sweet rolls (King’s Hawaiian can even work for this but if you’re like me, you’d rather save that to eat by itself).
Fruit
If you’re absolutely dying for the sweet island flavor, then just buy some tropical fruit. I’ve found it so helpful (emotionally, mentally, and physically) to reward myself with some local fruits. They’re probably going to be expensive, which is why I call it a reward, but you should treat yourself to a mango here and there, or, if you’re ambitious, a pineapple. If you don’t have either of those things at your local supermarket, then try sprinkling some li hing mui on your apples or oranges. That always brings the taste of home back.
Dried Tropical Fruit
Dried mango is one of my favorites, especially because there’s usually an option for this anywhere you go.
Bananas
If you have some bananas, there are numerous ways to prepare them and satisfy cravings. If you’re Hawaiian, banana bread tastes so much like family. If you’re Filipino, make some banana lumpia (although you might have a tad bit of difficulty finding the wraps). If you’re Samoan, make suafa’i by boiling them, adding some tapioca and coconut milk, and sticking it in the oven (I LOVED when my mom made this–can you taste it now? Mmmmm). And if you just want to feel like a surfer, then make some banana pancakes and sing Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes.”
Don’t get discouraged if you want Hawaiian desserts but moved away from Hawaii 🙂
There are so many delicious local foods you can make while on the mainland. I know that when I first moved, I felt like I had access to nothing. But, as I learned where to look (besides the Asian aisle–did you know they have coconut milk in the baking aisle?) and to keep an eye out for local goods, I’ve really enjoyed experimenting and learning to make the foods my mom used to make. Sure we might not have bubble tea, although I will say my sister ordered some of those items from Amazon and mastered it–so it is possible!–but we still can satisfy our inner local cravings using the goods we got!
Let’s hear from you!
Is there a snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth craving? Is there a recipe you tried that really worked for you? Share in the comments below!
Hawaii locals are a unique bunch of people. Hawaii locals come from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicity, not just Hawaiian. I grew up in Hawaii, and my parents are both Hawaiian, so the culture, customs, and etiquette of Hawaii were a part of my everyday life. I actually lived in the mainland until nine years of age, but my parents, Hawaii locals themselves, raised us in the way they’d been raised: we took our shoes off when entering the house, waited politely for the host to eat before digging in, shared food (or didn’t share food if we didn’t have enough for everyone), and so forth.
When we finally moved back to Hawaii, I learned even more from the locals themselves: how to go with the flow, not to stress too much over outward appearances, to be clean, generous, and more. Since moving back to the mainland, I thought it’d be fun to write a list of the funny things Hawaii locals do, as a result of growing up and/or living in the islands.
This article was written for my retired blog but I thought it’d be fun to re-use it here! I hope you enjoy this list and that something here makes you smile!
We wash our hair everyday
And I might just add that we shower everyday too. Since experiencing winters and dry environments in the mainland, I understand why people don’t wash their hair everyday. But growing up in Hawaii, it was a must to wash your hair every. single. day. It was a necessity and maybe just a natural part of growing up on a humid, wet island.
We wash our dishes by hand
When I moved into an apartment in Utah, I was shocked that my roommates used the dishwasher to wash a few mere dishes. Why not just do it by hand if you only have a few plates and cups? When my family did have a dishwasher in our home, I don’t remember using it much. If we did use it, it was usually for after big family events or when we had lots of guests over.
We wait for the hostess to eat before digging in
Not all locals do this, but I know this is something I’ve learned growing up. You don’t dig into the food until the wife of the head of house takes a bite. This might be something passed down from my Chinese heritage, but I remember this one incident where I went to a party and an aunty got mad at some girls for digging in before she, the hostess, had even gotten food and sat down herself. Yikes! Just a tip for the mainlanders… if you go to a local person’s house for dinner, do yourself a favor and wait til the hostess sits down and eats. I know she’ll say, “Eat, eat, eat!” but use your discernment. I always wait out of respect because the host deserves to eat too!
We take our slippers/shoes off at the door
I can’t even explain how weird it feels to wear shoes in a house, especially when the house has carpet….
We wear slippers and socks TOGETHER
And speaking of slippers, why not keep your socks on when you wear them? Sure you might have to make your socks look like tabis, but who cares? Slippers and socks are a comfy combination.
We always offer food to visitors
“Are you hungry? No? I’ll make you something…” Locals love food, and it’s shame if we can’t offer you something, even if it’s a glass of juice. If you drop in unexpectedly, we’ll still ask you if you’re interested in eating something. We don’t care if you might be standing at the door and ready to leave. We just love food, and we have to offer some, just in case. Nobody leaves our home hungry.
We won’t eat something in front of you if we don’t have enough to share
And, speaking of food, if we’ve brought a snack of some sort and you’re with us, we’ll only bring it out if we have enough to share. It’s really rude to eat something in front of another person and not offer. This includes if we’re in big groups. We’ll only buss out the snacks if we know everyone can get a piece. Otherwise, we’ll save our snack and eat it privately later.
We will pack up leftover food for you to take home
Whether it’s a party, a family dinner, or just stopping by, don’t be surprised when we buss out the ziploc bags to package things to go, or just give you the rest of the food. Just take it. We won’t be satisfied unless you do.
We appreciate food by making noises
And I don’t mean body noises, but I mean “Mmmmmmm…” We love complimenting and appreciating food with words and noises of affirmation like “Mmm…” and “Yum…” and “Ohhhh this is SO ono.” Some locals even dance a little when they eat–not dramatically though, just swaying back and forth–but we like to show our appreciation with noises of approval. Get used to it cause we love food. 🙂
We flash our headlights to warn other cars of cops up ahead
It’s an unspoken rule (but I guess it is spoken cause I just wrote about it), but on highways or going down busier streets in Hawaii, if someone coming towards you flashes their highlights once at you, it’s not a cause to get mad. In fact, locals are so grateful when this happens, because it means there’s a cop up ahead. Not that we’re speeders, but it’s just us being good neighbors. I’ve never experienced this on the mainland. I did it once and wondered to myself if the oncoming driver knew what that meant. And, tbh, there might be a lot of reasons people might not do it on the mainland, but Hawaii is small enough that we can keep other cars on the lookout.
We wave a lot when we’re driving
We are so used to sticking our hands out the window and throwing shakas, or waving just to anyone from behind the wheel (whether it’s an incoming car or a pedestrian crossing in front). I always feel weird when I wave to a pedestrian and they look at me like I’m crazy… but hey, gotta keep the aloha spirit alive. And it’s the best when they smile and wave back. 🙂
It’s so fun to be from Hawaii
There are probably more things that you thought of as you read this. While these differences in lifestyles aren’t bad things, they’re funny to think about. To be honest, locals will adapt to the lifestyle of wherever they live. Just don’t be surprised if any of these things pop around once in a while. Is there something you thought of that Hawaii locals do differently from mainlanders or other cultures/lifestyles?
Which Hawaiian sea animal is your favorite? After all, what is a visit to Hawaii without seeing some of the ocean wildlife? Seeing turtles, sharks, dolphins, fish, and more are amazing memories. They’re unforgettable moments where we connect with nature and God’s creations. I can’t even say how many people tell me about how they saw turtles, fish, or dolphins on their trip to Hawaii and their entire soul lights up.
Seeing (and possibly getting close—if circumstances are safe and permit) marine animals in Hawaii inspires us. It ignites a part of us deep within, perhaps the inner child, the one we’ve tucked away for so long.
I hope this list of ocean animals in Hawaii will inspire you. Maybe it will jog your memories of Hawaii. Maybe you’ll learn something new. Or, just maybe, you’ll remember how much you love nature, God’s creations, and let out that inner child in you once more. 🙂
Read more about Hawaii’s value of protecting and caring for the ‘aina here: Mālama
Manta Ray
Yes, the manta ray is a Hawaiian sea animal too! I’m from the Big Island so I was actually shocked to learn—after I moved—that there are tons of manta rays on Kona side and you can go on a tour to swim with them! If you’ve done this, please let me know in the comments. I’m fascinated and would love to do it in the future.
Manta rays are different from sting rays, but I won’t go into detail on it. The nice thing is that the Hawaiians also distinguished them differently. The word for manta ray is hāhālua (pronounced hah-hah-loo-ah).
If you’ve read “Aloha State of Mind” you’ll remember my little discussion on hā, which is breath. But hā can also mean mouth, and manta ray literally means “two mouths.” Side note: If you know Hawaiian numbers, ‘elua is two, so that’s why “lua” is the last part of this word.
The Hawaiians called manta ray “two mouths” because of the two flaps sticking out either side of their mouths, so it makes sense.
Both the manta ray and sting ray can also be called “lupe.”
Sting Ray
The sting ray is known to be around Hawaii, though I’ve never heard of anyone encountering them. They’re called hīhīmanu in Hawaiian. Hihi could mean several things, like “to creep, spread, or intertwine” or “a large meshed fish net.” Manu means “bird” so what I infer from this is that the Hawaiians must have seen the sting ray as a large fish bird, because sting rays do have large wings on either side of their bodies, or a spread-out, creeping bird.
Turtle
My favorite sea animal of all time, the honu (pronounced hO-noo) can be found all over the Hawaiian islands. When I looked in the Hawaiian dictionary, I actually found out the the hawksbill turtle has its own name, which is ‘ea.
People are so afraid of sharks, but I think they’re beautiful and majestic! The Hawaiian word for shark is manō. Many ancient Hawaiian legends and proverbs tell of the niuhi, which is a man-eating shark, but most Hawaiians regarded the shark as sacred ‘aumakua, family ancestors.
The generic name for fish is i’a but most fish have specific names according to their type. The old Hawaiian superstition is to not let anyone know when you’re going fishing or the fish will hear and leave the area!
Here are some notable fish names (let’s see if you can say these!) 😉
‘Ahi
Mahimahi
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
A’awa
Moi
Opelu
Manini
Dolphin
If you’ve been lucky enough to spot dolphins swimming and resting in the bay areas, then you know how playful and fun they can be. The Hawaiian word for dolphin is “nai’a,” pronounced nae-ah.
Whale
Maui is the best place to see whales when they migrate towards warmer waters. The Hawaiian word for humpback whale is koholā, pronounced kO-hO-lah, and the word for sperm whale is palaoa.
My dad used to catch squid in the reefy areas of the North Shore. While I have seen a good amount of squid in my life (and the black ink they shoot out too), I haven’t seen an octopus. The Hawaiian word for octopus is he’e, and the word for squid is similar, mūhe’e.
Sea urchin – Yes, it’s a Hawaiian sea animal (even though it might not look like it hehe)
Watch out for this lovely yet dangerous invertebrate animal. Especially on the Big Island, where the only way to get into the water is by way of walking on lava rocks, or sandy shores with rocks, keep an eye out for the long black spindles of the sea urchin. The Hawaiian word for sea urchin is wana, pronounced vah-nah.
Jellyfish
I used to get stung a lot by the Portuguese Man-of-War at Hukilau beach or other beaches along the North Shore of Oahu. While it’s not very common for people to get stung by jellyfish in Hawaii, it does happen. The Hawaiian word for jelly fish is pololia.
What is your favorite marine animal?
Is there a sea animal I missed? Do you know the Hawaiian word for it? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii, Waialua might not be the first destination spot on your list. It’s out of the way and doesn’t have too many of Hawai’i’s icons. What it does have, however, is a rich history, cultural sites, a small town, and lots of folklore.
As I’m writing the second book in my fairy tale retelling series (set in Hawaii, of course), I had to do some research on Waialua, where the book takes place. Why Waialua? I don’t remember why I specifically chose Waialua. Maybe it was simply meant to be. 🙂 I lived in Laie on the North Shore for a time, but the farthest west we went was to Haleiwa. So I enjoyed researching about what’s past Haleiwa and the tales and legends of the area beyond.
Check out my first Hawaiian fairy tale retelling here: Lehua
While doing research I thought it might be fun to share a little about the interesting things I discovered about Waialua and some of its folklore. 🙂
The Name Waialua
Waialua is known for its lush kalo fields. Waialua means “two waters” in Hawaiian. In ancient Hawaii, Waialua was a moku, a district, and had eight ahupua’a within it. The origin of Waialua’s name is uncertain. Speculation says that it was named after a chief, Waia, who was disgraceful and not a good leader. Since “lua” means “two,” Waia was doubly disgraceful, and that’s why when people are called “waia” nowadays, it means disgraceful.
The other suggestion is that two rivers, Anahulu and Helemano-Poamoho-Kaukonahua, make their way into Kaiaka Bay.
Learn more about what sailors, poets, and historians have said about the landscape and beauty of Waialua here: Images of Old Hawaii
‘Olelo No’eau about Waialua
Waialua, ʻāina ku pālua i ka laʻi.
“Waialua, land that stands doubly beclaimed.” Said in admiration for Waialua, Oʻahu where the weather was usually pleasant and the life of the people tranquil.
-Mary Kawena Pukui (2902)
Loko Ea Fishpond
This 400 year old fishpond has a rich folklore behind it: where an ancient mo’o used to live resides in Waialua.
If you want to learn more about Loko Ea and the malama project for it, check this out: Malama Loko Ea Foundation
Ka’ena Point
Kaena, correctly spelled Ka’ena, is the “hot point.” It is a wahi pana, a legendary place. Nowadays you can park (you’ll need a permit, which you can get here) and hike to the point, but just be careful. From what I’ve read, t’s a hot, dry, rocky trail and the waves next to the cliffs can be unpredictable at times.
The Hike to Ka’ena Point
One day, when my husband and I visit O’ahu, we’ll check out Ka’ena Point and I’ll be sure to add pictures. But, for now, let’s discuss some of the features along the trail:
Kaneana Cave – The cave got its name from the god Kane. However, another tale says that Kaneana Cave is the home to Nanaue, a man-eating shark. Nanaue’s father was a shape-shifting, and his mother a human. Nanaue would call out to passerbyers, telling them to be careful of the man-eating shark. Then he’d hide and transform himself into a half-shark man, where he’d grab the passerbyers and eat them in the cave. Eventually the people discovered his true identity and killed him.
Learn an ‘olelo no’eau about this man-eating shark here:
Pōhuehue – beach morning glory flowers; these are lovely white flowers that you’ll see all along the hike
Wai’anae Volcano at Ka’ena Point – Did you know there is a volcano at Waialua? It’s actually called the Waianae Range . It’s not active anymore but provides a beautiful backdrop on the Kaena Point trail.
Ua’u Kane – Along the way you’ll pass a wedge-tailed shearwater bird sanctuary. Please malama the animals by staying on marked paths. Steering off the path can harm the birds and their nesting grounds.
Ka’ena was a hard place to live. It literally means “hot place.” Sunlight, wind, drought, and sandy ground make this place somewhat uncomfortable. However,
Leina a ka ‘uhana – The “jumping place of spirits” is where people would leap into the next life. This is a huge reason why Waialua is a legendary place.
Waialua is home to a popular bakery, Paala Kai, which serves Filipino and Portuguese treats, of course, with a Hawaiian twist.
Aweoweo Beach Park seems to be a popular and recommended beach. Based on the pictures, it sure is beautiful—clear, calm waters, not a lot of people (unlike Waikiki!), and occasional sea turtles resting on the shores.
Just outside Waialua, in Mokuleia, is Dillingham Air Field, not open to the public. However, there are a few skydiving businesses in the same area. Kealia Trail is a scenic trail that starts outside the base and overlooks the mountain and ocean. It had some great ratings on Google.
My Book (that takes place in Waialua, Oahu)
I learned a lot about Waialua. I hope that the next time my husband and I visit Oahu we can visit. And, of course, I’ll update this article with more pictures and content when I see it myself! Thanks for learning about Waialua with me, and be on the lookout for my next book. Sign up for my newsletter or check out my instagram @ladyleialoha to know when the book comes out! 🙂
Have you visited Waialua?
Are you from Waialua? What are some stories you remember about it? What are your favorite places within Waialua? Let us know in the comments! 🙂
Manoa Falls, Oahu. A popular and easy hike for tourists and locals alike, Manoa falls is a beautiful, 150-foot falls in the lush Manoa valley. It’s 1.7 miles round trip, with a muddy, gravel terrain. Part of the hike is uphill, but it’s generally an enjoyable and lovely hike. With a misty rain and colorful rainbows, Manoa falls has sometimes been called “valley of rainbows.” Very fitting!
This article will cover the basics of Manoa Falls hike—how to get there, how much it costs, what to expect, etc, AND the history, my favorite part. There are so many stories surrounding this area. Some stories are mysterious, while others are tragic. But if you plan on going to Manoa falls, you’ll definitely want to keep reading!
How to get to Manoa Falls
If you are staying in the Waikiki area, you can choose to rent a Hui, like we did. It’s an easy car rental option that allows you to book it for a few hours or the whole day. Here are some other options: ride the bus, catch a ride-share (like Uber or Lyft), rent a Moped. It takes about 15-30 minutes to drive there, so I don’t recommend walking.
The park entrance fee is $7 (as of December 2021). When we went, they were able to take a card.
What to expect
The trails are muddy, but it’s a sort of wet, reddish mud, not sticky mud. So while the bottoms of my shoes got pretty muddy, they were easy to clean up. The trails have gravel to keep the mud down, and it definitely helps. Since the valley is lush and there’s water everywhere (including standing water), expect mosquitoes and bugs. We didn’t use bug spray and got bites on our legs, so you’ve been warned. >.<
While the hike is relatively short (1.7 miles roundtrip), it does get quite hot, humid, and muggy. An occasional breeze will blow through the area, but expect to get somewhat sweaty. The way to the falls is mostly uphill, but the incline isn’t too bad. Enjoy the plants around the area, including bamboo, ti leaves, koa, ‘ohia, and more!
The water has leptospirosis, so I don’t recommend swimming int it, or worse, drinking it!
What to wear and bring
Of course, since it’s a hike you want some good shoes but honestly, there were plenty of people doing the hike in their slippers as they were visitors to the island, or locals who frequent the area. While it might be nice to cover up from the bugs, it can get very hot, sticky, and sweaty.
It rains in the valley, or mists frequently, so I brought an umbrella.
A little history about Manoa Falls
I lived in Oahu for a while, but my parents hardly took us around town, which I completely understand. Waikiki and Honolulu are packed with people, tourists, and busy-ness. But I
Night Marchers
If you don’t know about night marchers in Hawaii, you must not have grown up there. My mom told us all kinds of stories, especially since she grew up in Pupukea on the North Shore, a place where the night marchers frequented.
Legends of night marchers and their origins vary, but the legends can all agree on one thing: the night marchers are a spirit army, and when you hear them, you better 1) get out of there or 2) lay flat on the ground with your head to the earth, and DON’T LOOK when they march past. If you do that, they won’t bother you.
Since Manoa valley has such an interesting past, including the legends and stories told about it, I can see why people think it’s haunted. And if we even disclude the Hawaiian folklore about the area, there have been several deaths of hikers within the valley. Though it’s a relatively easy hike, it still has its dangers.
The Tragic Story of the Princess of Manoa
I’ve been doing a lot of research on Hawaiian folklore and legends. I love fairy tale and mythological retellings, so be sure to follow me on social media or sign up for my newsletter to learn more about my books and when they come out!
King Kalakaua shares in his book about the beautiful princess of Manoa. Her name was Kahalaopuna, but we’ll call her Kaha for short. The fame of her beauty spread across the Hawaiian islands and many men tried to woo her. Betrothed to Kauhi, a young chief from Kailua, Kaha kept faithful.
One day Kauhi went to a popular bathing spot, where two lesser chiefs taunted him. They wore flower lei around their necks and said that Kaha gave it to them, as well as made love with them. The two chiefs could not see very well, a physical deformation, and this only further enraged Kauhi. He thought Kaha had not only betrayed him, but mocked him.
He resorted to kill her within Manoa valley.
Kaha’s ancestor owl, an ‘aumakua, restored her to life, and Kaha followed Kauhi, asking why he did such a thing. He didn’t answer, but, instead, killed her once more. The gruesome incident occurred three times, and the owl ancestor restored Kaha’s life.
She followed him until Waikiki, and, for the fifth time, Kauhi killed her. But this time, he buried her body under the roots of a koa tree. Satisfied that the owl couldn’t reach her, he left.
A young chief, Mahana, found Kaha’s body, alive, under the tree. He took her to his home, where she was able to recover with the aid from Mahana and his sisters.
Though Mahana and Kaha fell in love, they couldn’t wed because of Kaha’s betrothal. Kaha and her family confronted Kauhi, and he admitted to murdering her. He, along with the two lesser chiefs that lied about her from the start, were cooked in an imu and their bones tossed into the sea.
Kauhi’s family gods rescued his remnants and turned him into a shark. Because of this, Kaha was warned not to go into the sea.
Mahana and Kaha married and were happy for two years. One day, Kaha longed to return to the ocean. She took a surfboard and paddled beyond the reef. Kauhi seized his opportunity at revenge and devoured her.
The shocked and grief-ridden parents of Kaha retired to Manoa valley, her father known as Manoa Wind, and her mother as Manoa Rain.
So don’t be surprised if it rains within the valley, a misty, light rain, as though Kaha’s parents are weeping, missing their daughter.
The valley has a lot of mana, spiritual power and vibe, which is comparable with the Chinese concept of qi, chi, or life force. A young Chinese immigrant by the name of Lum Ching wanted to find a place suitable for the spirits. He searched until he came upon a spot where he felt powerful qi. He said, ““it’s the pulse of the watchful dragon of the valley. people from all directions will come across the seas and gather here to pay homage… the Chinese people must buy this area and keep it as sacred ground.”
The Chinese immigrants did buy the land, and the Chinese cemetery remains in the Manoa valley. The words “yi-cheng” inscribe the markers of the cemetery and mean “connection and righteousness.”
Is the cemetery full of qi? You’ll have to go and feel for yourself. 🙂
Final Thoughts
Have you gone to Manoa falls? When my husband and I went, we really enjoyed it. The hike was easy, the forest lush, and everything so green. The convenience and distance from Waikiki, where we stayed, was also a plus.
I hope you enjoyed this article, as well as the stories I’ve shared. When we learn a little more about the places we visit, we appreciate it more! Let me know in the comments about your Manoa falls experience? Do you recommend it? 🙂
Mahalo!
Lei
If you’re looking for more ideas or things to do during your stay in Waikiki, check out these articles:
We just got back from a trip to Waikiki, Oahu, and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I grew up in Hawaii, and my parents avoided Waikiki as much as possible. I totally understand why, and you can read more about the reasons in Waikiki Pros & Cons. But overall it was an enjoyable trip and if you’re looking for a beach vacation, with hotels only a few blocks away from sunshine and salt water, Waikiki hits the top of the list. Though it can be pricey in some areas, Waikiki has a lot of great things to offer, namely, the convenience and the beach!
This article covers the following questions:
How do I get to Waikiki?
Where do I stay?
What should I do in Waikiki?
Where should I eat?
How do I get around?
What should I try?
How much does it cost to vacation in Waikiki?
Are there any cool hikes?
When should I go?
What was your favorite thing?
If you want answers to these questions, keep reading!
1. How do I get to Waikiki?
I imagine that someone who’s reading this is not from Hawaii. So, first things first: get your flights to the Honolulu Airport on Oahu. We got our flights from SLC (Salt Lake City) to Hawaii for a total of $20 per person. How?
After you get your flights, you’re probably wondering how to get to your hotel, or wherever you’re staying. Due to the pandemic, many hotels shut down their shuttle services, but no need to worry. Ride share programs like Uber and Lyft are a breeze! We used Lyft, because Delta offers ride credits. You can also refer each other and continue to get ride credits. Our Lyft rides never cost more than $20 and it was sooooo nice to have someone pick us up and take us straight to where we needed to go. I can’t recommend the ride share programs enough! And don’t forget to take advantage of ride credit coupons, like those offered by Delta or referral programs. 🙂
2. Where do I stay in Waikiki?
This largely depends on your budget. We stayed at the Ewa Waikiki Hotel, which was a low-budget option (a little less than $100 a night). Airbnb and VRBO are not allowed in Waikiki at this time so, unfortunately, ours got cancelled. However, there are options for hotels, like the one we stayed in, that was much more affordable.
It was definitely dated, but we really didn’t do anything there. We were there to sleep and shower, and the rest of the day we were at the beach. It’s a no bells and whistles sort of place but gets the job done. 🙂
If you have a credit card that gives you points, you might consider using those points to book your hotel stay and keep the cost low.
Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous and don’t mind sharing space with others, there are plenty of hostels in Waikiki with affordable nightly prices.
3. What should I do in Waikiki?
I loved Waikiki because there was just so much beach space. Rent a boogie board or surfboard and hit the waves. Simply relax on the beach and read a book. Take the kids to the bay areas of Waikiki and play in the water there.
If you have some extra cash to spend and want to ride around Waikiki, rent a moped for a day and drive around town.
There are plenty of activities to do, like shopping at Ala Moana or the International Marketplace, but I think the main thing is to hit the beach. It’s literally a few blocks from the hotels and it’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen water the color of those at Waikiki beach, and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking.
Many hotels offer live music in the evenings, but if you’re like us and didn’t have a fancy hotel, you can sit on the beach near the hotel and listen. It’s absolutely lovely.
There’s so much more to do in Waikiki but to save you some time, I made this map with Wanderlog. If you download Wanderlog, you can search and save this map for your trip!
I also included restaurants on the Wanderlog map above. The food of Waikiki is a little underwhelming. It wasn’t my favorite, but has normal food chains—we’re talking Starbucks, McDonalds, Pandas, Subways, etc. Waikiki doesn’t have REAL Hawaiian food, like laulau, poke, lomi salmon, etc but I think Zippy’s is the closest thing to that.
If you check out the map above, I’ve listed a bunch of restaurants that I recommend!
5. How do I get around in Waikiki?
If you’re staying in Waikiki, you’ll most likely WALK everywhere. The beaches and hotels are so close together, there’s no sense in getting a car… unless you plan to explore the rest of the island.
We had a shark snorkel tour in Haleiwa, so we rented a Hui. Hui lets you rent a car for as little as $9 an hour. We used it to get groceries, drive to our shark tour, and, when it rained on one of the days, we explored the rest of the island. I can’t recommend Hui enough. They pay for gas, cleaning, and everything. It’s SO easy!
Waikiki has other options too, like renting a moped or 3-wheeled car (I’m not sure what it’s called). They have Biki Bikes, which cost about $4 for half an hour (and at that rate, you might as well get the car!). Waikiki also has scooters, which we never used but according to the advertising said it was about $1 per ride.
You’ve got options instead of renting a car for the entire trip. Because remember, if you rent a car for the whole trip, you’ll have to pay parking fees, which can run up to $25 a night?! The hotels really get you there.
We planned to stay in Waikiki the whole time, besides the shark tour, so using the Hui was the best choice for us. However, be sure to look into your options and plan accordingly. Also, don’t forget to use code MYFIRSTDRIVE for $10 off your first Hui ride!
Boogie boarding, surfing, snorkeling. If you want some fun foods, there are acai bowls at smoothie places. If you feel up to it (I didn’t, because the smells were overwhelming for me), try some food trucks.
7. How much does it cost to vacation to Waikiki?
This will vary from person to person and depends on how much you eat out, where you stay, and the cost of flights and activities. Here’s a little breakdown of what we spent for a 7-day trip:
I’m missing some things, like our shark tour, but overall we spent about $2000 on a trip for two. You can really cut the cost of food by buying groceries and eating out less, as well as booking a cheaper hotel.
8. Are there any cool hikes around Waikiki?
Yes! Diamond Head hike is a super easy hike that’s not far from the heart of Waikiki. We took a Lyft ride to get to Diamond head and caught another Lyft back to one of my favorite restaurants (Chun Wah Kam).
Manoa Falls is another hike that’s not too hard to do. It’s an easy one, albeit a little muddy with mosquitoes. We rented a hui car when we went and it was $7 for parking.
9. When should I go to Waikiki?
I don’t know the perfect answer to this question, as I lived on Oahu but never went to Waikiki until now. However, when we went, in December, it wasn’t nearly as packed as I thought it’d be. The nice thing about Waikiki is that it’s usually very sunny and the waves and water are consistent, unlike other parts of the island, like North Shore. No matter the season, Waikiki doesn’t change very much. The beaches, sun, and weather stays pretty mild all year round, and the waves are the most consistent I’ve seen in my life!
10. What was your favorite thing about Waikiki?
I loved the convenience and the beaches. I loved being able to wake up in the morning and walk a few blocks to the beach. No matter if we woke up early or slept in, I loved that we could be at the beach within a matter of minutes.
I didn’t like ABC stores until we actually went into one. Those stores were incredibly convenient too, so if you forgot something it was no big deal!
Although the beaches were crowded in some parts, I actually really loved the beaches in general. The waves were perfect, and the water… WOW. It was this gorgeous blue color and it didn’t get sand all up in your swimsuit either! I couldn’t believe how pretty it was.
What do you think?
Alright, that’s it! I hope something in here helped you plan your trip to Waikiki, or at least gave you a better idea of what to expect. Have you been to Waikiki? Or are you planning a trip? What is your favorite thing about Waikiki? Let me know in the comments, and enjoy your trip!
Here it is, the pros and cons of Waikiki! There are plenty and, as a local, I could understand why my parents avoided it like the plague haha. I knew Waikiki existed, but I just never experienced it for myself. Fast forward to now and we just returned from our trip to Waikiki. There were so many things I enjoyed, but so many things I really didn’t like.
I hope this article will shed a little light on the pros and cons of Waikiki and help you know what to expect.
Waikiki Pros
THE BEACH!
Wowzer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful beach before. Golden sand stretches for a good while on Waikiki’s shores and it’s absolutely amazing. The cool thing about the water is that sand doesn’t get stuck up your swimsuit like it does on the North Shore, because the waves aren’t as rough. But my favorite part was the color of the water–it was so silky, smooth, and aqua looking.
There’s also something for everyone on Waikiki beaches. If you’re adventurous, rent a surfboard for $10 (for 2 hours) just a block from the beach. Have kids? There are cute bay areas with incredibly calm water, perfect for little ones. If you just want to lay back and relax (like me), there’s a lot of space for that too. I was seriously amazed at the color and consistency of the water and waves at Waikiki beach. I highly recommend!
Convenience
If you stay in Waikiki, you are literally only a few blocks from the beach. I loved being able to wake up early and hit the beach, or SLEEP IN and still get a good amount of time under the sun! Everything is quite close in Waikiki so you never have to walk that far for food, beach, or even the outdoor showers to rinse off the salt water!
And I have to mention that if you forget something (like sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat, slippers, towels, etc), there are ABC stores literally everywhere. I went into an ABC store once on the Big Island (where I’m from) once and thought the prices were overrated , but my experience in Waikiki was different. The prices were fair for the convenience!
Great place for families
I don’t have kids, but I saw a lot of families and they looked like they were having a blast. Once you find your beach spot, you can pretty much stay there all day. There are a lot of cons, which I’ll get into next, but if you want to take the kids somewhere to enjoy the sun, salty water, and sand, Waikiki is such a great option. The convenience of walking a block to the beach was really nice! And the bay areas of Waikiki were just perfect for kiddos.
Waikiki Cons
Busy
People. People everywhere. On the beach itself, you’ll probably end up sitting less than three feet away from the person at your right and left. There are just SO many people. The North Shore is so different from Waikiki and a lovely break from the crowds, but the prices of hotels and places out there are definitely higher. So, for the price of the hotels and the convenience of the beaches, Waikiki is a great option.
No real Hawaiian food
I wasn’t actually looking for real Hawaiian food, because vacation means eating out at whatever places I want to eat out, even if that’s Panda’s express haha! So yeah, real Hawaiian here wasn’t even looking for real Hawaiian food but my husband loves and wanted the real stuff. We’re talking laulau, kalua pig, lomi salmon, and poke. While Waikiki has some fun stuff, like spam musubi and teri burgers, most of the cuisine is inspired by Hawaiian food. So you might see a kalua omelette, a coconut flavored something, pineapple on a burger, etc, but you won’t find REAL Hawaiian food. You’ll have to drive somewhere for that, sorry.
Homeless
The amount of homeless people in Waikiki really surprised me. I’ve always known that cities have plenty of homeless people, but you couldn’t walk one block in Waikiki without passing a homeless person. It was really sad and while I don’t know exactly the reasons for the homelessness, their presence really gave Waikiki a different vibe. You could tell some homeless people weren’t all there mentally, while others were on drugs. One homeless person, who looked pretty normal, walked through the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade yelling that he was hungry. I have so many opinions on homelessness but, as I said earlier, I don’t know the exact reasons.
The police are present in Waikiki, but the homeless people really aren’t out to get anyone, especially if you mind your own business. There was a homeless lady telling an officer he was “hewa,” which means “shameful or wrong” and he ignored her. You could tell that many of these officers knew the homeless people and they probably dealt with them many times, which, again, is just sad.
Anyway, you’re probably wondering: is it safe to walk around Waikiki then? Yes. I think it’s safe, especially if you’re out at reasonable times. I never felt like I was in trouble or scared when we walked around Waikiki. The homeless people don’t want to bother you–not to be mean but they seemed more concerned by other things. They really do mind their own business. I even walked out alone one of the nights to grab some food, and I felt ok.
Smells
If you’re a highly sensitive person like me, you might get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of smells. One second you smell weed (marijuana), the next second you smell sewage. Suddenly the wind changes direction and it smells like BO (body odor). Greasy food smells, strong perfumes, cigarette smoke, vape, and more were pretty much the only thing I could smell when we walked on the streets. The beaches were fine but boy those streets of Waikiki were smelly. It gave me such a headache.
Dirty
I think the county of O’ahu tries to keep Waikiki clean. But… with that many people in Waikiki, it can’t be perfect. It seems like the further southeast you walk on Waikiki, the more debris of plastic and branches wash up on the sand. Seagulls and pidgins are everywhere. And with so many homeless people, Waikiki feels somewhat dirty. Homeless people are on almost every corner, digging in the garbage cans, looking for leftover food to eat or cans/water bottles to recycle.
But here’s a positive example: we saw a guy who walked along the beach, each morning, picking up trash. What a champ.
Traffic
We hardly drove on this last trip but we rented a HUI and bumped into traffic on our last day. Traffic is traffic. It’s annoying, makes the drive time longer, and sometimes can’t be avoided. If you do plan to travel around the island, try to avoid Waikiki/Honolulu area at normal peak traffic times, like mid morning, when people are heading to work, or late afternoon/evening when people are heading home.
How was your Waikiki experience? Do you agree with this list of pros and cons of Waikiki? Is there anything you’d add or take away from this list? Let me know in the comments! 🙂
Save “the pros and cons of Waikiki” list for later!
Swim with sharks in Hawaii? Are you crazy? Whenever my husband and I tell people we went swimming with sharks in Hawaii, they immediately give us a look that says, “What got into you?” I grew up in Hawaii, and sharks were one of those things that you knew swam in the ocean, but, if you didn’t bother them or do anything stupid, like splashing/flopping around, or swimming at dawn or dusk, then you were good.
I never thought I’d pay to swim with sharks though, and cage-less at that! But I started following Ocean Ramsey, a marine biologist and conservation activist, about a year ago. If you don’t follow her, I highly recommend it! She swims with sharks everyday, and the pictures and videos that she and her husband, Juan, take are absolutely beautiful.
You will see sharks in a whole new light.
Because I was also in the process of writing an epic fantasy that included sharks in it, I thought it would be wise to actually see sharks in the wild. For too long sharks have been demonized in the media. My mom never let me and siblings watch Jaws or other scary shark movies, and probably for good reason! Even just seeing images or clips from Jaws, I’m glad we didn’t watch it. There is so much more to sharks than meets the eye or what is portrayed in the media, and seeing them in the wild gave me that connection I really needed. I think it will for you too. Read on to find out where you can swim with sharks in Hawaii, why you should go cage-less, and why you should swim with sharks, as opposed to other wildlife animals!
Where can you swim with sharks in Oahu?
We went with One Ocean Diving, as it’s owned by Ocean and employees that she and her husband personally trained. The company offers a two hour shark snorkel three miles outside of Haleiwa harbor. There’s plenty of parking in the harbor, so it’s really not stressful. Just give yourself plenty of time to drive, especially if you’re coming from Waikiki.
There was such a stark difference of the look and vibe of One Ocean Diving versus the caged tour kiosks nearby. The caged tours showed “Jaws” -like pictures, quite an intimidating image. But One Ocean had such a different vibe: chill, not stressful, and respectful of sharks.
What can I expect on the tour?
The One Ocean Diving boat pulls up to this white framed-looking thing. Wait there and the workers will come talk to you. They’ll give you a waiver to sign, then you’re basically ready to go!
It didn’t take too long to get to the spot outside of the harbor, but it was a little choppy so if you get sea-sick easily, you might want to have taken something to help with that beforehand. As you ride out to sea, the guide will go over everything you need to know: what you’re allowed and not allowed to do, a little more information about sharks and their behavior, and some safety stuff.
Once at the spot, you’ll be told when you can go in. Enjoy seeing the sharks swim around the boat! The nerves and excitement are real! 😀
Don’t flop or splash as you go into the water. Enter calmly and enjoy watching the sharks swim below! If you feel confident enough, and want to get some cool footage with the sharks, you can ask the guide if you can dive down. Have someone else hold your GoPro so you dive down a little get some footage of you and the sharks. 🙂
The guides will tell you when it’s time to exit the water. Do so calmly. Once you’re back on the boat, take some deep breaths because that was AMAZING.
So why swim with sharks in Hawaii cageless?
There’s something about being in the ocean, not surrounded by a cage and watching the sharks beneath your fins. For lack of better words, it’s magical. I know there are people reading this and thinking, “There’s absolutely no way I’m getting in the water without the cage.” But with One Ocean Diving, there’s a guide with you. These guides have experience with sharks and they keep an eye out for every member on the tour. And let’s not forget to mention that these tours are small, maybe ten people max.
As the boat pulls up to the spot and you see the sharks swimming around, it’s nerve-wracking.
“I’m going in there?!” you ask, but then it’s absolutely exciting.
When you get into the water and actually see the sharks, you can connect with them on such a deep level. For me, I realized that the sharks really don’t want to bother you. They’re curious, and they have personalities, just like any other species, but it they minded their own business. It was incredible.
One Ocean Diving also has a 100% safe track record to date. Nobody has been hurt by sharks while on the shark snorkel tours with them!
Why swim with sharks in Hawaii? I would rather see dolphins, turtles, or whales.
There’s a Hawaiian value, mālama, which means to “care for and protect.” Sharks are a huge player in the ocean’s eco-system. Unfortunately, sharks are being slaughtered at an outrageous and unsustainable rate of 100 million a year—yes, 100 million. Sharks are apex predators and at the top of the marine eco-system. Not only do they keep things balanced as the species goes down the food chain, but they also feed on dead fish and trash, curbing sickness in marine wildlife.
When we seek understanding and actually go out and experience nature and wildlife, we’re more likely to mālama them. We understand their role, our role, and how we can help.
So yes, it’s totally cool if you want to find the dolphins, turtles, or whales, because I also believe that seeing and being around these creatures fosters the spirit of mālama. But if you have an irrational fear of sharks, or are haunted by images of Jaws, or simply want to understand sharks a little better, I think it’s totally worth it to take this tour. It’s safe, fun, and just an overall incredible and unforgettable experience.
How much does it cost?
When my husband and I went (December 2021), we got a discount code from the One Ocean Diving website, so it cost $120 per person. Follow One Ocean Diving or Ocean Ramsey on social media, or check the One Ocean Diving website to see if there are any promo codes!
What do I need to bring to swim with sharks in Hawaii?
We brought a little bag with water, a towel, our own snorkel gear, and a GoPro. If your snorkel and mask are white or yellow, you’ll have you use the black snorkel and mask they provide. They also provide black fins, as well as rash guards if you’d like to borrow. I did. 🙂
How do I get to Haleiwa harbor?
We stayed in Waikiki so we actually didn’t have a rental car for the week. However, we rented a Hui car for the day. This is such an easy and affordable way to get around the island, and I highly recommend!
By now I hope you’re convinced that swimming with sharks in Hawaii, on a little tour with One Ocean Diving, is totally worth the experience. Personally, I’ve grown up knowing that there are sharks throughout Hawaii, but it’s good to respect them, give them their space, and not provoke them. Hawaiians also have a cultural tradition of ‘aumakua, an ancestor who took the form of an animal. The ‘aumakua would serve their descendants by warning or protecting them. They might even offer comfort. On my mom’s side, the ‘aumakua is a manō, a shark, so I guess I never really worried about bumping into sharks. I later learned that ‘aumakua doesn’t mean that all sharks are your ancestors, but only one specific shark. And that’s ok too haha. 😛
As I stated earlier, I wrote a book that has the manō as a heavily featured character. My new book, Rise of the Manō, comes out in January 2022. Sign up for my newsletter and/or follow me on instagram to keep updated on the book!
Want to support conservation efforts?
Going on tours like this one, with One Ocean Diving, supports not only the One Ocean conservation effort, but a small and local business!
And if you love sharks, or become a shark lover, there’s another company, Fahlo, where you can buy bracelets and track your very own shark! I am an ambassador for their company and absolutely love their bracelets. They’re cute to wear or make great gifts for loved ones. I did a little more research into how “Save the Blue” (the conservation effort that Fahlo donates to) tracks the sharks, and the tags they use are small. The tags are inserted into the dorsal fin of the shark and, as far as they can tell, do not cause any harm to the sharks.
Use this link here or code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your order at check out! Get your Fahlo bracelet and track your very own shark today! 🙂
Watch our experience here!
Do you want to see mine and my husband’s shark experience? Check out this instagram post! Would you swim with sharks in Hawaii? Let me know in the comments below. Or if you got to experience this in Hawaii, let us know your thoughts! 🙂
Are you thinking of traveling to Hawaii during Covid? Is it worth it? My short answer: no. The long answer: there are pros to going during Covid.
Allow me to explain…
My husband and I decided to go to Maui at the end of January 2021. With about 4 weeks to plan our trip, I looked into everything I needed to do before boarding. With covid affecting the world, I wondered if my husband and I could successfully make it to Hawaii. I heard of so many people who got tested and arrived in Hawaii, only to be turned around because they went to the wrong testing center, or didn’t have their paperwork, etc. Needless to say, I was anxious about traveling to Hawaii during the pandemic.
I hope this article helps you make a decision about traveling to Hawaii during covid. There are some really great pros, and some pretty pathetic cons. I’ll be as transparent as possible to help you figure out the answer to your question.
Please know that everything changes with the pandemic, so what I’m sharing here may not be relevant anymore at the time of you reading this. Please, please, PLEASE do your research if you plan on traveling to Hawaii during covid. Their requirements change all the time, so do your part. This article is purely to give you an idea of the situation, not to direct you on the requirements to travel to Hawaii during covid. Check out the official Hawaii covid page for accurate and up-to-date information.
Pre-Travel Hawaii Requirements for Covid
The pre-travel was probably the most stressful part because things change all the time. One day they say you need to do X, and the next day they say you need to do Y…
The day before our flights, I saw a NEW requirement to download the Aloha Safe Alert app BEFORE boarding. I felt SO relieved and stressed. If I hadn’t seen the newest requirement, would they have turned us around at the airport?
So here’s who you want to be following if you plan on going to Hawaii during Covid.
Ok, with that said, here’s what we had to do before the trip:
Create a Safe Travels account and upload all documents BEFORE the first flight
Get tested within 72 hours of departure. Please note you MUST get tested at one of their approved sites, not just at your local hospital. They will only let you through if you get tested from someone on their “Trusted Testing and Travel Partners” list.
Download and activate Aloha Safe alert app
Have ALL paperwork on hand. I printed so many papers because the website suggested I do so. Spoiler alert: they didn’t look at ANY of these papers because I had already uploaded it ALL online… better safe than sorry I guess.
You probably read that list and thought, “Not bad.” I thought so too. However, finding the trusted testing and travel partners was harder than I thought… We finally got tested at Walgreens, but drove to a super far location because the Walgreens in our county didn’t offer testing. While that sounds stressful, before the testing itself felt morestressful… because we avoided people as much as possible. We could not risk any chance of catching covid. Isolation played a toll on my mental health.
Pre-Trip Cons:
Using the Aloha Safe Alert app felt like huge anxiety. Knowing that at any time I could receive a notification saying, “You’ve been exposed,” just stressed me out so much. It felt unfair that I might have to quarantine because I’d been around a stranger for a few seconds.
Masks: Wearing a mask at the airport and airplane took a toll on both of us. Especially for my husband, who already has a difficult time breathing without the mask, wearing a mask for almost 10 hours wore him out. We couldn’t take any breaks from mask-wearing unless we went to the bathroom… no thanks. I felt sorry for flight attendants and airport security who had to constantly remind people to completely cover their nose and mouths with the masks. It just kind of felt like a big mess.
Pre-Trip Pros:
Airplanes worked at less than half capacity. My husband and I always sat together. I could honestly say about 11-20 people sat in each flight. I feel super bad for the airline companies but they worked hard to keep the planes clean and social distance people well. We definitely had a lot of space to stretch out.
During the Trip
When we landed in Maui, the whole process turned out easier than I thought. The workers at the airport already had our information (because I uploaded it all), so they checked a few things (including our temperature) and sent us through!
It was THE BEST FEELING to walk out of the airport and into the fresh Maui air—though we still wore our masks, as required. I thought the most helpful way to give you an idea of Hawaii during covid is a pros and cons list. These are all based on my opinion though, so take it or leave it, no offense. 🙂
Pros:
Overall Maui was waaaay less busy in Hawaii than ever before: For example, we drove the road to Hana, a scenic route typically overcrowded and full of traffic. We hit absolutely NO traffic whatsoever. When we arrived in Hana and stayed at the resort there, the local who worked there told us we came at a good time. She said usually it’s a stressful drive because of the traffic and lack of parking at scenic spots.
Less lines and crowds at restaurants: We hardly waited at any restaurants to take out or have a seat. To be honest, there was still a LOT of people, but definitely not as much people like I remember Hawaii.
Cons:
Masks: Governor Ige mandated masks in Hawaii and it just sucks to wear a mask, not breathe well, and not really enjoy things as much. Most people didn’t wear masks at the beach because we all sat social distanced, but at restaurants and grocery stores, managers and workers heavily enforced mask wearing. We went on a short hike on the road to Hana and didn’t wear our masks (because there weren’t other people around), and a local lady vending at the front yelled at us. It’s not fun to get yelled at, and it’s not like we were trying to be irresponsible or rude. There just wasn’t anyone around, and she was definitely more than six feet away. There’s just silly stuff like that, which make the situation unpleasant.
Less small businesses and restaurants open: Not sure if a bunch of restaurants went out of business or what, but many of the places I planned to eat at were closed. That bummed me out a lot, because the only food places that stayed open were mediocre food places, at best. It’s always disappointing to spend $30 or more on a meal for two people and it turns out to be crappy food.
Overall, is it worth it?
After I wrote this article and sat on this question for the last month, the short answer for me is no. I don’t regret our Hawaii trip during covid, because I needed a little break from the cold and felt tired of the whole covid situation. But I don’t think I want to go through the hassle of getting tested, experiencing anxiety over new and updated requirements, wearing a mask everywhere (including airports and airplanes), feeling bummed over closed good food places and restaurants, and dealing with snappy people over mask-wearing. I don’t feel like it’s worth it to me.
I would rather go to one of the southwest states to get some sun, saving money and stress. The only pro for me was that there was less people on the island. But it just felt like everyone was on edge, worried about wearing or not wearing a mask, wanting to enjoy, yet restricted… It felt difficult to talk to people or send a smile—everything felt so constricting.
While I may not travel to Hawaii during Covid again, I can still plan my next trip. Check out some of my free resources and articles on travel!
E komo mai! 🌺 I am the author of Aloha State of Mind, a self help book that teaches you how to create paradise wherever you are. My blog, Naturally Aloha, focuses on all things Hawaii: culture, values, food, lifestyle, and more. I hope my writing inspires you to carry aloha with you everywhere! Learn more…
Get my debut novel, “Aloha State of Mind”
Create paradise wherever you are with my debut novel, available for purchase on Amazon and more!
Check out my Hawaiian Epic Fantasy, “Rise of the Manō”
