I don’t know about you, but I definitely felt a shift in my life in 2021, a prompting and urge to become more eco-friendly. The concept of mālama ka ‘aina, caring and protecting the earth and land, has always been near and dear to my heart. I’ve always known that if we care for and protect the earth, it will care for us. And it has, in many unique and humbling ways.
The problem is… it’s kind of hard to go eco-friendly. I have always tried to cut back on waste, be aware of plastic products and consumption, and get eco-friendly options, if possible. One day I hope to be totally plastic free and buy things that are ethically sourced, but I’m starting out now.
I’ve finally decided to sit down and write an article on some of the things I’ve discovered this year to become more eco-friendly. Some of these tips I’ve done for years and others I’ve tried out and can confirm they’re awesome!
This article includes affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Mahalo for the support!
Wool Dryer Balls
Did you know that wool dryer balls can be used up to 1000 loads? Yes. One thousand. That means they’ll last about 2-3 years… and all for $15. Why buy dryer sheets, that create more waste? What if I told you wool dryer balls also reduce dry time by 25% AND reduce static? They’re incredible and I can positively say they do reduce dry time. When I hear the dryer beep I check it right away, thinking maybe it just turned off too early. But no. The clothes really are dry. And they’re not staticky. I can’t recommend these wool dryer balls enough. I’ve had absolutely no problem with them and feel SO good about my choice to use something eco-friendly.
I’m not an affiliate or ambassador of Kind Laundry, but my friend is and so feel free to use her code!
Laundry sheets
Kind Laundry also offers laundry sheets. In the last couple of years I’ve been so disappointed with my own consumption of laundry bottles. They’re big plastic jugs, full of chemical-laden soap. Because of the color of the bottles, as well as the chemicals used to make them, these jugs will most likely not be recycled. 🙁
So, enter laundry sheets. They’re so easy to use. Just stick one sheet with a load of clothes. The sheet dissolves and guess what? The packaging is a box, which means it’s easily biodegradable. Win win!
Use non-plastic shampoos, conditioners, and body wash
I switched over to a rice shampoo bar and conditioner, and I’m never going back. It feels good to know that I’m not contributing to wasting plastic and that my purchase also supports a village tribe in China… like, an actual village, real people.
Let me explain: I buy Viori rice shampoo bars and everything about this company is transparent, meaningful, and quality in every way. Not only has my hair been healthier (and growing super long), but I haven’t bought normal shampoo or conditioner in ages. I also use their bamboo holders to place my bars in, which is another excellent alternative to plastic bottles!
I have yet to find a body wash bar that I like. I’m quite picky about smells and the ingredients used, so if you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them in the comments!
Use my link or code LEIALOHA10 and get 10% off your Viori order!
Hydroflask water bottle
In summer 2021, I was a background actor for a movie and I was so upset by the amount of water bottles consumed. On our call sheets, the coordinators specifically asked the actors to bring refillable bottles and they’d have large coolers of waters. I was disappointed when we got to the set and they didn’t have those coolers, as promised to us. I even asked, but they didn’t have them. It’s crazy to think that this was just one small movie. I can’t even begin to imagine how many more water plastic bottles are used every single day—not only on other movie sets, but construction sets, tours, you name it.
A refillable water bottle, like a hydro flask is SUCH an easy way to go eco-friendly. It’s practically a no-brainer. I’ll make it easy and even include a link below to the hydro flask I have! Mine is the hibiscus color and I absolutely LOVE it. The hydro flask keeps cold drinks cold and warm drinks warm.
A few years ago I realized that people spend a lot of money on clothes. I am pretty minimalist and don’t like to shop, especially for clothes. But I realized that there were clothes in my closet I never touched. These clothes were usually gifts, or something I didn’t purchase myself.
Here are a few tips I learned:
Tip #1: If someone gifts you clothes and you’re pretty sure you won’t use it, give it away. Don’t take the tag off immediately. Pause, think about it. Will you use this? If not, it’s a great option to regift or donate the clothes (especially since it still has the tag!). Or, if possible, take it back to the store it came from, get a gift card, and use it on something you would wear (or something else you can use).
Tip #2: Take a styling class. The average adult spends $161 on clothing a month. That’s $1932 in a year! Maybe an outfit was bought for a photoshoot, or because a person thought it looked good in the store (or online). They wore it once and that was it. If you don’t know what looks good on you, take a styling class. Save yourself money and boost your wardrobe confidence. I didn’t buy the full class, but I took Hilary Rushford’s free class, and just the tips she shared there were SO helpful. I highly recommend.
Tip #3: Buy ethically, if possible. It’s not always going to be cheaper, but I’m sure it feels better. I’m not to the point yet where I know all my clothes are ethically sourced. I buy from places like Old Navy and sometimes their prices can get so low, you wonder if they’re making anything from it. I will keep doing research and get to the point where I’m confident I know where all my clothes come from, who made it, if the people that made it were paid fairly and have good working conditions, and so forth. That’s definitely the next step for me.
Be selective of jewelry and other accessories
I’ve stopped gifting jewelry and accessories to people. I used to think it was a nice gift, but everyone has different preferences and I realized that maybe the things I gave as gifts just ended up in the trash. And not only that, but I often found good deals on these items, which tells me that maybe they weren’t ethically sourced or eco-friendly.
If you do want to buy jewelry, shop small, like on etsy. I’m an ambassador for Fahlo, a company that sells bracelets to support conservation efforts. For example, if you buy their Journey bracelet, you’ll support not only the Turtle Conservancy, but you’ll even receive a turtle to track! I love my turtle bracelet and love seeing where my turtle is in the world. It’s a nice little way to support conservation efforts and have a fun little reminder to malama the earth.
(And if you’re like me, maybe, buy it only for yourself cause you’ll appreciate it most haha!)
Get 20% off your next order if you use my code LEIALOHA20, or simply use this link!
Don’t impulse buy, especially around the holiday season
A huge reason I wasn’t into the Christmas season in 2021 was because I got so sick of all the waste and consumerism culture. People spend so much money and time on Christmas wrapping paper, presents, and even trying to find little things to fill stockings and more. Let’s not forget to mention White Elephant gift exchanges, which I loathe, because people usually buy and give junk to simply throw away. These impulse buys support a system of consumption and waste, and, unfortunately, so many of these items end up in the trash. D:
Can we all commit to not impulse buy this year?
If you want to get Christmas gifts, start early, like even as far as July. Christmas is the same time, same day every single year. So let’s not be a part of the system that perpetuates such waste. I’ve also found that if you can’t figure out what to gift to someone, they probably don’t need anything. The gift of your time or a kind note would probably show more aloha than any other tangible gift!
Here are some other ideas to avoid impulse buying:
Repurpose: Is there something in your home you could use instead of the item in front of you? How can you repurpose it?
Reuse: How can you reuse what you have?
Make it: Do you have to buy it? Can you make it with what you have?
Wait: Instead of buying something right away, sit on it, think it over for a few days. You might find you don’t actually need that thing.
Alright, that’s all I got this year. I hope something here helps or inspires you in 2022. There are so many ways to go eco-friendly but I thought this might be an easy, starter sort of list. Can you think of any other easy ways to go eco-friendly? Thank you for every effort you make to go eco-friendly. Every little effort makes a difference! 🦈🌈🌴🌊🌿☀️🐬
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! 🙂
Looking for Hawaii inspired holiday gifts? While I’m a huge about not consuming and doing what we can to help the environment, I also love giving gifts—meaningful gifts. So I want to start by saying the best gifts don’t cost money. As you may have learned with laulima, ho’okipa, or ‘ohana, the best gifts aren’t “things.” They best things are relationships, people, love, kindness, hope, faith, and so much more. This holiday season I hope we can give the gift or our attention, presence, aloha, and so much more.
And, if we want to give a physical gift, here is a list of the Hawaii inspired holiday gifts I came up with for 2021. I felt like these were meaningful gifts: things that support a cause, bring joy, or inspire positive change. I hope you enjoy browsing through this list, and be sure to watch for discount codes along the way!
Fahlo Bracelets
Do you love wildlife, specifically sharks and turtles? Want to support conservation efforts in a way that’s easy and fun? Fahlo is a company that sells affordable, cute bracelets and donates the proceeds to non-profit organizations like the Turtle Conservancy and Saving the Blue. Each bracelet comes with a shark or turtle that you can track. I love that I can wear a bracelet reminding me to mālama the earth and its animals. If the honu or mano isn’t your thing, Fahlo also sells bracelets to support polar bears and elephants!
If you want to get your own bracelet, or, even better, gift a bracelet to a wildlife loving friend, check out Fahlo.
Use my code LEIALOHA20 to get 20% off your order!
Aloha State of Mind
My debut novel, Aloha State of Mind, is a wonderful Hawaii inspired gift. This self help book covers 24 Hawaiian values to help you create paradise where you are. It’s an easy read, using examples from Hawaiian culture, lifestyle, language, and stories from my own life to help you bring Hawaii home.
You can’t really go wrong when you gift a Hawaii themed journal to a loved one. My “Live Aloha” Journals feature lines from Aloha State of Mind and come in both lined and unlined versions. These journals have a matte, anti-scuff finish and work as wonderful stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, friend gifts, classmate gifts, and so much more.
Start the new year right with a gratitude journal. This “Mahalo ke Akua” Gratitude journal includes scriptures, quotes, and plenty of space to record what you are grateful for on a daily basis.
This Etsy shop features a lot of awesome aloha-inspired products from shirts and hats to stickers and tote bags. Elle Chi is owned by two locals from Hawaii and everything is made with aloha, from the quality of the items to the way things are packaged and shipped. You won’t be disappointed by your purchase here, and you can feel good knowing that you’re shopping local!
Though ranging on the higher price end *due in large part to the cost of shipping!), Big Island Candies has the best chocolate dipped short bread cookies. There are other delicious chocolatiers in Hawaii, like Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut, but Big Island Candies is a whole new level. I’m also biased because I grew up in Hilo and frequenting the store was one of our favorite things to do! I highly recommend their original chocolate macadamia nut shortbread cookies (like the one pictured). I’m not an affiliate, I just love their stuff. 🙂
I have to add this because I personally think this is so pretty! My husband gave one to me on my birthday and I wear it nearly everyday. It’s classy, elegant, and has lasted a long time too. This would make a perfect gift for the Hawaii lover!
I met Karen on Pinterest and she is a wonderful artist. Her art is bright, uplifting, and tropical. Some of the scenes she paints are just so dreamy, including old, colorful plantation homes with stunning backdrops of waterfalls, mountains, and palm trees.
When people ask me what Hawaiian music I like, it’s sort of a difficult question to answer. The term “Hawaiian Music” is a lot broader than people think. For example, I like the ancient style of Hawaiian music, used in hula dancing or chanting. I also like old Hawaiian music and slack key guitar, the kind that my mom would play as I grew up. Furthermore, I truly enjoy contemporary Hawaiian music, by musicians living today that are active in the Hawaiian community. Jawaiian and local favorites are also something I enjoy listening to while I’m with my siblings.
With that said, I want to explore the different genres of music within “Hawaiian music,” because there’s simply more than just one type of Hawaiian music. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you can get a better idea of what type of Hawaiian music you’re looking for, and maybe explore other categories within the bigger genre!
Ancient Hawaiian Music for Hula Dancing, Call & Response
Mele (music) has always been a huge part of the Hawaiian culture. In fact, there are two types of mele that we talk about, especially when it comes to dancing hula: kahiko and auana. Kahiko refers to the ancient music of Hawaii, involving chanting, blowing the pū, and tapping the ipu. Auana refers to modern Hawaiian music, including piano, slack key guitar, and singing.
I found a playlist that does a wonderful job of encompassing the ancient Hawaiian mele used to dance hula kahiko. As a result, you’ll hear a lot of chanting-like melodies in Hawaiian of course, by a kumuhula (hula instructor) and sometimes the dancers, as well as finger drumming on the ipu, gourd.
Not all kahiko songs are used to dance to hula because some are used to recite a genealogy, creation myth (such as the kumulipo), or as a call and response. Growing up, it wasn’t uncommon to chant an oli asking permission to enter someone’s space. For instance, in high school, my classmates and I used to chant at the beginning of the day, asking our teachers permission to enter the classrooms. They would reply with an oli of their own to accept us.
However, if we look at it anciently, when Hawaiians approached a home or even an island, they’d blow the pū, the large conch shell, to announce their arrival. Then they would chant, asking permission to enter, land, or come into the space. Those within the space would chant back their reply.
Here is a playlist of some Hawaiian mele used for hula kahiko, or as chants that tell a story, genealogy, or act as a call and response. Many of the names within this list are very popular Hawaiian singers and chanters. Enjoy!
Old Hawaiian Music & Slack Key Guitar
Hawaiian music drifted into auana (auana actually means “to drift or wander,” which is what Hawaiian music has done over time). Kanikapila is a Hawaiian word used to describe anytime a group of people get together to sing and play instruments. Growing up in Hawaii, kanikapila usually happened unplanned. Someone would bring out an ukulele or guitar, and the next thing we knew, we were all sitting in a circle and singing.
Many of the old Hawaiian songs, along with the slack key guitar, feel much like a kanikapila. They’re the songs that are most played on the radio and are beloved, and timeless to the Hawaiian culture. These songs fill me with nostalgia, as these are the songs my own mom would play. She had CDs of Na Leo, Makaha Sons, the Brothers Cazimero, and more.
There are so many hallmarks of each of these groups that I might write an article about how each one has uniquely contributed to what Hawaiian music is today. However, some of the commonalities between the old Hawaiian music is the use of the piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, and singers harmonizing. Every group or musician had their specialities though.
One popular Hawaiian singer, Lena Machado, had a particular talent of holding a note until anyone listening might think she was out of breath. However, Lena would hold the note for an extended period of time and NOT take a breath until she finished the phrase! Fun fact: Later on, Raiatea Helm continued this tradition in her music.
To sum it up, here is a list of some of my favorite traditional and old Hawaiian musicians:
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Brothers Cazimero
Dennis Pavao
Na Leo
Makaha Sons
Hapa
Amy Hanaiali’i
Lena Machado
Slack Key Guitar
Slack Key Guitar is another type of Hawaiian music. Some people sing to slack key guitar, but often it is done without singing. To clarify, slack key is simply a different way of tuning the guitar, and artists would pick and strum to well-known Hawaiian tunes. The playlist below is one of my favorite albums of slack key guitar. In addition, here is a brief list of some of the well-known Hawaiian slack key guitar artists:
Keola Beamer
Cyril Pahinui
Sonny Chillingworth
Popular TV & Movie Hawaiian Music
Hawaiian music has made appearances in popular tv shows and movies over the years. While there may be more, I’ve listed below some of the more popular songs that you might think of when it comes to “Hawaiian music.”
Elvis Presley & “Blue Hawaii”
The Hawaiian Wedding Song, Hukilau, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Blue Hawaii are some of the big hits from the movie, “Blue Hawaii,” starring Elvis Presley. I was genuinely surprised by how many of my Hawaiian friends and classmates adore this movie, because I can’t stand listening or watching it! I guess you either hate or love it!
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” really catches the enthusiasm of the Hawaiian spirit. While I didn’t love the movie, I think they did a great job with the music, even having local artists and choirs record the songs.
Disney’s Moana
The music in “Moana” isn’t Hawaiian or spoken in the Hawaiian language but it definitely has the island and Polynesian vibe!
Braddah Iz “Over the Rainbow”
This is an iconic song featured in many movies! I really enjoy Braddah Iz’s version of this song. While strumming an ukulele, his voice is so soothing and, in many ways, nostalgic.
Recent Hawaiian singers who actively put out new music
These are the current, most recent preservers of Hawaiian music and people I admire for their creativity, knowledge, and sheer talent. From speaking fluent Hawaiian, writing their own lyrics and music, and sharing their love of Hawaii with the world, these artists are truly amazing. I appreciate their contributions to preserving and evolving the Hawaiian culture and music.
I didn’t attach any playlist here, but the playlist in the “Traditional Hawaiian Music” section features many of these artists. So definitely give it a listen! 🙂
Kuana Torres Kahele Hawaiian Music
Kuana has become my favorite artists in all of Hawaiian music over the years. In each of his albums he features a different Hawaiian island or location. He also has a few holiday albums and sang the song “Lava” for Pixar’s short film. He loves making lei and dancing hula, and occasionally does live streams on Facebook. Can’t recommend Kuana enough!
Raiatea Helm
Raiatea is a lot like Lena Machado in style and ability to hold her breath for a long time. However, Raitea’s music is still her own: fun, upbeat, and quite traditional. Highly recommend!
Keali’i Raichel
If you’ve never heard “Kawaipunahele” can you say you’ve listened to Hawaiian music? 😛 This song is played at nearly every big event—weddings, graduations, may day, etc. It’s a classic song for a woman to dance to alone. I can’t even say how many times I’ve heard this song. Keali’i is very talented, and continues to put out new music here and there. Growing up, my mom would play the album “Kawaipunahele” so I recommend that one if you’re just learning about Keali’i!
Weldon Kekauoha
Weldon and I are related somehow haha. I grew up listening to the CD “Hawaiian Man” so that will always be my favorite album of his. He has continued to write music in recent years that is still heartfelt and both in Hawaiian and English. His voice is soothing and the music is relaxing.
Henry Kapono
I’m not as familiar with Henry as my own readers and followers, but he is very active on social media, does a lot of covers, and has a very happy, upbeat personality. Henry does live shows at Duke’s on Oahu, which is awesome considering so few artists go live anymore!
Kalani Pe’a
Kalani has won a Grammy award for the best regional roots music album. His music is both traditional and sometimes contemporary. All his music is in the Hawaiian language too.
Jawaiian or Local Hawaiian Music
There is a category under Hawaiian music called “Jawaiian.” Jamaica (reggea) + Hawaiian = Jawaiian. That’s probably the easiest way I can explain it. Many local artists in Hawaii have captured the beat, rhythm, and vibe of Jamaican reggae music but have mixed it either with Hawaiian language, Pidgin English, or local island culture.
This is the sort of music played on the radio in Hawaii. It’s not quite reggae, but not quite Hawaiian so it’s a mix of both! The playlist below covers it all really well. I enjoy listening to this music when I’m with my siblings, but because the radio and locals seem to play the same songs for years, I’ve gotten sort of burnt out. While I don’t love this type of music anymore, it still carries nostalgia.
Here is a list of some popular Jawaiian artists. Not all of them fit perfectly but these all have the same vibe and would usually perform at local ho’olaule’a performances in the park.
Anuhea
Keahiwai
Kolohe Kai – Cool Down
Ehukai
Opihi Pickers
Rebel Souljahz – Nothing To Hide
J Boog
Common Kings
Sammy Johnson
The Green
Maoli – No One is one of their most popular songs.
Sean Na’auao
Reggae Music
Reggae music originated in Jamaica and is mostly represented by Bob Marley. Many locals enjoy listening to Bob Marley, so I thought it was only fair to feature his work here! This playlist also features some other Reggae artists.
Other Artists Beloved by Hawaiian Islanders
Jack Johnson – A lot of locals have spotted Jack around town and have said he’s really nice. With that said, his music is really great too!
Colbie Caillat – I’m not sure if she’s from Hawaii, but Hawaiians and locals love her music. It’s chill, simple, and meaningful.
Notable Ukulele Players (mostly from Hawaii)
Here is yet another little genre of music in Hawaii: ukulele music. While some ukulele players write their own music, others do covers of music. Either way, they’re all quite talented!
Jake Shimabukuro
Kalei Gamiao
Kris Fuchigami
Taimane
Let’s hear from you!
What is your favorite kind of Hawaiian music? Is there a Hawaiian artist that you love? Let us know in the comments below!
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!
A haku lei makes any trip to Hawaii that much better! We’ve all seen the touristy pictures of people in Hawaii, purple orchid leis around their necks, donning colorful aloha shirts, and big smiles on their faces. But what if you could experience more than the touristy stuff in Hawaii? What if you could wear more than a lei to explore Hawaii, and feel a natural grace and elegance that blends in with the vibe of the refreshing islands?
This is exactly what a haku lei can do. This all-natural (or synthetic, if you choose!) accessory is more than just a flower crown.
The traditional art of making a lei po’o, aka a “lei” for the “po’o” (head), has been practiced for hundreds of years. We use lei po’o for celebrations, hula dance, birthdays, or just because!
There are different ways to make the lei po’o, which is why not all lei po’o are considered haku lei, the popular term these lovely crowns have been given in the last couple of years.
What is your lei po’o style?
Here is a brief list of the different style of lei po’o to help you get a feel for the type you want:
Kui – This style is mostly used to make the lei that hangs around the neck. However, it can also be used to make lei po’o. A long lei needle strings the flowers together. The strings are then tied together, making a beautiful lei. The flowers that make up a kui lei are usually plumeria, orchid, pua kenikeni, tuberose, and carnations.
Wili – Wili means “to twist.” This is the most popular style to make lei po’o. A strand of raffia or ti leaf secures flowers and ferns to a backing. Many people refer to this as a haku lei, but we’ll get to that next!
The lei po’o made for me was in the wili style
Haku – Lei haku is actually a braided or woven lei, where flowers and/or ferns are braided or woven to keep in place. I’ve seen this style mostly used by hula dancers, as they braid ti leaves or other ferns to keep firmly in place.
So what is a haku lei?
A haku lei is actually the “weaver of lei” and the lei haku is the braided/woven lei. At this point, people find it easier to refer to the haku lei as the reference to a lei po’o. If you want to be specific, though, that’s great!
Where can I get a lei po’o in Hawaii?
One of my favorite haku lei artists is Andrea from petite.maui, who I partnered with for this blog post. Located on the island of Maui, Andrea creates any style of lei po’o you want. From bold foliage that pops, to pastels and whites for special occasions, she can make it all.
There are quite a few lei po’o makers in Hawaii, but it’s important to know what makes a good lei maker. Here are a few tips to help you find a great head lei for your trip to Hawaii!
What makes a good haku lei?
The style is clean
My mom worked and competed as a professional hula dancer growing up, and she told me few things about what makes the best lei po’o. The first thing she told me is that the style is clean, no matter if it’s a wili, kui, or haku style. When I look at haku lei maker’s work, I pay attention to the inside. That seems weird because doesn’t it only matter what the outside looks like?
The inside is what touches your head and if it’s not quality work, it won’t feel good to wear. It will be uneven against your forehead, and it can hurt to wear.
Trust me, I’ve worn lei po’o that isn’t made well. Though they might look pretty, they really hurt and I want to take it off asap! It’s honestly a bummer!
As you can see in the picture below, Andrea’s haku lei has a clean wili style inside of the lei po’o. This makes it comfortable to wear, meaning you’ll never want to take it off! 🙂
The clean woven raffia ensures a comfortable wear on your head 🙂
The colors pop
Every artist and graphic designer can testify to the importance of colors. A lei po’o artist is no different than any other artist. They pay attention to color and theme, and especially make the lei po’o to the needs and wants of the person receiving it.
One thing I loved about Andrea’s work is I didn’t tell her specifically what I wanted, but she definitely over-delivered! She chose a simple style of white and orange orchids, complimented by magenta carnations and bold ti leaves. When she gave it to me, she said she chose some “playful colors,” which I loved.
I loved the colors she chose for me!
Working with a local lei artist has great benefits: whatever colors and theme you desire, they’ll help you bring that vision to life.
The haku lei is made with aloha
If someone is going to make you something, it’s so important they make it with aloha. Andrea was so sweet and helpful, I could immediately tell the goodness she put into making the haku lei. While it might be easy to buy a haku lei from a shop in the city, it takes away from the heart and meaning of haku lei making. I’ve made haku lei before and it is truly a labor of love. It takes time and care to pick the flowers and ferns, assemble the foliage, and make the haku lei itself.
“Hana me ke aloha” is one of my favorite sayings meaning to “work with love.” Buying a lei po’o from a local artist can guarantee this amazing experience and connection.
Oftentimes you can, as long as your lei does not include specific plants that are prohibited. Refer to this website to see prohibited plants, and specifically ask your haku lei artist to not include those things.
When you take it home, I suggest letting it dry and keeping it for the memories! The haku lei Andrea made was so beautiful and well-made, that I’m letting it dry to use as a decoration in the office! 🙂
Will you wear a haku lei on your next trip to Hawaii?
I love supporting local Hawaii artists, and haku lei makers are no exception. The malamaand aloha that goes into creating a lei po’o can be felt every time you put it on. It makes a trip to Hawaii that much more special!
Let me know in the comments: What is your favorite Hawaiian flower?
For this post, I partnered with Andrea at petite.maui. You can count on me to be an honest and good steward of this opportunity. All opinions are my own.
Planning a Hawaii vacation can sometimes feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you do? Which island should you visit? What should you eat and where should you stay? And when is the best time to go?
First off, take a deep breath. 🙂
Planning a Hawaii vacation doesn’t have to be stressful—in fact, it can be a lot of fun!
When my husband and I got married 2.5 years ago (at the time I’m writing this post), we decided that we wanted to visit Hawaii almost every year. That is to say, we wanted to visit during the winter months at least once. After a few trips, I can happily say I enjoy planning a Hawaii vacation.
It’s really fun and does take a little bit of legwork. So if this is your once-in-a-lifetime trip, or one of many trips to Hawaii, then follow these simple steps to plan the perfect trip to Hawaii!
1. Choose dates for your vacation to Hawaii
Did you know that there are busy seasons in Hawaii? Most people like to visit Hawaii when their own weather at home isn’t so great. Usually December to beginning of April are Hawaii’s busiest times.
People just want to get out of the cold, like me. 😛
But don’t let that deter you from choosing dates in the winter months. Hawaii is generally crowded all the time. These dates might just make it a little more difficult to book hotels, flights, and cars. And, unfortunately, some companies may raise prices during these times because they’re known to be so busy.
Personally, I plan for a time that works with my husband’s work schedule. And maybe you have to schedule around children’s school, activities, and so forth.
I find that choosing a date comes down to asking myself these questions:
-What is most convenient for me? What works with my schedule? and
-Do the prices look reasonable at this time? (Sometimes you WILL find that sweet price that works just perfectly for you and your family).
To sum up, here are some things to think about when choosing your dates:
November is one of the wettest months in Hilo on the Big Island (I know because I lived there).
November to May is when the whales migrate, with January-March considered the peak whale-watching season. These are great times to visit Maui.
Good travel deals usually occur in April, May, September, and October.
The Hawaii Vacation Guide says that December is the worst month to visit Hawaii.
2. How many days should I plan for my Hawaii vacation?
Long answer: I lived in Hawaii for most of my life. Family members and friends have visited many times. After my own trips to Hawaii, I came to the conclusion that 5-7 days is the perfect amount of time.
It gives you enough time to relax on the beach, explore sites, and do other fun activities like snorkeling, whale-watching, hiking, attending a luau, and so forth.
Short answer: 5-7 days are the perfect amount for a trip to Hawaii.
Akaka Falls, Big Island
3. Which island should I visit?
When planning a Hawaii vacation, you should know that there are 8 Hawaiian islands. However, only 4 of the 8 islands are the main attractions: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Big Island.
If you are a first-timer to Hawaii, I suggest starting with Oahu or Maui, as they contain most of Hawaii’s iconic attractions.
Kauai and Big Island are much slower, with a greater diversity of eco systems and natural beauties. They are, in my opinion, less crowded too.
Check out my article: 10 iconic things to do on any Hawaiian island
Here is the list of ideas that you can do on each island:
Kauai: Enjoy beautiful and lush scenery, relax on white sand beaches, visit the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” take a boat out to see the Napali coast, see the beautiful Waipi’o falls, and go snorkeling at Tunnel’s Beach. This island is the honeymooner’s island, a perfect romantic getaway for couples. But there are plenty of family-friendly activities too!
Oahu: Home to Waikiki, North Shore, and plenty of family-friendly hikes and activities, Oahu is Hawaii’s picture icon. There’s a lot of history, hikes, sites, and iconic Hawaiian food in town (Waikiki) and across the island. With so many things to do, this is a great spot for families!
Maui: Visit Haleakala National Park with its wide variety of species and landscapes, go whale-watching along the coast, snorkel at Molokini crater, and hold on tight as you drive the road to Hana.
Big Island: Visit Hawaii Volcano National Park and admire the unique species of the island, see lava pour into the ocean, relax on a black sand beach, hike to a green sand beach, jump off the southern-tip of the United States, and see the snow on Mauna Kea.
To make it simpler, I created the ultimate bucket lists for all four main islands.
4. When planning a Hawaii vacation, how much money should I expect to spend?
This depends for every person, and I’ll show you how I organize the budget:
First, I write down the following categories on a piece of paper: flights, hotel, car, and food.
Second, I calculate how much it will be per person per day.
Finally, times that number (from the following step) by how many people and how many days. That should give you a rough estimate to budget for your trip.
I’m sorry I don’t have exact numbers, but I give my best estimates below.
Here is a little breakdown.
Flights:
My husband and I actually don’t pay for our flights besides about $20 dollars in taxes and fees, so check it out here:
Usually flights from the continental U.S. range anywhere from $500-$1200 round trip.
The easiest way to know the average price of your flight to Hawaii is to do a search on Kayak, inserting your dates and then checking the box that says “flexible dates.” Kayak will highlight the cheapest rates for you.
Hotel/stay:
Hotels in Hawaii are expensive, with the starting price usually at around $100 a night. Because hotels can get pricey, Airbnbs and VRBO are budget-friendly options but carefully read reviews and watch out for scams.
Unfortunately, bugs (cockroaches, mosquitoes, centipedes, etc) are a thing in Hawaii. And it’s the huge thumbs down for me, so just be careful when picking airbnbs or vrbo rentals.
I don’t “pay” for hotel stays besides taxes and fees, and I’ll write an article how to do that soon! I will update this post as soon as I write that. 🙂
Car:
When you book your flight, try to do a package deal with hotels and cars. There is usually a “package deal” option on most airline company websites for flights + car. I’ve found those to be some of the cheapest rates.
Sometimes you can find even better rates with the flight + hotel + car packages.
I don’t go through third party vendors anymore (like Priceline, Expedia, etc) because it’s so difficult to cancel or get help if something goes wrong. However, I have heard success stories of people getting amazing deals through third party vendors. I just like to keep things simple and work directly with companies, but if it works for you, then go for it! 🙂
If you can’t get a good deal through a travel package, you can rent a car through any of the car rental companies on the islands. There are plenty to choose from, with rates as low as around $20 a day.
Another great option is to use Turo. This is like airbnb for cars. So people put their cars on the Turo app for others to rent. Most times they’ll even pick you up from the airport without a fee, which is very convenient. No long lines at the rental car place, just one person working with another. 🙂
Another amazing benefit is that you can rent a car via Turo for as low as $15 a day! The prices are very reasonable. Even luxury vehicles are seriously discounted in comparison to rental car companies.
Check out this article on best local foods to eat!
Food:
If you plan to eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner I would estimate this for the cost:
$10 for breakfast
$15 for lunch
Anywhere from $18-$25 (or more) for dinner
You can really cut costs down by buying stuff at the grocery stores or Costco to make your own meals, like breakfast foods, sandwiches, snacks at the beach, etc.
However, I do encourage you to support the businesses in Hawaii by eating at local restaurants, food trucks, and farmers markets some of the meals. These businesses rely on the tourism industry.
Also, I’m a firm believer that “tasting” a place makes travel that much more experiential, inspiring, and fun.
Activities:
You can spend hundreds of dollars on activities or nothing at all! There are plenty of free experiences on the islands to check out and enjoy.
But just so you can get an idea, here are some examples of activities and price ranges:
Renting a surfboard: about $20/day
Surfing lessons: about $100/person
Whale watching tour: about $150/person
Luau event: about $120/person
Private tour (horseback riding, whale watching, hike, etc): about $500-$700/person
Helicopter ride: $300-$600/person
And here are some free activity ideas:
Relaxing on the beach
Hiking (to a waterfall, mountaintop, beach, etc)
Historic sites
Free night shows at specific hotels (like in Waikiki)
I talked about the budgeting part of booking flights, hotels, and the car, but what about actually booking them?
As I mentioned before, I recommend going directly through companies, but third-party vendors can sometimes have better deals. The reason I go directly through companies is the security and ease of communication if I run into any problems.
Especially when Covid hit, I felt really grateful I could cancel flights, hotels, and cars quickly and easily through the company’s websites.
6. Should I visit more than one Hawaiian island during my trip?
When planning a Hawaii vacation, my short answer to this is no.
There are two exceptions:
Exception #1: If you catch your inter-island flight in the evening, that allows you a whole day on the island.
For example, you spend 3 full days on Oahu, and the third night you fly out to Maui. If you fly out in the night, you’ll be able to pick up your rental car and get situated at your hotel in Maui without wasting precious daylight hours.
From observing friends and family plan their trips to Hawaii, I’ve noticed that so much time in Hawaii is wasted at airports, catching a flight to the neighbor island, only to cram in a day or two there.
It’s really difficult to explore and enjoy the island, especially if it’s your first time there, in only a day or two.
Ask yourself: Is it worth my time to travel to another island? Do I have enough time to really do what I want?
I suggest visiting one island at a time. If this really is your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii and you can fit in more than one island, I recommend a max of visiting two islands.
So many of my friends and family have made the mistake of visiting two islands, only to feel frustrated that they spent half the day at the airport, waiting in line at the rental car company, and checking in at the hotel.
Don’t waste your precious time in Hawaii.
View at South Point, Big Island. Give yourself plenty of time to explore each island.
Exception #2: You’re planning a Hawaii vacation for a long time.
Let’s say you’re going to Hawaii for 10 days. You can spend 5 days on one island, and 5 days on the other, giving you plenty of time to explore and really enjoy each island.
Again, this is just my opinion but I highly recommend doing one island on your visit, unless you plan to spend a longer amount of time in Hawaii.
To recap, my top tips if you want to do two islands in one vacation are:
-Travel in the evening/night time so you’re not wasting your day at the airport, picking up the rental car, and checking in at the hotel.
-Give yourself plenty of time to explore both islands.
7. What activities should I do on my Hawaii vacation?
This is just a starting list, and doesn’t even begin to include everything!
Relax on the beach, obviously 🙂
Go surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing, SUP, snorkeling, or scuba diving
Take a whale-watching tour
Eat shave ice
Try local cuisine
Attend a luau
Visit historic sites like the Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor Memorial, etc
Hike to beautiful waterfalls and mountain tops
I recommend checking out these pages on my blog for more ideas:
See the turtles at Black Sand Beach on Big Island, but don’t get too close.
8. Preparation is key: What to know before you go to Hawaii
Hawaii is a unique place, with a halo-halo (mix) of cultures, eco-systems, and people. So it’s important to respect the people and the land, a concept called malama.
Simple preparation like learning simple Hawaiian words, knowing what to wear, and being aware of the environment will help you feel more like a part of the island.
Check out these articles to help you prepare for your trip:
I’ve updated this article since I published it, and Hawaii is always changing its guidelines. Be sure to check out their website for the latest on covid testing and travel to Hawaii.
We had to get tested for covid so we went to Walgreens. I suggest going to your local local Costco and Walgreens. Try to plan ahead because the testing slots can fill up quickly. 🙁 And don’t forget to upload the results onto the Hawaii Safe Travels website before you leave!
*Whew* Let’s take a deep breath because you’re finally going to Hawaii. You’re done planning a Hawaii vacation and it’s time to go! This is exciting and your experience will be unforgettable!
Don’t forget to take pictures, malama the ‘aina, and HAVE FUN!
Love,
Lei
Let’s hear it from you!
Was this guide helpful? Do you have any more questions about planning your trip? Please let me know in the comments and mahalo for your kokua!
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Reef safe sunscreen protects Hawaii’s beautiful coral reefs and ecosystems from harmful chemicals that cause bleaching and other effects.
Hawaii sees millions of visitors and tourists every year. They hit up the beach, lathering on sunscreen to protect from the warm sun rays.
Naturally, all that sunscreen washes off in the water, impacting the beautiful corals and reefs. Especially with so many tourists coming to the waters everyday in Hawaii, the impact can be devastating.
Just google “bleached coral” to see the effects of tourism and chemical sunscreens.
But we can each play a part in protecting the marine life and ocean by using reef safe sunscreen.
There is a Hawaiian value called malama, which means to care for and protect. It is our duty to mālama ke kai, protect the sea. As we shift to eco-friendly products, we can make a huge difference. Even educating others on the effects of chemical-based sunscreens cane do so much for our oceans.
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Hawaii created a new law, effective January 1, 2021, that bans any sunscreens with two ingredients: oxybenzone and octinoxate.
What does oxybenzone and octinoxate do to coral reefs?
According to Dr. Craig Downs, executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Clifford, Virginia, oxybenzone and octinoxate prevents the growth of baby corals, causes coral bleaching, and may even affect some marine animals like shrimp and clams.
Here are some things you can do to keep the reef safe:
-Choose sunscreens that do not include oxybenzone and octinoxate in the ingredients. You must check carefully because some companies claim their sunscreens to be “reef safe” when they’re really not! Read the list of ingredients thoroughly.
-Avoid sunscreens with other reef-harming chemicals, like nano particles, avobenzone, octocrylene petrolatum (aka mineral oil), and homosalate. These harm the coral and reefs too.
-Avoid sunscreens (and products in general) with parabens in them.
-Avoid aerosol sprays. Harmful particles can get into the air.
-Especially for those who burn easily, reduce the use of sunscreen by covering up as much as possible: use a straw hat, rash guard, or stay in the shade.
-Choose snorkel or boat tour companies that require the use of reef-safe sunscreens. Some tour companies even provide reef-safe sunscreens.
-Plan ahead of time: I’ll list below the best reef-safe sunscreen you can order and pack before your trip to Hawaii!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to purchase any of these resources, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about it here. Mahalo!
The Best Reef Safe Sunscreens
Here are the best reef-safe sunscreens you can get for your next Hawaii trip! Some of these are from local businesses in Hawaii, so be sure to check them out!
The biggest takeaway from this sunscreen is that little goes a long way. Even though this sunscreen comes in little 3 oz tubes (perfect for traveling), it should last a good couple of days!
Sun Bum finally came out with their reef-safe sunscreen! I double checked the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. It also comes in SPF 30 and SPF 15.
Another local company based out of Maui, Raw Love is a non-nano sunscreen with all natural ingredients. When you can actually read and identify the ingredients, you know it’s good!
Support a local Maui business by purchasing Mama Kuleana sunscreen. Made with all natural ingredients and packaged in a biodegradable container, this sunscreen smells great and won’t harm the ocean life.
This non-nano sunscreen glides on smoothly. It comes in a biodegradable package and uses zinc oxide as its base ingredient to protect your skin from burning.
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…
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