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Are you wondering what NOT to do on your Hawaii vacation? This article from a Hawaii local has everything that you need to know about what not to do in Hawaii.
Whenever you travel, it’s important to be safe, informed, and respectful of the local people, culture, and nature. But sometimes it is easy to make mistakes, especially if you don’t know the local practices or customs.
Hawaii in particular has its own local culture that can be hard to understand unless you’ve spent a significant amount of time in the islands. Luckily for you, as a local I’m here to help! This guide from a Hawaii local has 9 things that you definitely should NOT do during your vacation to Hawaii.
What NOT to do in Hawaii
Here’s what a Hawaii local advises not to do on your Hawaii Vacation
1. Don’t Confuse “Hawaiian” and “Local”
This is one mistake that many, many people make. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen several major travel publications confuse “Hawaiian” and “local,” when these two are actually completely different terms.
While people from Philadelphia can call themselves Philadelphians, people from Hawaii cannot call themselves Hawaiian. There’s a lot of nuance to this, but to put it simply, “Hawaiian” is a culture, language, and ethnic group. Just like you can’t claim to be a different ethnicity, people who are not native Hawaiian cannot label themselves “Hawaiian.”
Instead, people who live in Hawaii often use the term “local” or “Hawaii local” to refer to themselves.
2. Don’t Try to Visit Too Many Islands
When planning a trip to Hawaii, many visitors try to focus on Hawaii island hopping and visit as many spots as possible. I don’t recommend island hopping if you are visiting less than 10 days, as you’ll just end up rushing through all of the amazing attractions.
Rather than quickly hopping from one island to the next, I recommend spending 5-7 days on each island. If you are staying in Hawaii for 10 days or more, then you can consider visiting multiple islands.
3. Don’t Assume All the Islands Are the Same
There are eight Hawaiian Islands, and six of them are open to the public. And while many people think all of the islands are the same, each of the islands has its own distinct personality.
For example, Oahu is the only island with a big city, Kauai is a hiker’s paradise, and Lanai is perfect if you’re looking for a luxurious, off-the-grid getaway. Review this Hawaii travel guide from a local to get a better idea of the best place for you.
4. Don’t Forget to Learn About Hawaiian Culture
Hawaiian culture is an integral part of Hawaii. After all, the islands were originally owned and cared for by the Native Hawaiians. But most visitors don’t learn anything about Hawaiian culture during their trips, which is a shame!
There are a couple of easy ways to add Hawaiian culture to your Hawaii itinerary. First, you can visit important Hawaiian sites, like:
- Iolani Palace
- Hulihee Palace
- Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve
- Kukaniloko Birth Site
But my favorite way to experience Hawaiian culture is by going to Hawaiian festivals. Some of the best include the Merrie Monarch Festival, the East Maui Taro Festival, the King Kamehameha Celebration, and May Day.
5. Don’t Ignore the Power of the Ocean
During your time in Hawaii, you definitely be aware of the power of the ocean! Many tourists overestimate their abilities and end up drowning at 10x the rate of Hawaii locals. If you don’t respect the power of the ocean, you can put yourself (and others) in danger.
Instead, take the time to educate yourself about the ocean. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Don’t get in the water if the waves are large! These waves can actually drag you under the surface of the water and cause you to drown.
- Stay away from the edges of cliff faces, where waves crash.
- Triangulate yourself to watch for the current. In other words, when you get in the water, make a mental triangle with yourself and two points on the shore. This will allow you to realize if the current has pulled you without your knowledge.
6. Don’t Spend All Your Hawaii Vacation in Waikiki
I know it’s tempting to spend all of your time in Waikiki. After all, Waikiki Beach is probably the most famous beach in the entire world. But let me let you in on a (not so) little secret: Waikiki Beach is far from the best beach in Hawaii – and the same goes for the rest of Waikiki.
To experience the best that Hawaii has to offer, I highly recommend taking time to explore more than just Waikiki. On Oahu alone, there’s the East Side, the West Side, and the North Shore that are all worth your time. And we certainly can’t forget about the other five visitable islands!
7. Don’t Assume Hawaii Is Perfect
If there’s just one thing that all visitors should know before coming to Hawaii, it’s that the islands aren’t perfect.
Hawaii is often marketed as a picture-perfect tourist destination, and that’s simply not true. Every destination has its issues. A few of Hawaii’s issues include the high cost of living, horrific traffic, and homelessness.
Since visitors aren’t aware of these issues before their trips, they often judge the problems extremely harshly when they do come in contact with them.
8. Don’t Bother the Animals
Hawaii is an animal lover’s paradise. With turtles and monk seals and dolphins galore, you’ll be able to see loads of cool creatures. But it’s important to remember to keep your distance from these animals. After all, they are wild!
In order to keep both you and the animals safe, be sure to keep your distance. Don’t try to pet, feed, ride, or chase the animals. Instead, just admire them from afar. This also applies to coral!
9. Don’t Leave Your Valuables in Your Car
Theft is often an issue for tourists across destinations… maybe it’s the vacation bliss that makes us get too comfortable. Hawaii isn’t immune to this.
One of the most common problems in Hawaii is petty theft. If you leave valuables visible in your car, there’s a good chance that your car will get broken into. Even if you leave something that could hold or hide valuables (like a bag or a towel), your car may get broken into.
Simply put, don’t leave valuables (or things that could hold valuables) in your car.
What Do You Think are the Worst Mistakes to Make on a Hawaii Vacation?
There are obviously plenty of other mistakes visitors make on their trips to Hawaii, including trying to speak the local slang (don’t do it), ignoring local recommendations (listen to them), and going on hikes after it has rained (definitely avoid).
But the most important things to remember are to simply be safe and respectful.
Enjoy!
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