Hawaii Travel Made Easy Podcast—Hawaii travel tips, Things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii vacation planning
Hawaii Travel Made Easy is the ultimate Hawaii travel podcast for families and first-time Hawaii visitors looking to plan a stress-free and unforgettable Hawaii vacation. Hosted by a seasoned Hawaii travel expert, this show delivers essential Hawaii travel tips, Hawaii vacation planning advice, and insider insights to help you navigate the Hawaiian Islands with confidence.
Marcie Cheung is a certified Hawaii destination expert by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, runs the popular Hawaii family travel site Hawaii Travel with Kids, and has visited Hawaii more than 40 times.
Whether you're dreaming of your first trip to paradise or planning your return visit, each episode provides budget-friendly recommendations, cultural insights, and must-know Hawaii travel guide information to make your Hawaii vacation planning simple and stress-free. From choosing the right island to finding hidden gems, we'll help you create the perfect Hawaii experience!
New episodes drop every Monday & Wednesday!
Episodes
105 episodes
You Don’t Need to Island Hop on Your First Hawaii Trip
Why First-Time Hawaii Visitors Should Skip Island Hopping (Unless You Have 10+ Days)Marcie explains that first-time Hawaii visitors should avoid island hopping unless they have 10+ days, because switching islands often costs a full vaca...
If You Only Remember One Thing About Planning Hawaii…
Slow Down: The Key to an Amazing Hawaii ItineraryThe script argues that the biggest factor in a great Hawaii trip is slowing down rather than choosing the “right” island or packing in more activities. Based on hundreds of consultations,...
Is Hawaii With Kids Worth It? A Brutally Honest Comparison
Is Hawaii Worth $10,000 With Kids? How to Decide (and When to Skip It)The script helps parents decide whether an expensive Hawaii trip with kids is worth it, arguing the answer depends on money, time, and what kind of vacation experienc...
Where I Eat on Kauai
Kauai Food Guide: Best Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Shave Ice, and Bucket List SpotsMarcie, a certified Hawaii destination expert, shares her organized-by-meal Kauai food guide based on what she orders, opening with her arrival tradition o...
Big Island vs Kauai: What You Actually Need to Know to Choose
Big Island vs. Kauai: Which Hawaii Island Fits Your Trip Best?The script compares Hawaii’s Big Island and Kauai, explaining that both are less crowded than Oahu or Maui but offer very different trips. The Big Island is huge, often requi...
Hawaii Booking Mistakes to Avoid: What a Travel Agent Wants You to Know
Hawaii Booking Myths, Airfare & Hotel Pricing, and When to Use Points (with Travel Agent Kim Tate)Marcie celebrates the 100th episode of Hawaii Travel Made Easy by bringing on her friend Kim Tate of Stuffed Suitcase, a travel agent ...
The Oahu Day Trip Mistake Almost Everyone Makes
How to Plan Oahu Day Trips Without Rushing: Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Windward & Hanauma BayMarcie, a certified Hawaii destination expert, explains how to plan Oahu day trips with realistic pacing by choosing one main “anchor” acti...
Waimea Canyon & the Kauai West Side: How to Do This Day Right
Kauai West Side Day Guide: Waimea Canyon, Kōkeʻe State Park & Kalalau LookoutHost Marcie Cheung shares a cautionary story about driving to Waimea Canyon in fog, then explains how to plan a full Kauai West Side day around Waimea Cany...
10 Hawaii Mistakes First-Timers Make (That Cost Thousands)
Hawaii Trip Mistakes to Avoid: Islands, Costs, Reservations, and Safety TipsMarcie of “Hawaii Travel Made Easy” shares common first-timer mistakes that waste money and time in Hawaii, drawing on 40+ trips and hundreds of consultations. ...
What I Would Cut From Your Hawaii Itinerary
What to Cut (and Keep) in a 4–5 Day Maui ItineraryMarcie of “Hawaii Travel Made Easy” warns that many Maui itineraries are overpacked 10-hour logistical puzzles that leave travelers exhausted and miserable, and explains what to cut and ...
Every Oahu Luau I've Been To (Ranked Honestly)
Oahu Luau Rankings: Honest Reviews from a Former Hula DancerThe speaker, a certified Hawaii destination expert and former professional hula dancer who has visited Hawaii 40+ times, gives an honest ranking of Oahu luaus and related shows...
What Maui Locals Want You to Know: Post-Fire, Post-Storm, and Why You Should Still Go
Should You Still Visit Maui? A Local’s Take After the Lahaina Fire and Kona StormHost Marcie addresses listener concerns about whether it’s a good time to visit Maui after the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire and March Kona storm flooding a...
Maui Ocean Center: Is It Worth It? (A Three-Visit Honest Review)
Maui Ocean Center: Honest Review, Best Exhibits, Tickets, and Family Tips (Plus Ululani’s Shave Ice)Marcie shares an honest, family-focused review of Maui Ocean Center based on three visits over more than a decade, explaining it feature...
The Slow Maui Trip I Needed — 2026 Trip Report
Four Slow Days in Maui (Feb 2026): Hyatt Regency Kaanapali, Flytographer, and One Main Thing a DayMarcie shares what a real Maui trip looks like for her and her 12-year-old in February 2026 after five workdays on Oahu: a slow four-day i...
Hanauma Bay 2026: What Families Actually Need to Know Before You Go
Hanauma Bay in 2026: Reservations, Parking, Costs, and What to ExpectMarcie explains what visiting Hanauma Bay in 2026 is really like, emphasizing that logistics are “half the battle” and why families prioritize it as the most beginner-...
My Honest Oahu Trip Report: What's Worth It in 2026
Oahu Trip Report (Feb): What Was Worth It, What I'd Skip, and a Rental Car MistakeMarcie, a Hawaii destination expert, shares a February Oahu trip report with her 12-year-old, noting some experiences were hosted for honest coverage. The...
Skip-Gen Hawaii Adventures - When Grandparents & Grandkids Travel Together
Skip-Gen Travel to Hawaii: Grandparents Taking Grandkids Without ParentsMarcie Cheung of Hawaii Travel Made Easy discusses the growing trend of “skip generation” (skip-gen) travel, where grandparents take grandchildren to Hawaii without...
They Turned Down $1,000 to Fly Into a Disaster [BONUS]
Vacation Brain vs. Kona Storm: What to Know Before Flying to HawaiiThe speaker records an unplanned bonus episode after witnessing families at San Diego Airport boarding for Maui during spring break as a gate agent sought eight voluntee...
Maui vs Oahu 2026: The One Thing Everyone Gets Wrong When Choosing
Choosing Between Maui and Oahu: A Comprehensive Travel Guide for 2026In this episode of Hawaii Travel Made Easy, Marcy, a seasoned traveler who has visited Hawaii over 40 times, discusses her recent trip to Oahu and Maui with her 12-yea...
Hawaii with Teens: Activities, Tips, and Keeping Everyone Happy
Planning a Stress-Free Hawaii Vacation with TeenagersIn this episode of 'Hawaii Travel Made Easy,' Marcie offers invaluable advice for families planning a trip to Hawaii with teenagers aged 13 to 17. Drawing from her personal experience...
Hawaii Food Bucket List: 17 Must-Try Dishes & Drinks
Hawaii's Ultimate Food Bucket List: Must-Try Dishes and DrinksIn this episode of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast, Marcie, a Hawaii travel expert, guides listeners through an ultimate Hawaii food bucket list featuring 17 iconic...
Is Hawaii Worth It with a Toddler? What I Wish Someone Had Told Me
Hawaii with Toddlers: A Different Kind of MagicalIn this episode of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast, Marcie shares her personal experiences and advice on traveling to Hawaii with toddlers. Despite initial challenges, she emphasizes ...
Where to Go in Hawaii: Best Beaches for Snorkeling, Sunset & Actually Finding Parking
Ultimate Guide to Hawaii's Best Beaches: Snorkeling, Sunsets, and Secluded SpotsPlanning a trip to Hawaii can be overwhelming with its plethora of beaches. This guide breaks down the top beaches across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Isl...
Beach Parking in Hawaii: Fees, Reservations & Timing Strategy
Essential Beach Parking Guide for Hawaii VisitorsThis episode covers the crucial details about beach parking in Hawaii, highlighting the significant changes over recent years. It addresses the various fees, reservation systems, and resi...
Solo Travel to Hawaii: Safety, Savings, and Making the Most of Your Trip
Essential Guide to Solo Traveling in Hawaii: Safety, Budget Tips, and Must-See SpotsThis video is a comprehensive guide for solo travelers planning a trip to Hawaii. The host discusses the advantages of solo travel in Hawaii, including ...