Aloha, fellow travelers! Have you ever wondered how to make the most out of your Hawaiian vacation while ensuring you avoid common pitfalls and mistakes? Join us in this exciting episode of Hawaii's Best as our host, Bryan Murphy, shares the top 5 things NOT to do in the islands, guaranteeing you an unforgettable and safe experience.
Get insider tips on the importance of renting a car, why you should venture beyond Waikiki, how crucial it is to heed warning signs, the benefits of using reef-safe sunscreen, and the value of respecting Hawaiian culture. By keeping these essential tips in mind, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty and incredible experiences that Hawaii has to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Tune in and get ready to make your Hawaiian dreams come true!
When planning a trip to Hawaii. There is no shortage of fantastic resources, of incredible things to do, and I think a quick Google search will confirm that. However, just as important, there are some things that you want to make sure that you do not do when you visit Hawaii, and that's what we're talking about in this episode. So let's go ahead and let's dive right on into it.
Speaker 2:
Aloha. Welcome to Hawaii's Best. Here you'll learn what to know before traveling, as we discover Hawaiian culture, local businesses and the experiences that make Hawaii one of the most incredible places in the world. And now your host, brian Murphy.
Speaker 1:
On today's episode we're talking all about what not to do in Hawaii And, like I mentioned, there are many, many guides what to do And we provide some of those guides at Hawaii's Best Travel, but there's not a lot of guides of what not to do. There are some in a search that I did. There are some guides that show you kind of what not to do, but, i think, just as important of what to do in Hawaii, there are certain things that you just want to be aware of, and when I say you don't want to do this, don't want to do that, i don't want to sound just don't do that just because because I said so. No, that's not. The intent of this list is to give you five things that you don't want to do in Hawaii because it's in your best interest, and when we unpack these five, you'll see how, by not doing these things, you'll be able to have even a better time on your next trip to Hawaii. So let's go ahead and we're going to dive right on in to the five things not to do in Hawaii Number one.
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Number one not renting a car. And though you know it may seem fun to try and explore Hawaii without a car. It really just isn't feasible. You can maybe get away with it a little bit on Oahu, especially if you're staying in Waikiki. The public transportation on Oahu is definitely a little bit more present than the other islands. But if you're trying to save some money, don't take it from the rental car budget line. If you like the idea of traveling around the islands via a bus tour, then maybe you can get away without running a car. But to really explore Hawaii, you want to be able to get out there. Get out there on your own, with your group and be able to explore the island on your own time And when you want. To many hikes require some driving to get to the trail heads. So that's just another reason why renting a car is important. And if you rent a car and you're driving around the island, say on Oahu, and you're not exactly sure where to go or what to do, there's a great app for that that we recommend. It's called Shaka Guide, an app, and I'll link it in the show notes. You can actually go to hawaiysbesttravelcom, slash shaka, and be able to download the app right there.
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And another quick tip is don't leave valuables in your car. There are a lot of turnoffs and hikes in Hawaii which require you to park on the side of the road or park in a small lot, which makes those cars an easy target for, you know, smashing grab thieves. So be sure to yes, that happens in Hawaii, it happens quite a bit. Just be mindful of that Next time you're getting out there and parking your car. Hide your stuff in the car or, even better yet, take any valuables with you as you hike.
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Number two Number two it kind of goes along with the first one is don't spend all your time in Waikiki. Waikiki is designed to keep you happy, content and really not to venture out. I mean you can. It's obvious to see why because there's world class dining, hotels, shopping. It's easy to just stay put in Waikiki your entire vacation while you are on Oahu. However, Hawaii, like I mentioned, is really meant to be explored and to get out there. Say, you're staying in Waikiki, rent in a car for the day, a day trip to the North Shore. It'll provide some great perspective of the many wonders of Hawaii, and even a short drive over to the east side in Kailua. It'll transport you into this whole other world of Hawaii that can be hard to find in Waikiki. Now, you know don't get me wrong Waikiki can be an incredible place and there's so many places there that are amazing. The iconic View of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach, you know, standing right outside the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, that shot right there. Waikiki is Incredible. And Waikiki is also a great place to learn how to surf and just to get acclimated with Hawaii. But there's so much more to explore than just staying the whole time in Waikiki.
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Number three. Number three ignoring warning signs. When it comes to having someone else tell you what to do, like, seriously, i'm the first one to say don't, don't tell me what to do. Like, mind your own business. But it's a lot different in Hawaii. The lifeguards there are amazing and incredible and generally care about your well-being and have your best interest in mind. They are a group of men and women who deserve, i think, more appreciation than they actually get. You know, they risk their lives every day fighting some of the most crazy rips and Surf in the world. They know what they're doing and they deal a lot with like knuckleheads just getting out there, thinking, thinking you know they were, they swam in school, thinking they swam in high school on the swim team and That they can just, you know, get out and just jump right into the ocean without heating, any warnings, and that's just simply not true. When there is a warning sign of a strong current or sharp coral, for example, pay attention, it's there for a reason. The surf in Hawaii can be unpredictable one minute You know it could be calm, and then the next completely different. So just winning.
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There's a saying you know you, maybe you've heard of it, it's when in doubt, don't go out. And that's just simply means if you feeling a little uneasy About getting out into the water, just just don't do it. And another thing to just keep in mind, too, is just never turn your back to the ocean, Always just be aware that could be that one rogue wave that just kind of wipes you. You probably seen people just get face planted, and You know some some gnarly shore breaks. So just be aware of that. So just know what the ocean is doing, know what the water is doing, and that simply is just not turning your back on it. Just being aware, keeping your eye on it is super important. And another thing is to go to beaches where there are lifeguards positioned. That should. That gives you just a good idea of a good piece of mind really, to just to To know that that there's some sort of safety net there, and that's just a good piece of mind, knowing that that part of the beach is patrolled by lifeguards. And I think the same can be said for hiking too, just to be aware of the signs that are being posted at the trail heads. Ask around, you know, ask locals about different hikes, different beaches, and they'll be more than happy to give you their advice and To offer any warnings or any tips on certain hikes. So be sure to do that. Be safe, enjoy Hawaii like it's meant to be enjoyed, and the beauty of it, but also you want to make sure you go back home alive too, because that's super important. So those signs are there for a reason, and be sure to eat their warnings.
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Number four. Number four, using chemical sunscreen. Now, before we go into you know what sunscreen is we recommend. It's unvital to acknowledge that protecting yourself from exposure to the Sun is critical and with an average of 271 days per year of sunny days in Honolulu, there is an excellent likelihood that your stay on the islands will be mostly sunny and the Sun in Hawaii It it can be hotter and a bit stronger than maybe what you're used to. So sunscreen and protecting yourself from the Sun is super important. If having to remember to put sunscreen on and reapplying it isn't your thing, then wearing a short sleeve or long sleeve, rash guard And the hat can be a great alternative to that. And finally, number five. And finally number five the most important thing Not to do in Hawaii is not showing respect.
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Aloha is more than just a warm and fuzzy thing to say. It's really truly a way of life, and how you interact with people on island will make or break your experience truly. By simply showing love and appreciation for people in Hawaii while you're on vacation, you will receive 10 times back. The love and community of Hawaiians and locals is something truly unique and special. So, along with showing respect for others, showing respect for the land is just as important. You can check out our interview with Maddie Leong and Spencer Lee. There are a couple of professional landscape photographers that we had on the podcast show back on episode 34. You can learn more about how to do that tangibly when you're on island. But the main thing I just wanna just highlight is leaving no trace, and in that episode we talked about the principles of leave no trace. There's seven of them. I just wanna kinda quickly rattle those off to you so you can have a better understanding of just what it means to being good stewards of the land when you travel And this can apply for Hawaii, obviously, but anything in your life, or even when you're traveling to other locations.
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Number one is plan ahead and prepare. Number two travel and camp on durable surfaces, and I would also add to that travel and camp to where it's permitted as well. Number three dispose of waste properly. You'd be surprised to learn that there's many beaches in Hawaii where there's a bunch of trash, and that's another thing that you can do while you're on vacation is looking into the local community of when there are beach cleanups. That's just a great way to be able to give back to such an incredible place.
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Number four is leave what you find. For example, don't take lava rocks. That's like big taboo, like no, no. Don't just leave the lava rocks alone. Pay a little, we'll get you. It's just good, not good vibes. So be sure to not take any lava rocks with you. Number five minimize campfire impacts And also I would add to that, build a fire to where it's permitted as well. Number six is respect wildlife. Don't chase dolphins. Don't touch dolphins. Don't touch turtles. These are federally protected animals as well, so just be aware of that. Enjoy them from a distance, enjoy them in their natural habitat, their beauty, but don't chase after them to get the shot or anything like that. And number seven is just be considerate of other visitors as well. So I hope that this quick list of five things of what not to do in Hawaii gave you some perspective as you're planning your next trip. Until next time, be well, aloha And I'll see you soon.
Speaker 2:
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