What to Pack for Your Hawaii Vacation (Checklist Included)

Download your FREE "What to Pack for Hawaii" checklist!

Did you know that packing the wrong things for Hawaii can cost you time, money, and even your first day in paradise?

For many travelers, Hawaii feels like an easy trip to pack for, but there are a few must-haves and overlooked items that can completely change your experience.

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If you’ve ever stressed about what to bring or what to leave behind, this episode is for you. Learn how to avoid common packing mistakes and discover the simple items that make your trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

In this episode of our travel podcast, we’ll explore exactly what belongs in your bag for Hawaiʻi and why thoughtful packing helps you feel prepared, comfortable, and respectful of the islands.

👉 In this episode, you will:

• Find out the essentials that every traveler should pack for a Hawaii vacation.
• Learn about the smart extras that most people overlook but actually use all the time.
• Discover two bonus lifesavers that can save you money, stress, and those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments.

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Scroll up ⬆️ and hit play now to discover exactly what to pack for your Hawaii trip so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying paradise.

🤙Resources mentioned:

• What to pack in Hawaii checklist

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🎧Related episodes:

• First Day in Hawaii Mistakes to Avoid
• Best Island to Visit in Hawaii

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💻Related blog posts:

• Best Beaches in Hawaii
• Best Sunscreens for Hawaii

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🤓Chapters:

• 0:44 The Importance of Packing Smart for Hawaii
• 2:08 Must-Have Items for Your Hawaii Trip
• 3:15 Essential Clothing for Hawaii
• 5:03 Footwear and Hydration Tips
• 6:19 Smart Extras to Enhance Your Trip
• 8:35 Bonus Tips and Conclusion

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This Hawaii podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

Edge of the Ocean, Stick Figure (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill, Coby G (w/ permission)
Talk Story, Hawaiian Style Band (w/ permission)

Chapters

• 0:44 The Importance of Packing Smart for Hawaii
• 2:08 Must-Have Items for Your Hawaii Trip
• 3:15 Essential Clothing for Hawaii
• 5:03 Footwear and Hydration Tips
• 6:19 Smart Extras to Enhance Your Trip
• 9:04 Bonus Tips and Conclusion

Transcript

180_What to Pack for Your Hawaii Vacation

[00:00:00] Bryan Murphy: Packing for Hawaii isn't just swimsuits and flip flops. In this episode, you'll discover the essentials most travelers forget, and how bringing the right things can save you money, stress, and time once you're in Hawaii.

[00:00:16] Bryan Murphy: Aloha, welcome to Hawaii's Best. The podcast helping Travelers Plan an unforgettable Hawaii vacation with insider tips in featuring local voices. I'm Brian Murphy, a husband Data three, and certified Hawaii destination expert. Each week I share local insights, travel tips, and up-to-date news Sometimes with.

[00:00:35] Bryan Murphy: Guests across Hawaii and sometimes solo, all to help you Plan your next trip to Hawaii.

[00:00:44] Bryan Murphy: Aloha and welcome back to Hawaii's Best, and today we're talking about something that can really make or break your trip. To Hawaii, we're talking all about packing smarter for Hawaii. Now, you've probably packed for plenty of vacations before, but Hawaii is a bit different. Bring the wrong things or forget the right ones.

[00:01:04] Bryan Murphy: And you might just spend your first day shopping at a b, c store the whole time, which nothing wrong with that, but you could be enjoying the beach during that time. So you wanna pack thoughtfully and you'll feel prepared, comfortable, and even help protect the islands while you're at it. And by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly what belongs in your bag, what you can leave at home, and if you overlooked items that can really make your trip so much smoother.

[00:01:29] Bryan Murphy: And also, if you want a little help in this, I've put together a free printable checklist that you can grab in the show notes below first link. I definitely remember my first time to Hawaii with my wife almost 20 years ago, and 30 trips later, we had. I want to say like three check bags between us and a couple carry-ons, and it was just us.

[00:01:53] Bryan Murphy: We didn't have kids at the time. So when we got there and we were only there for like five days, you know, I realized that first day how overpack I was and how I didn't get through probably 80% of the stuff I packed.

[00:02:08] Bryan Murphy: So first we're gonna be talking about those must haves. You know, the things that you'll want in your check bag, your carry on, you know, no matter what.

[00:02:17] Bryan Murphy: So first step. Is mineral sunscreen. This isn't just about avoiding a sunburn, even though that can be pretty painful and can definitely hamper your trip, but Hawaii has laws in place to protect its reefs, so sunscreens with oxybenzone or octinoxate. Are banned statewide. Now in the county of Maui, which includes Maui, Molokai, and Lena, only mineral sunscreens are allowed for sale in use.

[00:02:47] Bryan Murphy: So, you know, don't just grab a bottle because it says reef safe on the front. You, you want to make sure you flip it over and check the active ingredients if it's zinc ox or titanium dioxide. You're pretty much good to go. And honestly, not only is this better for the ocean, which is why this is in place, but it also saves you from having to pay resort prices for their sunscreen when you realize yours isn't allowed.

[00:03:15] Bryan Murphy: Next step is probably really obvious, but swimsuits. I don't know how many swimsuits that we have bought on. Vacation one 'cause we've, we've forgotten before or one of our kids has forgotten. And two, we didn't try it hunt before we, we went and we grabbed the wrong size. Or maybe the size is too big or too small.

[00:03:36] Bryan Murphy: So check your swimsuits. You'll probably be in the water most days, be it at the pool or beach. So pack a lease. Two. That way you'll have always have, you know, a dry one ready to go. It can be frustrating when you pull out a damp suit thinking that'll be dry in the morning. The weather in Hawaii can be more humid, so it might take some things a little bit longer to dry.

[00:03:58] Bryan Murphy: So having those two swimsuits is a good idea. All right, next up is bringing some lightweight shirts and or tank tops. Hawaii is warm. It's humid, and cotton can feel heavy sometimes after a while. So quick dry fabrics or anything, you know, designed for hot weather will feel just so much weather and and breathable.

[00:04:18] Bryan Murphy: So when you're packing, have that in mind. You also need a couple pairs of shorts. You know, obviously those are great for beach days, hikes just hanging out, even going to the restaurant. Hawaii isn't too formal. You know, a nice pair of shorts and Aloha shirt for guys is pretty much okay at most places that you're going to eat at.

[00:04:38] Bryan Murphy: So if you're planning something active, maybe have some athletic shorts, maybe. You like to wear jeans? I probably brought my first time visiting Hawaii. I, I probably bought two or three pairs of jeans and I don't think I wore once. So they can be hot, they can be bulky for Hawaii, but maybe a pair of, I don't know guys, you know, dockers or.

[00:05:00] Bryan Murphy: Or that type of chino type of pant.

[00:05:03] Bryan Murphy: If you want to dress up a little bit now for your feet, you want to definitely bring some flip flops. Sandals definitely are essential or, or you might hear locals refer to flip flops or sandals as slippers, and you'll probably be slipping them on and off a lot, especially since it's custom to leaf shoes at the door when entering someone's home.

[00:05:21] Bryan Murphy: So if you're visiting someone in Hawaii. Having some flip flops is good just to be able to slip on and off when needed. And a quick tip is, you know, don't hike. In flip flops, trails can be muddy, rocky, unpredictable, dangerous. So bring a pair of sturdy shoes if you plan to hit the trails and do a little exploring that way.

[00:05:43] Bryan Murphy: And finally on. The essential things to bring is a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated is huge and you'll find that there are refill stations at airports, parks. Many of the hotels resorts have 'em. So it's a, it's a simple way to cut down on plastic waste. And if you have an insulated bottle, metal would be best rather than plastic.

[00:06:04] Bryan Murphy: But that just keeps, you know, drinks cold for hours, which is great and refreshing, especially after exploring a hike or during a hike or at, you know, at the beach or pool. It's just good having that ready and available.

[00:06:19] Bryan Murphy: Alright, now we're gonna talk about some just smart extras that aren't always a, you know, top of mind.

[00:06:24] Bryan Murphy: When packing, but once you have them, you'll wonder how you've never traveled without 'em. One of those first things for us is a rash guard or a swim shirt. I always swim in a rash guard now, especially in Hawaii, so I don't have to keep reapplying sunscreen. So having a, that sun shirt, it gives you that extra sun protection.

[00:06:45] Bryan Murphy: It dries quickly and it's just great and versatile if you're out surfing, snorkeling, or just hanging out at the pool. And most rash guards do have a UPF of 50, which blocks almost most of the harmful UV rays. Next up is water shoes. They're not the most glamorous thing you'll pack, but they're definitely worth it, especially on a lot of beaches.

[00:07:07] Bryan Murphy: They can be rocky. The shorelines, lava rock and just slipping around barefoot is no fun. So having water shoes to protect you from any cuts, sea urchins, and even hot sand. Plus they're just light to pack is kind of a no-brainer, quick drying, and just easy to throw in the day bag, you know, your beach bag for the day.

[00:07:27] Bryan Murphy: Another item, or definitely would be sunhats or cap. The Hawaiian sun is intense and even on breezy or partly cloudy days, a hat keeps your face shaded, reduces glare. It means you don't have to pile on as much sunscreen. So whether you're hiking, lounging on the sand, wandering through town, a good hat. Is the way to go and it can pack relatively flat for women.

[00:07:50] Bryan Murphy: Uh, my wife has, I don't know how many sun hats and I don't know how many baseball caps I have, so we pack probably three each. And uh, they don't take up too much space in the check bag. And finally, a light sweater or jacket. This one actually surprises a lot of people. And yeah, obviously Hawaii is tropical, but evenings and higher elevation, especially on the big island of Hawaii, they can be.

[00:08:14] Bryan Murphy: Chilly. So if you're doing a Halala Sunrise on the island of Maui, or Stargazing on Mona on Hawaii Island. It's cold and even in towns like Waimea, cool off at night. So have a, you know, a light layer won't take up much space in your bag, but it'll make you a lot more comfortable when temperatures can dip.

[00:08:35] Bryan Murphy: Alright, so before I wrap up with a couple, you know, last bonus items, I put together a free printable checklist that covers everything we've talked about, plus I've included 29 more items that can make your trip even. Easier. And to grab that, it's gonna be the first link in the show notes below, and you'll be able to grab it right there.

[00:08:55] Bryan Murphy: So bonus items to bring would be a couple reusable shopping bags. Plastic checkout bags are banned across Hawaii, so having a foldable tote bag in your suitcase is definitely gonna come in handy. So all those A, b, C store trips and just going to farmer's markets, you want to have that just ready and available.

[00:09:16] Bryan Murphy: And it's also great for. You know, a day bag down to the beach or pool without it. You'll probably find yourself spending money on bags. If you're out shopping, you're gonna have to probably buy a bag just to carry your items. And the second bonus tip is bring some laundry detergent. I, I know it sounds kind of random, but it's definitely a lifesaver.

[00:09:36] Bryan Murphy: This is something we started doing probably about. 10 years ago and just having a small bag of detergent, powder, or even better detergent sheets, it lets you wash your clothes in the sink or use the hotel machines, or maybe you're staying in a condo. That means you can pack a little bit lighter, not bring as many clothes, but you could still have some fresh clothes if you're staying a week or two in Hawaii, which is especially handy if you're traveling with kids.

[00:10:01] Bryan Murphy: But, uh, just one tip on that, if you're flying with powder in your carry-on, keep it under 12. Ounces, so TSA doesn't get mad or flag you for extra screening better yet, just keep that in your check bag. All right, so there you go. That's just kind of the tip of the iceberg of what to bring to Hawaii. If you want to make packing even easier.

[00:10:23] Bryan Murphy: Like I mentioned, I put together a free printable checklist with all of today's items, plus 29 more items. You'll be glad you didn't overlook, so you can grab that in the first link in the show notes, and next week, I'm really excited to be talking all about. In sharing my experiences with how to keep teens and tweens engaged on a Hawaii vacation.

[00:10:44] Bryan Murphy: So if you're struggling with some older kids. This is gonna be a fun one that you don't want to miss. All right, Mahalo for listening to today's episode and until next time, as always, live with Aloha

[00:11:00] Bryan Murphy: Mahalo for listening to this episode of Hawaii's. Best to stay up to date on future episodes. Hit follow on your podcast app. Hawaii's Best is a production of Shore Break Media Group. With editing by easy podcast solutions and music courtesy of our friends stick figure.