Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Plan a Better Hawaii Vacation
Planning a Hawaii vacation or just love Hawaii? Hawaii’s Best is the top Hawaii travel podcast that helps you decide where to stay, what to do, and how to build a trip that feels like a vacation.
Host Bryan Murphy shares practical Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and conversations with local voices across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai. From choosing an island to building your itinerary, you’ll get clear advice for every stage of your Hawaii travel planning.
Bryan is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel. With more than 30+ visits to the islands, he brings firsthand experience and a commitment to respecting Hawaiian culture, caring for natural resources, and supporting local communities.
On this travel podcast, you’ll find:
• Island guides for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Big Island, activities, and realistic itineraries
•Hawaii travel news and what it means for your trip
• Local food, Hawaiian culture, and traditions
• Ways to visit respectfully and support local Hawaii businesses
• Interviews with residents, business owners, and cultural practitioners
Whether you’re planning your first Hawaii trip or returning to explore another Hawaiian island, follow Hawaii’s Best for practical advice that helps you plan with confidence.
New episodes weekly to help you plan your Hawaii vacation.
Episodes
258 episodes
Hawaii Vacations Are Getting Shorter. Is That a Bad Thing?
Hawaii vacations are getting shorter. In July, the average Hawaii trip dropped more than 14% compared with 2025, even as visitor arrivals increased.So what is actually changing, and is a shorter Hawaii vacation really a bad thing?...
Planning a Hawaii Vacation? Do These 7 Things Before Booking Anything Else
Planning a Hawaii vacation can get overwhelming fast, especially when you start with hotels, activities, restaurants, and reservations before deciding the bigger pieces of the trip.✅
Kauai Is Welcoming Visitors Back. But Are Travelers Returning?
Kauai is welcoming visitors back after Hurricane Lowell, but travelers have been much slower to return.In this episode, I break down what the latest passenger numbers actually show, why they should not be confused with official visitor c...
Are Visitors Welcome in Hawaii? What 5 Native Hawaiians Have to Say
Are visitors welcome in Hawaii? After years of mixed messages around tourism, that’s a question a lot of travelers are still quietly asking.In this episode, I went back through conversations I’ve had with five Native Hawaiians and...
Why Fall Is Still My Favorite Time to Visit Hawaii
Could fall still be my favorite time to visit Hawaii after one of the most unusual hurricane seasons in years?👉 FREE Hawaii during fall guide ->If you’re pl...
Kauai After Hurricane Lowell: A Local Perspective on Recovery and How to Help
Kauai is welcoming visitors back after Hurricane Lowell, but recovery is still uneven.In this episode, I’m joined by Meghann Kealoha Matsuda, a lifelong Kauai resident, entrepreneur, and community organizer who has been directly involved...
The Oahu Tourist Traps 1,000 Travelers Say to Skip
Which Oahu 'tourist traps' are actually worth skipping, and which ones are still worth your time?In this episode, I break down some of the most commonly debated Oahu spots, including Dole Plantation, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, Waikiki,...
UPDATE: Should You Cancel Your Kauai Trip?
If you have a Kauai trip coming up, the official guidance has changed.In this update, I explain what Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is now asking upcoming Kauai visitors to consider, what that means if your trip is only days or weeks awa...
Hawaii Travel After Hurricane Lowell: Should You Cancel or Keep Your Trip?
🚨Updated Episode:Apple Podcast
How to Build a Hawaii Itinerary That Actually Feels Like a Vacation
Planning a Hawaii itinerary sounds easy until your list of things to do keeps getting longer.✅ Free Hawaii Itinerary Reality ChecklistBeaches, restaurants, tours, lookou...
Do You REALLY Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?
Do you actually need a rental car in Hawaii, or are you about to pay for one that sits in a parking garage half your trip?The answer depends a lot on which island you’re visiting, where you’re staying, and how much exploring you actually...
How Early Should You Plan a Hawaii Trip? What to Book and When
Are you planning your Hawaii trip too early, too late, or just booking things in the wrong order?👉 Free Checklist for this EpisodeFor most Hawaii trips, the bigger issue i...
Made in Hawaii Festival 2026: What to Know Before You Go
Could one purchase at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival help change a local business’s future? Maybe that sounds dramatic, but it's actually not.For Hawaiʻi visitors and people who love the islands, knowing who made a product helps every purc...
Before You Go to a Hawaiian Luau, Know This About Hula | Miss Aloha Hula Jaedyn Pavao
What is hula really communicating beyond the movements you see on stage?For many, hula is something they experience at a luau, but there is a deeper story, tradition, and cultural practice behind every movement, song, and detail.👉...
Most People Plan a Hawaii Trip Backwards. Here’s the Right Order
Are you planning your Hawaii trip in the wrong order without even realizing it?👉 Start planning with the Hawaii Trip Planner HubMost people start with flights or a bucket list, and...
Before You Buy a Hawaii Souvenir: What “Made in Hawaii” Really Means
Here's the updated description with a resources section added below it:What's the one mistake that can turn Hawaii's biggest shopping event into hours stuck in line?Heading to Oahu this August? Your arrival time at Made in Hawaii ...
The Hawaiian Kingdom Was Taken Twice: Why July 31 Still Matters
What if one of the most important dates in Hawaii history is also one most visitors never learn about?For Hawaii travelers and people who love the islands, understanding July 31 helps explain why Hawaiian sovereignty is not just history,...
Hawaii Reservations That Can Make or Break Your Trip
Could one missed reservation derail the Hawaii day you planned your whole trip around?Free Hawaii Reservation CheckerHawaii’s most popular sites use different...
How Much Does a Hawaii Trip Really Cost in 2026?
How much does a Hawaii trip really cost in 2026, and are you budgeting enough before you book?I break down the real costs travelers face so you can plan a Hawaii vacation without unexpected expenses.👉 Hit play now to learn what to...
7 Things Most Visitors Don’t Know Before Visiting Kauai
Why does Kauai look small on a map but take twice as long to get around as you'd think?If you're planning a Kauai trip, that mismatch between the map and reality can wreck a good itinerary fast.👉 Hit play now and you'll walk away ...
My 10 Favorite Local Restaurants on Kauai
Locals line up outside this Kauai restaurant before the doors even open.🍱 Free Guide: 29 Locally Owned Spots to Eat on Kauai GuideIf you're planning a Kauai trip, skipping...
Which Hawaiian Island Is Right for You?
Which Hawaiian island should you pick when every island looks tempting?The answer isn't which island is "best," it's which one actually fits the trip you're trying to take right now.👉 Hit play now to get one simple question for ea...
Hawaii in July: 7 Things to Know Before You Go
Is July actually a good time to visit Hawaii, or will the crowds and prices ruin your trip?If you're weighing a July trip, the weather works in your favor, but timing your booking and picking the right island makes all the difference.
The Best Time to Visit Hawaii (Based on Your Vacation Goals)
What if the "best time to visit Hawaii" is actually different for everyone, and a generic month-by-month answer is setting your trip up for disappointment?🚗 Save 15% all Shaka Guide to...
5 Hawaii Family Travel Mistakes Most Parents Realize Too Late
Planning a Hawaii trip with kids takes real effort, and the last thing you want is an avoidable mistake turning your vacation into a stressful mess.👉 Hit play now and walk away with a clear, practical list of what to fix before your fami...