Visiting the islands of Hawaii for the first time can be pretty overwhelming, which is why thorough planning is required so you can make your entire trip easier, more fun, and memorable.
The thing about the islands of Hawaii is that they have it all, from sandy beaches to amazing weather, good food and friendly people. Hawaii is one of the most beautiful travel destinations that you can go to in the United States of America, but before you visit the islands, there are a lot of things that you have to know about them to make the most out of your trip.
To help you out, we have listed down some of the many things that you should know before you go on your first trip to the islands of Hawaii!
Learn Basic Hawaiian Phrases
Before you visit Hawaii, you want to learn some simple words and phrases.
The thing with learning basic Hawaiian words and phrases is that it is considered as a sign of respect, and it shows you took the time to learn about their culture and are interested in interacting with them by using their local language.
Remember, being fluent is not required because English is commonly used in Hawaii. Just try to learn some of the basic ones so you can use them to engage with the locals.
Know The Local Food
Knowing what you can try once you’re in Hawaii is necessary.
It can help you save a lot of time and can allow you to find the best restaurants that offer the food that you are trying to taste.
When you’re researching the local food of Hawaii, you want to know what’s put into the dishes, especially if you are allergic to certain ingredients. This can help you prioritize your health too while vacationing!
Don’t Assume That Every Person You Meet Is Hawaiian
When you’re visiting the islands of Hawaii, one thing that you should never do is assume that every single person that you meet is Hawaiian.
You have to keep in mind that the Island of Hawaii has been inhabited since the first settlement by the Polynesians and at one point in recent history, people started settling in the islands.
There are Japanese, Filipinos, Americans, Mexicans, and other nationals living in Hawaii. Also, tourists from all over the world are visiting the islands throughout the year, which is why you should never assume that every person you get in contact with is Hawaiian.
Bring Your Own Non-Plastic Bags
Another thing that you need to know before visiting Hawaii is that the usage of single-use plastic bags is banned, which is why we would suggest all visitors bring their own non-plastic bags.
If you are planning to do some shopping, it would be necessary to have your own reusable carry bags. It could allow you to avoid spending money on bags. Also, it can allow you to play your role in being part of the solution of the plastic pollution problem in Hawaii.
Bring An Umbrella
Hawaii has tropical weather, which is why we would advise every person that’s visiting the islands to have their own umbrella with them all the time.
It’s known that sudden short showers can occur anytime throughout the islands in Hawaii and they only last for 10 to 20 minutes. This is why it is recommended to have your own umbrella with you when you’re visiting this place on your own or with your family.
Leave Your Shoes At The Door Before Entering A House
When you’re in Hawaii, you will notice that almost every single house has a shoe rack by the front door, and if you’re wondering why it’s so common to have them, those are actually for visitors.
As you visit someone’s house throughout your stay in Hawaii, you should know that it is necessary to take your shoes off at the door. This is actually a sign of respect, it allows the homeowner to keep their house cleaner.
Try To Take Part In Volunteer Activity Throughout Your Stay
There are tons of activities that you can take part in throughout your stay in Hawaii, and if you’re trying to give back to the place that you are visiting, you can do such by participating in volunteer activity.
The best thing about volunteer activity is that you can work with the elderly, serve the homeless, clean the beaches or oceans, and do something for the locals depending on what you can come up with.
Here are some of the many activities that you can take part of during your stay in Hawaii:
- Youth and Volunteer Programs Assistant
- Volunteer Interpretive Guide
- Air Tour Monitoring Volunteer
- Landscape Maintenance Volunteer
- Environmental Education Assistant
- Early childhood education
- Domestic violence prevention and intervention
- Child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment
- Behavioral health support
- Community building and economic development
Please do remember that these are just some of the many things that you can do as a volunteer when visiting Hawaii.
Always Check The Weather Forecast
Like what we mentioned before this, the weather in Hawaii is pretty unpredictable, which is why when you’re planning to visit Hawaii for some time or for vacation, you need to check out the weather forecast from time to time.
Before you schedule your activities for the day, checking the weather forecast can help you ensure that everything will be done in a smooth way and you will be ready for anything that the day has to offer.
If it will rain, you want to have an umbrella and raincoat with you and if it’s sunny, you need to apply sunscreen, have a water bottle in your bag and an umbrella to protect yourself from the extreme heat.
Don’t Throw Waste Anywhere
One problem that is faced by the people of Hawaii is how tourists act when they’re visiting the islands, especially with how they handle waste.
When visiting its islands, you want to make sure that you are not throwing waste anywhere, instead, you want to throw them at the designated places. From public trash bins to the trash cans at restaurants, you need to ensure that you are throwing your piece of share at the right places and are not contributing to increased waste throughout your stay in the islands.
In case you do see people throwing trash at the beach, pick them up and throw them at the right place. This can help you reduce plastic waste and can encourage other people to do the same thing.
There Are Tons Of Free Activities
If you are traveling on a budget to Hawaii, you obviously want to try and know the free activities that are carried out throughout the year on every single island.
Remember, there are festivals, parades, parties, concerts, and food related events that are open to all people that are in Hawaii, and as a tourist, you need to know them all so you can have fun and make your entire trip memorable.
Not only festivals and parties, but hiking trips, visiting public beaches, and snorkeling are other free activities that you can try out if you are planning to visit Hawaii. Just make sure that you do some research before visiting the islands so you can know what to do and what to avoid during your stay there, which can surely help you save a lot of time.
Conclusion – Things You Should Know Before Your First Trip To The Hawaiian Islands
Before your first trip to the Hawaiian islands, you have to do a lot of research so you can make your entire trip efficient, fun, and memorable. Once you know what to do, what to avoid and have all the necessary information about the place, you can make the most of your trip no matter when you visit them! The main goal of the article that we made above is to educate and inform people on all the things that they should know before they visit the islands of Hawaii.