Accommodations
In Hawaii you have a choice of hotels large and small for every budget, but you also may want to consider apartment or cottage rentals or bed and breakfasts. If you are traveling with your family or a group, compare the cost of accommodation that includes kitchen facilities with the cost of eating out for every meal. You may save a significant amount of time and money by stocking up on food at a local market and preparing most of your own meals, especially if you have children who are fussy eaters. Adventurous travelers with a limited budget should consider camping for some or all of their Hawaiian vacation. The climate and scenery makes for pleasant camping and it is considerably less expensive than other options.
Clothing and Footwear
When packing clothing to bring to Hawaii you should know that the islands have a warm and sunny climate but rain is likely and sometimes heavy. Beachwear and comfortable sandals or flip-flops are essential, and if you choose casual clothing that can be worn on and off the beach you will save room in your luggage. Hawaii is a casual and laid-back place even in the cities so usually formal clothing is unnecessary. If you are going to take a trip to one of Hawaii's volcanoes, you should bring a light jacket or sweater as the temperatures drop significantly at high elevations. If you plan on hiking, then you need proper hiking boots to ensure your comfort and safety over rough terrain.
Island Choice
The choice of Hawaiian islands that you visit will depend on your personal preferences and the types of activities you wish to pursue. Most flights from the U.S. mainland and international flights land at Honolulu International Airport on Oahu, so if you want to avoid additional short flights then you should stay on Oahu. This island also has the benefit of all the amenities and facilities of a major city (Honolulu), plenty of beaches, a wide choice of excursions, the Polynesian Cultural Center, big waves of the North Shore and Pearl Harbor. The Big Island is home to the spectacular site of Mount Kilauea where lava flows into the ocean--a major tourist draw. Maui is known for the scenic Hana Highway along which visitors can stop to swim in pools and under waterfalls. Kauai is called the "Garden Isle" for its dense, lush vegetation and gentle navigable rivers. Lanai and Molokai are less developed than the other main islands and are good for visitors who want privacy and seclusion.
About The Author
Joanne Lewis is a freelance writer who has written for newspapers since 2005. She is currently the editor of a weekly community newspaper in Los Angeles, Calif. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.
