7 Things Not to Do When You Visit Hawaii

Hawaii has everything you want for an ultimate vacation: gorgeous beaches, fantastic hotels, and hospitality. It’s such a wonderful tourist destination, and while the locals are used to having visitors all year long, it doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want while you are there. Here are seven things to keep in mind when you visit Hawaii: 

Don’t Call Locals Hawaiian

There is a big difference between locals and Hawaiians, and you don’t want to make that mistake. Locals live in Hawaii no matter where they came from, while “Hawaiian” refers to the ethnicity and culture of native Hawaiian people. 

Don’t Pay for a Resort if You Will Only Sleep There

While the allure of a resort can be tempting, if you are planning on exploring the rest of the area during your stay, don’t spend the money on a resort, instead, find a cheaper regular hotel that will provide you with a nice, comfortable bed and not a ton of extras. 

Don’t Visit During High Tourist Seasons

Like many destinations, Hawaii swells during school vacations. The off-peak tourist season is mid-April through June (before school gets out) and September through mid-December. Businesses will like the assistance during the off-peak, and so will you, as attractions, restaurants, and beaches will all be less crowded. The best part about Hawaii is that the weather is glorious even on the off-season! You can expect temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s. 

Don’t Miss the Local Cuisine

While it can be tempting to stick with familiar foods, you’ll regret it when you are in Hawaii. Items like loco moco (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy), shave ice, and a plate lunch are all must-tries while visiting Hawaii. 

RELATED: 5 Tips for Responsible Travel in National Parks

Don’t Touch/Get Too Close to Wildlife

This may seem like a no-brainer but is worth a mention. If you see an endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle or monk seal lazing on the beach, you may be tempted to get up close to it for the perfect photo opportunity, but please keep your distance. While animals may seem tame and friendly, you never know how they may react when humans get too close. And you should never feed wildlife either, as you don’t know what may harm them, and if animals get used to being fed, it may become harder for them to find their own food when humans stop feeding them. 

Don’t Visit Illegal Places

While you may have seen photos from a forbidden place on Instagram, it doesn’t mean you should visit it too. If there is a sign that says no trespassing, please abide by it! The famous Stairway to Heaven hike may be tempting, but it is actually not allowed, and the staircase will soon be dismantled. 

Don’t Use Anything But Reef Safe Sunscreen

In 2021, Hawaii became the first state to ban sunscreen that contains coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, so make sure you pack a reef-safe sunscreen that does not contain either of those chemicals.