102 thoughts on “What To Pack For Vacation In Hawaii Has Changed”

  1. We always take checked luggage (it’s free with Qantas for us Aussies) and also a cabin bag.. we take only what we need .. and need plenty of room for my shopping .. yes a shopping junkie .. haven’t yet gone over the luggage weight have come close .. but when you’re only taking tee’s, shorts & thongs (slippers) you don’t need much. Just wear a thicker cardigan and scarf on plane both ways.. so no heavy clothing at all!

  2. Bring old undergarments, old shorts, shirts and shoes. Throw them away them as you wear them so you go home with lighter suitcases, less laundry to do when you get home and if you feel you have to fill your suitcase, carry home fresh new clothing or gifts for family & friends.

  3. I can’t believe you are suggesting people plan to buy items on the island and leave them behind. Waste is a huge problem on the islands. Suggestions to leave items to schools or charities would be a great idea.

    1. Chris always take more money than needed .. exchange it all at home and just take USD with us and allow between $1k-2k a week. Hawaii is our only holiday destination and when we go we totally spoil ourselves .. no budgets allowed.

  4. I can’t agree more with the thrift store suggestion. My 3 favorite aloha shirts were from thrift stores in Kihei and Lahaina, and a pair of board shorts each trip.

    DB’s husband’s “2-2-2-2 rule, 2 pairs of board shorts, 2 t-shirts, 2 pairs shorts, and 2 Aloha shirts” is spot-on, as well…or I might actually take 3 pairs of board shorts (one pair solid-color that goes with most of my tees) and minus 1 pair of cotton/cargo shorts.

    Buy new slippahs at the ABC store.

    Thanks for the spices suggestions.

  5. Dont take t-shirts at all-just buy the 6 for 20 at ABC and bring them home as gifts or donate them when you leave.

  6. I agree with the response about taking your own snorkel gear–I guess it depends on how much you like your own stuff (and I do). I use my luggage space for that and what doesn’t fit, I ship a Priority Mail box with other stuff (including some food), and shop the Thrift Stores. I often take a small travel pot or immersion heater. Like the person who bought the coffee pot, I once bought a toaster oven–all I really needed!

    1. Hi Sherri,

      Concur about something for heating like an immersion heater or travel pot. There are even international immersion heaters that work on 110 or 220.

      Aloha.

      1. Hi Smokie,

        An immersion heater is a tiny, lightweight heating coil that you put in a cup or other container to boil water for coffee, tea, cereal, etc. Weighs maybe 1-2 ounces. Incredibly handy for travel.

        Aloha.

  7. We have always traveled with just a carry on bag! Our kids think we are nuts – but it is truly a case of Less is MORE!! More freedom. Less Stress. Sure hope they don’t shrink the standard too far :0(

    I lay everything out on the spare bed. ALWAYS THINK CASUAL for Hawaii. I also make sure that everything I take will ‘go with’ something else. Mix and Match. I do mostly black and white and add a couple other color for tops. 1 pair of casual thong sandals for the beach and one pair of nicer ones for going out. 2 pair of nicer capris for evening wear and a couple pair for play. 4-6 tops. I wear my hiking/water shoes if the bag will be too heavy. 2 swim suits.

    We stay in condos – so we assume we will do laundry.

    We just take our very favorite casual clothes and what is the comfiest!! BE FIRM about ONLY taking what will fit in the that carry on! You will thank yourself later.

    Then I do a preliminary packing up – and what does not fit does not go. OR I take something out so something else will fit in the bag. :0)

    Anything we buy as a souvenir – which isn’t much – we mostly take photos – we ship back via USPS. We don’t like the hassle of waiting around dealing with carousels at the airport.

    Loved the thrift store idea and plan to put a stop on our list of ‘things to do.’

    Heading back to the Big Island for 3 weeks next year!

    Condo – check! Airfare – check! check! Nothing left to do but play around with that carry on bag!!! Can’t wait!

  8. I always bring a small power strip. There never seem to be enough outlets in the hotel rooms. I also bring spices in a small container made for camping. My husband uses the 2-2-2-2 rule, 2 pairs of board shorts, 2 t-shirts, 2 pairs shorts, and 2 Aloha shirts…wears the hiking boots on the plane (pain for security, but keeps the bag light) and packs his flip flops.

    1. Hi DB.

      Ah yes – forgot that one. Also suggest packing extension cords (either electrical or USB).

      Aloha.

  9. I can not wait to go op shopping as we call it in Australia. Can not wait for My girlfriend and I to be in Hawaii in two and half weeks!!!!!!

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