Post-Hawaii Blues? Here’s The Fastest Way To Aloha Again

Just stepped off your Hawaii flight but already missing the islands? Looks like you’re not alone. Here’s the fastest trick travelers use to shake off the post-vacation blues.

Why Hawaii withdrawals hit so hard.

The transition from island time to real life can feel like a crash landing. Many Hawaii travelers describe an almost addictive pull to return as soon as possible.

One minute, you’re watching the waves roll in on Waikiki Beach, and the next, you’re stuck in traffic, scrolling through photos, and wondering why everything suddenly feels so dull. For many, it’s more than just the end of a trip—it’s the loss of an entire mindset.

There’s a reason post-vacation blues hit harder after a Hawaii trip. Clinical psychologists suggest that travel releases dopamine, a chemical tied to pleasure and anticipation. The sensory overload of Hawaii—its scents, sounds, and sights—creates a stark contrast that home routines feel even more mundane by comparison.

The fastest way to recover? Plan your next trip immediately.

There’s one strategy nearly all seasoned Hawaii travelers swear by—booking the next trip before the post-trip slump sets in. The moment you walk in the door, drop your bags, and hit that first wave of reality, open your laptop and start looking at flights.

Psychologists say having something to look forward to can reignite the excitement you just lost. Even if the next trip is months away, planning it triggers the same anticipation response that makes vacations so thrilling.

Reader Christina C. shared her own tactic: “I found a Hawaiian restaurant the next town over and have been telling all the locals about it. They use spam cans to collect your credit card or money! Live and canned music, including Bruddah Iz any time I ask for him.” She, like many Hawaii travelers, builds reminders into daily life—but nothing beats having a flight confirmation in your inbox.

Bringing Hawaii home in the meantime.

While planning the next trip is the fastest way to break the slump, surrounding yourself with Hawaii’s culture keeps the connection alive. Many travelers incorporate pieces of their island experience into daily routines to keep the Aloha spirit strong.

David S. discovered a simple trick: “We found Hawaiian Rainbow (internet radio station), which I play on my Alexa at home. Just say ‘play Hawaiian Rainbow on TuneIn.’ It’s the best Hawaiian station I have found, and occasionally, during the day, they will just play waves crashing. Best-kept secret!”

Others, like Erin O., take a different approach: “One thing I do that helps when I’m missing Hawaii (and especially now in the cold New England winter) is listening to old episodes of the Exotic Tiki Podcast. It’s so lovely. I close my eyes and I’m there.”

For some, the connection is even more tangible—ordering Kona coffee straight from the source, swapping out their morning playlist for Hawaiian slack-key guitar, or even taking up hula or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) lessons online. These minor adjustments create a daily tie to the islands, making the wait for the next trip more bearable.

Why some travelers, like your editors, never returned to the mainland.

A deep connection to Hawaii often lingers long after a visit, and for some, it reshapes their future plans entirely. Many frequent travelers start making longer-term shifts, whether choosing to work remotely so they can visit more often or even relocate to the islands.

For editor Rob, he was a college admission director for many years and visited Hawaii often to recruit students. As Rob said, “it took several visits a year to cover the islands with college fairs, high school visits, and student interviews.” His first island was Kauai in 1989, and he immediately fell in love with Hawaii. Over the years, he dreamed of living in Hawaii, and it took almost 15 years to make that happen. He’s been on Kauai now for over 20 years.

For editor Jeff, he first set foot on Kauai at just 20 years old, tagging along with a friend on what was supposed to be just another getaway. But from the moment he stepped off the plane, something clicked. The rhythm of the waves, the scent of plumeria in the air, and the unhurried warmth of island life pulled him in—hook, line, and sinker. That first visit turned into many, as he found himself drawn back time and again, each trip deepening his connection to the islands. Eventually, the pull became too strong to ignore. Kauai wasn’t just a place he visited; it was home before he even realized it. So, in a full-circle moment, Jeff did what so many Hawaii travelers only dream of—he made it permanent, buying a home in 1996 in the very place where his love affair with the islands began.

Linda H., a former Hawaii resident, shared “Lived there 25 years, back on the mainland now. I miss my beloved Hawaii every single day. I try to get back every year to visit friends and family. The best time of my life was when I was living in Hawaii.”

The best way to break the cycle.

The post-Hawaii slump is real, but it doesn’t have to last. The best way to combat it is to turn the sadness into action—whether that means booking the next trip, bringing elements of Hawaii into daily life, or even reshaping future plans to include more time on the islands.

If the blues have already set in, take action. Open your calendar, find the next possible travel window, and start planning. Just the act of looking at flights, browsing hotels, or reading about new things to do on the islands can be enough to shift your mindset from loss to anticipation.

The good news? Once the next trip is on the books, the countdown begins—and suddenly, the time between now and stepping off the plane in Hawaii again doesn’t feel so long. In the meantime, here’s a video to put you in an island frame of mind. Aloha!

Lead Photo Credit – Beat of Hawaii at Lanikūhonua Cultural Institute at Ko Olina on Oahu.