A recent London Times article painted an almost cartoonish version of Hawaii, where residents supposedly live in aloha shirts, welcome visitors with open arms, and spend their free time surfing between shifts at resorts. The same piece casually suggested a ten-day luxury vacation for $25,000 and an itinerary featuring Molokai—a place with little visitor infrastructure and a long history of preferring to be left alone. It even implied that poi is a staple on dinner tables across the islands.
While this might be an extreme example, it reflects a broader issue that caught our attention. Many first-time travelers arrive in Hawaii with expectations shaped by such articles, glossy brochures, outdated guidebooks, and social media influencers looking for the perfect Instagram shot. Some assumptions are harmless, but others can lead to costly mistakes, disappointment, or dangerous situations.
The gap between perception and reality has never been wider. From believing Hawaii is just another tropical Disneyland to assuming everything revolves around tourism, our island guests often arrive with the wrong ideas. Coming with a better understanding of Hawaii will make the experience far more rewarding.
The fantasy of a tropical Disneyland.
In reality, Hawaii is a complex place, with real people, challenges, and landscapes that don’t always fit into anyone’s picture-perfect narrative. It’s worth getting to know beyond the beautiful scenery and beaches.
One glaring example is the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Napali Coast, often marketed online as a scenic nature walk. In reality, it’s one of the most dangerous trails in Hawaii, and misinformation leads hikers to believe it’s a casual trek.
Rescues happen frequently, and some visitors find themselves in life-threatening situations because they weren’t adequately prepared. According to Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, dozens of emergency evacuations occur on the trail each year, often due to underestimating the terrain and weather conditions in relation to visitor’s abilities.
The myth of idyllic weather.
Hawaii’s sunny beaches fuel the illusion of an endless summer, but that is not always the case. True, it is normally warm, but rain during winter months can be unpredictable. On the windward sides of the islands, showers can be frequent and often catch visitors off guard, especially those expecting nothing but blue skies throughout their long-awaited trip.
Surprisingly, many people arrive unprepared for sudden shifts in conditions. One winter-time visitor shared, “We packed nothing but summer clothes and got hit by incessant cold weather and sudden downpours. We were soaked, freezing, and there was no way to escape it.”
The National Weather Service notes that Hawaii’s microclimates mean it can be sunny on one side of an island and storming on the other. While that is often true it is now always what happens. Visitors relying solely on forecasts often don’t realize just how varied conditions can be in Hawaii.
Cultural misunderstandings and costly missteps.
Hawaii’s culture runs deeper than hula performances at a luau, yet many visitors arrive with only a surface-level understanding. One of the most common mistakes? Using “Hawaiian” as a catch-all term for anyone from the islands. In reality, Hawaiian refers specifically to the Native Hawaiian people, while residents of Hawaii come from many backgrounds. The term local typically refers to people born and raised in Hawaii (or long time residents), regardless of whether they are Hawaiian or not.
Beyond terminology, some visitors unknowingly disrespect sacred sites, assume access to places that are private property, or disregard cultural protocols. In extreme cases, this has led to fines, conflicts with residents, or unintentional damage to historical landmarks.
A longtime resident noted, “I’ve seen people climbing over fences to get the perfect Instagram shot at ancient heiau sites. They don’t even realize they’re trespassing on something sacred.” Another traveler admitted, “We followed a travel blog’s advice to check out a hidden waterfall, only to find out later it was on private land. We felt awful when the owner asked us to leave.”
For visitors who want to engage with Native Hawaiian culture in a meaningful way, there are better options than than outdated guidebook recommendations. Cultural centers like Bishop Museum and ʻIolani Palace provide a start into a deeper historical context, while local organizations offer immersive experiences that are both educational and respectful.
Environmental missteps tourists keep making.
The cost of bad travel advice isn’t just personal—it impacts Hawaii’s fragile environment. Misguided tips often lead to behaviors that harm marine life, damage coral reefs, or overwhelm areas unable to handle heavy foot traffic.
Visitors often don’t realize the consequences of seemingly harmless actions. Despite Hawaii’s laws banning certain harmful chemicals, many still wear non-reef-safe sunscreen, said to contribute to coral bleaching. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), harmful sunscreen ingredients are a significant factor in Hawaii’s coral reef degradation. Others pocket lava rocks as souvenirs, only to mail them back later after hearing of Pele’s Curse.
Feeding or seeking to touch wild animals is another common misstep, disrupting ecosystems and making wildlife dependent on humans. One traveler admitted, “We thought touching sea turtles was fine until a resident scolded us on the beach. We had no idea it was illegal.” The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources enforces strict protections for marine life, including monk seals, and fines for disturbing endangered species can be appropriately steep.
The price of getting it wrong.
Believing travel myths in Hawaii—or anywhere—can be frustrating, expensive, or even dangerous. Many visitors end up paying for extra nights or wasting valuable time after underestimating interisland travel logistics, scrambling to find rental cars during peak season, or seeking medical attention after an accident caused by unpreparedness.
While Hawaii isn’t the only destination where misconceptions create problems—Europe has its own set of travel myths, from assuming free water in restaurants to chasing off-season deals that no longer exist—the stakes here in the islands can be particularly high. Hawaii’s remoteness, limited infrastructure, and cultural nuances mean that miscalculations often come with bigger consequences than expected.
Making the most of Hawaii by getting it right.
Avoiding these common missteps isn’t about over-planning—it’s about arriving with the right mindset. Hawaii rewards those who approach it with respect, curiosity, patience for its quirks, and a willingness to adapt. The best travel experiences don’t come from forcing the islands to fit an expectation but from embracing them as they are.
By doing your homework, understanding local customs, and preparing for reality rather than a fantasy, you’ll not only sidestep costly mistakes but also create memories that truly honor the spirit of aloha.
What did you get right or wrong about Hawaii? We welcome your thoughts. Mahalo!
Lead Photo – Beat of Hawaii at Puʻu Poa Beach at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on Kauai.
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I getting wrong about hawaii is drink my juice and get spilled on my dress at luau in Kona, and sunburn what I snorkel. So I think I didn’t like it. And I was fine.
Mahalo and Aloha.
I remember years ago telling this tourist guy not to go in the water at big beach in makena, this was before they had lifeguards and he looked at me with this expression on his face like f you don’t tell me what to do and he entered the water and the first wave that came he went over the falls and got slammed on the beach and washed up right where I was standing and his hip was twisted and leg was turned in the opposite direction and he couldn’t move so we had to pull him up higher on the beach so that the waves wouldn’t drag him back in the water. I remember standing over him saying you should have listen to me because now someone has to drive to a pay phone (b4 cell) and call 911 and that’s 20 mins and then another 35 mins for the paramedics to arrive so in the meantime you have to lay here in pain until they show up! I just shook my head. We locals grew up in those water conditions and we make it look easy like a surgeon with skilled hands. Tourist should never snub our advice.
Any responsible traveler, no matter the destination, should always do their research on the intended destination. For me that’s just common sense. Especially when it comes to what is appropriate and non offensive to the people and their culture. Respect where you go and don’t act like a jackhole.
“… For me that’s just common sense…” Which a lot of visitors Don’t have.
We are arriving in Oahu on March 17 for my son’s wedding.
Any suggestions on what to see first and what to stay away from? I feel like I’m prepared but after reading some comments, maybe not.
I’ve read you spend a lot of money, hopefully I’ve saved enough.
Thank you.
IMO on Oahu my best sites were Hanauma Bay, Bob’s Barbeque tour out of Kaneohe and the fabulous sandbar. North Shore grill just a few blocks from the zoo and their delicious Kalbi Ribs. Dole plantation plant out on H2 (Dole whip) and a outdoor chicken pit on the side of road just north of Waimea Bay which is north of the junction of where H2 ends. Culture about the islands Bishop Museum. All these locations are accessible by bus except for North Shore grill which is like a mile walk from Waikiki. Hope this helps. Other than that it is the normal Diamand Head, USS memorial and Luau’s.
Tourist behavior is slowly changing for the better. Keyword Slowly.
Right after the pandemic, when we were flooded with tourists desperate for a vacation, so much of the behavior was atrocious and entitled. While many tourists are still loud and stick out like a sore thumb, they’re not wreaking as much havoc as they once did. They’re not harassing sea turtles and dolphins with the same carelessness. They’re expressing interest in local cultural events. That’s a positive and encouraging sign.
Question…. How many Hawaiian Monk Seals have been murdered over the last decade, and who is doing the killing?
“The best travel experiences don’t come from forcing the islands to fit an expectation but from embracing them as they are.”
Unless you are a visitor, and not a local, since locals can go to any beach they want while visitors have to make reservations weeks/months in advance.
IMO Waikiki is great if you like people watching and want to spend money. Lots of high end shops and nice stone sidewalks. This is no different than a concrete jungle with hot pavement and overpriced food and beverages. IMO the best investment one can make if going to Hawaii is a new comfortable, supportive pair of shoes. Believe me you will do lots of walking. If you want locals to eye you out like a walking wallet this is the place to go. Sidewalk street begrants asking for a $10 bill just to walk around his side show act. Shoulder to shoulder crowds just like the local mall. Hate to say it but one needs to grab a bus and go to the other side during the day.
As I’ve always said most peoples perception of their first Hawaiian vacation comes from watching a Brady Bunch episode or Hollywood movie.
Best to stick to mineral-based sunblock – non-nano Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide. The rest are chemical-based that are banned in Maui County.
You said “…Rescues happen frequently on the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Napali Coast… ” I wonder how many are visitors vs. locals?
BTW.. do you have link to that post that was so misleading for visitors? I’d like to get a good laugh.
I live in a condo complex that has vacation rentals so I encounter lots of tourists. I’m amazed how many read Nothing about the island before coming here. They’re completely in the dark.
I’ll tell one on myself. On our first time in Hawaii, on Maui, I got lost and was driving through a residential neighborhood in Kihei, going too fast. A group of residents standing out by the street called me out, told me to slow down and said “we have to live here”. I have never forgot that and after several subsequent visits have slowed down and been a courteous driver and never rushed.
Excellent article and very well said BOH. Your comments and advice to visitors are spot on, especially with regard to the North Shore of Kauai. Every time we land at Lihue Airport there are always some folks on their first visit that are startled at the sight of roosters and chickens running around the airport. I usually say to them, “welcome to Kauai, this isn’t the mainland or Honolulu. Don’t even think of trying to feed or catch one of these critters, and NO you can’t eat them!
Aloha to all
Please also add as an example of disregard for the law and lack of respect for private property. The Haiku Stairs. Even now, partially disassembled, they are still being climbed (despite recent arrests), these people are still trespassing on private property, scaring the locals who live there, and little is being done to pushback on the “Guides” who make an excellent living making this possible for these people to do this.
Reminds me of human traffickers on the Southern Border. Pardon me for the rant but I have a very elderly Ohana member who has been tormented for years with trespassing groups in her back yard at O Dark Thirty in the morning who think it’s perfectly OK to do so – talk about a sense of entitlement…
Best Regards
We’ve been enjoying Hawai’i since 2004. From the onset we respected each place we’ve visited. Since then we’ve been back 14 times. In fact, the only Lei I’ve ever received was the one I made during our 24th anniversary. We’ve been to the Big Island of Hawai’i where I visited an ancient fishing village, and black sand beach, Kilauea, and of course we walked through the Thurston Lava Tube. We’ve been on Oahu several times where we’ve taken “The Bus” completely around the island, visuted Pearl Harbor, and walked throughout Waikiki. We’ve attempted to respect every inch of Hawai’i, and never understood people treating any if the islands as if they were the same as ballparks where people purposely throw sunflower seed shells, popcorn, cups on the floors where they sit. We cherish the land that at anytime can be destroyed, such as what Lahaina saw in 2023. We just finished visiting the fragile west side of Maui. I love the island and the flow of life there.
As a former local boy who grew up in Hawaii (now living in NH), when people ask for advice, the first thing I tell them is that it’s Nothing like whatever their preconceived perceptions might be from TV, social media, and brochures.
I tell them if they’re looking for the “tropical paradise,” don’t go to Oahu (where I’m from). It’s overcrowded, overdeveloped, the traffic is constant, and most of what is there are tourist traps. I also tell them that Maui is quickly catching up to Oahu, and the “local culture” I knew growing up in the 70s and 80s is quickly disappearing there too.
The closest island to what they perceive Hawaii to be is Kauai, but I tell them no matter what island they go to, to expect a LONG flight and to spend a LOT of money.
It appears to me, from “this side,” that part of the misconceptions about what Hawaii is also from how the Hawaii Tourism Authority markets it.
Where in nh do you live? I’m from maui and living in lowell, ma now.Ma
So true what you said.
You read the da post above where the person said that we eat poi every night for dinner? Only if they knew that a bag of
No ka oi poi or a tub of hanalei poi cost almost 10.00 now, that like a scoop of rice. Even us hawaiians cannot afford our staple at that price. Gallon of milk back at home at walmart is $9.99 and that is last week price 3/4/2025 just got back 5 days ago.
When we’re in Hawaii (typically Kauai) we look at the current weather report before leaving the condo for the day. We typically stay at a resort to the south of Kapa’a. Do we go north or south (or just stay put) today? We seldom are surprised by the weather.
Aloha Rob and Jeff. Another good article. We visited ‘lolani palace and I would say if anyone goes there but doesn’t take the time to learn the history gathered in the basement exhibits, then you haven’t really visited the palace. It should be better presented as a must see destination. So many others looked at the 1st and 2nd floor, then out the door to the next photo op.
We’ve purchased sunscreen from Amazon that stated it was reef safe, only to find out it was not. We could use a brief tutorial on what constitutes “reef safe” sunscreen.
Aloha, reef-safe sunscreens do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two common UV-blocking chemicals, that studies have shown can cause coral bleaching.
Basically anything that blocks UV.
Aloha Curtis,
In 2021, Hawaii became the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals damage marine life and contribute to coral bleaching. Stores in Hawaii are banned from selling sunscreen containing these ingredients.
Mahalo for that info. We’re going to the Big Island in a couple of weeks and want to make sure that the reefs stay healthy.
I buy mine from the responcible divers shop.
Curtis, when you travel, just buy sunscreen at your destination. Then you don’t have to worry about it it’s legal or not.