With significant disagreement, it’s a fascinating topic. What is it that makes for a Hawaii tourist trap?
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34 thoughts on “Which Are The Hawaii Tourist Traps To Avoid?”
With significant disagreement, it’s a fascinating topic. What is it that makes for a Hawaii tourist trap?
We have family on the islands a visit often and usually try to embrace true Hawaiian experiences. But.. I kept hearing ads for McDonald’s guava pies and had to try one. We went to McDonald’s and shared the dining area with two lovely and talkative young mothers with their children, a couple of tweens with skateboards and the usual friendly group of retired men meeting for coffee that every small town seems to have. That seemed to have been a pretty local encounter. No touristy hype at all. Don’t write off everything that does not have deep island roots. You never know what you may find!
We have been to Honolulu several times for my husband’s work.if you don’t venture out and go to the Mom and Pop places you have missed a fantastic time. We very rarely eat
In Wakakii, it’s over priced and crowded. Take a drive around the island you will find beautiful views and great people..
This happened at Bloody Mary’s on bora bora but goes to what some tourist choice to eat on vacation and explains why they eat at chain restros. Like something out of the classic snl cheeseburger skit everyone of 5 couples ordered a cheeseburger for lunch despite the place being world famous for fresh fish as idk bora has tons of exotic fish swimming like 1 km from their table. I had the barracuda and loved it.
I like the ABC stores. I got the familiar things in Waikiki (Subway and Cheesecake Factory) but I tried island things too. One of these was Poi. I read about two luaus which were recommended to be the best: Old Lahaina luau and the Feast at Lele. I enjoyed them both. Pearl Harbor was very emotional for me. I didn’t visit the Missouri but I would like to. I liked the Dole Plantation. We went to the North shore on Oahu. It was crowded. I think most of Waikiki was there! The line at Matsumoto’s wasn’t too long. I had one shaved ice with the Japanese beans on top. From the picture it looks Diamond Head has a concrete path. If so I would like to do that. I have a son in a wheelchair. We rode in an Outrigger canoe at Waikiki. Great!!
When one considers the fact that 90% of the Hawaiian economy depends on tourism, then one must conclude that pretty much the whole state is a tourist trap. I don’t mean that in a perjorative sense. It’s just a logical conclusion based on an economic reality.
Hawaii to me is a beautiful place. I don’t consider it to be a tourist trap. Tourism is a significant part of the island. If tourists would treat the island with respect they would be more welcome. I had read that some of the natural resources actually did better without the tourists presence.
Aloha! My name is Kathi. I was born in Hawai’i and I’m native Hawaiian, Portuguese, German. I love showing visiting friends and family around the beautiful Islands I’m from. There’s a few must do things on Oahu that I tell them. Polynesian Cultural Center for the entire day, including the Luau and incredible show HA breath of life. Upgrade your package to fit your price range. You can also GWT transportation from your hotel and back. On the ride everything is pointed AR and the legends and stories add an awesome touch. Second thing I tell friends and family planning a visit is come during whale season!! And go on an amazing whale watching cruise! Many offer delicious buffets and shows. The captain alerts everyone where the whales are
We have never been much of a fan of the national fast food joints in Hawaii or on the Mainland. We do very much enjoy the Food trucks ” Manapua Man” Those trucks can be special, especially those that specialize in the locally caught fish.
We’re Kama’aina and have a favorite Luau where we take our visitors. Excellent 5-course dinner served during the show not before, exceptional alcoholic beverages included in the price, private table (no buffet) with entertaining and informative show about 4 different islands. Worth the price. I would like to tell you the one, but I don’t want it to get overbooked!!
Then why are you posting this, if for no other reason than to brag, like “I know something you don’t know, nor ever will”.
Well then, why mention it? I thought this is supposed to be a forum for sharing, for making others’ visits more meaningful. Sounds like you’re just bragging. Thanks for nothing. nothing.
For the benefit of everyone else, it sounds like you may be referring to The Feast at Lele in Lahaina, Maui? I haven’t been to that one though I’ve heard good things, but I do love and recommend their sister lu’au, the Old Lahaina Lu’au, which has both great food (buffet) and wonderful show (I am a hula dancer on the Mainland so I do know my way through a hula show 🙂).
Lala L – the luau you described sounds similar to the one my husband and I went to on Maui. We liked having our own table, and it was right up front by the stage to boot! We enjoyed learning about the different cultures of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand and the history of their music and dancing. The dinner incorporated different dishes from each as well.
We paid $3.00 for a large soft drink at the Burger King in Kappa last year. The McDonalds down the street still had their large soft drink for $1.00.
The real traps are the fly by night companies or visitors who decide to make a quick buck. Unregistered, in licensed n sometimes even dangerous. You see them listed all over facebook but rarely is a biz legit n registered.