Six Hawaii travel hacks
Get the most out of your holiday on the Hawaiian Islands.
With another Aussie winter fast approaching, it’s time to start planning your next sunny adventure. The Hawaiian Islands offer a myriad of travel options and experiences but these six hacks can help you get the most out of your island holiday.
Hack #1: Stick to the shoulder season
If you’re looking for a laid-back island vibe, travelling during the shoulder season is key. With less tourists visiting the Hawaiian Islands, you won’t be battling the crowds at key attractions and activities. Crowds aren’t the only thing you’ll miss, as the shoulder season comes with more cost-effective flights and accommodation options. The best place to start is by avoiding travel during Australian and U.S. school holiday periods.
Shoulder seasons:
February-March (excluding American Spring Break in March)
Mid-April to mid-June (excluding Easter and school holidays)
September to mid-December (excluding school holidays and thanksgiving week)
Explore Hawaii in the shoulder season
Hack #2: Visit more than one island
Landing at Honolulu international airport, it’s easy to check out the vibrant city, Waikīkī beach and enjoy the island of O‘ahu.
However, with some flights taking as little as 30 minutes, it’s just as easy to visit neighbouring islands; Maui, Kaua‘i or The Island of Hawai‘i.
A 10-day trip will allow you ample time to explore more than one island, opening up new experiences like visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawai‘i, navigating the scenic Road to Hana on Maui, or experiencing jaw-dropping mountain tubing on Kaua‘i.
Hack #3: Drive and discover
Driving is one of the best ways to see more of the Hawaiian Islands and discover hidden gems along the way. Take in amazing coastal views, stop at scenic lookouts, explore lush landscapes and discover breathtaking beaches at your own pace.
The roads of Hawai‘i are easy to navigate and most major car hire companies will accept an Australian driver’s licence. Be sure to reserve your vehicle in advance, as quantities can fluctuate on the islands.
Hack #4: Eat like a local
There’s always time for food, and after hiking, swimming and exploring, you’ll be looking for the best spot to dig into a delicious Hawaiian feast.
For a local’s guide on where to eat, consult your friendly hotel concierge who can point you in the right direction, or check out this list of reliable local eateries.
Don’t be scared to explore beyond the tourist hotspots as Hawai‘i has more to discover around every corner. Some of the best eats are tucked away in local neighbourhoods, offering a taste of local flavour and culture.
Hack #5: Head for the happy hours
Set your alarms – Happy hour is serious business in Hawai‘i. Every day, you’ll find an array of delicious drinks and tasty pupus (appetisers) ranging between US$5-10.
Happy hour on the Hawaiian Islands is as much about the food as it is about drinks, so if you don’t mind eating lunch late or dinner early, take advantage of some of the amazing Happy hour menus and bargains. Times vary from place to place, but you’ll be able to find a Happy Hour close to you between 2pm-6pm.
Hack #6: Keep it simple – pack light
As Australia’s climate fluctuates throughout the year, Hawaii has consistent tropical temperatures of 25-30 degrees year round, making packing an absolute breeze.
Forget about cramming unnecessary clothes into your suitcase, just throw in your beach wear, hat and aloha shirt and you’re ready to go! Remember some layers, if you plan on visiting some of the higher elevations like Haleakala National Park on Maui or Mauna Kea Observatory on The Island of Hawai‘i.
As all flights from Australia arrive in the morning, be sure to pack your beach wear in your carry on so you can hit the waves before check-in.
Latest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.