We love Hawaii and have been there many times since we’ve been married. We honeymooned on Maui (almost 30 years ago!) and later on bought a time-share on Kaanapali Beach so that we could bring our kids there every summer. We have a lot of fond memories of time spent as a family on the island and our hearts go out to the people of Maui as they try to recover from the devastating fire in Lahaina. If you would like to make a donation to their community, the Hawaii Community Foundation can be found here.
My husband and I have recently spent more time on the Big Island and Oahu, mostly on his work-related trips. We are looking forward to heading back to Oahu for another work/vacation trip this week. We will be spending a few days in Honolulu and then we will head to the North Shore for the rest of our trip. We have done this trip before, and it’s fun to spend time in the big city of Honolulu and then escape to the peaceful North Shore.
In Honolulu we like to stay at the Pink Palace – aka the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. It was built in 1927 and is one of the oldest hotels on Waikiki Beach. This luxurious resort is renowned for its distinctive pink stucco façade, which stands out against the backdrop of turquoise waters and golden sands. It has an old-Hawaii vibe that is hard to find in newer hotels. It’s tucked away off the main thoroughfare, so it’s quiet but also close to all of the shopping, restaurants and other attractions on Kalakaua Avenue.
For the second half of our trip we will head to the North Shore of the island to stay at Turtle Bay Resort. The hotel is perched on a peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the recently renovated open-air lobby is stunning. It’s one of the most relaxing resorts I’ve ever experienced, and a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. The hotel is also known for being one of the filming locations for the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), although the scenes were shot prior to the hotel’s remodel.
Packing Tips for Hawaii
If there’s one tip I have for packing a suitcase for a trip to Hawaii it’s this: don’t over-pack! I used to do this every. single. time. I packed too many just-in-case outfits and ended up bringing clothes home unworn. Save yourself the headache and (and backache) and pack light. Bonus – you’ll have room for a few souvenirs! Put together a capsule wardrobe with colors that can mix and match. Hawaii is a casual place. Unless you’re attending a special event, like a wedding for example, leave your formal clothes at home. (While this post is focused on women’s clothing, the same basic tips apply to guys as well.) Pack breathable, lightweight clothes like cotton or linen shirts, tank tops, shorts, and sundresses. Hawaii can be quite warm and humid in the summer months. If you’re visiting during the winter months, it will still usually be warm during the day but it can get cooler at night and it may rain more, so a lightweight jacket could come in handy.
Daytime: Pack cool and comfortable clothes appropriate for whatever you’re doing. Leave your denim and any other bulky clothes at home. Athletic wear is appropriate for hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, etc. For shopping and sightseeing, keep it cool and comfortable with shoes you can walk in. Heels in Hawaii look out of place, unless you’re going out to a nice dinner. Stick with shoes you can walk in – tennis shoes, sandals, or slippahs (don’t call them flip-flops in Hawaii!) Cute sandals can serve double-duty and go from sightseeing to dinner with ease.
Swimwear: Bring at least two swimsuits so you always have a dry one ready. I like to bring 2-3 in different styles (one-piece, tankini, or two-piece) for easy rotation. I prefer suits from Tommy Bahama and La Blanca. This season I also added a cute tankini and matching coverup from SummerSalt that I’m looking forward to wearing. I also recommend least 2 coverups that coordinate with more than one swimsuit so there’s always a dry one available for use – here I show 3 white options. Pack 1-2 pairs of pool & beach appropriate shoes that are water-resistant. Hats are a necessity in Hawaii – the sun is intense! (Getting your scalp or nose sunburned is zero fun.) Bring 1-2 pairs of sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays too. Lastly, pack a slim tote to carry your things to and from the beach or pool, or to use as a handbag while you’re sightseeing. Again, double-duty items are the best!
Fancy Outfits (for Hawaii): One of the things I love most about Hawaii is going out to dinner in the evening. The air is still warm and soft, but the harsh sun is gone and the sunsets are magical. A light dress or nice linen pants/shorts/skirt and a top, plus a wrap or light jacket if it’s breezy, are all that is needed. I have both of the easy-to-pack, no-wrinkle swing dresses pictured below from Tommy Bahama. This one-shoulder striped dress from Rails below is also a great option. I also love the raw-edge linen jackets by Tommy Bahama. They’re versatile and come in several colors. I have 3 so far and I have gotten a ton of wear out of them. All jewelry pictured below is by Tommy Bahama.
Odd & Ends
Of course, you can most likely buy anything you need (or forgot to pack) once you get to the Islands. Depending on where you are, you may pay more for said items, especially at a resort. We check one big suitcase with full-size sunscreen and any other larger items that require more room, like shoes, a dress jacket (my husband), or a bag or hat that we don’t want squished. There is usually plenty of extra room left over. We also each have a carry-on as well. This may seem like over-packing, but it really just alleviates the stress of worrying about whether we can get everything home again, particularly if we want to bring something home that needs to be checked, like unused sunscreen, or a new purchase.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
If you plan to swim in the ocean, you need to pay attention to what kind of sunscreen you are using. By choosing reef-safe sunscreen, you contribute to protecting coral reefs and marine life while ensuring your skin is protected from harmful UV rays. Reef-safe sunscreen is designed to be environmentally friendly and not harm marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Traditional sunscreens often contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can cause coral bleaching and damage marine life. Reef-safe sunscreens avoid these harmful ingredients and use mineral-based filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are less likely to harm coral reefs.
Key Characteristics of Reef-Safe Sunscreen:
- No Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: Avoids these chemicals, which are known to cause coral bleaching and disrupt marine ecosystems.
- Mineral-Based: Uses natural mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
- Non-Nano Particles: Uses non-nano particles to ensure they do not penetrate coral cells and cause damage.
- Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally without leaving harmful residues in the environment.
- Broad-Spectrum Protection: Provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Water-Resistant: Maintains effectiveness while swimming and sweating, but less likely to wash off in the water and affect marine life.
Suggested Reef-Safe Sunscreens:
- Badger Active Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30: Contains zinc oxide and is biodegradable.
- ThinkSport SPF 50+: Uses non-nano zinc oxide and provides high SPF protection.
- All Good Sunscreen Butter SPF 50+: Made with zinc oxide and organic ingredients.
- Stream2Sea Sport Sunscreen SPF 30: Biodegradable and tested for aquatic toxicity.
- Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+: Contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, free of harmful chemicals.
How to Choose and Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen:
- Check Ingredients: Look for sunscreens labeled as reef-safe and read the ingredient list to ensure it avoids harmful chemicals.
- Apply Generously: Mineral sunscreens should be applied generously and evenly for effective protection.
- Reapply Frequently: Especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
- Consider Other Sun Protection Methods: Use protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and seek shade during peak sun hours.
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Thanks for stopping by! If you missed my last post on how to hang a gorgeous basket wall plus where to find great baskets, you can find it here. I’m going to go pack my bags now. Aloha!
