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I've been living in Hawaii for 35 years and helping visitors plan vacations to the islands for more than 25 years. I've seen tourism go through plenty of ups and downs, but what's happening right now is worth paying attention to.

Recent headlines have focused on earthquakes, tropical storms, protests, environmental concerns, Maui's recovery, tourism challenges, and even isolated incidents involving wildlife. These are important stories, and they deserve coverage. Nobody should pretend these events don't happen.

Hawaii Travel News – Quick Facts Aloha and Welcome Back! It’s been a little while since I’ve sat behind the microphone. Several listeners have reached out over the past couple of months asking if I had stopped producing the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast. The answer is no—I simply needed a little break. If I’m being honest,… The post Hawaii Travel News July 2026 | North Shore Shuttle & Travel Tips appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Start With This: Stop Trying to Do Too Much Island Hopping in Hawaii sounds like the ultimate dream vacation. And it can be—but only if you approach it the right way. What we’re seeing more than ever are travelers building overloaded itineraries packed with activities, then trying to squeeze in multiple islands on top of… The post Island Hopping in Hawaii: What First-Time Visitors Get Wrong (and How to Do It Right) appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

When people plan a trip to Hawaii, they expect sunshine every day. Most of the time, that’s exactly what they get. But Hawaii Weather doesn’t always follow the postcard version people have in their heads. You might wake up to rain in Waikiki and sunshine on the North Shore. You might get a quick passing… The post Hawaii Weather, Eruptions & Travel Mistakes to Avoid on Your Next Trip appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

If you’ve been following recent headlines, you’ve probably seen a lot of coverage about storms across the islands. Flooding, heavy rain, flight disruptions, and dramatic footage have dominated the conversation. That kind of exposure naturally raises concerns, especially for first-time visitors planning a trip. Let’s reset the narrative with clarity and context. The recent conditions… The post Hawaii Weather: What Travelers Need to Know Right Now appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Visitors planning a trip often ask about Marijuana in Hawaii, especially after seeing headlines about legalization, THC products in stores, and mixed information online. The confusion is understandable—but the reality on the ground matters more than the headlines. If you’re visiting the islands, knowing the difference between what’s being discussed politically and what’s legal today… The post Marijuana in Hawaii: What Visitors Need to Know Before They Arrive appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Life in Hawaii doesn’t run on the same clock most visitors are used to. It’s Called Hawaiian Time. Flights land on schedule, dinner reservations exist, and workdays still start in the morning. What’s different is the relationship people have with time itself. That relationship has a name, and if you’ve spent even a short while… The post You Get Da Time? I Get Hawaiian Time. appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

January through early spring is the season when Hawaii trips shift from casual ideas to real plans. Every year, the pattern is the same. People stop browsing and start committing. Flights get selected. Hotels fill up. Questions turn specific. At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we’re a Hawaii-based travel company with more than 20 years of experience… The post Hawaii Travel Planning in 2026: What First‑Time Visitors Need to Know Right Now appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

This Hawaii travel year in review highlights meaningful changes that affect how visitors get here, where they stay, and how their trips actually feel once they arrive. Some of these updates flew under the radar. Others made headlines. All of them matter if you’re planning a trip and want it to run smoothly instead of feeling… The post Hawaii Travel Year in Review: What Changed, What Worked, What to Know appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

There’s a deeper side to Hawai‘i waiting beyond the beaches and luaus, one that connects you to the people, the land, and the stories that shaped the islands. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another round of aloha, these Hawaiian culture experiences turn sightseeing into something more meaningful. From immersive Hawaii cultural tours to hands-on visits… The post Hawaiian Culture Experiences You’ll Actually Enjoy (and Learn From Too) appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

How Much Should You Budget Per Person for Food in Hawaii If you’ve started planning your trip and wondering what your Hawaiʻi food budget per day might look like, you’re not alone. The cost of eating in paradise can surprise visitors, especially when you start adding up your morning coffee, plate lunches, and oceanfront dinners. Understanding your daily… The post Your Realistic Hawaii Food Budget: How Much You’ll Spend Each Day appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Why the First and Last Day Matter More Than You Think Travel days make or break a Hawaii vacation, especially if you’re Hawaii Flights are coming from the East Coast. You’ll cross oceans and time zones, lose hours on the clock, and land with excitement and fatigue doing a tug-of-war. Here’s what you need to… The post Hawaii Flights: Stopover Tips & Last-Day Game Plan appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Hawaii News Roundup Priscilla Presley Boycotts Hawaii Island Priscilla Presley has joined the conversation around Hawaii’s feral animal population. Hawaii County recently passed Bill 51, which makes it illegal to feed stray or feral animals on county property. That means no feeding cats, chickens, pigs, or goats. The idea is to protect Hawaii’s endangered native… The post Driving Hawaii: Hairpin Turns, Happy State Rankings & What to Bring Home appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.

Clearing Up the Confusion When people start planning their first trip to Hawaii, they almost always ask the same question: “Should we go to the Big Island or Oahu?” At first glance, the choice seems simple. The Big Island has volcanoes, Oahu has Waikiki. But once you scratch the surface, you realize these easy labels… The post Myth-Busting Hawaii: Big Island vs. Oahu appeared first on Hawaii Aloha Travel.