What to Pack for Hawaii ~ Top 10 Best Things You Don’t Want to Forget!

Your dream vacation to Hawaii is almost here! You’ve booked your plane tickets, secured your rental car and checked out activities in the area. Now it’s time to start thinking about what to pack for Hawaii!

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With so many ideas and so little luggage space, you may find yourself wondering, “Do I really need to bring this?”. Don’t worry… we’ve been there, too and we’re here to help answer your questions about what to pack for Hawaii.

What to Pack for Hawaii ~ Top 10 Things You Don’t Want to Forget!

Our family has been blessed to visit Hawaii on several occasions (including with the kiddos) and we’ve learned a thing or two Hawaii travel essentials.

We’re so excited to share with you our list of What to Pack for Hawaii ~ Top 10 Things You Don’t Want to Forget!

Aloha!

What to Pack for Hawaii ~ Top 10 Things You Don’t Want to Forget!

10. REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN

Yes, we know it’s obvious… you should definitely pack sunscreen for your Hawaiian getaway (sunscreen can be expensive in Hawaii).   It’s so important though, to make sure the sunscreen you bring from home is reef safe.  In Hawaii, sunscreens containing certain chemicals are banned from being sold, as they are harmful to the fragile, coral reef ecosystems. We’ve snorkeled Molokini Crater off the coast of Maui and can tell you it is an experience like no other and worth protecting!  As visitors, we should all help do our part to conserve the spectacular wildlife, reefs and environment we travel to Hawaii to enjoy.

** We love Badger Balm broad spectrum sunscreens, which comes in a variety of options: active, kids, sport, face and baby.

9. WATER SHOES

While planning for activities in Hawaii you’ve likely imagined swimming on a secluded beach, exploring a tropical waterfall or taking a boat cruise to whale watch or snorkel the Pacific Ocean.  If so, be sure to pack water shoes, especially for kids.  Those waterfalls and untouched beaches are gorgeous and SO worth it, but many times the paths to get to them are muddy, slick and rocky.  You’ll want footwear that provides support, traction and can dry quickly. 

Take it from us… we’ve tried flip-flops and tennis shoes adventuring in the rainforest and we will never do that again!  If you are planning on taking a boat trip to snorkel or whale watch, water shoes work great on the wet boat deck.  They are literally the only shoes we bring on cruises and we actually show up for check-in already wearing them. 

8.  REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS

Plastic shopping bags are banned in the state of Hawaii.  While some stores do offer paper bags, or cardboard boxes at check-out, we always make sure to pack one or two cloth shopping bags when we visit.  I know you may be thinking, “I’ll just buy a reusable bag when I go shopping in Hawaii,” which of course is an option.  However, we’ve found that having an extra bag on hand at the airport is extremely useful. 

There is nothing worse than thinking your suitcase is under the airlines’ weight limit, only to discover it is over by under 5 lbs, and will cost you a pretty hefty fee to check it.  

Enter the reusable shopping bag!  By simply removing an outfit or two from your suitcase, you can reduce the weight by a couple of pounds.  The reusable shopping bag has now become a carry-on for you, or someone in your party. Likewise, on your way home, it can act as a carry-on for all of those souvenirs (extra suitcase weight) your family and friends have requested… fresh pineapples in suitcases is a very bad idea!

** To learn how one local Hawaiian business is raising awareness about plastic bags/packaging, check out Upcycle Hawaii. You won’t believe the gorgeous upcycled products they create using post-consumer sheet plastic waste and marine debris. Don’t miss Our Visit with Upcycle Hawaii to One the Most Plastic Polluted Beaches in the World.

7.  POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT

Because luggage space is limited when traveling to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we always pack clothes that are interchangeable and multifunctional, along with a couple scoops of powdered laundry detergent. Most condos, resorts and hotels offer access to laundry facilities and we highly recommend taking advantage of them.

We usually pack clothes for half the amount of days we are staying for and do a load of laundry halfway through our trip.  For our family of four, this is a game changer and believe it or not, our clothes for a 10 day vacation can all fit in one large suitcase.  Say goodbye to heavy luggage and overpacking and hello to doing laundry in a room with a view!

** Travel Tip: We recommend powdered detergent when travelling because a spill in luggage won’t be as difficult to clean as a liquid detergent. We LOVE Charlie’s Soap and have used it exclusively at home, for almost a decade!

Don’t have a bag of powdered laundry detergent at home to take a couple of scoops from? No worries… try using Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Sheets for doing laundry when travelling! We recently discovered this brand and love it’s lightweight, eco-friendly cleaning power.

6.  DRAWSTRING BACKPACK

A drawstring backpack (with zipper pouch) has quickly become a “must have” for me while in Hawaii and for good reason.  Even when going out for a short time in Hawaii, such as for groceries, a morning walk on the beach, or to enjoy a magnificent sunset, we always seem to need the same items: water, sunscreen, eye drops, wallet, room/car keys, and phones. 

A drawstring backpack is lightweight and perfect for keeping these necessary items secure.  It allows you to have your hands free and helps keep your body cooler than wearing a traditional backpack or purse… remember it is the tropics. 

What to Pack for Hawaii

5. CONVERTIBLE PANTS

Hawaii feels like summer year-round.  Summer casual is the overall attire you’ll see while in paradise: shorts, skirts, t-shirts, tank-tops, beachwear, slippahs (flip-flops) and yoga pants.  The need for a pair of pants in Hawaii is pretty low, however there are a few occasions you may find you wish you had a pair handy.  If you are more comfortable on an airplane in pants, or are planning to go to the summit of a volcano, or exploring in upcountry (higher elevations), then you may want to consider bringing along a lightweight pair. 

With suitcase space limited, we recommend wearing convertible pants to the airport when traveling, which helps reduce your luggage weight, and also gives you a piece of clothing which is versatile (my husband loves his pair from North Face which offers convertible pants for Men, and Women).

PACKING TIP:  Wear your bulky items on the airplane while traveling to give you extra suitcase space.  It’s a long flight to Hawaii and airplanes usually feel quite chilly.   We’ve been to the summit of Haleakala for sunset/stargazing and the Kilauea crater during mid-afternoon and can tell you, at those higher elevations it can be downright cold!  Sunrise/sunset atop a summit can feel like winter (think 40 degree temps with wind) and you’ll likely be outside for an hour (at least), as you await the sun’s ascent/descent.  Exploring higher elevations, such as Haleakala or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (even during the day) will feel chilly compared to the tropical temps along the shoreline.   We recommend wearing lightweight convertible pants, a hooded sweatshirt, long sleeve t-shirt and tennis/hiking shoes to the airport.  Leave a little room in your carry-on, in case you get warm while flying, you can take a layer off. 

4. SILICONE SANDWICH BAGS

Not only are silicone sandwich bags great for packing lunches/snacks during your vacation, they also are a fabulous, waterproof way to store your phone, wallet and car keys, while at the beach or on an excursion that involves water or the possibility of rain (pop-up showers occur periodically in the tropical rainforest).  We LOVE our Stashers silicone sandwich bags!  They actually stay sealed (I was skeptical) and provide a soft barrier between our phone screen and whatever else is floating around in our drawstring bag. 

PLUS, by using reusable food storage bags, instead of purchasing disposable plastic ones while in Hawaii, we’re helping to reduce our impact on Hawaii’s environment, and unique wildlife. 

** For more earth friendly inspiration, check out Upcycle Hawaii, a local, Hawaiian owned business that creates gorgeous upcycled products out of plastic packaging and marine debris. Don’t miss Our Visit with Upcycle Hawaii to One the Most Plastic Polluted Beaches in the World.

What to Pack for Hawaii

3. RASHGUARDS

The intensity of the sun in Hawaii is for real!  Sunburns can happen easily, especially while doing activities on the water such as snorkeling, boating, paddle boarding or whale watching.  We highly recommend bringing rashguards (especially for kids) on your Hawaiian getaway. 

( Check out Rashguards for Men, Women and Kids )

When snorkeling, most people won’t notice they’re getting sunburned, because while floating on the water’s surface, the Pacific Ocean feels pretty cool against the tropical heat.  Rashguards can help reduce your exposure to the sun’s rays and are an excellent “quick-dry” shirt to throw on while getting shave-ice after a day at the beach (check out our favorite spots to get fresh, organic shave ice on Maui and the Big Island).

2. TRAVEL GUIDE

You know us… we love a good book!  Nothing gets us more excited while planning a trip to Hawaii, than flipping through our favorite guidebook. We love the “Revealed” series by Andrew Doughty, which includes guides for Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island of Hawaii.  We always make sure to pack our travel guide in our carry-on luggage for some “in-air” reading material… once we’ve finished flipping through the pet products in the airline catalogs, of course! 

There is so much information inside these guides about wildlife, outdoor activities, dining options, common Hawaiian words, local customs, maps and travel etiquette.  We prefer to keep our copy handy on the islands (especially for the maps) as cell phone service may be unpredictable in the more remote, “off the beaten path” areas (e.g. Road to Hana).  There is just something nani (wonderful) about referring to an actual book when looking for answers! 

Are you traveling to the islands with kids and looking for some Hawaiian themed activities to put in their carry-ons?!  If so, check out our list of “Over 50 Amazing Resources for Kids, All About Hawaii”.  

1. STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE

You should plan on drinking lots of water while in Hawaii to stay hydrated in the tropical heat and sunshine.  A stainless steel water bottle is a fantastic, durable, earth-friendly way to always have refreshing ice water on hand… and is a “must have” for Hawaii travel.

Mermaid Straw offers dazzling, iridescent, stainless-steel reusable straws, drinkware, cutlery and more. They are committed to being eco-friendly, right down to the plastic-free shipping materials they use. We LOVE the beach vibes we get from their stylish, shimmering designs! Going plastic free never looked so good!

Plus, your purchase from Mermaid Straw will benefit organizations (some right in Hawaii!) that help protect the ocean! Mermaid Straw is a member of “1% for the Planet” and has pledged to donate at least 1% of their annual sales (not just profits) to give back to organizations that help our oceans, lakes, environment and wildlife.

Travel Tip: Our family always takes our stainless steel water bottles to the airport empty, in our carry-ons. Once we are through security, we fill them at the water bottle stations (most airports have them). Not only are we helping the planet, we are also saving a ton of money on beverages while travelling!

Read About Our Hawaiian Adventures:

Maui

• Maui Humane Society, Beach Buddies Program ~ Volunteer on Vacation
• Your Bliss Cafe, Organic Shave Ice
• Volunteering at O’o Organic Farm 
• Maui Ocean Center, Aquarium
• Stargazing at Haleakala National Park
• Best Snorkeling in Maui ~ Molokini Crater & Turtle Arches Cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation
• The Best Luau in Maui ~ The ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau, at Grand Wailea Resort

Big Island

• Hilo Tropical Waterfall Tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail
• Kona House Condo
• Giving Back on Vacation: Hawai’i Wildlife Center
• Meet the Artist; Mattie Mae Larson of Upcycle Hawaii (Big Island, plastic pollution, marine debris, unique wearable art.)
• Upcycle Hawaii ~ A Peek Inside their Studio
• A Visit with Upcycle Hawaii to One of the Most Plastic Polluted Beaches in the World
• One Aloha Organic Shave Ice

Also be sure to check out our Top 30 Gift Ideas for Travelers. It is full of unique gift ideas for those in your life who love to travel… or to add to your own personal carry-on.  We’ve even included the one item we won’t go to Disney without! It might surprise you!