Hawaii Travel Made Easy Podcast—Hawaii travel tips, Things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii vacation planning

Hawaii Fall Travel News Roundup: Hurricanes, Kauai Closures, Punalu’u Changes, and New Inter-Island Check-In Rules Who this episode is for: Anyone with a Hawaii trip on the calendar this fall or winter, especially families heading to Kauaʻi or flying between islands. What you'll learn: What's open and closed on Kauaʻi after Hurricane Lowell, what changed at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, and how Hawaiian's new 50-minute interisland check-in rule affects your travel days. Plus fall events, the ext...

Do You Actually Need a Whale Watching Tour in Maui? Who this episode is for: Anyone planning a Maui trip during whale season who's deciding between paid boat tours and free shore viewing. What you'll learn: When whale season actually peaks, where to see whales for free from shore, whether a boat tour is worth it, and Marcie's top three tour picks depending on what kind of experience you want. Places discussed: MauiMcGregor Point (between Ma'alaea and Lahaina)Wailea Beach WalkKamaole Beach Par...

Big Island Multi-Gen Trip Recap: Manta Rays, Mauna Kea Renovation, and Planning Tips with Trips with Tykes Host Marcie welcomes travel blogger Leslie Harvey of Trips with Tykes back from a multi-generational Big Island trip with in-laws, including kids ages 3 to 17. Leslie, a frequent Big Island visitor, shares highlights like the Kona manta ray night snorkel (with Kona Style; notes on timing and operator differences), and reviews the renovated Mauna Kea resort, including its historic feel, ...

Hawaii Reservations You Need to Know: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Haena, and More Who this episode is for: Anyone building a Hawaii trip around bucket list stops like Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, or Haena who doesn't want to show up and get turned away over a reservation they didn't know they needed. What you'll learn: Exactly when reservations open, what they cost, and what to watch for at six of Hawaii's most-booked spots, plus which new booking systems are headed to Maui and Oa...

Fake Vacation Rental Listings: How to Protect Your Hawaii Trip Verification steps and regulatory context current as of recording. Hawaii's short-term rental laws are actively changing island by island — verify current rules and always check GET/TAT numbers directly before booking. Who this episode is for: Anyone booking a Hawaii vacation rental, especially larger multi-generational bookings, who wants to avoid fake listings and scam activity. What you'll learn: How Hawaii vacation rental scam...

Hawaii Rental Cars in 2026: What's Changed (Plus My Turo Experiment) Who this episode is for: Anyone planning Hawaii rental car logistics and pricing for 2026-2027, including whether to try Turo as an alternative to traditional rental agencies. What you'll learn: Which islands actually require a car versus which allow flexibility, current 2026 pricing ranges, why shortages spike unpredictably, a real cost breakdown of trying to skip a rental car on Oahu, and updates on public transit across a...

Rental Car Break-Ins: What Every Hawaii Visitor Needs to Know Who this episode is for: Anyone renting a car in Hawaii who wants practical, easy habits to avoid becoming one of the thousands of rental car break-in victims each year. What you'll learn: How common and opportunistic rental car break-ins actually are, which spots see documented hotspots, what makes a car a target, and simple packing habits that prevent it. Places discussed: HonoluluMakapu'u (Oahu) — camera trailers installed, brea...

Hawaii with a Baby: Harder Than You Think, Better Than You Fear Who this episode is for: Parents planning a Hawaii trip with an infant, especially those considering going solo or before their child starts school. What you'll learn: Why baby trips can actually work well timing-wise, how to choose an age window and island, real flight logistics (feeding, diapers, car seats), where to stay, what gear matters, and how to structure a simple daily rhythm. Places discussed: N/A this episode (general...

Hawaii Babymoon: What Couples Need to Know Who this episode is for: Pregnant travelers and their partners planning a Hawaii babymoon who want practical guidance on timing, airline policies, island choice, and pregnancy-friendly activities. What you'll learn: The best trimester and season to travel, how airline pregnancy policies differ by carrier, which islands and resorts fit a babymoon best, what to look for in a resort, pregnancy-friendly activities and foods, and what to skip. Places disc...

How Many Days Do You Really Need on the Big Island? Who this episode is for: Anyone planning a Big Island trip who's underestimating drive times and considering splitting time between Kona and Hilo (or basing entirely in one resort area and day-tripping to the other side). What you'll learn: Why the Big Island needs more time than people expect, specific drive times between Kona, Hilo, and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, recommended trip lengths, and how to split nights between Kona and Hilo...

Maui's Upcountry: Why Most Visitors Skip It and Shouldn't Who this episode is for: Anyone visiting Maui who's only planning to drive through Upcountry on the way to Haleakalā and doesn't realize it's worth stopping for on its own. What you'll learn: What Upcountry Maui actually is, where to eat and shop in Makawao, family-friendly stops like Surfing Goat Dairy and Kula Botanical Garden, the Maui Pineapple Tour, Ulupalakua Ranch, and how to build Upcountry into a half or full day. Places discu...

Where I Eat on the Big Island Who this episode is for: Anyone visiting the Big Island who wants real, repeat-tested restaurant picks organized geographically for easy trip planning. What you'll learn: Marcie's personal Big Island food spots organized by region — Kona, Volcano, Hilo, the North Shore/Hamakua Coast, and Waimea — plus what to order at each. Places discussed: Kona (Ali'i Drive)Captain CookHawai'i Volcanoes National ParkHiloHonoka'aWaimea (upcountry)Activities discussed: Renting a ...

Ranking Big Island Luaus: Best Picks in Kona, Kohala & Waikoloa (and One to Skip) The host ranks Big Island luaus and explains the episode differs because they’ve only attended three, noting Big Island has far fewer luau options than Oahu or Maui and is better known for the Merrie Monarch Festival. Their top pick is the Hawaii Loa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid for upscale setting, standout buffet (especially poke), and polished, serious hula. Second is Voyagers of the Pacific at the Royal ...

How Many Days Do You Really Need on Kauai? (3 vs 5–7 vs 7–10) Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains how many days visitors need on Kauai, sharing her personal connection to the island and noting recent tourism data showing higher spending and arrivals but shorter stays. She argues Kauai often gets shortchanged because it’s quieter, yet it needs more time due to long drives and its four distinct regions: North Shore (Hanalei/Na Pali), West Side (Waimea Canyon/Koke’e), South Shore (Poipu)...

Na Pali Coast on Kauai: Best Ways to See It, Go Haena Permits, and What to Pack Marcie breaks down how to experience Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, emphasizing there’s no road access and you must hike, take a boat, fly by helicopter, or drive to the Kalalau Lookout in Koke‘e State Park. She explains hiking options on the Hanakapiai Trail (and the extension to Hanakapiai Falls), stresses that Hanakapiai Beach is dangerous for swimming, and recommends Ke‘e Beach instead. She compares boat tours (catam...

Where I Actually Eat on Maui: Favorite Spots, Road to Hana Stops, and Honest Takes Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares the Maui restaurants she personally returns to each trip, starting with fish tacos at Coconuts Fish Cafe in Kihei (best at lunch) and dessert at Ululani’s Shave Ice, including a Maui Ocean Center location. She highlights Sweet Hula’s acai bowls in the South Maui Gardens, explains how Paia Fish Market differs in Paia versus Kihei (especially for takeout), and recommends ...

Ranking Kauai Luaus: Marcie’s Honest Top Picks, Best for Families, and What to Expect Marcie from “Hawaii Travel Made Easy” shares her personal history with luaus and ranks six Kauai experiences she’s attended, noting that her nostalgic favorite, Smith’s Family Luau, isn’t #1. Her top pick is the oceanfront Auli’i Luau at the Sheraton Kauai Resort for its full package of activities, standout costumes, and multi-Polynesian performances; #2 is Luau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation for its conti...

How Many Days Do You Need on Maui? Realistic Itineraries, Costs, and Planning Tips Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy discusses how many days to spend on Maui, noting recent state data showing visitor spending up over 26% and arrivals up more than 18% while average Hawaii stays fell from about 8.5 days to under 7.5, likely due to high Maui costs (average hotel rooms near $500/night plus car, parking, and meals). She recommends 7–10 days if Maui is your only island, 5–7 days if island hoppin...

Ranking the Best Maui Luaus (Plus Updates, Closures, and Alternatives) The host ranks Maui luaus based on four firsthand visits: Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui in Wailea as the top luxury splurge with oceanfront setting and family-style service; Old Lahaina Luau second for a culturally focused Hawaiian/Tahitian show and updated post-2023 wildfire format (now four-course family-style with open bar); Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency Maui third for a large, multi-Polynesian spectacl...

Molokai Travel Guide: Flights, Where to Stay, and Must-Do Experiences Marcie shares a Molokai trip she took with her mom, describing the island as the least visited and “most Hawaiian,” with no traffic lights, minimal development, and uncrowded beaches. She explains logistics: Molokai is reachable only by Mokulele Airlines from Maui (about 30 minutes) with occasional maintenance groundings, and visitors need a rental car due to no Uber or public transit. In Kaunakakai, she recommends Hulu Be...

Hawaii Travel Hot Takes: Skip the Checklist, Plan What Fits The host shares Hawaii travel opinions that often surprise clients, arguing that packing too much into a trip backfires. She explains why squeezing multiple islands into a short stay wastes half-days on checkout, airports, rental cars, and waiting for rooms, and suggests itinerary audits and a framework for island hopping. She notes you don’t always need a rental car—especially on Oahu—where transit and tours can work, while acknowl...

How Many Days Do You Need on Oahu? (3, 5, 7–10 Day Breakdown) Marcie shares guidance on how long to spend on Oahu based on 40+ trips, recommending 7–10 days if it’s your only island, 5–7 days if island hopping, and noting that five full days can still work on a tight budget. She explains that Oahu is often underestimated beyond Waikiki and Pearl Harbor, with major time commitments like a half-day at Pearl Harbor, a reserved Diamond Head hike, Kualoa Ranch, and a full North Shore road-trip da...

North Shore Kauai: Where to Stay, Weather Tips, and How to Plan Haʻena State Park Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares a personal guide to North Shore Kauai—Princeville, Hanalei, and Kilauea—covering how the area’s rainier weather shapes planning, that you can’t drive around the island, and that a rental car is necessary from Lihue (45–60 minutes). She explains seasonal strategy (avoid basing on the North Shore in winter; late spring–early fall is best) and warns about possible road clos...

Why AI Hawaii Itineraries Fail (and How to Fix Yours) Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains why AI and generic itinerary tools often produce unrealistic Hawaii plans by relying on outdated blog posts and secondhand information, then shares a recent consultation where a family’s Maui/Big Island itinerary from a “Hawaii-specialist” agent had major red flags: repeated long drives from Kona to Volcanoes National Park and Hilo, Road to Hana paired with Haleakala stargazing after an exhaustin...

Avoid These Common Hawaii Booking Mistakes (Flights, Islands, Tours, Cars, and Hidden Fees) Marcie shares a Kauai client’s last-minute panic after key experiences like the Go Haena shuttle to the Hā‘ena/ Hanakapi‘ai trailhead and Nā Pali Coast boat tours sold out, then explains common Hawaii booking mistakes: booking flights before choosing the right island, trying to do too many islands in one trip, hotel hopping instead of using one good base, underestimating driving/parking time (especial...

Is Hawaii OK Right Now? June/July Travel Updates: Oahu Shuttle, Kalaupapa Tours, Kauai Closures, Kilauea, and Na Pali Sail-By Return ⚠️ UPDATE: Kalaupapa Tours are on hiatus Marcie shares a fast, island-by-island update for travelers asking if Hawaii is okay right now, covering shifting logistics after March storms and ongoing Kilauea activity. On Oahu, a new $5 North Shore Huaka‘i daily shuttle pilot (starting June 29) runs from Waikiki/Ko Olina to Waialua and Haleiwa with cultural st...

Planning vs. Vacation You: How to Pace a Hawaii Trip Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains how first-time visitors often overestimate what they’ll do in Hawaii and end up wanting a slower trip than the one they planned. Using client examples, she warns that hour-by-hour itineraries, long drives, and stacking organized activities can lead families to crave pool and beach downtime instead. She notes that winding roads, scenic stops, kids’ hunger or carsickness, and the temptation to lin...

Stop the Hawaii Planning Spiral: What to Book (and What to Skip) The speaker describes learning the difference between planning and over-planning after a Maui trip spent stuck in parking lots during a toddler’s car naps, and contrasts it with a past Oahu trip with no plan that also missed key stops. They explain that planning spirals are driven by information overload from social media and by optimizing the wrong details (like minor fees or locking in dinner reservations that conflict with d...

Plan Your First Hawaii Trip Like You’ll Be Back: Do Less, Enjoy More After consulting with a first-time Maui family whose seven-day itinerary was packed with a luau, snorkeling, helicopter tour, Road to Hana, kayaking, food tour, and even a Pearl Harbor day trip to Oahu “because we’ll never come back,” Marcie argues that the one-shot mindset ruins first Hawaii trips. She says people often island hop and book activities they haven’t researched or don’t care about, leading to stress, overspend...

Why 4 Days Isn’t Enough on Hawaii’s Big Island (and How to Plan If That’s All You Have) Marcie explains why the Big Island is the one Hawaiian island she would not choose for a four-day trip, sharing a client story and emphasizing its massive size, long drive times, and how different the Kona/Waikoloa west side is from the lush Hilo east side. She recommends about seven days to cover Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (ideally 1–2 days), the Hilo side highlights like the farmers market, botanica...

Maui vs. the Big Island: How to Choose the Right Hawaii Island for Your Trip Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains how travelers often choose the wrong island by defaulting to Maui because of social media or choosing the Big Island for lower cost while expecting a beach-and-resort trip. She contrasts Maui’s compact, easy rhythm—ideal for a resort base, romance, great food, Road to Hana, Haleakala sunrise, Molokini snorkel, and whale season (Nov–Apr)—with the Big Island’s vast scale and ...

The Real Luxury in Hawaii: Downtime, Oceanfront Stays, and a Better-Paced Itinerary Marcie argues that what makes a Hawaii trip feel luxurious isn’t an expensive resort or amenities, but having intentional downtime and avoiding an overpacked itinerary, which she says is the most common issue she fixes in consultations. She contrasts a relaxed Maui family plan with a stressed couple’s wall-to-wall schedule, emphasizing that memorable moments come from unstructured time. She explains how where...

Oahu Itinerary Framework: 7, 10, or 14 Days (Geography-Based Planning + Split Stay Tips) Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares her geography-based framework for first-time Oahu itineraries, explaining what 7, 10, and 14 days realistically look like and why booking before having a plan leads to excessive driving. She recommends clustering days by island region and often doing a split stay—starting in Waikiki for the iconic experience, then moving to a quieter area like Ko Olina or the No...

Honest Family Trip Report: 7 Nights on Oahu’s North Shore After the Kona Storms Host Marcie, a Hawaii travel expert, interviews Kim Fidler about her family’s seven-night spring break trip to Oahu’s North Shore (two adults and three kids ages 12, 11, and 9) staying in a VRBO condo near Turtle Bay with a kitchen to manage costs and be prepared after recent Kona storms and lingering brown water. Kim shares highlights including Waimea Valley’s waterfall swim, lush plant life, and the TOA luau, p...

Can You Do Hawaii Without a Rental Car? Honest Island-by-Island Transportation Guide Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains when you can realistically skip a rental car in Hawaii and how to use alternatives like walking, shuttles, buses, rideshares, and tours, noting Hawaii’s public transit is not like Europe and planning ahead is essential. Oahu—especially Waikiki—is the most car-free friendly with The Bus (Holo card, daily cap, visitor pass), Skyline Rail connections, trolley, Biki, ...

Where I Eat on Oahu: My Repeat-Favorite Spots in Waikiki and the North Shore Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares her personal repeat-favorite places to eat on Oahu, starting with a tip to skip the dine-in line at Pa’ia Fish Market Waikiki by ordering takeout (she recommends the mahi-mahi with home fries and homemade tartar sauce). She highlights Musubi Cafe Iyasume for Spam and tuna mayo musubi, Waffle & Berry for thick acai bowls, and urges stopping at Hawaii’s 7-Eleven for musub...

Escaping the Comparison Trap on a Hawaii Family Vacation Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares how comparing her family’s Hawaii vacation to other families, “perfect” restaurant moments, or Instagram reels made her question choices like letting her kids use iPads or eating grocery store poke in a Waikiki hotel room. She offers reality checks: what looks ideal is often staged or only a brief highlight, and every family has hard moments. She stresses that a vacation can be successful even i...

Hawaii 101 for 2026: What’s Changed, Reservations, Islands, and Smarter Planning Marcie updates a “Hawaii 101 for 2026,” warning that much online advice is outdated due to West Maui’s post-2023 fire reality, expanding reservation requirements, new fees, and changing vacation-rental laws. She explains best timing (peak: Dec–Apr, Jun–Aug; shoulder: late Apr–May, Sept–mid Nov; September favorite) and flags logistics like REAL ID, shifting airline routes after Alaska’s 2024 acquisition of Hawaii...

Hawaii vs. Mexico/Caribbean: Choose the Vacation You Actually Want The episode argues that the better question than “Hawaii or Cancun?” is what kind of vacation you want: a resort-style, all-inclusive trip focused on ease and relaxation, or an adventure trip built around exploring. The host explains that Mexico and much of the Caribbean excel at all-inclusives with included food, drinks, and kids clubs, while Hawaii has no all-inclusives and costs add up quickly through meals, taxes, and act...

Day Trip to Lānaʻi from Maui: Ferry Logistics, What to Do, and Who It’s For Marcie Cheung explains how to plan a day trip to Lānaʻi from Maui via the Expeditions Ferry (now from Maʻalaea Harbor), including schedules, booking tips, arrival timing, parking, whale-season seating advice, and motion-sickness precautions. She frames Lānaʻi as quiet, small, and different from other Hawaiian islands, noting limited Hawaiian cultural feel and that it’s best for repeat Maui visitors, off-the-grid trav...

Owen’s Kid’s-Eye Guide to Hawaii: Acai Bowls, Island Rankings, and Flying Solo at 10 Host Marcie welcomes her 12-year-old son, Owen, to “Hawaii Travel Made Easy,” highlighting his extensive Hawaii experience: about 14 trips, visits to Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, and a solo flight to Kauai at age 10 to see grandma. Owen shares his February “best acai bowl” mission and picks Tropical Tribe in Waikiki as the winner, recommends shave ice, and says the beach is his must-do every trip. ...

JOMO in Hawaii: Stop Optimizing Your Family Trip and Leave Room for Real Memories Marcie Cheung shares a lesson from a Big Island trip when her five-year-old resisted a packed itinerary, leading them to spend a happy day at the Kona pool that became a standout memory. She argues families often arrive in Hawaii exhausted and over-scheduled due to “once in a lifetime” pressure, creating a checklist mentality that prevents actually experiencing the islands. She explains JOMO (joy of missing out...

Why First-Time Hawaii Visitors Should Skip Island Hopping (Unless You Have 10+ Days) Marcie explains that first-time Hawaii visitors should avoid island hopping unless they have 10+ days, because switching islands often costs a full vacation day in packing, airport procedures, short flights, luggage, rental cars, and waiting for hotel check-in, plus added expenses like inter-island flights ($80–$200 each way), multiple rental cars, and repeat shopping. She argues a first trip should be a “sc...

Slow Down: The Key to an Amazing Hawaii Itinerary The script argues that the biggest factor in a great Hawaii trip is slowing down rather than choosing the “right” island or packing in more activities. Based on hundreds of consultations, the speaker says disappointing trips usually come from overstuffed itineraries that ignore traffic, parking delays, and how quickly kids and spouses get tired, even on seemingly small islands like Oahu. They recommend planning just one main thing per day (or...

Is Hawaii Worth $10,000 With Kids? How to Decide (and When to Skip It) The script helps parents decide whether an expensive Hawaii trip with kids is worth it, arguing the answer depends on money, time, and what kind of vacation experience they want. It breaks down typical costs for a weeklong family-of-four trip ($7,000–$12,000+), including flights, hotels plus ~19% taxes/fees (with a new green fee added in early 2026), car rentals, food, and pricey activities like luaus and snorkel tours, a...

Kauai Food Guide: Best Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Shave Ice, and Bucket List Spots Marcie, a certified Hawaii destination expert, shares her organized-by-meal Kauai food guide based on what she orders, opening with her arrival tradition of Mark’s Place near Lihue Airport for takeout plate lunch (especially beef stew). For breakfast she recommends Java Kai, Sunrise Coffee, Holey Grail Donuts, Little Fish, and Passion Bakery malasadas. Lunch picks include Tahiti Nui in Hanalei, Kenji Burger (pl...

Big Island vs. Kauai: Which Hawaii Island Fits Your Trip Best? The script compares Hawaii’s Big Island and Kauai, explaining that both are less crowded than Oahu or Maui but offer very different trips. The Big Island is huge, often requiring significant driving or a split stay between Kona and Hilo/Volcano to see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls, and varied landscapes; it also offers unique activities like the Kona submarine, manta ray night swims, coffee farms, and a cultural ATV ...

Hawaii Booking Myths, Airfare & Hotel Pricing, and When to Use Points (with Travel Agent Kim Tate) Marcie celebrates the 100th episode of Hawaii Travel Made Easy by bringing on her friend Kim Tate of Stuffed Suitcase, a travel agent she trusts to book trips after Marcie’s Hawaii consultations. They cover what confuses travelers most when booking Hawaii: how to judge airfare swings using Google Flights (multiple airports, calendar view, price graph, and typical/high/low indicators), why l...

How to Plan Oahu Day Trips Without Rushing: Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Windward & Hanauma Bay Marcie, a certified Hawaii destination expert, explains how to plan Oahu day trips with realistic pacing by choosing one main “anchor” activity and building around it, since traffic, lines, and logistics often derail packed Circle Island itineraries. She advises treating Pearl Harbor as a full-day experience due to multiple sites, Ford Island shuttles, security and bag rules, and the need to boo...

Kauai West Side Day Guide: Waimea Canyon, Kōkeʻe State Park & Kalalau Lookout Host Marcie Cheung shares a cautionary story about driving to Waimea Canyon in fog, then explains how to plan a full Kauai West Side day around Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park. She describes the canyon’s size, colors, and key lookouts (Waimea Canyon Lookout, Puʻu Ka Pele, Puʻu Hinahina) plus Kalalau Lookout, emphasizing checking the National Weather Service West Mountains forecast, going early, and waiting ...