Hawaiian Islands Update

Hawaii Travel Requirements During the Pandemic:

As a Hawaii Master Specialist, I want everyone to visit my beloved islands of Hawaii, but as Hawaiian culture is based upon kuleana (responsibility) as well as aloha I wanted to share the most up to date information on traveling to the islands. I have many clients that have rebooked delayed vacations from 2020 to 2021and many are starting to inquire about booking their vacations for late spring 2021 and beyond so I thought it a perfect time to give some updates and reference websites.

No one wants to visit Hawaii more than I do, I miss my friends, favorite resorts and activities, but to protect the island residents health and safety we will all need to join together and follow the travel requirements.

Official Source for Hawaii Information , State of Hawaii Safe Travels during Covid19 you will need to fill out a mandatory State of Hawaii Travel and Health Form, also on these sites you will find the list of Trusted Testing and Travel Partners that the state of Hawaii will accept negative Covid19 test results from – avoid 10-day mandatory self-quarantine by following the pre-travel testing option listed.

Considering a bucket list trip to Hawaii? Let me introduce you to the islands-

One of the best things about visiting the Hawaiian Islands is the ability to go island hopping. On average my clients spend 7-10 nights in the islands and island hopping allows you to experience the differences found on each of the islands, adventure on one island, rest and relaxation on another.

While the majority of all travelers to Hawaii visit O’ahu- most will continue on to one or more of the neighboring islands since it is so easy with only a 30 minute or so flight between islands, so for instance a great itinerary might be 3 nights O’ahu, 4 nights Kauai and 4 nights Maui or Hawaii Island – when I put together itineraries for clients it is always based upon the experience they are looking for.

Skyline of Waikiki Beach- famous Pink Palace

O’ahu – “The Gathering Place ” is the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, and the capitol of Hawaii. A melting pot of cultures, a fusion of east and west cultures rooted in values/traditions of Native Hawaiian people. Iconic sights such as Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore with massive waves and surfers paradise. One of my favorite things to do is to put together town & country O’ahu itineraries based upon a split stay between the North Shore and Waikiki Beach. O’ahu offers a plethora of experiences from food trucks, Pineapple Maze, Surfing, USS Arizona Memorial/USS Missouri and other military historical tours and world class shopping.

Black Sand Beach along the Road to Hana

Maui – voted by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler as the “Best Island” for nineteen years running, fans of other islands might argue with you on that point. Maui is home to water sports, luaus on the sand, sunsets, humpback whales during their winter migration waterfalls and great hiking. Hike 10,000 feet to the summit of Haleakala, the world’s largest dormant volcano- go very early in the morning and watch the sunrise over the crater where Haleakala gets its name, fun activity do the downhill bike ride after you watch the sunrise. The Road to Hana can either be enjoyed on a tour or rent a car and drive the 52 -mile stretch of road, one of the most scenic in all of Hawaii- takes you across 54 one-lane bridges, 617 curves with photo ops everywhere of rainforests, waterfalls, seascapes including black sand beach – one of the best ways to see Haleakala is by taking a helicopter tour – Blue Hawaii Helicopter my personal favorite, snorkeling at Kapalua Bay, Black Rock and Molokini Crater.

Waimea Canyon – “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

Kauai – is known as the “Garden Isle” for good reason because it is so lush and tropical. Kauai is the fourth largest and island, the oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain. Over the centuries tropical rainforest, beautiful rivers (only navigable rivers in the state), lighthouse, soaring 3,000 foot tall sea cliffs along the Na Pali coastline and the 3567 food deep Waimea Canyon – “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific “. So many movies have been filmed on Kauai , there is now a fun movie tour that you have to do while on island – it sells out every day so do not wait till you get to the island to book it. A large part of Kauai is only accessible by sea, air or on foot- I like to split my stay between the north shore in Princeville and in the Poipu Beach area to best take advantage of all the many activities available.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Cauldron

Hawaii Island (popularly named the Big Island) is still growing – home to the only volcano that is still erupting, the most recent lava flow affected only a 10-15 sq mile area South East of Hilo, but as of now that flow has stopped. The Kona side of the island is where you will find most of the major resorts, the Hilo side which is the closest to Volcano National Park has smaller boutique hotels. The island of Hawaii is a marvel in an of itself because it has eight of the thirteen climate zones found in the world all on this one island, yes it is possible to see snow in the morning and be on the beach in the sun later in the afternoon, you could actually put all the other islands on top of Hawaii Island and still have room left over – I like to put together itineraries for clients that allows visitors to experience all the diversity found on the island – swim with the manta rays at night for one of the coolest experiences ever, visit coffee farms for true Kona Coffee , see black sand beach and sea turtles, snorkeling or diving here is amazing with water clear till about 100 feet, waterfalls, see the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the USA, of course check out ancient lava fields in Volcanoes National Park.

Dole Park – center of the island

Lana’i – you won’t find a single traffic light on the island -exactly as the locals like it. centerpiece of the island is Dole Park –

Molokai – slow down ,enjoy a simpler life !

Molokai – great day trip from Maui if you do want to come over and stay – there are no large resorts on Molokai , but there are a couple of small hotels – On Molokai aloha is a way of life, very relaxing, you are forces to slow down and just breath – you will find the longest white sand beaches in Hawaii can be found, and probably your foot prints are the only ones you will see. The island is domintated by two large ranches, years ago the century old Molokai Ranch was home to the coolest resort where your accommodations were tentalows on raised platforms, but that closed a few years ago which is a shame. You will not find fast food, traffic lights, neon signs or elevators – but you can mail a coconut by mail back to your friends and family, spend time on Action Ranch to get your outdoor sports fix, and visit a Macadamia nut farm** ask a local about hot bread in the alley behind Kanemitsu Bakery.

As one of a very few agents that hold the prestigious title of Master Agent for all Hawaii Islands, I lost track many years ago of how many times I have been to the islands, I will never see it all or experience it all so I have to keep going back. Whichever island you choose, there will be lots of restaurants, resorts or hotels (except Lanai and Molokai) to choose from, the most important thing to figure out first is with the limited time you have on island what do you want to experience, because unlike many other destinations Hawaii is truly to be experienced and the thing I have found over these many years of sending clients to Hawaii – that experience is different for everyone.

If Hawaii is on your bucket list, let’s put the perfect itinerary together for you. Looking for a romantic destination for your honeymoon , wedding or vow renewal or celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary then you will not find a more romantic destination than the Hawaiian Islands.

Member of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau since 2003 – I am proud to support the island chapters.