Hawaii, My Travel Guide & Packing List
I started packing a full two months before our trip to Hawaii. That’s right…suitcase open in the middle of the floor, printed packing list lying on top. Our trip was 9 days total, landing first in Los Angeles, then continuing on to Maui, and ending in Honolulu. The flight from Florida to Maui is long (about 13 hours) so we decided to do a one-day stopover in LA. Honestly, it was such a great decision. Getting off the plane, refreshing, and breaking up the travel made a huge difference before landing in Maui.
Our days in Maui were completely jam-packed. We rented a Jeep, looked like total tourists, and I loved every second of it. My husband drove us on the Road to Hana, and we used the Road to Hana GyPSy Guide app. I highly recommend skipping the expensive tours and driving yourself with this guided app. It’s not nearly as scary as people make it out to be. Just get up and get going early. Every place we stopped accepted credit cards, and there were plenty of bathrooms along the way.
We also spent time out on the water with a sunset cruise and snorkeling at Molokini Crater, which ended up being the highlight of the entire trip. The tour guides were amazing, and our package even included an underwater photographer and a delicious breakfast.
Snorkling in Molokini Canter
Dinner at Mama’s Fish House is an absolute must. Make sure to make reservations at least six months in advance; it truly lives up to the hype. Pro tip: Arrive early so you can take photos on the beach in front of the restaurant.
Dinner at Mama’s Fish House
I know that when going to Maui, most people want to experience a luau, and so did I. But when I started researching them, many had price tags of $200 and up. While the shows look incredible, the more reviews I read, the more hesitant I became. Instead, we opted for a hula show at South Maui Gardens, and it was phenomenal. The performers were amazing, and the food was even better. There are a dozen food trucks in the gardens, so we grabbed loco moco and watched the show for a fraction of the cost of a traditional luau.
We ended our trip with one full day in Honolulu, visiting Pearl Harbor and doing lots of shopping. One day was simply not enough, and we already can’t wait to go back.
Helpful Links:
If you’re planning a similar trip, here are the exact places we stayed and experiences I booked:
Hotels:
Fairmont Kea Lani- Luxury Hotel in Maui - Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
I booked through the hotel and was able to stay 4 nights and get the 5th for free during a promotion
The Royal Hawaiian- https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hnllc-the-royal-hawaiian-a-luxury-collection-resort-waikiki
We spent two nights here in Honolulu, and I was able to book using my Marriott Reward Points
Excursions:
Road to Hana Maui GyPSy Guide- Download in Apple App store
This is a fully narrated tour of the Road to Hana. As you leave Paia town, hit start and enjoy the tour! It will guide you and tell you the best spots to stop at. On the way back, the tour turns into a history of Maui and Hawaii.
Snorkeling & Sunset Cruise- Alii Nui Sailing Charters https://aliinuimaui.com/
If you book 2 or more excursions through Alii Nui, make sure to call their office. They will offer you a 20% discount.
My Hawaii Packing List:
Travel checklist for Hawaii
Amazon Travel Must Haves:
Neck pillow: https://amzn.to/3OvZeN8
Travel Makeup Mirror: https://amzn.to/4tOut6n
Apple Air Tags: https://amzn.to/3OqdNC1
Handheld Fan: https://amzn.to/4qW8mrX
Long flight Essentials:
Neck pillow: https://amzn.to/3OvZeN8
Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter: https://amzn.to/4s5jIei
Perfect for long flights when you want to use your own headphones
Note: *This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only share products I genuinely love and would and have used myself.