Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Hawaii Travel Tips, Things to Do in Hawaii & Vacation Planning

Which Oahu 'tourist traps' are actually worth skipping, and which ones are still worth your time?
In this episode, I break down some of the most commonly debated Oahu spots, including Dole Plantation, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, Waikiki, luaus, Pearl Harbor, Waimea Valley, and more.
I also share results from a listener poll on the most overrated Oahu attractions and explain where I agree, where I don’t, and what I’d do instead.
Plus, I share a quick Kauai travel update following Hurricane Lowell, including the latest visitor guidance and recovery conditions.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Which Oahu attraction received the most “overrated” votes from travelers
Why I’d reconsider Dole Plantation but wouldn’t automatically skip it
When the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is worth your time
The Waikiki experience I’d actually skip
How I decide whether an Oahu attraction is worth the time and money
What I’d prioritize instead when your Oahu itinerary is already packed
If you’re trying to decide what deserves a spot on your Oahu itinerary, this episode will help you separate what’s genuinely worth your time from what may be easy to skip.
Official sources:
https://hta.hawaii.gov/alerts/hurricane-lowell-update-8/
https://www.gohawaii.com/lowell
https://www.kauai.gov/County-Press-Releases
Resources mentioned:
Ways to Help Kauai (my article)
Free PDF of Organizations Helping Kauai (no email need)
Kauai Travel Updates (my article)
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Related episodes:
How to Plan Hawaii in the Right Order
Why Planning Your 2026 Hawaii Trip Feels Chaotic
Oahu Travel Guide
Kauai Travel Update
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Related articles:
Hawaii Travel Mistakes to Avoid Before You Book
How Many Days Do You Need In Hawaii?
Oahu Tourist Traps
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Chapters:
1:41 Kauai Hurricane Update
4:23 Dole Plantation
5:48 Swap Meet
6:40 Waikiki Food and Shops
8:29 Luaus Worth It?
9:36 Do Not Skip These Icons
11:29 Waimea Valley and ABC Stores
12:53 3 Questions to Decide
14:04 Wrap Up
Episode sponsored by Terraformation.
Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.
🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com
Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.
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🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan
About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.
Connect on Instagram
Hawaii Planning Facebook Group
Free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com
🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner
Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.
Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

If you have a Kauai trip coming up, the official guidance has changed.
In this update, I explain what Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is now asking upcoming Kauai visitors to consider, what that means if your trip is only days or weeks away, and why simply having an operating flight does not mean the rest of your vacation is ready to go as planned.
I also talk about the real weight of rescheduling weddings, anniversaries, family trips, and expensive vacations, plus how to check your accommodations, activities, and travel reservations before making a decision.
And for everyone asking how to help, I share where to find vetted organizations supporting Kauai’s recovery and why the best way to kōkua right now may not be showing up in person.
If you heard Tuesday’s Hurricane Lowell episode, this is the update you need.
Official sources:
https://hta.hawaii.gov/alerts/hurricane-lowell-update-8/
https://www.gohawaii.com/lowell
https://www.kauai.gov/County-Press-Releases
Resources mentioned:
Ways to Help Kauai (my article)
Free PDF of Organizations Helping Kauai (no email need)
Kauai Travel Updates (my article)
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Related episodes:
Tuesday's Episode
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Chapters:
1:54 What HTA Is Saying
2:21 Check Your Bookings
3:28 How Far Out Applies
5:42 Reschedule Or Shift Islands
5:55 Cancelation Fine Print
6:37 Why I Reposted Today
7:03 How To Help Kauai
8:41 Final Takeaways
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🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan
About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.
Connect on Instagram
Hawaii Planning Facebook Group
Free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com
🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner
Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.
Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

🚨Updated Episode:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Hurricane Lowell is moving away from Hawaii, but the storm has left major impacts on Kauai and disrupted travel across the islands.
So what does this mean if you have a Hawaii trip coming up?
In this episode, I break down what you should know about airline travel waivers, canceled flights, refunds, and when it actually makes sense to change your plans.
I also explain why the 2026 Central Pacific hurricane season has been unusually active, how El Nino plays a role, and why one active season doesn’t mean you should automatically cancel a Hawaii trip later this year or avoid hurricane season in 2027.
You’ll learn the difference between an airline waiver and an airline cancellation, what happens if you voluntarily cancel first, what to consider if your trip is only days away, and how to build more flexibility into future Hawaii travel.
If Hurricane Lowell has you wondering whether to cancel or keep your Hawaii trip, this episode will help you understand your options and make a calmer, more informed decision.
Resources mentioned:
https://hawaiisbesttravel.com/tropical-storm-lowell-hawaii-forecast/
Official Hurricane Lowell + Hawaii Travel Resources
https://www.gohawaii.com/lowell
https://www.kauai.gov/County-Press-Releases
https://hta.hawaii.gov/alerts/hurricane-lowell
National Hurricane Center / Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Kauai Emergency Management Agency
Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports
Alaska + Hawaiian Airlines Travel Advisories
Southwest Airlines Travel Advisories
American Airlines Travel Alerts
United Airlines Travel Waivers
U.S. Department of Transportation Airline Refund Rules
NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Outlook
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Chapters:
1:50 Current Impacts On Kauai
3:14 Travel Waivers Explained
5:01 Refunds And Your Rights
6:06 Don’t Forget Other Bookings
6:30 Should You Change Plans
7:12 Why 2026 Is So Active
9:05 Planning For Fall Trips
9:36 Looking Ahead To 2027
10:29 Key Takeaways And Resources
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🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan
About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.
Connect on Instagram
Hawaii Planning Facebook Group
Free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com
🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner
Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.
Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

Planning a Hawaii itinerary sounds easy until your list of things to do keeps getting longer.
✅ Free Hawaii Itinerary Reality Checklist
Beaches, restaurants, tours, lookouts, reservations. They may all be great options, but trying to fit everything into one trip can quickly turn your vacation into a checklist.
In this episode, I'll share my simple framework I use to build Hawaii days that feel realistic without missing the experiences that matter most.
You’ll learn:
How to use the Anchor, Add-on, Flex method to plan each day
Why the advertised length of an activity isn’t its true time cost
How grouping activities by area can make your days feel less rushed
Why you should pressure-test your whole trip, not just individual days
How to leave enough flexibility for the unexpected moments that often become the best part of a Hawaii trip
You probably don’t need to start your Hawaii itinerary over. You may just need to edit it.
Resources mentioned:
✅ Free Hawaii Itinerary Reality Checklist
🌺 Hawaii Planner Hub
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Related episodes:
How to Plan Hawaii in the Right Order
Why Planning Your 2026 Hawaii Trip Feels Chaotic
_
Related articles:
Hawaii Travel Mistakes to Avoid Before You Book
How Many Days Do You Need In Hawaii?
_
Chapters:
1:52 FOMO vs Real Vacation
3:08 Plan the Whole Day
3:37 True Time Cost
4:19 Anchor Add On Flex
6:08 Geography and Areas
6:54 Pressure Test the Week
7:48 Leave Room for Hawaii
8:22 Wrap Up and Free Checklist
Episode sponsored by Terraformation.
Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.
🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com
Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.
_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan
About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.
Connect on Instagram
Hawaii Planning Facebook Group
Free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com
🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner
Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.
Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

Do you actually need a rental car in Hawaii, or are you about to pay for one that sits in a parking garage half your trip?
The answer depends a lot on which island you’re visiting, where you’re staying, and how much exploring you actually plan to do.
👉 Play this episode before you book your rental car so you can figure out what your trip really requires.
If you’re staying in Waikiki, you may not need a car for your entire trip. But Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island are a very different story.
In this episode of Hawaii’s Best, I break down when I would rent a car, when I’d skip it, and why renting one for only a day or two can sometimes make more sense than keeping it all week.
👉In this episode, you will:
Learn when you actually need a rental car on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island
Find out why Waikiki is one of the easiest places in Hawaii to stay without a car
Know when a one-day rental, rideshare, tour transportation, or full-trip rental makes the most sense
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Scroll up ⬆️ and hit play now before you automatically book a rental car for your entire Hawaii trip.
Episode sponsors:
Check current flight deals at Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines
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Resources mentioned:
Check Discount Hawaii Car Rental (affiliate)
Hawaii Planner Hub
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Related episodes:
How to Use Turo in Hawaii
Should You Drive Maui’s Road to Hana?
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Related blog posts:
Where to Find Parking in Waikiki Beach
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Oahu?
How to Use Park Maui App
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Chapters:
1:06 Plan Your Trip First
1:43 Waikiki Without a Car
2:48 Oahu Day Trip Car
3:54 Airfare Tracking Tips
5:28 Maui Kauai Big Island
6:54 Final Rental Car Checklist
7:38 Wrap Up

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.
Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.
🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com
Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.
Check Flights Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines operate as a combined company under Alaska Air Group.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan
About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.
Connect on Instagram
Hawaii Planning Facebook Group
Free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com
🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner
Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.
Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)