--- title: "Hawaii: Trip Preparation & Destination Information" description: Traveling to Hawaii? Read on for tips to help you prepare for your trip! image: https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Hawaii-waterfall.jpg --- - TRAVEL - [![Find a Trip](https://21025004.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21025004/website%20images/flight_icon.svg) Find a Trip ](https://trovatrip.com/trips) - [Read Reviews](https://trovatrip.com/trip/reviews) - [What is TrovaTrip](https://trovatrip.com/trip/group-travel-benefits) - [Traveler Support](https://help.trovatrip.com/en/collections/6193390-traveler-support) - HOST - [![Host a Trip](https://21025004.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21025004/website%20images/host_icon.svg) Host a Trip ](https://trovatrip.com/host) - [Host Testimonials](https://trovatrip.com/host/host-testimonials) - [Host Support](https://help.trovatrip.com/en/collections/3069035-host-support) - [Itinerary Library](https://trovatrip.com/host/itineraries) - [Referral Program](https://trovatrip.com/host/referral-program) - [ABOUT](https://trovatrip.com/about) - [BLOG](https://trovatrip.com/blog) - [Log in](https://my.trovatrip.com/login) - [Become a Host](https://trovatrip.com/host/onboarding) # Hawaii: Trip Preparation & Destination Information Print this page as PDF. ![Hawaii: Trip Preparation & Destination Information](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Hawaii-waterfall.jpg) ### About Hawaii - [Overview](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#overview) - [Packing List](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#packing) - [Fun Facts](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#funfacts) - [Weather](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#weather) - [Tipping](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#tipping) - [FAQ](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#faq) - [Other if Needed](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/north-america/hawaii#other-if-needed) #### Overview Nature lovers, history aficionados, adventurers, foodies and health and wellness enthusiasts can all find their happy place in Hawaii. 137 islands, islets and shoals make up the Hawaiian island chain that sits on the northern tip of the Polynesian Triangle. It's a land of diverse culture, unparalleled beauty and limitless natural wonders, no matter what island you visit.   **Capital City:** Honolulu **Population: **1.455 million **Time Zone:** Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone (GMT-10) **Emergency Number:** 911 ![Hawaii Surfboards](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Hawaii-Surfboards.jpg) ![Hawaiian flower](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/bridger-tower-qkrHBEYdRew-unsplash.jpg) #### Packing List **Active, Close-Toed Shoes** - Great for long days on your feet and comfort on those trails. **Sandals or Flip Flops** - Great for the beach, the pool or casual walks in town. **Hat and Sunglasses** - Keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. **Bathing Suit** - A must! **Layers ** - It'll mostly be hot, but you’ll want light cozy layers for cooler evenings and higher elevations and a raincoat. **Towel** - Quick dry is our go-to. **Sunblock with SPF** - Nothing ruins a vacation like a bad sunburn. Remember to pack sunblock with SPF to protect your skin while outside. Make sure that it is reef safe. **Reusable Water Bottle** - Staying hydrated is a recipe for success. You will have access to clean water for refilling throughout your stay. **Portable Chargers** - Great for charging batteries while on the go. **Ear Plugs** - Light sleeper? Nice to have in case of a snoring roommate. **Always pack extra underwear!** #### Fun Facts - It is said that Hawaii's first inhabitants sailed in voyaging canoes from the Marquesas Islands, between 300 and 800 CE. In the 12th century, settlers arrived from Tahiti. - The Kilauea Caldera on the Big Island has produced lava flow since January 1983, making it the longest continuously erupting volcano. - Kamehameha became Hawaii's first king in 1810. The islands had royal rulers until they became a US territory in 1898. To this day, you can still visit the only royal building on US soil, Iolani Palace. - Mauna Kea on the Big Island is the tallest mountain on the planet! Measured from the seafloor, it tops out at 33,476 feet. - Mount Haleakala is the world's largest dormant volcano. Most of the mountain is below the ocean - measured from the seafloor, it would be nearly 30,000 feet high! This volcano formed 75% of Maui. - Hawaii is the only US state with two official languages: Hawaiian and English. ![Hawaii Palm](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Hawaii-Palm.jpg) #### Weather [KONA WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/19d64n156d00/kailua-kona/?unit=us)   [HONOLULU WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/21d31n157d86/honolulu/?unit=us) Hawaii's two seasons are just summer and winter; summer is the dry season and winter is the rainy season. Hurricane season is usually in July, August and September, although the risk of one is fairly low. It's important to remember that conditions vary greatly with altitude changes, the higher you go, the colder it gets. It sometimes even snows in Mauna Kea!   | **Month** | **High** | **Low** | | --- | --- | --- | | **January** | 82° | 68° | | **February** | 82° | 69° | | **March** | 82° | 70° | | **April** | 84° | 71° | | **May** | 84° | 73° | | **June** | 85° | 74° | | **July** | 86° | 75° | | **August** | 87° | 76° | | **September** | 87° | 75° | | **October** | 86° | 74° | | **November** | 85° | 72° | | **December** | 82° | 72° |   #### Tipping Tipping Suggestions: Tips for Guides, drivers and restaurants are not included. Tips provide supplemental income, and, while not mandatory, are greatly appreciated. If the local teams have added to the experience, please reward them. | **Guides** | | USD $5-20 per person/per day | | --- | --- | --- | | **Drivers** | | USD $3-4 per person/per day | | **Restaurants**  | | USD 15-20% per person/per meal |   #### FAQ **Where can I find information on travel safety?** Click [here](https://travellersworldwide.com/is-hawaii-safe/) for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling.   **Do I need a Visa?** For US travelers, no. International visitors should check with their consulates to see if they need a visa, e-visa, or waiver. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.   **What about vaccines?** For vaccination information, click [here.](https://www.gohawaii.com/travel-requirements)   **Is the water safe to drink?** Yes, tap water in Hawaii is fine to consume.   **Do you recommend travel insurance?** While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! Check out travel insurance options from our partner, [worldnomads.com](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance?affiliate=trvtrip&subld=banner&affiliateTrackingld=db44277c07544303b92d043564508276&utm_source=trvtrip&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Affiliate&utm_content=banner), or from a provider of your choice.   **How much should I pack?** As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please review our luggage restrictions below.   **What does public transportation look like?** The only public transportation options in Hawaii are via bus. There are no trains, trams or subways.   **Is Uber or Lyft available?** Yes! #### Luggage Restrictions ![Luggage Restrictions purple](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Luggage%20Restrictions%20purple%20(2).jpg) ![Luggage restrictions purple – mobile – 1](https://trovatrip.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luggage%20restrictions%20purple%20%E2%80%93%20mobile%20%E2%80%93%201.png?width=390&height=929&name=Luggage%20restrictions%20purple%20%E2%80%93%20mobile%20%E2%80%93%201.png) ### Book With Confidence [![USTOA-Member-Logo-gray](https://trovatrip.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Footer%20Associations%20Logo/USTOA-Member-Logo-gray.png?width=200&name=USTOA-Member-Logo-gray.png) ](https://ustoa.com/)