Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Plan a Better Hawaii Vacation

Hawaii Packing List: What You Actually Need (checklist included)

How to pack for Hawaii. Well, after more than 30 trips, I've learned that packing smarter isn't about bringing more. It's about bringing the right things.

Is Kauai Back to Normal? Plus More of Your Hawaii Questions Answered

Is Kauai back to normal after Hurricane Lowell? What’s reopened, what’s still closed, and what should visitors know before planning a trip? In this episode of Hawaii&apo

Oahu or the Big Island? How to Choose for Your First Hawaii Trip

Planning your first Hawaii trip but can't decide between Oahu and the Big Island? I usually recommend Oahu for first-time visitors, but depending on what you're

Hawaii Travel Hacks I Wish More Visitors Knew

Your Costco card might be one of the most useful things you pack for Hawaii. Seriously. Not exactly the travel hack you'd expect, but sometimes the simplest tips mak

How to Travel to Hawaii on Points: A Beginner’s Guide with Points Talk

Want to use points for a Hawaii trip, but feel overwhelmed by the cards, programs, and advice? Alex and Jess from Points Talk explain where to start and how to build a pl

First Trip to Maui? Don't Go Without Knowing This

Planning your first trip to Maui? A few overlooked details can make the difference between a relaxing vacation and a stressful, expensive one. From choosing where to sta

10 Hawaii Travel Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Sooner

Planning a trip to Hawaii? Some of the most important things to know before visiting aren't the ones you'll find on a typical travel checklist. And a few mistak

Oahu's Hawaiian History Is Hiding in Plain Sight (with Wahi Pana)

You can visit Oahu, take pictures of Diamond Head, explore its beautiful landscapes, and still miss some of the most meaningful stories behind these places. But what if

Steal My Family's 7-Day Hawaii Itinerary for Oahu (What I Skipped and Why)

Planning a family vacation to Hawaii? I'm sharing the 7-day Oahu itinerary I'm putting together for our family of seven, including what we're doing, what w

Hawaii Vacations Are Getting Shorter. Is That a Bad Thing?

Hawaii vacations are getting shorter. In July, the average Hawaii trip dropped more than 14% compared with 2025, even as visitor arrivals increased. So what is actually

Planning a Hawaii Vacation? Do These 7 Things Before Booking Anything Else

Planning a Hawaii vacation can get overwhelming fast, especially when you start with hotels, activities, restaurants, and reservations before deciding the bigger pieces o

Kauai Is Welcoming Visitors Back. But Are Travelers Returning?

Kauai is welcoming visitors back after Hurricane Lowell, but travelers have been much slower to return. In this episode, I break down what the latest passenger numbers a

Are Visitors Welcome in Hawaii? What 5 Native Hawaiians Have to Say

Are visitors welcome in Hawaii? After years of mixed messages around tourism, that’s a question a lot of travelers are still quietly asking. In this episode, I went back

Why Fall Is Still My Favorite Time to Visit Hawaii

Could fall still be my favorite time to visit Hawaii after one of the most unusual hurricane seasons in years? 👉 FREE Hawaii during fall guide -> If you’re planning a f

Kauai After Hurricane Lowell: A Local Perspective on Recovery and How to Help

Kauai is welcoming visitors back after Hurricane Lowell, but recovery is still uneven. In this episode, I’m joined by Meghann Kealoha Matsuda, a lifelong Kauai resident,

The Oahu Tourist Traps 1,000 Travelers Say to Skip

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 debat

UPDATE: Should You Cancel Your Kauai Trip?

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 visitor

Hawaii Travel After Hurricane Lowell: Should You Cancel or Keep Your Trip?

🚨Updated Episode: Apple PodcastSpotifyHurricane Lowell is moving away from Hawaii, but the storm has left major impacts on Kauai and disrupted travel across the islands.

How to Build a Hawaii Itinerary That Actually Feels Like a Vacation

Planning a Hawaii itinerary sounds easy until your list of things to do keeps getting longer. ✅ Free Hawaii Itinerary Reality Checklist Beaches, restaurants, tours, loo

Do You REALLY Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?

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’r