Your CartThe Only Hawaii Packing List You Need
By Jonah Kaimana | May 21, 2012
Every traveler coming to Hawaii should be prepared. Studying travel tips for Hawaii is a great way to make the most of your vacation. Packing is dreaded by many, but mastered by few. What should you bring to Hawaii? It’s never easy to pack for a trip, but this list can help.
Click here for a printable PDF (2.3MB)
Packing List for Hawaii – Click the image for PDF
To Do before your trip
Keep a master list handy — Save your packing list some place convenient. I like to use Evernote to store travel notes, it’s easy to use and accessible everywhere I go.
Make a list of things to do around the house — For example, call the pet sitter, place your mail on hold, and take out the trash before your trip.
What to Pack for Hawaii
Pack sunglasses
Again, it’s going to be sunny when you step off the plane.
Pack comfortable shoes
If you’re going hiking, pack hiking shoes. Walking a lot? Bring athletic shoes. In Hawaii, everyone wears slippers (sandals), remember to pack these as well.
Pack appropriate clothing
Men — T-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, one pair of long pants and one lightweight jacket is perfect. Yes, bring long pants and a light jacket, the weather can be cool in high altitudes and in the evenings.
Women — Shirts, polo shirts, lightweight tops, tanks, skirts, shorts, a pair of slacks and a jacket is ideal.
Tip: Laundry machines are abundant in Waikiki. Pack light.
Pack two (2) swim suits
Pack one suit in your check-in and one in your carry-on luggage. If your suitcase gets lost, you can still swim at the beach while you wait for your luggage to arrive. Plus, you can swim in one pair while the other pair is drying.
Pack two swimsuits (photo by paka808 / Flickr)
Don’t pack expensive jewelry
You may be tempted to bring fashionable jewelry on vacation, but beware: expensive accessories require extra careful security.
Instead, pack simple pieces of jewelry or buy affordable Hawaiian jewelry when you arrive.
Pack toiletries
Remember your toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, hair brush, and anything else you need.
Tip: Ask your hotel if they provide free toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, iron and ironing board, hair dryer.
Pack medications
Don’t forget to bring any important prescription medications.
Pack expensive items in your carry-on
Always pack cameras, laptops and electronics in your carry-on luggage. You should carry these with you at all times when traveling through airports.
Pack important documents
Place you driver’s license, insurance card, flight information and passport (if traveling internationally) in a carrying case reserved for important documents.
Tip: Keep your important documents close by when traveling.
Pack important documents (phot by Lucastheexperience / Flickr)
Pack a refillable water bottle
You can fill this up after passing through airport security, that way you won’t have to spend $3.00 on a bottle of water.
Pack a camera
Bring the camera you are most comfortable with: an iPhone, SLR, or film camera. It’s important to pack a camera that you want to carry with you every day, because you will enjoy using it every day.
Pack chargers for your electronics
Power up your phone and laptop the day before traveling, then be sure to pack your chargers that night. It’s easy to forget these on the morning of your flight.
Remember to pack your phone charger.
Pack something to read
Something to read—pass the the time on the plane reading a good book or magazine.
Pack snacks
Because your airplane carrier might charge you $5 for a pack of Oreos.
Remember to pack a few snacks for the plane ride (Photo by iseethingsiseethemwithmyeyes on Flickr)
Buy these items when you land in Hawaii
- Sunscreen and aloe gel (helps soothes burns)
- Beach towel
- Beach mat
- Slippers (aka sandals, flip flops)
- Batteries
- Hat
Pack a sun hat (photo by icyjumbo / Flickr)
Pack appropriate items for your activites
If you’ve booked a tour in Hawaii, plan to pack any special items required for your tour. For example, if you are going shark cage diving on the North Shore, pack (or buy) a waterproof case for your camera.
Pack empty space
Remember to leave space in your luggage for souvenirs and items you buy while shopping in Hawaii.
Some of the many souvenirs you’ll find at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.
Password protect your phone
Set a password lock on your smartphone. If you lose your phone, no one will be able to access it.
Double check your packing list
I’ve already listed these, but always double check that you have the following:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Flight Confirmation Number
- Cash, Credit Card, and/or Traveler’s Cheques
- Rental Car Information
- Hotel Confirmation
- Prescription medications
- Health and vehicle insurance cards
I hope you found this packing list extremely useful—if you have any tips to add, please leave a note in the comments section, mahalo!
Need more travel tips? Read this:
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The aricle on packing light for Hawaii said there are plenty of laundry machines on Waikiki. We will be stayin 12 days at the Hale Koa Hotel in late August.
Where are any washing machines and dryers?
Thanks
Also, do you have a short list of must things to see and do?
Larry phillips
When I go to Hawaii ( 7 times so far ) I take everything in one carry-on bag. I don’t take a hat : you can buy one at an ABC store for $3.99. I have never needed a jacket at sea level there; I only wear a T-shirt and shorts unless I am going up to high altitude (Haleakala or Mauna Kea). If you are going to Waikiki, you don’t need to take a lot of shirts : you can buy six shirts for $20 at the International Market. Wear them once and leave behind the ones you don’t want when you go home. A trick for creating space in your bag for things you buy there : take your oldest underwear (that you were thinking of throwing out anyway) and throw away a pair a day after you wear them. Aloha.
Aloha Larry! If you’re staying at the Hale Koa hotel, the nearest laundromat is at Kuhio Pharmacy at 1922 Kalakaua Avenue. The cross street is McCully Ave. The facilities opened just last year, so their machines are some of the newest in Waikiki. Plus, if you need change or a refreshment, the Kuhio Pharmacy is also a convenience store with competitive prices on drinks.
You can find more info here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/kuhio-pharmacy-honolulu-3
@Larry, here’s a “Must See” list for Oahu, hope this helps! http://www.discoverhawaiitours.com/blog/2012/04/06/things-to-do-in-oahu-top-attractions-to-see/
I appreciate the list you shared..It was really interesting reading it..
I will travel to Hawaii in Honeymoon this June for a couple of weeks and will visit Ohau, Kauai and Big Island. This list could be really helpful but I was wondering if you can help me selecting the best “to do” on those places since we’ll rent a Wrangler while there, going from one side to another shouldn’t be a problem.
Also, where are the best places to buy clothes (shorts, shirts, swim suits, etc.) since we like to travel light
If is not to much, is there any good and not very expensive recommendable gift shop?
Aloha from Portugal
Aloha Sergio,
There are so many fun things to do on each of those islands, the list could go on forever! An easy way to find the things you’re looking for is to visit our Pinterest page ( http://pinterest.com/discoverhawaii/ ). There’s tips for each island, honeymooning tips, and some great blog posts ( http://pinterest.com/discoverhawaii/essential-travel-tips/ ) which will get you even more excited for your trip.
As far as shopping goes, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet will definitely suit your needs. You can purchase nearly anything for a fraction of the prices you’ll find in Waikiki. Another store that is a vacationers best friend are the ABC stores in Waikiki. They’re on almost every block and in nearly every hotel.
Hope this helps, congratulations on your honeymoon!
Aloooooha!