What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii: 17 Things That Go Wrong

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It is time to be honest, put it all on the table. After dozens of trips, here is what I wish I knew before traveling to Hawaii.

These have all happened to us. I can’t say that they won’t happen to you, but you will be prepared.

A trip to Hawaii is an awesome experience. But bad stuff can still happen. Here is your list to set expectations, share with your travel partners, and tell them to put a smile on their faces and move on.

Video: What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii

Come wait in line with me at a popular North Shore Oahu breakfast spot. Erica and I will show you around Hawaii and share what has gone wrong for us.

Call it karma, during the trip to Oahu to film this video, we got a nasty stomach bug. As we left our favorite Oahu luau, the Toa Luau, we both developed symptoms of norovirus. We waited in traffic for three hours before we could finally get into bed at the Moana Surfrider. It was the worst thing to happen to us on a trip. I believe we contracted the virus on the airplane.

We recovered and kept on going! These bad things can happen, but you will still have a great time. Watch our video below for details and to see beautiful Hawaii!

The comments are the best part! Viewers have shared the worst experiences they have had on their trips to Hawaii.

17 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii

We focus on setting expectations for a visit to Hawaii. We don’t like to pretend it will be all sunshine and rainbows. You will get a lot of that, but you will also find short-staffed restaurants, long lines, and the sense that you’re getting nickel-and-dimed.

None of these issues is a reason to avoid visiting Hawaii. But they are all good things to know. They will help set the right expectations. These are the things I wish I had known before traveling to Hawaii (for the first or 14th time).

Additionally, these issues are unique to travel in Hawaii. You can get sick, robbed, or find bedbugs in your room during any vacation. Hawaii is a safe and lovely place to visit; these are unique learnings specific to a Hawaii vacation.

1. Understand resort fees and hotel taxes

This is a problem nationwide: resort fees. They can be for a Keurig coffee in your room or for free Wi-Fi. In Hawaii, the resort fee can cover wonderful amenities such as hula lessons, lei-making classes, Hawaiian cultural games, or a kids’ club, like at the Wailea Beach Resort on Maui.

While you can recoup some of your money from resort fees, they are still expensive. Our favorite Hawaii hotel chains, Marriott and Hyatt, charge the highest rates in the islands, with nightly fees of $55 to $65. Even an AC Marriott or other value hotel will have a resort fee.

Under a federal law enacted in 2024, resorts must include resort fees in their advertised nightly rate. They are no longer hidden!

Make sure you understand your room’s quoted rate. You can also shop around for the best activities for the resort fee or a lower rate. For example, the Napilia Kai Beach Resort on Maui doesn’t have a resort fee.

See our How to Avoid Resort Fees in Hawaii for some tricks!

We share our favorite Hawaii Resorts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in our Where to Stay Reviews.

Hotel Taxes are also high in Hawaii compared to other U.S. destinations.

A breakdown of hotel taxes in Hawaii:

• Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT): 11%
• County Surcharge: 3% 
• General Excise Tax (GET): 4.712% (sales tax)
• Cumulative tax of nearly 19%

You can’t do much about resort fees and hotel taxes. Find a hotel or vacation rental that is the right price for your budget!

• 9 Steps to Plan a Hawaii Vacation on a Budget
• How to Honeymoon in Hawaii on a Budget
• Discount Codes and Coupons for our Favorite Hawaii Tours

2. Parking fees at hotels, beaches, & state parks

Here is another fee in Hawaii: parking fees. Your hotel or vacation rental may slap on a parking fee for valet or self-parking. You can find it buried on their website or get surprised at check-in.

\Parking fees can be $40 to $55 a night. Ouch!

You can get by on Hawaii without a rental car, especially on Oahu. Oahu offers public transportation, plenty to do in Waikiki and Honolulu, or you can take a circle-island tour.

We like to stay in Waikiki or Ka’anapali on Maui for a beach and resort vacation. When we go to explore the island, we book a tour or rent a car for the days we need it. That saves us money on those pesky parking fees.

Another thing I wish I knew when traveling to Hawaii was the parking fees at beaches. State parks will charge a $5 to $10 parking fee, in addition to an entrance fee.

On Maui, a $29 + fees daily beach parking fee was introduced in 2025 at select beaches in West Maui. That is steep! However, the funds go to the Maui Lifeguards’ pensions.

3. Thinking your trip will be perfect

Stuff happens, even in Hawaii.

Avoid thinking your trip will be perfect because it is Hawaii, and come with a positive mindset that stuff will happen. When bad stuff does happen, have a Plan B or a Plan C.

I’m glad you’re reading our “What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii” list as you prepare for the worst-case scenarios.

Hawaii feels like paradise, and you will be spending a pretty penny to be here. When things don’t go perfectly, it stings extra hard. Be ready for those ups and downs.

• Snorkel tours can get canceled at the last minute due to weather
• Your Uber may not pick you up
• That restaurant reservation wasn’t actually booked

4. Long lines at the rental car office

This one happens a lot! You find a cheap rate on a rental car with Costco, Expedia, or our favorite rental car marketplace, only to be met on arrival with a huge line.

Our friend visited Kauai for the first time. She arrived at a three-hour wait to get her rental car. There went her afternoon on Poipu Beach.

We’ve had to wait an hour to get our car multiple times. Sometimes, we rebook another car while we are in line!

We like to rent with Discount Hawaii Car Rental as they provide updates and warnings on companies who have long lines.

5. The weather turns fast in Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its sunny skies and warm weather. However, those volcanic mountains can lead to inclement weather. The rain can come in fast and strong.

We say, just run with it! The rain is warm, and it usually stops fast.

The Road to Hana is a rainforest. It is on the windward side of Maui, so it gets more rain. Hence, all the Maui waterfalls are for swimming.

Ocean conditions should be taken more seriously than rain. Beware of a strong shorebreak, undercurrent, or large swells.

The Pacific Ocean causes drownings in Hawaii. It is the number one cause of visitor deaths. Check ocean conditions at Hawaii Beach Safety before you head out.

6. The luau doesn’t meet your expectations

We didn’t recommend luaus for our first three years of The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We had always gone to the wrong luaus. And, a lot of folks didn’t like their luau experience.

Read luau reviews! They are the most entertaining and honest. Here are common complaints on Hawaii luaus.

• “The luau food was gross.”
• “Way too expensive for the experience.”
• “Can’t see the stage due to the seating.”
• “It rained.”

All these can be true. The food, the show, the entertainment, and the chance of rain can all ruin the experience.

Make sure you understand what you can expect at a luau. They aren’t for everyone, and you don’t have to do a luau when you visit Hawaii.

Watch our video below on What to Expect at a Hawaii Luau. Then, check out our favorite Luaus in Hawaii so you don’t pick a bad one!

7. Common restaurant and tour review complaints

We research all the tours we recommend, and we vet most of them. Therefore, we read many reviews.

While some bad reviews are good to know, like a rude captain, some are just facts of life.

Common complaints about Hawaii tour operators and restaurants:

• Tour canceled due to bad weather
• Too expensive. FYI, Maui has the most expensive tours (very nice), Oahu has the best prices.
• They said they were open, hours are not accurate
• They ran out of poke or fresh fish

Local tour companies can’t control the weather. Therefore, we recommend to book bucket-list tours early in your trip so if the weather is bad, you can reschedule. Like doing the Haleakala Sunrise, perfect for jet lag!

Welcome to Hawaii Time! It is saying that means: chill out, the islands operate at their own pace.

You may find coffee shops that aren’t open when they should be, or a shop closed early for surfing. Take it all in stride, and find another place.

8. Food is expensive in Hawaii

Hawaii imports 80% of its food. A gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and a box of cereal may cost you $25.

Going out to eat can be expensive compared to restaurants back at home. In honesty, the price of a dinner out isn’t bad compared to other popular visitor destinations. But it is still pricey.

We like to save money by eating at food trucks. Maui has some great food truck parks! You can find counter-service restaurants and holes-in-the-wall that are well priced. Find yourself a classic Hawaii plate lunch!

Bonus: A Thing I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii

I wish I had our Hawaii Wayfinder Itineraries for our first trips to Hawaii. We load these full of our favorite places to eat, low-cost activities, perfectly planned excursion days, and tips for planning a perfect trip!

Learn more about our Hawaii Wayfinder Itineraries. Then, you can email us a testimonial.

9. Feeling like the State of Hawaii is squeezing you for every dollar

This is something I wish I had known before traveling to Hawaii; it happened on my first trip. I felt nickel-and-dimed by everyone. The state of Hawaii was the main culprit.

First, a trip to Hawaii is expensive. You can do Hawaii on a budget, but the average trip in value hotels will cost you thousands of dollars. What is an average trip to Hawaii for a couple? See our How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost for a Couple.

Second, expect a lot of fees and taxes when you go to Hawaii.

• Islands are beginning to implement parking fees at popular beaches. For example, popular beaches in Northwest Maui have a daily parking fee of $29 + taxes and fees. Ouch!
• State parks and county parks have reservation systems to control the crowds. They charge a fee for the reservation and for entrance.
• The Transient Accommodation Tax will add over 18 percent to your hotel or vacation rental rate.
• Hawaii has implemented a Green Tax on visitors to help offset environmental damage.
• Hotels may charge for services that you thought were included. In my experience, the value hotels have reasonable room rates, but they charge for extras once you’re inside.

What can you do? Understand your trip costs, save where you can, and enjoy yourself.

I used to visit my wife, Erica, in Waikiki when she would come to Oahu for one of your auditing clients. I was fresh out of college and didn’t have much money.

I’d spend a frugal day in Waikiki. I’d grab a six-pack of Bud Light at the ABC store, walk blocks to Quiznos for lunch, and sit on the beach all day. I’d wait for her to come back to take me to Duke’s for dinner.

10. That amazing beach has a full parking lot

You may find that amazing beach is full of parking spots. Public parking at beaches can be limited, and street parking fills up quickly. Arrive before 9 am, or find remote beaches with parking.

Here are our favorite beaches on each island, with tips on parking:

• Best Hawaii Beaches
• Best Kauai Beaches
• Best Oahu Beaches
• Best Big Island Beaches
• Best Maui Beaches

11. Bad recommendations from friends and family

This one is my favorite!

We highly recommend seeking multiple opinions and advice before traveling to Hawaii. Our website is a one-stop shop, but you should still get other opinions.

Getting different opinions will help you avoid bad advice, too. If someone who has been to Hawaii once knows of a secret beach or locals-only restaurant, then be wary.

Our friends got back from Maui. They had a great trip, but one day they visited a snorkel spot recommended by a former Maui resident. It was in Olowalu near the old sugar cane factory. It was not a good spot, and they regretted that day.

Be dynamic. If you receive a poor recommendation from someone, be ready with a Plan B. That is why our itineraries are so clutch.

12. Lack of gluten-free and vegetarian restaurants

We get this question a lot: “Can you recommend a gluten-free or vegetarian restaurant?” Usually, they want multiple. It can be hard to find these places on the islands.

If you have dietary restrictions, do your research before you leave to have a short list of options. Or, get a vacation rental so you can prepare your own food.

13. Waikiki is touristy

Yes, 50% of all visitors come to Waikiki. It is a beach lined with high-rise hotels, and it all sits on two streets filled with luxury to t-shirt stands.

But it is far from the popular beach towns on the East Coast. We love Waikiki for the beach, the entertainment, the restaurants, and the free cultural activities.

Plus, you can easily escape Waikiki to explore the wonderful island of Oahu.

Waikiki is a great place for first-time visitors to Hawaii. Yes, it can feel crowded and not like your dream Hawaii vacation, but you still won’t regret it.

• Best Beachfront Hotels on Waikiki Beach
• 22 Best Family Hotels on Oahu
• 9 Ways to Have an Authentic Hawaiian Vacation

14. Long waits to get into restaurants

You will find long lines in Hawaii. Not always, but popular spots will have a wait. Especially during the busy holiday and during your Hawaii summer vacation.

You can choose to go elsewhere or wait in the queue with the lovely visitor from Minnesota. You’ll start exchanging holiday cards. Smile and enjoy the peace as you wait in line. It is usually worth it!

You can also try ordering online for pick up or finding another location. Leonard’s Bakery on Oahu offers excellent malasadas and a long wait. Go find one of their mobile malasada mobiles, they never have a wait!

15. Everything is just more expensive than you thought

Sticker shock is everywhere. Gasoline will be over $5 a gallon. Malasada donuts are pricey. Even that Dole Whip will cost you some money.

Be prepared for prices to be higher than at home and higher than you estimated. I once paid $10 for a cup of POG at Mauna Lani’s gift shop. I could have bought a gallon at Foodland for $5.

Final Tip: Avoid the ABC Stores, go to Foodland or Safeway grocery stores.

16. Bad traffic on Oahu, but also on the neighbor islands

The islands have bad traffic. Bad traffic used to be an Oahu problem, the island with the largest population. Now, we find traffic on all the islands.

As you’re on vacation, try to avoid rush hour. Rush hour is typically 6 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM.

Plan for traffic. Check Google Maps for directions and an ETA well before you leave. If you’re driving to a luau or a snorkel tour, you don’t want to be late!

Please, drive with Aloha.

17. Roosters may wake you up

And, my final “what I wish I knew before traveling to Hawaii” is roosters, of course. You may have heard that the islands are overrun with chickens.

They keep to themselves, except on Kauai. But, the roosters may wake you up in the morning. Even at fancy hotels, the roosters can get you out of bed.

After living on the islands, I no longer hear them. You will get used to them, too, as you will hopefully make lots of trips to Hawaii.

Final Thing I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Hawaii

This may be a sales pitch in poor taste, but I’m going to say it anyway. I wish someone had given me an itinerary this good for my first or fourth trip to Hawaii.

Why has bad stuff happened to you without a Plan B? Why work so hard planning your trip when a great trip is right here?

Download and go, we did the work for you!

Click below to learn more. We have itineraries for each island. Then, you can email us with what you learned on your trip to Hawaii.