Now that your tickets to Hawaii are purchased and your reservations have all been made, you’ll need to decide what you are going to bring with you on your trip. The key to packing up those bags for your fabulous Hawaiian get away is to make sure you bring what you really need without loading up everything you own into your luggage. Most people over-pack for their vacation but there are some simple guidelines to follow that will help minimize your load and make your well deserved vacation more enjoyable.
The power of a good list should not be underestimated. The first thing you should do before going on a trip is create a “master list”. This list will be all the items that you take on every trip. Keep in mind, looking up your ticketed airline’s regulations and restrictions on what you can bring with you can save you a unexpected delays while traveling.
Deciding what else you will bring can seem overwhelming. Starting with a basic list of the activities you plan on doing will give you a basic foundation for deciding what you really need to bring. Based on your activity list you will have a better idea of what your needs will be. Beach activities will require sunscreen, towels and beach shoes. These items are fairly obvious and you may want to consider bringing an extra empty bag to purchase these items once you arrive in Hawaii. There are endless quick stops where you can find anything for the beach, all at a good price. This will also help to avoid being over packed on your way home. If you plan on any hiking or touring away from the beach you will want to bring a light long-sleeve shirt and pants, and invest in some bug spray. Mosquitos are a part of island life and can become dense in the jungle.
Although the weather is subtropical a light jacket or sweatshirt is highly recommended, especially if you will be doing activities that are indoors or tour bus, air conditioned venues. It is a good idea to check the climate of the area you are visiting in Hawaii. Each island has a dry side and a wet side. Depending on your vacation location and the time of year will determine if you will want to pack a small umbrella or rain slicker.
The simple task of creating your two lists will have you feeling more prepared and organized for your Hawaii vacation. Here is a list of some must haves for Hawaiian residents that you should adopt as your own while on vacation in the islands: flip flops(referred to as slippahs in Hawaii), good quality beach towel, water proof sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, bottled water, a couple sarongs(can be used as a towel, bathing suit cover-up, skirt, car seat cover & more) and for ladies, a fresh Hawaiian flower in your hair.
Properly packed or not, the beautiful Aloha spirit of the islands will make your vacation a great one and anything you forgot to bring can easily and affordably be found near by.