Step 3 of 4 · Pack
Pack for Hawaiʻi — the right way.
What to bring, what to leave home, and the small Hawaiʻi-specific stuff travelers always forget — reef-safe sunscreen, cultural pre-flight, and the docs you actually need at the gate.
We may link to trusted Hawaiʻi resources at no extra cost to you.
The Hawaiʻi Packing Quiz
Two minutes, twelve questions, a packing list tailored to your specific trip. Saved to your browser so you can come back to it.
Hawaiʻi Packing List Quiz
Tell us where you’re going, when, and what you plan to do — we’ll generate the packing list. Beach trip vs. hiking trip vs. resort trip is a different bag, and the quiz knows the difference.
Take the quiz →What to wear in Hawaiʻi
The dress code is more relaxed than mainland US, but Hawaiʻi has a few specific situations where what you’re wearing matters.
First-Time Visitor Guide
The clothes-and-vibe basics for your first trip — resort wear, hiking layers, what to skip.
Read the guide →Weather by Month
Dec through Feb you’ll want a light jacket. July through September you’ll regret a third pair of jeans.
Check your month →Month-by-Month Guides
Every month has its own pages — rainfall, temperature, crowd level, and what to pack.
Pick your month →Hawaiʻi Essentials on Amazon
Quick-dry trail shoes, packing cubes, dry bags, snorkel sets, light rain shells.
Shop the basics →Reef-safe & sun safety
Hawaiʻi banned chemical sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate — bring mineral (zinc-oxide) sunscreen, or buy it at a local pharmacy on day one.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen on Amazon
Mineral / zinc-oxide options that comply with Hawaiʻiʻs reef-safe law.
Browse options →Ocean Report
Live wave heights, surf advisories, and which beaches the ocean is too rough at today.
Open ocean report →Box Jellyfish Calendar
Box jellies arrive at south-shore beaches 8–10 days after the full moon. Check before you swim.
See the calendar →Sunrise & Sunset Times
Hawaiʻi sun is intense year-round — daylight hours and UV index by date.
Check times →Cultural pre-flight
Five minutes of cultural prep before you board makes a real difference once you land. Hawaiʻi isnʻt a generic beach destination — the place has its own language, history, and etiquette.
Hawaiian Words to Know
The 30-ish words you’ll see on every menu, sign, and place name — with audio pronunciations.
Learn the words →The Hawaiian Alphabet
Twelve letters, two diacritics, and how to actually pronounce place names like Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa.
Learn the alphabet →Aloha, Pono & Mālama
The three concepts every visitor should understand before they set foot on the islands.
Read about it →Aloha Today Podcast
Three minutes of Hawaiʻi context every morning — subscribe before your flight.
Listen now →Travel docs & logistics
No passport for US travelers (Hawaiʻi is a state) — but REAL ID matters now, and a few logistics catch first-timers off guard.
First-Time Visitor Guide
REAL ID, agriculture inspection, what you can and can’t bring through TSA.
Read the guide →Fees & Reservations Cheat Sheet
Print or save before you go — what costs money, what needs a reservation, and when.
See the cheat sheet →Trip Cost Calculator
Final pre-flight budget check — round-trip realistic numbers for hotels, food, gas, and tours.
Run your numbers →My Trip
Everything you’ve saved — itinerary, lodging, restaurants, tours — on the phone you’ll have at the airport.
Open My Trip →
Try out our AI Powered
Search & Chatbot →
Hawaiʻi Weather Forecast
Today’s Weather Brief · AI-voiced · ~45s
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Read the transcript
Partly cloudy on the windward side, mostly sunny on the leeward side. Trade winds are strong and will stay that way through Wednesday, bringing passing showers to windward slopes.
Surf builds this weekend—a south swell is coming in and could reach warning levels on south-facing beaches by Saturday and Sunday. Winds ease late Thursday, and you'll see more organized showers Friday through Saturday as a system moves nearby. Small Craft Advisory is up through Wednesday evening, so water's rough if you're thinking about boats.
Stick to leeward beaches and the sunny side through Wednesday. Save your snorkeling for after the weekend swell passes.
AI summary · verify with NWS before heading out
Loading forecast…
Temperature
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Current Time in Hawaiʻi
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Hawaiʻi Standard Time · UTC−10 · No Daylight Saving
You’re on Hawaiʻi timeMainland US
International
Aloha Today daily podcast →
Full HST breakdown, FAQ & DST schedule →
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