Tips for Visiting O'ahu, Hawai'i
Welcome to O'ahu, Hawai'i! Whether you’re staying in classic Waikiki, laid back North Shore or Turtle Bay, or out west at the Resorts at Ko Olina, there are a few tips I’ve learned after living here for years that may help you get the most out of your Hawaiian vacation. These are just a small sampling of my personal observations after having moved here from the mainland, though, and are by no means an exhaustive representation of this gorgeous, diverse island.
1) First things first: Hawai'i is THREE syllables 😉
It’s not “Hah-why.” Someone please tell the mainland news reporters. Please. 😂
Instead, try “Hah-WHY-ee” and that’ll get you closer to where you’re supposed to be. The ' in the word Hawai'i is actually an 'okina and represents a glottal stop, or break in the word in your throat. Due to formatting issues, you’ll usually see the 'okina written as an apostrophe, but it’s actually a totally different symbol.
(You’ll often hear Hawai’i pronounced with the ‘w’ sounding like a soft ‘v.’ This is the Hawaiian language pronunciation). I am in no way a Hawaiian language expert (or even novice!) but, again, pronouncing Hawai'i in three syllables will at least get you closer than hah-why. 🤙 <— That emoji is a Shaka, not a “call me.” 😉
2) Drive with Aloha
You're on an island. On vacation. Really, where do ya NEED to be? If you’ve rented a car for your stay on Oahu (which is a good idea, by the way), one thing know is that we Drive with Aloha here. What does this mean? First, we don’t honk. Unless you are truly, actually, for real about to die, don’t honk. Someone sitting in front of you at the traffic light and not moving fast enough? Don't honk. It’s fine; take the next light. Get cut off while driving? Sure, give 'em the stink eye if you really feel it necessary, but don’t honk. There’s no need. But this brings me to the next part of driving with aloha…
Let people in. In my opinion, this is one of the absolute best things about this state. See someone needing to make a turn across your lane? Slow down and let them. Someone needs to merge? Let them. A surfer needs to cross the street to get to the ocean? Stop and let them cross. Taking an extra 3 seconds to show aloha to your fellow driver will not only help you out with the old fashioned “what goes around, comes around” good vibes, but will also keep you from looking like a clueless tourist. (Don’t forget to throw a Shaka 🤙 to say thanks if someone lets YOU in!)
Don’t park in a bike lane. You’ll see a lot of people parking on the side of the road on Oahu and, for the most part this is okay as long as you’re completely off the road and not blocking a driveway or hydrant. Make sure you’re not in a bike lane, though — they’re frequently used here!
3) Temperatures are Deceptive… & Wear Sunscreen!
Before I moved to Oahu, I looked at the average temperatures and thought, “Oh! Mid 80s isn’t bad at all!” … and then I got here and realized the number is quite deceptive. Because we’re closer to the equator than most of the mainland US, the sun is much more intense and therefore feels hotter than what a thermometer says. BUT, this also means that the shade is particularly nice, so be sure you snag that good shady spot when you hit the beach. Nights can get cool - especially in the winter - so bring a light jacket, too.
Also, wear lots of reef-safe sunscreen (the zinc oxide/titanium dioxide kind, NOT the avobenzone type which kills reefs!) and reapply more often than you think you need to. (My fav reef-safe sunscreen is Coppertone Pure & Simple b/c it actually rubs in pretty well). If you’re booking a photo session for your time here, I always recommend choosing a time early in your trip - there’s less chance of a sunburn and red-tinged photos! (Also, if you’re traveling from the mainland US, consider a sunrise session early in your trip! Your body clock will naturally wake you early - so take advantage of this for a sunrise shoot!)
4) Respect the Ocean & the Locals
Stay 10+ feet away from the sea turtles, aka “honu,” (they’re a threatened species), give the endangered Hawaiian monk seals LOTS of space (they are fast and have teeth, y’all - never mind the fact that it’s illegal to bother them), and don’t step on the coral. (And don’t forget that mineral sunscreen!)
If you’re a surfer, your best bet is to stay in the touristy areas to surf. I’ve found most of O'ahu to welcome visitors with open arms, but it can also be understandably frustrating for locals when strangers encroach upon the non-touristy spaces. This is the locals’ refuge on this small island and that space should be respected.
5) Try the Food
Make sure to try some of the great local food while you’re here! Poke bowls are super popular and delicious; my favorite is the Hawaiian Style flavor with cucumber, avocado, and furikake. (So. Good!) Kalua pork is also a favorite of mine and my kids. And grabbing a Spam Musubi on the way to the beach is a great lunch on the go.
6) Be Smart
Hawai'i is a wonderful place to visit and is filled with warm, kind, loving people. But remember: just because YOU are on vacation, doesn't mean that bad people are too. When out and about, make sure to lock your car doors and not leave anything interesting in open sight. When you’re at the beach, consider leaving your cell and wallet in your hotel room or tucked away (out of sight) in your car.
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Finally, I’ll wrap with a story that I feel truly represents Hawai'i. Recently, on a day off without photo sessions, I was hanging out at the beach for a while with my two kids. I hadn’t brought my phone (didn’t want to leave it unattended on the sand), so I asked a local family near me in the water if they happened to know what time it is. The dad looked at me, smiled, and simply replied, “It’s Friday afternoon!” as if that was sufficient. And you know what? He was right! I didn’t need more specifics than that. Because where did I really need to be? I’m in Hawai'i! That’s good enough. 💕
