The best items you must bring to Hawaii.

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Are you traveling to Hawaii soon? If so, here are some essential items you must bring with you. Sure, you need the mandatory clothes, important documents (IDs and such), and other general travel articles that you would bring to any place you travel. However, traveling to places like Hawaii, which has much to offer, would require you to consider bringing additional gear.

Understand that every essential item on this list can be found and bought in Hawaii. So, if you forget to bring one, you can easily find them anywhere. Just know, though, that you’ll be paying more for it than on the mainland. And while you may ask, how come? Hawaii is a state, too; it comes down to supply and demand plus import-associated costs.

Being such a remote place with limited resources, almost everything is imported.

One cool thing about these items on this list is that you could bring most of them everywhere else and not just use them in Hawaii. I know I have and continue to do so.

The items

As I said before, these items can also apply to other tropical places like Guam, Puerto Rico, and the rest of the Caribbean, amongst many more. I’ll be breaking my items into two sections, water use, and land use, so without further ado, I’ll move on to the essential items.

Water use

When people think of Hawaii, beaches and pools often come to mind, so you should consider having the following items.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

As most tropical or subtropical places go, the closer you are to the Equator, the hotter it gets, and the more sunshine you get. The Sun is at its strongest, and while getting some sun isn’t necessarily bad, being scorched by it isn’t that much fun.

Sunscreen is a necessary item to carry and, in Hawaii, an important survival tool. But there is a caveat here. If you already have sunscreen, ensure it doesn’t have any of the following chemicals. Oxybenzone, or Octinoxate. These two chemicals are hazardous to the reefs and wildlife that calls them home. Hawaii has successfully implemented the requirement to use Reef Safe sunscreen only in its waters.

Check your bottle; the one I was initially going to bring wasn’t approved. So I had to find the correct one. But fortunately, I learned of Hawaii’s requirements before the trip. Luckily, I found this one by Hawaiian Tropic, and from my personal experience using it, I can assure you it worked well. I caught so much Sun in Hawaii, yet I did not get burned. I also snorkeled and went into the ocean often, knowing that the environment was being kept safe.

Water Shoes

While in Hawaii, I noticed many beaches are easily accessible and walkable barefooted. Some beaches and most resorts are better experienced with water shoes. The main reason is the Sun. The cement can be unbearably hot on your bare feet at the poolside. Meanwhile, depending on the beach you go to, besides the hot sand, you could hurt your feet with rocks and pebbles found on a few of the beaches, thus reinforcing the use of protective footwear. Some people go for outdoor sandals; I, however, am more prone to using water shoes.

I recommend this pair. Not only do they come in standard black, but you can also find other colorful options. The best yet, they are unisex, whether you are a gent or a lady. The option is there. They are also comfortable enough for other outdoor activities like yoga, car washing, and even jogging—an essential item to use just about anywhere.

Rashguard

All my life, I’ve been one to wear basic swim shorts to go to the beach or pool. And although I’ve heard of rash guards, I’ve always associated them with surfers. I don’t surf; I don’t know how, and it’s one of those activities I never cared about, and the same goes for everything associated with it. I have nothing personal against surfers; I admire you for what you do.

But one random day, my wife suggested I try one out of curiosity. So, as the great husband I am, I did, and believe me when I say this. I cannot remember the last time I was shirtless on a beach or a pool. These rash guards are outstanding. Not only do they look good, but they also fit well. They dry up fast and, best of all, protect your body from the Sun (UPF 50+), and if you are underwater, it provides an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Try these; you will not be disappointed.

Water case for your phone(s)

If you don’t have a Go Pro or a fancy underwater camera for some great pictures, then you should consider investing in a relatively cheap water case for your phone. My wife and I have one; they were great and served us well. They come in handy at waterfalls, rivers, or streams, during the rain, or even at the pool, keeping your phone safe and thus making it an essential item.

Invest in this four-pack, and you will thank yourself later.

Land use

Whether you are a resident or a visitor, you must be careful when traversing Hawaii’s terrain.

If you’re not going in the water and looking to do outdoor stuff, here are a different set of items you will need when you go to Hawaii.

Backpack

The ever-needed backpack; you cannot go hiking without one. In Hawaii, it is an essential item to have. And while there are many great backpacks for both men and women, the Venture Pal 40L, the one I own, comes highly recommended. It is lightweight, durable, resistant to the elements, and features multiple pockets, including one for wet clothes.

It has the space for multiple water bottles, is easy to carry, and can be reduced to a smaller size, essentially turning the backpack into a fanny pack size for easy storage. When I travel, I often send it via a checked bag, which allows me to bring an extra carry-on bag on the plane. Highly convenient. It also comes in different colors for your taste.

But best of all, the backpack has safety straps that prevent easy access into the bag, along with a whistle which, if you happen to get lost, you could use to your advantage. It’s rather loud, so you’ll be heard. It is my backpack of choice, which I foresee myself using for a long time. All these features make it an essential item for me.

Buy the Venture Pal 40L Backpack @ Amazon. You will not be disappointed. Oh, and did I mention it is waterproof? Because it is.

First Aid Kit

You should always make space for a first aid kit for every trip. You can find many kits online like this one, but making your own will work just as well. Just remember to fill it with key items, like bandages, gauze, antiseptics, and gloves.

Hawaii, while beautiful, can be treacherous for those who aren’t cautious or know how to play it safe.

Selfie stick

The ever-helpful selfie stick: while the market has a ton of selfie sticks you can buy, I recommend any of the following. The Telesin 106″ Ultra Long, or if you’re looking for a bundle of sorts, check this one out.

Having a selfie stick in a place like Hawaii is worth it. How else can you take great selfies of yourself or with someone else with the beautiful sunset, backdrop, or waterfall? You name it.

Always watch your footing and know your surroundings; I’ve heard of plenty of incidents where people get hurt trying to take that perfect shot—unfortunately, there are even some casualties. Don’t be another statistic, and keep it safe.

Reusable Water Bottle

Water is the Holy Grail of drinks. One cannot argue that it is the source of life and the most essential item to have in one’s possession daily. Whether at the beach, going for a walk, or hiking, having a reusable or refillable bottle of water is necessary. You can buy bottled water in Hawaii, but that’ll cost you lots of money. Instead, spend the savings elsewhere, like that souvenir you want or a fridge magnet.

If you are going on long hikes or arduous trips, you should consider carrying more than one, just in case. A great one to buy if you don’t already have one is the Opard 32oz. One is perfect for hiking, sports, the gym, and general day use. It is sturdy enough and light enough to carry.

Miscellaneous

Itinerary

Unless you plan on spending your entire time at the beach, having an itinerary (or a general plan) when visiting Hawaii is crucial. I cannot guarantee you’ll be able to maximize your time without one.

Having an itinerary helps you by:

• It keeps you organized.
• It helps you plan each day’s activities, events, or goals.
• It lets you know what to bring, what to wear, and what safety protocols to follow on any given day.
• Lastly, having an itinerary helps you figure out reservations. Hawaii is a heavily touristic place, meaning reservations fill up quickly.

And while an itinerary may not be a safety item, it can still be a lifesaver. How so?

• Many places in Hawaii have either low or no phone signal, so If you share your itinerary with some friends or loved ones, if something were to happen to you, let’s say you’d go missing or anything of the sort, this will allow them to have some idea of where to start searching for you.

However, when planning an itinerary, please be realistic and allow yourself some flexibility. Because life, as you know it, never goes according to plan. So plan around that; also, if you schedule everything to a tee, you’ll find yourself not enjoying the sights due to the fear of missing out on the next big thing. Hawaii forces you to slow down and appreciate it. Be smart and make an itinerary an essential item on your list.

A good camera

Whether you have a professional camera, an in-between, or a Go-Pro, I highly recommend you bring your best camera to Hawaii. The Hawaiian islands are a photographer’s paradise, and you’d hate yourself for not having those awe-inspiring pics of the sunset, the waterfalls, or any other place that you fancy. Sure, most phones nowadays take good photos. But I’m talking about great photos.

My wife brought one of her cameras, a Nikon D5600, on our trip, and although it wasn’t a professional camera per definition, it remains a great camera, and the picture quality is amazing.

Summarize

If you notice, there are some items I did not mention in this list that are also important to have but not necessarily bring. Snorkeling gear, for example, unless you are an enthusiast, chances are you will only snorkel once during your visit to the islands. Invest in an all-inclusive tour, or get some rental gear for the day and move on. Not only do you save space in your luggage, but you could also use the money you’d otherwise spend on this item elsewhere.

The same goes for towels; most hotels have pools or are located on the beach, and towels are easily provided as long as you return them. You will only need a towel if you’re going into the river or lakes during your hikes. And realistically, with the weather being constantly hot enough, you’ll find yourself dried up by the time you make the walk to your car, that is, as long as you don’t park too close.

Hawaii is an amazing place to visit; there is no denying it. Having some of these, if not all of these, essential items will help maximize your experience in Aloha State.

Now, it’s just a matter of deciding which island is right for you. For similar articles, click here.

Take care, and see you out there.