Lolo in Hawaiian means goofy or crazy which may be a slightly strong term for what I outline below, but it made for a fun headline this week.
J5Travel is on the move this week (photo below) as I relocate both home and office to the town that is at the center of the travel universe, Mooresville, NC. As anyone who has moved house knows, it's a few weeks of organized chaos surrounding the actual event and so I am extremely grateful to "borrow" an blog article from my prime mentor when I entered the travel industry back in 2015, Lisa Fletcher. Such is her depth of travel knowledge, especially on Hawaii and Italy, she remains a great inspiration to me today, and luckily her daughter Kendall is of the same ilk, as she is J5Travel's client care manager and our very own resident Hawaii expert.
Yes, I'm talking about Hawaii again. The trend for Hawaii bookings continues to pick up steam and is easily our most popular destination for 2021 travel thus far. I cannot though emphasize enough how important it is to use an advisor for Hawaii unless you have visited several times before. The Top 5 below will give you some idea on why that makes perfect sense. Kendall and the team are ready to help, whether you're thinking of Hawaii (Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Kauai or Molokai.

Hawaii is a unique and diverse vacation destination and US travelers are currently rushing to plan their trips there during this time when domestic travel feels "safer". And after all, Hawaii can actually feel like an exotic, international vacation without ever actually leaving the USA. There is so much to do in the Hawaiian Islands – a wide range of activities and experiences – but talk to us about planning a trip and we are going to encourage you NOT to do the following:

1. Don't try to visit too many islands in too little time
Hawaii is not meant to be experienced in a hurry, but many people want to visit all 5 major islands in 10 days. Sorry but that's a hard NO. Each time you switch islands, you use up a day of your vacation with packing, checking out of your resort, returning your rental car, early arrival at the airport, baggage claim, picking up your new rental car, driving to your new hotel, and settling in. We recommend no more than 2 islands in a week (focusing on only one is even better!), 2 islands in 10 days, or 3 islands in 14 days to be able to enjoy each destination to the fullest.

2. Don't assume that a Hawaiian vacation will be all-inclusive
There is no such thing as an all-inclusive resort in Hawaii. State law actually prohibits the inclusion of alcohol in a hotel room rate/package. And, it would be pure torture to think that a client of ours had to eat all their meals at the chosen resort when there is so much deliciousness waiting outside (above and below). The best case scenario is to find a good resort package that includes a wonderful breakfast each day and explore the many culinary options that are open to you. Plus, Hawaii is an easy driving destination and some of the best experiences are found outside of the resorts.

3. Don't pack your stilettos and neckties
"Formal" attire in the islands means putting on a fresh Aloha shirt (below) and your best flip flops. Men do not wear ties under normal circumstances and women can absolutely get by with sundresses and sandals. However, do remember to bring strong, reef-safe sunscreen and your favorite sunglasses and/or sun hat. The rays can be brutal and you don’t want to ruin your vacation with a killer burn.

4. Don't forget to leave your road rage and impatience at home
Life simply moves slower in the islands, and you may need to adjust your expectations. NEVER honk your horn unless it is an emergency (considered very rude!) and always be generous letting locals pass you or letting people merge or turn into traffic. If it takes a moment for someone to acknowledge you because they are "talking story" with someone else, take a deep breath and smile. And a meeting time usually means 10-15 minutes later. Get used to it…you might even relax a little! It's good to chill.

5. Don't let a luau be your only cultural experience
Before you leave for your vacation, do a little reading up on the fascinating Hawaiian history and culture. There is so much more to Hawaii than the beach! Learn some much-used Hawaiian words and attend cultural workshops and classes that are often offered free at your resorts. And, most of all – be respectful of the Hawaiian ways and customs. Even though it is still the USA, you are a lucky visitor.

I love travel and I love travel planning just as much. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts.

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