|
Making vacation plans for Hawaii
probably has you searching all your favorite stores for the best tropical
inspired clothing of the season, however packing for a Hawaiian vacation
requires more than simply picking out tropical themed clothing. In fact, to
properly pack for Hawaii you need
to consider not only the weather, but the activities you will be participating
in while you are there. This is where pre-planning comes into the picture. If
you pre-plan activities you will have a better idea of what your vacation will
entail and what you should pack than if you wait and decide when you arrive in Hawaii.
Deciding to plan activities when you arrive in the islands will mean that you
will over-pack and have a difficult time managing your bags not to mention
deciding what to wear because you have too many options. Plan ahead, and follow
these tips for packing for Hawaii.
Make a List
You have heard time and time again that making a list is the
most productive way to accomplish anything because you keep track of what you
need done as well as what has been done. The same goes with packing for Hawaii.
You may have saved past lists from other vacations, and this is great because
you can review the list for items you will need to pack for Hawaii.
For example, the toiletries, medicines, and personal care items you need will
be the same for most all vacations, just make sure sunscreen makes it onto the
list. Once you have those items taken care of, then you should consider what
you will be doing in Hawaii.
Since the majority of Hawaii’s
most amazing attractions from the beach to the gardens and canyons are outside,
you will want to make sure you pack adequate comfortable clothing that will
keep you cool in the warm climate, and that is also comfortable for walking,
cycling and other physical activities.
Casual clothing like shorts, lightweight pants, skirts, tank
tops, cotton polo shirts and the like are suitable for Hawaii
because they are cool, comfortable and lightweight. Another tip for your
clothing is to make sure it fits. If you pack ultra tight clothing or clothing
that is simply too small you will be uncomfortable throughout the trip and if
you sweat, which is very possible under the Hawaiian sun, you could end up with
a bad rash. So, focus on comfortable, lightweight, fitting clothes for your
daytime attire. If you plan on visiting the volcanoes or are cold natured you
should include some light sweaters or jackets just in case it is cool.
You will also be visiting the beach, swimming pools, and
waterfalls while you are in Hawaii,
maybe even on a daily basis. Because of this, you also need to pack several
bathing suits so that you can wash one a day and wear a different one. Nobody
wants to wear wet bathing suits, or dirty bathing suits, so pack at least two.
A cover up for women is essential as well, and men might choose to pack extra
t-shirts if they need to cover up.
The sun is strong in Hawaii
so be sure to pack several strengths of sunscreen even if you are planning on
getting a great tan. The first few days apply a higher strength SPF and then
after you have a base tan you can tone down the level of sunscreen you are
using. The point of this is that if you avoid sunscreen you will more than
likely get burned your first day out, which will ruin the rest of the week for
tanning, be very painful, and negatively impact your vacation. By using
sunscreen you will get a great tan, avoid the sunburn, and truly enjoy your
Hawaiian vacation. Also, since the sun is bright you will want to make sure you
pack sunglasses and a hat. Squinting is no way to enjoy your vacation, and a
great pair of shades will help you relax and enjoy your beautiful Hawaiian
vacation.
Consider the nightlife in Hawaii.
Will you be attending a luau, an upscale restaurant, dances or parties? These
are all considerations and will require different modes of dress. It is a lot
easier to shop for your clothing before your vacation than spend precious
vacation hours shopping in overpriced stores. If you need formal wear for
several occasions, be sure to pack it properly to avoid wrinkles. You will be
relieved to have just what you need to wear to every nightly function you
attend. Remember, however, the islands are more laid back and the word “formal"
is not taken in the same way as “formal" might be understood on the mainland.
As a result, semi-formal will most likely work for the majority of Hawaiian
events.
Shoes, what a difficult thing to pack! Everyone wants to
pack a different pair of shoes for every outfit, and this simply will not work
when trying to fill a small suitcase. As a result, choose one pair of shoes for
water activities, one for athletic activities, and one or two for casual or
dressed up activities. That way, you save space in your luggage and won’t be
overburdened with choices.
Jewelry is another topic that you should consider before
traveling to Hawaii. Many
activities on the islands will require you leave your jewelry in the hotel, and
in fact the hot weather simply is not conducive to a lot of jewelry. In
addition, when you wear fine jewelry you will make yourself a target for theft
and will need to increase security options. As a result, decide on some basic
pieces of jewelry that will flatter all of your clothing and travel with those.
You will feel more secure knowing your jewelry is safe at home than locked in a
hotel safe.
Remember, this is not a comprehensive list of things to
pack, just some simple suggestions to keep in mind when you pull out your suitcases
and start trying to fill them with your entire closet. Be conservative and keep
in mind that most condos and hotels have laundry services in case you need to
do a load of laundry on vacation. Also, you will want to make a comprehensive
list before you begin packing and review it for things that are truly
unnecessary. Then, begin packing and rest easy knowing you will pack everything
you need, but not over pack for the first time in your life. You will really
enjoy Hawaii when you have the
right clothes for every occasion, but not so many that it is a burden
traveling.
Stephanie Coburn is the Marketing Director for
Wailua Bay View, an oceanfront Kauai vacation rental. She has
personally researched and experienced many of the activities and
destinations graced with Hawaiian culture as described above. Learn
more at http://www.wailuabay.com .
|
