11 Things Hawaii Locals Desperately Want Tourists to Stop Doing (But Are Too Polite to Say)
I'm a fourth-generation local born and raised on Oahu, but I've explored every corner of all our islands countless times. After watching tourists for decades, I've seen the good, the bad, and the cringe-worthy. While most visitors are respectful, some behaviors make us locals quietly shake our heads. Here's what we desperately want you to know – but are too polite to say directly. Let's dive into the real talk about island etiquette that'll help you travel pono (righteously).
The Wildlife Harassment That Makes Our Hearts Break
Never touch our endangered animals. This isn't just a rule – it's about survival. When I see tourists chasing monk seals for selfies, my heart drops. There are only about 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild. Each harassment incident can stress these animals to death.
I remember working at a beach park when a family let their kid run circles around a resting monk seal. The seal had to abandon its rest spot and swim away exhausted. That animal needed those precious hours on land to regulate its body temperature and digest food.
Pro tip: Stay 50 feet from monk seals, 10 feet from sea turtles, and 150 feet from dolphins and whales. The fines can reach $150,000 and include jail time.
The same goes for our green sea turtles (honu). These sacred creatures are considered ‘aumakua (family guardians) by many Hawaiian families. When you touch one, you're not just breaking federal law – you're disrespecting our spiritual beliefs.
Stop Stepping on Our Living Coral Reefs
Our coral reefs are dying, and tourist damage makes it worse. Every time someone stands on coral for a photo, they're killing organisms that took decades to grow. I've watched snorkelers plant their fins right into thriving reef systems, leaving behind dead patches of white skeleton.
The coral bleaching from climate change is already devastating our reefs. Add tourist damage, and some areas become underwater graveyards. Use reef-safe sunscreen too – the chemicals in regular sunscreen literally poison our coral.
Insider tip: The best snorkeling happens early morning when the water is calmest. Try Hanauma Bay at 7 AM or hit less crowded spots like Electric Beach on Oahu's west side.
Breaking Island Time Will Break Your Soul
Slow down – you're in paradise, not Manhattan. Island time isn't just being late; it's a whole philosophy about enjoying life's moments. When you rush from attraction to attraction, checking boxes on your itinerary, you miss the magic.
I once guided a mainland family who wanted to hit 12 stops in one day. By noon, they were exhausted, stressed, and arguing. They never saw the rainbow over Manoa Falls because they were already running to the next spot.
Local saying: “Mo bettah to see one place good than ten places quick.”
The traffic jams you create by rushing around during peak hours (7-9 AM and 3:30-6 PM) make locals late for work and school. Plan one major activity per day and embrace the slower pace. Trust me, your vacation will be more memorable.
The Illegal Hiking That Endangers Everyone
Those Instagram-famous illegal hikes aren't worth your life. The Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) have been closed since 1987, but tourists keep trespassing. Between 2010 and 2022, 118 people needed rescue from this single trail.
I've seen helicopter rescues costing taxpayers thousands of dollars because someone wanted the perfect shot. In late 2023, tourist Ian Snyder fell 1,000 feet on an illegal trail and wasn't found for three days. He survived, but many others haven't been so lucky.
The Sacred Falls tragedy in 1999 killed eight hikers when rocks fell. That's why it remains closed. When you ignore these closures, you're risking your life and the lives of our first responders.
Pro tip: Stick to legal trails like Diamond Head (early morning), Lanikai Pillboxes, or Makapuu Lighthouse. They're stunning and won't get you arrested.
Cultural Disrespect That Cuts Deep
Learn the difference between Hawaiian and local. Not everyone who lives here is Hawaiian. “Hawaiian” refers specifically to Native Hawaiians – the indigenous people of these islands. The rest of us are “locals” regardless of how long we've lived here.
Using these terms correctly shows respect for the sovereignty and unique culture of Native Hawaiian people. It's like calling all Americans “Native American” – technically, we live in America, but that term has a specific cultural meaning.
Local knowledge: When entering someone's home, always remove your shoes. This custom came from Japanese immigrants and is now universal here. You'll see piles of slippers (flip-flops) by every local's front door.
Littering Our Paradise Into Pollution
Our islands are isolated – everything stays here forever. When you drop that chip bag on the beach, it doesn't magically disappear. It ends up choking our marine life or washing back onto our shores.
I spend weekends doing beach cleanups, and the amount of tourist trash is heartbreaking. Water bottles, food containers, and cigarette butts dominate our collections. We live here year-round and have to deal with the mess long after you're gone.
The unexpected truth: Some of our most pristine beaches are maintained entirely by local volunteers, not government services.
Bring reusable water bottles, pack out everything you pack in, and maybe even grab a few pieces of existing litter. We notice visitors who care for our ‘aina (land), and it means everything to us.
Traffic Chaos That Traps Us All
Your rental car decisions affect our daily lives. When 30,000+ tourists arrive daily and most rent cars, our infrastructure buckles. That mustang convertible you're driving to look cool? It's probably causing a traffic jam on our already-crowded H1 freeway.
Insider alternatives: Use TheBus ($2.75 anywhere on Oahu), rideshare services, or rent bikes in Waikiki. You'll experience more authentic local life and help reduce congestion.
If you must drive, avoid rush hours and learn to drive with aloha. That means letting people merge, not honking constantly, and accepting that island traffic moves slower.
Social Media Addiction Ruining Real Experiences
Put down the phone and actually experience Hawaii. I watch tourists spend entire beach days staging photos instead of enjoying the ocean. They miss the spinner dolphins playing offshore because they're too busy finding the perfect angle.
The quest for viral content is literally killing people. Travel influencer Aanvi Kamdar died this year, falling 300 feet while filming Instagram content (not in Hawaii, but the warning applies).
Local perspective: The most magical Hawaii moments can't be captured in photos – the smell of plumeria after rain, the feeling of warm sand between your toes, or the sound of waves at sunset.
Disrespecting Sacred Sites and Burial Grounds
Some places are off-limits for spiritual reasons. When you see “Kapu” signs, they mean sacred or forbidden. These aren't suggestions – they mark burial sites, religious areas, or culturally sensitive locations.
Many tourists ignore these signs for photos, not understanding they're literally dancing on graves. Our ancestors are buried throughout these islands, and disturbing these sites is both illegal and deeply offensive to Native Hawaiian families.
Food and Restaurant Etiquette Gone Wrong
Don't eat at chain restaurants and then complain that Hawaii is expensive. Skip the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and find local grindz (food) instead. Your money stays in our community, and you'll taste authentic flavors.
Must-try local spots:
- Helena's Hawaiian Food for traditional kalua pig
- Ono Seafood for the best poke in town
- Leonard's Bakery for fresh malasadas
Pro tip: When locals say something is “‘ono grindz,” that means delicious food. If it “broke da mouth,” it's incredibly tasty.
Overcrowding Our Hidden Gems
Stop geotagging secret spots on social media. Every time someone posts the exact location of a quiet beach or secluded waterfall, it gets overrun within weeks. Some locals now use fake location tags to protect special places.
Insider wisdom: Ask locals for recommendations in person instead of following GPS to overcrowded spots. We'll often share better alternatives that aren't on every tourist's radar.
The best beaches happen when you turn down unmarked roads and discover places without parking lots or facilities. That's where real Hawaii lives.
Where to Stay (Without Destroying Our Communities)
Choose accommodations that support local communities. Here are options from major booking platforms:
Oahu Hotels (Booking.com):
- Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani – Book on Expedia
- The Laylow, Autograph Collection – Book on Expedia
Maui Resorts (Expedia):
- Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Book on Expedia
- Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Book on Expedia
Big Island Options (VRBO):
- Mauna Lani resort area condos – Search VRBO
- Waikoloa Beach Resort properties – Search VRBO
Kauai Accommodations:
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort – Book on Expedia
- Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipu Beach – Book on Expedia
Pro tip: Stay in legal accommodations in resort-zoned areas like Waikiki, Ko Olina, or Wailea. Avoid illegal Airbnbs that displace local families from their homes.
The Path Forward: Traveling with Aloha
The truth is, we locals love sharing our home with respectful visitors. When you follow these guidelines, you become part of our ‘ohana (family) rather than just another tourist passing through.
Real aloha isn't just saying “hello” – it's about mutual respect, caring for the land, and understanding that these islands are someone's home, not just your playground. When you travel this way, you'll discover the Hawaii that lives in our hearts, not just in your camera roll.
Come visit us. Just come correct.
Final insider tip: The best way to avoid crowds? Visit during September through November when visitor numbers drop 20-30%. The weather's still perfect, but you'll have beaches and trails mostly to yourself.
Remember, when locals see tourists who truly respect our islands, our culture, and our daily lives, we don't just tolerate your presence – we celebrate it. That's the real aloha spirit, and it's waiting for you if you're ready to receive it properly.
