SUGGESTIONS? PACKING LIST FOR 5 DAYS IN HAWAI'I

[Izzy]

Wish we could stay longer than 5 days, but juggling family work/school schedules and this is the best we could come up with.

It will take us 3 planes, starting with a red-eye to LA (ugh) to get back home. That will be rough.
(And then, a few hours of getting home, we load up the car again and take Youngest Child to college, 7 hours away. ...)

So far I've got:

In small spinner:
5 lightweight T-shirts
2 pairs shorts
1 skirt with slip
underwear and socks
sandals, flip flops
thin beach towel
2 swimsuits (I HATE putting on wet swimsuits)
lightweight pajamas
tiny umbrella


In S25:
quart size ziplock bag with:
3-oz sunblock
2-oz contact lens solution
toothpaste/brush
hairbrush/comb
deodorant
lavender/peppermint essential oil roll-on (great for headaches)

water bottle
Trekology inflatable camping pillow
1st aid kit with meds, chewing gum, mints, melatonin gummies (for redeye flight)
13" macbook air
snake charmer with various chargers
over-ear headphones
packing cube with gluten-free food (instant oatmeal cups, trail mix, peanut butter Chex (amazing munchie food, travels better than chips), dried mangos, seaweed rolls*, teriyaki mochi rice bites**, and NuGo bars)
Side effect with Nik's wallet, ghost whale with some cash, keys, more mints (can never have too many mints), lip balm, cell phone, charger.

To wear on plane: T-shirt,pants, sneakers, compression socks (recommended by TB forum members!), hoodie

WHAT AM I FORGETTING???

In case anyone is interested:
*Seaweed rolls: https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Kae-Noi-J.../dp/B00DJ60V9W But we get them much cheaper at the Asian store.
**Teriyaki mochi rice bites: https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Tropics-C.../dp/B07KRNJ7K4

[aedifica]

Hats and sunglasses to protect the head and eyes from sunlight?

[Izzy]

Ooh, yes, THANK YOU! I actually did pack a hat, forgot the sunglasses, running to get them now (I still have a couple of days before we leave)....

I'm in SW Pennsylvania, where I think we have the least amount of sunlight anywhere in the US. I read that we actually have one of the highest per-capita sunglasses sales numbers, and I think it's because we hardly ever need them. On those vanishingly rare occasions when the sun comes out, nobody can bear to open their eyes -- and nobody can find their sunglasses! So we all go running to buy more sunglasses...

[G42]

Depending on where you're staying, they may have beach towels. Most of the AirBnBs that I've seen tend to provide them, along with chairs, etc. and some of the hotels/resorts do too.

I suggest either buying a big container of reef safe sunscreen when you get there or using amazon to ship to arrive to wherever you're staying for when you get there... 3oz isn't going to get you far.

An inexpensive small/packable tote or pack to haul stuff around, to the beach, etc. The S25 will obviously work, but you may not want to get sand, sunscreen, etc. in it and it may be bigger than you need.
Not to mention if it gets stolen while you're in the water (not that Hawaii is a huge theft area, I'm just saying things sometime disappear off of beaches where there's lots of tourists)

Not sure why you would need socks except for the plane... Unless you're up at elevation on one of the volcanoes, it just doesn't get cold there.

I wouldn't bother with the umbrella. If it rains, you get wet, you dry off very quickly.

A sunblocking long sleeve shirt is useful or some sort of sun blocking cover up. Hopefully your long pants from the plane are lightweight and can be worn again for sun blocking.

Portable battery for your phone(s)...especially if you're out and about all day and using maps, etc.

Some ziplocks to help keep any electronics away from sand, water, sunscreen, etc.

Have a great trip!!

[Lami]

Will you have a washer/dryer? What kind of place are you staying at? Do you want to have everything you will need on hand or do you plan on buying stuff there?

I would also bring:

mosquito repellent
a long sleeve sun/swim shirt
tank tops instead of t shirts, but everyone has different preferences

We bring snorkel gear on tropical trips.

[Izzy]

Usually, we stay in AirBnB's on vacation, but this time, we're staying at a hotel. We figure we're only going to be sleeping there, so we're cramming 2 to a bed. We're there so short a time, we didn't want to spend any of it shopping and cooking.

There's a coin laundry at the hotel, but no guarantee that we'll be able to use it, so I'm planning on washing a couple things in the sink, no big deal. Hotel shampoo makes excellent sink laundry detergent, did you know?

Totes and ziplock bags are great ideas, I have them, I just didn't think to pack them!

We're not planning on checking any bags, so any mosquito repellent would have to be solid or less than 3 oz. We may get that and the big bottle of sunscreen there. We just wanted to run right to the beach when we arrive, without having to go shopping first, hence the 3 oz.

Thank you for all the great ideas, please keep'em coming!

[aedifica]

Unless you're up at elevation on one of the volcanoes, it just doesn't get cold there.

Oh, I'd forgotten this until you posted about it not getting cold, @G42--during my only two trips to Hawaii (Oahu island), which I think were both in May of their respective years, I carried a thin rayon overshirt with me and had it on and off repeatedly throughout the day because a light breeze would come up and I'd want another layer, then the breeze would die down and I'd be too warm in my extra layer. Everyone's mileage may vary.

[G42]

Everyone's mileage may vary.

Agreed... my brain just stalls when contemplating socks in Hawaii though

[Lami]

"mosquito repellent would have to be solid or less than 3 oz. "

I bring mosquito repellent wipes. They aren't subject to any liquids rules.

RE: socks... I bring socks to Hawaii, as I hike while there. I also wear socks on the flights.

RE: overshirts or sweaters, I always pack and use one. First, for the flights. Also, it depends on the time of the year how cold it gets. In Winter, I need a light jacket every night in Hawaii. In Summer, only on some evenings and during rainstorms.... but what island is OP going to? There are also tall, cold mountains on some islands... Haleakala, Mauna Kea, etc.

[Izzy]

"mosquito repellent would have to be solid or less than 3 oz. "

I bring mosquito repellent wipes. They aren't subject to any liquids rules.

but what island is OP going to? There are also tall, cold mountains on some islands... Haleakala, Mauna Kea, etc.

We're only going to Honolulu. I didn't even THINK about mosquito repellent wipes! GREAT IDEA! Adding those to tomorrow's shopping list, thank you!!!!!

[Hawaii]

I have been to Honolulu many times and never needed mosquito repellant.
Also note that in Honolulu there are ABC stores every few blocks where you can easily pick up extra sunscreen, snacks if need be.
Agree you can leave out umbrella. Definitely yes to a foldable tote to use as a beach bag.

I would pack just 1 pair of socks so you have clean ones for the flights home. I always get cold on the plane, so wear a cashmere cardigan.
A hoodie would also be Ok, just more bulky. You are unlikely to wear it while there, just on the plane for warmth.

Aloha!

[RichardMcG]

I just got back from an 11 day trip to 3 of the islands. You won’t need a beach towel as most hotels will provide one. Also, there is no need for the mosquito repellant - there aren’t any native to the islands (at least according to our native guide). We never saw a single one. It is possible to climb to over 10,000 feet at Haleakala (Maui). Trust me - it is plenty chilly up there.

You will have a great time!

[Lami]

There might not be native mosquitoes, but there are plenty of non-native ones there. I've also been many times; I have needed repellent, even just walking to Waikiki from the zoo side of the beach. We got eaten alive during our winter trip this year, but we also hiked in the jungle a lot. That is where you can especially encounter them. Also, perhaps they are less common in dry season and maybe it depends on blood type. Anyway, I do agree if one is not the type mosquitoes prefer and they only stay in Waikiki, they'd be fine.

[fredlet]

I’m headed there in a week or so, here’s my list:
2 tank tops
1 hiking shorts
1 plain shorts (debating taking these out)
1 leggings*
1 ably shirt*
1 dress
Socks and undies
2 swimsuits (1 swimsuit is shorts and a tankini so I can wear it as clothing)
Rash guard (because I fluoresce)
Columbia spf shirt*
Rain jacket
Hat
Sandals for dress (I’m splurging on space with these)
Flip flops
Keen sandals for hiking*

*to wear on plane


Turkish towel
Umbrella
sunglasses
Camera
Prescription goggles for snorkeling
USB cables
Phone battery
Packable backpack
Zero waste kit (spork, collapsible water bottle, collapsible coffee mug, bandanna)

Sunscreen sticks (reef safe)
Shampoo and conditioner bars
Tooth tabs
Mouthwash tabs
Lotion bar
Other toiletries



fredletsTravels
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#TeamUltraviolet

[fredlet]

We're not planning on checking any bags, so any mosquito repellent would have to be solid or less than 3 oz. We may get that and the big bottle of sunscreen there. We just wanted to run right to the beach when we arrive, without having to go shopping first, hence the 3 oz.

!

Go to any Abc store on your way down to the beach and get what you need there, not even out of your way I bet!


fredletsTravels
http://www.fredletsTravels.com
#TeamUltraviolet