Tips for Seeing the ‘Real’ Hawaii

What does “Hawaiian vacation” conjure in your mind?

Ladies in cliched grass skirts and coconut bras doing hula at the Marriott?

Tourists festooning the sands of Waikiki  like beached whales?

Visions of aloha shirts, flip-flops and plastic leis?

I’m seeing loads of deals all over the internet right now for airfare to Hawaii. And while I’ll be the first to try and steer you clear of the conventional tourist traps, I’m here to tell you – Hawaii is not to be missed.

Contrary to popular belief, Hawaii is one of the best cultural destinations in the US. Imagine it: we have a collection of islands created by massive volcanoes and home to an ancient Polynesian culture as one of our nation’s 50 states!

Here’s a few ways to exit the tourist track and seek out the real Hawaii:

Get comfy: ditch the all-inclusive resorts and book a rental house or guest cottage outside of the normal tourist haunts.  Check out private rentals on craigslist or do an internet search for “Hawaii vacation rentals”. And if you do find a killer deal at one of the major hotels, just be sure to get out and see the rest of the island.

Get hungry: escape the hotel buffet and try some unique local foods instead. For starters, there’s poi, made of the indigenous taro plant, and the infamous traditional favorite, kalua pork. Try heading to a locals diner (ask around) and try the less traditional stand-by, the Hawaiian plate lunch, which usually features Spam. And don’t miss the array of delectable seasonal tropical fruits, available at roadside stands around all the islands.

Get shopping: head down to one of the local farmers markets, flea markets and small craft shops instead of mega malls and hotel lobbies for your shopping. Items from local artisans, fresh fruit and nuts and even fresh flower leis all make fantastic gifts.

Get to the beach: visit one of the host of local beach parks and picnic and play in the surf alongside local families. If you’re up to tenting it, camping here is a memorable way to spend a few nights swapping stories with locals.

Get on the trail: hike an ancient route such as Kauai’s Kalalau Trail, which was created by the ancient Hawaiians, and put yourself in the middle of history. Shorter day hikes abound on all the islands as well, where you can find yourself in the midst of fern grottoes and bamboo forests, traversing along an active volcano or at the foot of a raging tropical waterfall.

Get some aloha: hula: it’s not just for tourists. Visit an ancient heiau (sacred space where the hula was danced) or take in a performance by a local group studying this ancient art. Important historical sites such as Pearl Harbor put you in touch with American history, and Honolulu’s Iolani Palace revisits a turbulent time when Hawaii’s monarchy was overthrown. And look for the chance to catch some local ukulele or slack key guitar performances – this truly beautiful folk music native to the islands blows typical cheeky Hawaiian elevator music out of the water.

photo by photo mojo, creative commons