Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Plan a Better Hawaii Vacation

Are you planning a visit to Hawaii and want to make sure you’re being respectful of the culture and land? In this episode, our guest today, Elijah Kāla McShane, will share the top 5 ways to show respect and etiquette when traveling in Hawaii. From learning about traditional customs to being mindful of your impact on the environment, Elijah, will give you the advice you need to have a responsible and respectful trip. So sit back, grab a Mai Tai, and let's get started on your Hawaiian adventure the right way. Let’s go!

-> Learn More <-

Resources Mentioned:
https://www.awakenedaloha.org/guide
https://www.awakenedaloha.org

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This Hawaii podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a Hawaii vacation to the islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

Edge of the Ocean, Stick Figure (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill, Coby G (w/ permission)
Talk Story, Hawaiian Style Band (w/ permission)

Long before your favorite resorts and restaurants in Hawaii existed, the natural beauty of the islands called people to explore its forests, heights, and history. Today, hiking trails allow you to explore more of Hawaii than ever before – and many, especially on Oahu, are great fits for children and parents.

Click here for the full list 

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🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

There are several things to consider before visiting Hawaii. It is essential to consider your goals for the trip when deciding when to visit, as some activities, such as whale watching, are only available during certain times of the year. It is also important to be prepared to slow down and embrace the culture of Hawaii rather than just checking items off a list. This includes learning some Hawaiian words and phrases. Go to hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode75 to learn more!

Episode Resources

• hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode59

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🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

On this episode of Hawaii’s Best, Bryan talks with the co-founder and CEO of Shaka Guide, Andrew Fowers. Get Episode Show Notes Here:  --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode58 <-- The conversation is a comprehensive Oahu travel guide with some history, highlights, and well-informed travel tips.

With Honolulu as the capital, Oahu has over a million locals and the most visitors every year. It’s the perfect combination of epic surfing, beautiful beaches, and rainforest hikes, all within close distance to each other.

Oahu has so much to offer visitors. The main hub is Honolulu and Waikiki, which are very close together. There is a ton of shopping, numerous hotels, and a ton to do.

One spot not everyone knows about is Kaka’ako Chinatown Arts District near downtown Honolulu, which has art murals, new incredible restaurants, and other hidden gems.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Oahu, check out Pearl Harbor Memorial and nearby Aviation Museum, get the Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation, and drive to the North Shore and stop in as many spots as possible - including legendary beaches like Bonsai Pipeline where you’ll probably catch surfers catching waves us regular people can only dream about.

Visit the Polynesian Culture Center and consider viewing their park; they have a luau and night show that you don’t want to miss. Check out Kualoa Ranch where they filmed Jurassic Park, and tour Iolani Palace too.

Make sure to check out Shaka Guide’s Circle Island tour for the best way to get the most out of your trip to Oahu!

Episode Resources

• Oahu Travel Guide Blog
• Download Shaka Guide Apps

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.

Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.

🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com

Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

Discover the beauty of the Hawaiian language and culture with Hawaii's Best - experience the aloha state with us today!

Learn more here: https://www.hawaiisbesttravel.com/hawaiian-words-and-phrases-for-your-next-vacation/

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.

Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.

🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com

Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

In this episode of Hawaii’s Best, Bryan talks with Daniel Chun from Alaska Airlines. Daniel was born and raised on Oahu and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.

Get the show notes here: hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode72

Daniel represents Alaska Airlines as the Director of Sales, Community & Public Relations, Hawaii. His previous experience in the travel and tourism arena includes working at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, serving as special assistant to Hawaii’s governor-appointed tourism liaison, serving as the executive director of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, and being part of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors.

Today, we hear about Alaska Airlines’ ongoing efforts to help with mālama (nurturing and caring for) Hawaii. Care is a core value of Alaska Airlines, so respecting the states that it serves is a key focus for the company. 

Daniel helps Alaska Airlines engage with non-profits and community groups that do local sustainability work in Hawaii. The airline is now partnering with travel2change, a non-profit that connects travelers to volunteer opportunities like cultural education tours and beach clean-ups.

Recently, students on Oahu and Moloka’i created a Pledge describing how they would like travelers to practice mālama while they’re visiting. It’s called Pledge To Our Keiki (which means kids), and the awesome organization Kanu Hawaii soon picked it up and publicized it. They now have a goal to reach 50,000 signatures this year.

Daniel shares how ongoing efforts like this spread the word about respecting the land and help more and more travelers practice mālama.

Alaska Airlines:
https://news.alaskaair.com/travel-tips/volunteer-hawaii-travel2change
https://news.alaskaair.com/sustainability/pledge-to-our-keiki-hawaii-travel2change
https://www.kanuhawaii.org/campaign/pledge-to-our-keiki

Episode Resources

• Sign the Pledge

Travel Pono (responsibly)

• Pledge to Our Keiki
• Pono Pledge Website
• Travel2Change Website
• Traveling to Hawaii Responsibly: Episode 55

Connect With Us

• Support the Podcast
• Send Us a Message with any questions about Hawaii
• Hawaii’s Best Instagram
• Hawaii's Best Facebook Group

Bumper music, Aloha Friday, provided by Coby G (used with permission)

Spread Aloha

• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews help other people who love Hawaii find this podcast.
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Support the show

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.

Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.

🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com

Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

Learn more about this year's Lei Day celebration in the episode resources.

Get the show notes here --> https://www.hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode71 <--

Episode Resources

• Kahanuola Instagram
• Hawaii News Now Facebook
• The Brothers Cazimero
• Keauhou Website
• Keauhou Instagram
• Keauhou Facebook
• May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Blog Post

Travel Pono (responsibly)

• Pono Pledge Website
• Travel2Change Website
• Traveling to Hawaii Responsibly: Episode 55
  
  

Connect With Us

• Support the Podcast
• Send Us a Message with any questions about Hawaii
• Hawaii’s Best Instagram
• Hawaii's Best Facebook Group

Bumper music, Aloha Friday, provided by Coby G (used with permission)

Spread Aloha

• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews help other people who love Hawaii find this podcast.
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

Get Episode Show Notes Here:  --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode70 <--

On this episode of Hawaii’s Best, Bryan is joined by Edwin “Ekolu” Lyndsey, the president of Maui Cultural Lands.

This non-profit was founded by his parents in 1999 to boost conservationist efforts on the island of Maui, and specifically to bring continued restoration and protection to Honokowai Valley. Their mission includes telling the stories of the spaces they fight to preserve through education and healthy exploration.

Honokowai Valley’s name reflects its natural resources (sugar cane and water). It was historically a very rich agricultural area, supplying not just sugar but other foods for many of the surrounding communities. There are buildings on the land that date back to 1200 AD.

Currently, reforestation efforts and ecological preservation work are establishing sustainability in the area to ensure the important historic valley thrives for generations to come.

Ekolu’s team takes volunteers up every Saturday to work on the land, learn some of the cultural values and history, and share Aloha. We know you’ll be inspired by his truly Hawaiian, chill but deep passion as he explains Regenerative Tourism, and how we can all participate in better stewardship of an island so rich in beauty and natural glory - an island that also sustains around 3 million visitors a year.

Giving back while on vacation with Maui Cultural Lands is one tangible on how you and your family can volunteer in Hawaii.

The team teaches its volunteers an important concept that Ekolu’s family calls the “process of Aloha.” This includes Kupono (honesty, forthrightness and fairness in relating to others), Malama (generating light and caring for life), and Kokua (to help selflessly), which Ekolu explains to us in the most stirring of ways.

As a Maui native, Ekolu has inherited wisdom, generosity, and wonder from his family, and his explanation of Aloha as a practice and a process, as opposed to just a concept, is one of the many gems in this rich conversation.

In 2019, Edwin received a prestigious honor from Maui County’s mayor (Michael Victorino): he had a day of the year named Edwin “Ekolu” Lyndsey Day! The mayor thanked Ekolu for empowering the community to protect its resources.

Ekolu also does work to restore local reefs, invites students from abroad to learn conservation methods on site, and partners with other Maui-based non-profits in their water and land protection efforts.

Bryan and Ekolu also talk through the pro’s and con’s of the bounce-back in travelers and tourists after the pandemic, and what some of the pressure points are as visitors return in such high numbers. These include the increased danger that overcrowding poses to the reefs, seals, and water supplies.

Get Episode Show Notes Here:  --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode70 <--

Episode Resources

• Maui Cultural Lands Website
• Ekolu TEDxMaui

Travel Pono (responsibly)

• Pono Pledge Website
• Travel2Change Website
• Traveling to Hawaii Responsibly: Episode 55

SPREAD ALOHA
Be sure you subscribe to the podcast to automatically receive your episodes!

Have a Question? Wanna Share Your Hawaii Tips or Experience?
Send us a message, and we’ll share it on the podcast: <

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.

Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.

🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com

Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode69

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Patrick Parker Website
• Patrick Parker Instagram

SPREAD ALOHA
Be sure you subscribe to the podcast to automatically receive your episodes!

Have a Question? Wanna Share Your Hawaii Tips or Experience?
Send us a message, and we’ll share it on the podcast: speakpipe.com/hawaiisbest

SUPPORT THE PODCAST
hawaiisbesttravel.com/support

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL

• Instagram: Instagram.com/Hawaiis.Best
• Facebook: Facebook.com/HawaiisBestTravel
• Join our Visit Hawaii Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/traveltohawaii 

As always, continue to live out aloha no matter where you are in the world. Thank you for leaving a rating and review!

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.

Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.

🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com

Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)

On this episode, Bryan is joined by Joshua Martinez, the Founder and Director of Photography at Hawaii Media Collective.
Get Episode Show Notes Here:  --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode68 <--

Joshua is an advertising & Commercial Photographer with more than 7 years of professional experience. Known for his product, food, and lifestyle work with some of Puerto Rico & Hawaii's top hospitality brands; these include St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Westin Maui, Grand Wailea a Waldorf Astoria to name a few. With peak attention to detail, Joshua communicates any idea or task at hand.

Get Episode Show Notes Here:  --> hawaiisbesttravel.com/episode68 <--

EPISODE RESOURCES

• 10% off with HMC

SPREAD ALOHA
Be sure you subscribe to the podcast to automatically receive your episodes!

Have a Question? Wanna Share Your Hawaii Tips or Experience?
Send us a message, and we’ll share it on the podcast: speakpipe.com/hawaiisbest

SUPPORT THE PODCAST
hawaiisbesttravel.com/support

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL

• Instagram: Instagram.com/Hawaiis.Best
• Facebook: Facebook.com/HawaiisBestTravel
• Join our Visit Hawaii Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/traveltohawaii 

As always, continue to live out aloha no matter where you are in the world. Thank you for leaving a rating and review!

Episode sponsored by Terraformation.

Terraformation is restoring a native Hawaiian forest at ʻIole in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). Your support helps native trees grow from seed to canopy. As the forest takes root, it helps restore habitat and protect Hawaiʻi’s water and reefs.

🌳 Help grow the forest: hawaii.startaforest.com

Use promo code BEST for 15% off your first month or first year.

_
🌴 Plan Your Hawaii Trip With Bryan

About Your Host: Bryan Murphy is the founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel & a Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority, since 2020. An HVCB member since 2019, he helps first-time & repeat visitors plan respectful Hawaii vacations w/ clear, practical advice & cultural insight.

• Let's connect on Instagram
• Join the Visiting Hawaii Facebook Group
• Grab free Hawaii travel tips & guides at hawaiisbesttravel.com

🤝 To sponsor the show visit hawaiisbesttravel.com/partner

Hawaii travel podcast helps you plan a trip to Hawaii with clarity. Discover practical travel tips, island itineraries, & local insight to help you explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island.

Edge of the Ocean (w/ permission)
Ukulele and Chill (w/ permission)
Talk Story (w/ permission)