9 myths & misconceptions about Hawai‘i travel in 2024

Hawai‘i is a world-class vacation destination, but after a tumultuous few years for travel, many would-be visitors aren't sure whether Hawai‘i is the right choice for them. 

If you're worried about planning a Hawaiian trip, here's some good news: The state's travel industry is eager to welcome you. Let’s tackle several common misconceptions you may have about the Aloha State.

Myth 1: “Maui is closed because of the Lahaina fire”

On August 8, 2023, a fast-moving wildfire in West Maui destroyed most of the historic town of Lahaina and killed at least 100 people. Immediately following the tragedy and to prioritize recovery efforts, state officials closed West Maui and discouraged non-essential travel to the rest of Maui. 

Those restrictions were lifted in October 2023, and only Lahaina itself remains closed to the public. The governor of Hawai‘i and many other state officials have since encouraged travelers to visit Maui to help it recover, as much of the island's economy depends on visitors. Resorts, towns, and beaches in famous West Maui destinations like Kā‘anapali and Kapalua are open for business and weren’t in the burn area of the Lahaina fire. Other popular destinations like the Hāna Highway, Kahului, and Haleakalā National Park are also open.

Myth 2: "Hawai‘i is just a beach and surf destination"

Not in the slightest! Hawai‘i lays claim to some of the most famous beaches and surf breaks anywhere, but you could spend your entire vacation off the sand and still have a world-class trip.

From horseback riding, backcountry hiking in lush mountains, learning firsthand about Native Hawaiian history and culture to gastronomic adventures amid unique fusion-style food Hawai‘i is known for, the sky’s the limit. (We'll also point out that a lot of the Hawaiian seaboard isn't sandy at all, but rather rocky volcanic benches and headlands as well as some of the tallest and most glorious sea cliffs, or pali, on the planet: rugged coastlines of piercing beauty.)

RELATED: What to see and do in Hawai‘i

Myth 3: "Hawai‘i resorts are only for couples"

With so much to do, see, and taste, there’s truly something for everybody in Hawai'i: young and old, solo traveler or big groups of family or friends. Pleasant Holidays offers family-friendly resorts where kids stay free, and villa and condo options too.

Myth 4: "There's no escaping resort fees"

Resort fees are like “convenience fees,” or a variety of other add-on charges that you don’t quite understand, but seem to be inescapable. And there’s no denying resort fees at many of the hotel options may have you feeling like a vacation to Hawai‘i is out of reach. However, there are still plenty of Hawaiian resorts and hotels without resort fees. Your travel advisor can help you find a Pleasant Holidays option without additional fees on the back-end.

Myth 5: "Summer is the only time to visit"

Summer (kauwela) is the busiest season in Hawai‘i, with June seeing the greatest numbers of visitors, but that’s mainly a product of school and vacation schedules. With consistently warm tropical temperatures year-round, there’s no bad time to visit Hawai‘i. The calm waters of summer make for awesome swimming and snorkeling, while the sunny weather of spring (waipuna) and fall (akuma ka)—also good seasons for taking a dip—tends toward the paradisal.

Winter (ka ho‘oilo), meanwhile, offers some of the best whale-watching anywhere on the planet, as well as the chance to watch surfers ride some legendary monster waves.

RELATED: The best time to visit Hawai'i

Myth 7: "Kīlauea volcano will impact your vacation"

Kīlauea is a volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i. A particularly large eruption in 2018 destroyed homes and forced evacuations on the southeast coast, but after months of inactivity, the U.S. Geological Survey declared that eruption over at the end of 2018.

The volcano experienced brief eruptions in 2021 and 2023, but no inhabited areas were threatened. The USGS closely monitors Kīlauea and provides regular updates on its status. It could erupt destructively again, but it's unlikely that would affect most tourist areas on the Big Island, which are dozens of miles away. (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is an important exception.)

It also wouldn't affect destinations on other Hawaiian islands; Honolulu, for example, is more than 200 miles away on O‘ahu across a vast stretch of ocean. 

Myth 8: "Everyone is greeted with a lei on arrival"

Perhaps nothing so neatly captures the popular outside conception of Hawai‘i as the lei, that traditional Polynesian flower garland commonly worn around the neck. It’s easy to think, based on countless movies, TV shows, and commercials, that you’ll step off the plane and immediately have one placed over your head by a smiling greeter.

That’s certainly possible and popular—but it is usually arranged beforehand. When booking your Hawai‘i travel, you can purchase a lei to ensure you are immersed in the Hawaiian experience from the moment you step off the plane. 

Myth 9: "You can't visit Hawai‘i without quarantining, testing, or being vaccinated"

The Hawai‘i Safe Travels program has ended and there are no longer any COVID-related requirements for domestic passengers arriving in Hawai‘i. That means domestic travelers won't need to fill out any forms, abide by quarantine requirements, provide evidence of a negative COVID test, or provide proof of vaccination.