Only a few other North America destinations readily come to mind for vacation as Hawaii. Being a state entirely made up of islands, Hawaii’s tropical climate that is warm, its ample public beaches, different natural scenery, oceanic surroundings, and active volcanoes have continued to attract many tourists from North America and the world over.
Hawaii became part of the US just about 60 years ago, and it is the only state under the US federal government to be geographically located in Oceania. As such, if you are not a US citizen or citizen of one of its ally countries, you would probably need a visitor visa to observe your vacation in Hawaii.
Some of the popular island destinations for visitors in Hawaii include Kauai (The Garden Isle), Maui (The Valley Isle), Big Island of Hawaii (The Orchid Isle), Waikiki Beach and Pear (Honolulu), and several other interesting islands.
As with any other holiday destinations around the world, coming to Hawaii demands adequate preparation in terms of the things you should bring along with you. Usually, what you’d pack when coming to Hawaii would depend on who you are (your lifestyle), where in Hawaii you are heading to, and how long you intend to stay there.
However, regardless of these factors, there are essential items that anyone coming to Hawaii must not forget to carry along. These are must-haves for even a minimalist. Depending on your situation, read along to find out what these items are.
Minimalist Hawaii Vacation Packing List for Male
Males are generally not known to be fastidious in their requirements when out of their homes. As such, for a simple vacation to Hawaii, here is the minimalist packing list you need as a male.
- A Pair of Sneakers/ Hiking Boots
The sneakers are necessary if you plan to go on hiking or hopping during your visit. Otherwise, you can dispense with them and focus more on other items such as dresses if your only aim is to get to the beach and have a nice time at Hawaii’s famous restaurants. If you can get water shoes, it’ll be the best. That would prevent you from falling off while walking on terribly slippery surfaces.
- 2 Shorts + 3 Casual Shirts
For a vacation up to one week, you shouldn’t plan for anything less than this. In your adventures, especially those that have to do with beaches, you would need to change into something short and comfortable. Although a tropical climate means you can walk around with minimal clothes on, yet you need something to change into when one is dirty. Just ensure that your clothing items are lightweight to keep their handling and movement handy.
- Hat & Sunglasses
If you are going to Hawaii during the summer, you may need to get yourself a pair of sunglasses and a hat. That’s for the obvious reason of great sunshine. You don’t need an elaborate hat anyway, but it has to be good enough to shield you from the hot weather.
- 2 Long Pants & Button-Down Shirts
Part of your vacation time will be spent attending some parties and showing up at the resorts. These places demand that you look polished and trimmed. So, two button-down shirts and long pants will be more than sufficient for this purpose. You can appear casual for other outings during your stay and you will be fine.
- Pajama & Swimsuits
The pajama is meant to make your night sleep warm, easy, and cozy. You may leave it out of your luggage if you think it would be too heavy. However, a vacation to Hawaii is hardly complete without getting to the waters. In fact, even if you arrive during the winter period, you would still get to spend some time at the beach. 2 pairs of comfortable swimsuits will make the experience a memorable one for you.
- A Reliable Power Bank
Since most of your vacation time will be spent outdoors, you would want to take as many pictures and selfies as possible. And what better ways of draining a phone battery surpass this? That’s why you need to get yourself a strong power bank to keep your phone charged when you are not able to access the power to charge your battery. An ideal power bank, in this case, must be able to charge your phone full 3 times.
Minimalist Hawaii Vacation Packing List for Females
The major difference between what a minimalist female would have to pack and that of a male lies in the clothing and other minor accessories peculiar to the female folks. Here are the items that you cannot do without when on a vacation to Hawaii.
- 4 Underwear & 2 Bras
You need enough underwear whenever you are out of your home, and 4 pieces, in this case, are just sufficient for a minimalist female intending to stay 1 week away from home. 2 bras will also ensure that while you wash/clean one, you can have another to wear.
- 1 Long Pant or Leggings
There are certain resorts and restaurants, especially in Honolulu, that require you to dress in a polished manner so you don’t look different than the crowd. This is why you have to make provision for at least one long pant. Beyond that, you should be prepared to appear casual for the most part of your stay in Hawaii.
- 2 Swimsuits and Rash Guard Tops
Given the numerous waterfalls and ocean bodies available in Hawaii, it is almost unthinkable that anyone would visit the state without having some time out at the beach. So, two swimsuits are just apt for a minimalist like yourself. Out of the two, you should ensure that one is practical and comfortable such that you can wear it for SUP, body surfing, snorkeling, and other watersports of your choice.
The other swimsuit can be a fancy one that you can use to show off at the poolside or while sunbathing. The rash guard is just meant to shield your skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays and also ensure that you are comfortable when surfing or partaking in any other watersports.
- 1 Sweater
As a female, you are susceptible to cold. And regardless of the season, you are visiting Hawaii, there is a high chance of you getting cold, especially at night. That’s why you need at least a sweater to keep you warm should you become cold.
- 1 Hydro Flask
The advantage of this hydro flask is that it keeps your water temperature constant regardless of the temperature of the environment. So, if you like to have cold or warm water around you always, a good hydro flask is a must while coming to Hawaii. Besides, it is a convenient way of carrying water with you on your adventure.
- Toiletries & Pajamas
You should bring extra toiletries items with you to compensate for the ones you would be given at your hotel. This is very important if you have your own choice of these things and you cannot guarantee that you would find them in Hawaii. The same is applicable to pajamas. An extra pajama with you should not consume much space in your luggage.
- Aaron, Turkish Towel or Scarf
You need any of these to cover your hair and prevent it from being soaked in water while you are having a nice time at the beach. And if you should become colder than you expect outside, these can also be your first line of defense. In addition to this, you can clean yourself up with the scarf in the event that you get into any mess outside.
- Shorts, Dresses, and Tops
You will need at least two pairs of shorts, three dresses, and two tops for a week’s vacation in Hawaii. Nevertheless, if you aren’t going to be involved in any watersports, you can drop the shorts and pick more of the dressers. The tops are most likely going to be your everyday Wear due to the country’s climatic condition.
Minimalist Hawaii Vacation Packing List for Family
A family visiting Hawaii for vacation will, of course, need more quantity of items than a single male or female would. In this family minimalist packing list, we would assume a family of four kids and two parents. With that in mind, these are the most important items to bring along when coming to Hawaii for a vacation.
- Necessary Documents
If your family needs a visitor’s visa to enter Hawaii, it would be nice you have them handy to prevent any unwarranted delay or embarrassment. For US citizens who don’t need a visa or passport to visit Hawaii, you should also carry with you the necessary ID cards. The other documents you may wish to include are credit cards, chargers, headsets, pens, and others. These will definitely be useful during your family’s vacation.
It is advisable that you have alternative credit/debit cards just in case one is not working. Your expenses while going out with your family can only be estimated; in reality, you might end up spending more than your budget.
- First Aid Kit
Going with your family for vacation increases the susceptibility of sustaining some injuries or falling sick. Your kids may step on something or someone just gets ill during the process. That’s why you must plan to take some kits with you to take care of your family’s health. Remember to pick any prescription drug for any family members. For a quick reminder, here is a list of some things that you mustn’t forget under this section
- Prescription drugs
- Inhalers
- Allergy Medicines
- After Bite Relief
- Motion Sickness relief
- Pain relievers
- Clothing Items
Essentially, the clothing items earlier mentioned for male and female apply. You need at The following to be in your luggage
- At least 3 underwear, socks, and bra
- Tank tops
- 2 pairs of Swimsuits
- Rash Guards
- Beach Coverups
- At least one leggings for each person
- Activewear
- Pajamas
- Button-Down Shirts (2 per person)
- Sundresses
- Appropriate Shoes for Everyone
Appropriateness in this wise would depend on what your vacation to Hawaii is all about. If you intend to spend most of your time at the beach, waterfalls, and volcanoes, you need more watersports shoes, especially because of the characteristics rocky surfaces of these places. But suppose your aim is to attend a wedding or stay put at some resorts, you may just be okay with some flip-flops and dressy shoes.
- Toiletries
In addition to the few things you might be given at the hotel you would be lodging, you need to include in your bag the following for your convenience
- Sunscreen that is reef-friendly
- Insects repellents if you would be visiting rainforests
- Toothbrush and your preferred paste
- Tissue paper
- Pads/tampons
- Outdoor Essentials
Having a nice vacation anywhere in the world means you would spend some time touring that city or country. In this process, you would want to take pictures to remind you of the time you visited the place. So, as a family, you should get yourself a nice camera to take shots of your outdoor events while in Hawaii. Other essential outdoor items are
- Google Map to help you find the shortest route to wherever you are heading to
- Water bottles that are reusable.
- Hair ties to keep your hairs together while on an adventure
- Phone cases that are waterproof.
On a Final Note
Hawaii is honestly a Great country to visit for anyone. The alluring islands and water bodies will leave a lasting impression on your mind and those of your family members.
As a minimalist that wants to keep everything simple, the items we have highlighted in this piece will just be okay for you and make your adventure hitch-free.
We hope you find Hawaii rewarding and fun for you, and yours!
