7 Things Everyone In Hawaii Should Avoid At All Costs

Is there really any question of whether or not Hawaii is the best state in America? (The answer is no, because Hawaii is obviously the best.) Still, even paradise can’t be perfect all the time, and to prove it, here are seven things to avoid in Hawaii if you want to keep your sanity, and appreciate the Hawaiian Islands to the fullest.

1) Avoid going to the same beach all the time.

We have so many beautiful beaches to explore! Definitely plan a visit to at least one of Hawaii's black sand beaches.

2) You should avoid driving during rush hour.

If you're asking yourself, "should I avoid Hawaii," the answer is a resounding "nope." However, you do want to avoid rush hour. On Oahu at least, rush hour begins at approximately 3 p.m. and doesn’t let up until nearly 7 p.m. If possible, avoid driving during these hours, because you will undoubtedly witness your anger and stress levels rising.

3) Avoid eating out too frequently.

When you have to ship food products from 2,000 miles away, there is going to be a significant mark-up. As a result, eating out in Hawaii is not cheap. And while the food is often amazing, everyone should remember to head to the grocery store instead. You'll find plenty of fun things to do in Hawaii, including whipping up a meal or two of your own on your visit.

4) Avoid going into unfamiliar ocean without acknowledging the risks.

There are warning signs posted at beaches for a reason – strong shore break, sudden drop off, high surf. The list goes on and on, thus it is essential to understand the potential risks before you jump right in. This is one of the most important things to be aware of in Hawaii, because your safety depends on it.

5) Avoid going hiking without the proper necessities

This includes a fully charged cell phone (for emergencies and photo ops), plenty of water, a first aid kit, snacks, and most importantly – a friend or family member who is aware of where you are hiking and when you are expected to be back. You know how your mom always wanted you to call her when you got home? Same concept, but much more important in my mind.

6) Avoid the super touristy areas of the islands.

If you've asked, should I avoid Hawaii, the answer is no, but you might want to avoid Waikiki on Oahu, Mauna Kea, Waipio Valley, Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala National Park, Maui Ocean Center…and the list goes on. If you aren’t fond of the tourist crowd, I would avoid going to these locations, especially during peak tourist season.

7) Try to avoid island fever.

Because island fever is a real thing – I mean, sometimes you just need to get off the rock, even if just for a weekend getaway to another island. To avoid island fever, explore your island as much as possible, try something new, participate in varied activities, and don’t let the sun guilt get to you (sometimes you need to watch Netflix all day, and we understand).

What do you think are some things to avoid in Hawaii? If you could give someone who wants to visit advice, what would you tell them are some things to be aware of in Hawaii? Let us know in the comments!

Despite some of the more annoying occurrences and dangers of living in Hawaii, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.