Travel tips · Honolulu · United States
Honolulu travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Honolulu's culture rests on Native Hawaiian traditions and the descendants of plantation-era immigrants from China, Japan, Portugal, the Philippines and Korea, which together make up a distinctive 'local' identity, with its own food and the pidgin language, Hawaiʻi Creole English. The spirit of aloha, meaning warmth and respect, is taken seriously, as is care for the land and ocean.
Key facts
- Language
- English and Hawaiian
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink and among the best-tasting in the US.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance, ocean rescue)
Things to know
- Take your shoes off before entering someone's home, and in some guesthouses.
- Keep at least 3 metres from green sea turtles and about 15 metres from Hawaiian monk seals; touching them is illegal.
- Don't take lava rocks, sand or coral as souvenirs, and respect any signs closing sacred sites (heiau).
- Cover up with a shirt and shoes when leaving the beach for shops and restaurants.
- Drive with patience: honking is rare and locals let others merge with a wave or a shaka.
- Book Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) ahead: Out-of-state visitors must reserve an entry time and parking online in advance through the Hawaiʻi state parks system.
- Book Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial ahead: Reserve the free USS Arizona Memorial programme online in advance; a small booking fee applies and slots fill weeks ahead in busy months.
- Book Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve ahead: Entry is by advance online reservation, released a couple of days ahead; the preserve closes on some weekdays, so check the calendar.
- Many Waikīkī hotels add a daily resort fee and parking charges on top of the room rate; compare total prices before booking.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars a day for hotel housekeeping; surf instructors and tour guides also appreciate tips.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aloha | Hello, goodbye, love and goodwill |
| Mahalo | Thank you |
| ʻOno | Delicious |
| Pau | Finished, done |
| Mauka / makai | Towards the mountains / towards the sea (used in directions) |
| Keiki | Children |
| Pupu | Appetisers, snacks |
| Howzit | Hi, how's it going? (pidgin) |
What to wear
Dress is relaxed: an aloha shirt or sundress counts as smart for most restaurants. Pack a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and shoes with grip for hiking trails.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink and among the best-tasting in the US.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance, ocean rescue)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and at the airport; US prepaid SIMs and eSIMs work across the island, though coverage is patchy on some hiking trails.
- Time zone
- Pacific/Honolulu
Ocean conditions are the main risk: strong currents, shorebreak and high surf, especially on north-facing shores in winter, cause many visitor injuries, so swim at lifeguarded beaches and follow the flags. Car break-ins at trailheads and beach parks are common, so leave nothing in the car. Sun exposure is intense year-round.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Honolulu?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars a day for hotel housekeeping; surf instructors and tour guides also appreciate tips.
+Can you drink the tap water in Honolulu?
Tap water is safe to drink and among the best-tasting in the US.
+What plugs are used in Honolulu?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Honolulu?
English and Hawaiian.