What is appropriate to wear in Hawaii?

We recommend comfortable shoes for walking, shorts, sun dresses, and t- shirts. In the evening, most people switch over to dressy-casual – slightly dressier than their daytime attire – khaki shorts or trousers, polo shirts, aloha shirts, skirts, sundresses, etc.



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While jeans are technically acceptable in Hawaii, they may not be the most comfortable or practical option for exploring the islands. With the warm and humid climate, lightweight fabrics should be your go-to choice when packing for your trip.

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Most travelers to Hawaii don't need to bring hiking boots. As long as you're planning to do just short day hikes, you can wear sneakers. If you're planning to hike more than 4-5 miles, it's worth packing hiking boots and wool socks.

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Avoid bringing denim shorts. They are bulky and could take up a lot of space in your luggage. Plus, they are not too comfortable to wear under the sweltering Hawaiian heat. Pack a variety of shirts and tank tops.

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Long sleeves | A long-sleeved top, track jacket or popover will keep you warm in places like Upcountry Maui or on early morning hikes. Rain jacket | Throw on a rain jacket or windbreaker if you're visiting in the wet season. These can also come in handy on windy boat rides.

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Take a light jacket or sweater, but chances are you won't even wear that. Of course, if you're planning to stargaze atop Mauna Kea volcano or see sunrise at the summit of Haleakala, you'll need heavier attire because it can dip below the 30s Fahrenheit there.

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These are the clothing basics for what to pack for Hawaii – weeklong vacation:
  • Swimsuits (2)
  • Swimsuit cover ups (2)
  • Outfits for tours (like shorts and a top or a sundress) (1-2)
  • Nicer outfit/dress for fancy dinners or night out in Honolulu (1-2)
  • Beach sandals.
  • Water shoes.


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Hawaiian Style Tip #1: Aloha Attire
  1. Aloha attire for women : Slacks and a blouse are great as well as an aloha-style dress and sandals.
  2. Aloha attire for men: Aloha shirts (obviously) with either loose fitting pants (think linen or cotton) or tasteful length shorts. Polo shirts are also great.


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Hawaiian attire is always the way to go, which usually includes muumuu dresses, skirts, leis (which you'll get as you enter most Maui luaus), aloha shirts, shorts, and slippahs (or flip-flops). Any of these choices represents the islands well!

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For civilian visitors, there is no official dress code at Pearl Harbor. When you're dressing for the day, however, keep in mind that you're in a place of honor and historical importance. Dress comfortably, but not so much that you risk offending anyone visiting Pearl Harbor.

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Locals refer to evening wear as Aloha attire. Think dressy casual, a style that welcomes sandals in place of high heels and floral dresses instead of cocktail ones. So, if you've already packed a lovely sundress or two and some fancy sandals, you don't even have to wonder what to wear in Hawaii come evening.

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Only ancient kapuna are allowed to wear socks and slippers, with the sock material squished up in their toe gap. Socks should only be worn with dress or athletic shoes, and please, match white ankle socks with white shoes and black socks with black shoes. No knee highs.

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Socks. Speaking of shoes, not every shoe will leave your toes out to greet the warm Hawaii sands. So for those closed-toes shoes, pack a daily pair of socks, and you'll be good to go.

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What Do Hawaiians Wear?
  • Aloha attire for women : Slacks and a blouse are great as well as an aloha-style dress and sandals.
  • Aloha attire for men: Aloha shirts (obviously) with either loose fitting pants (think linen or cotton) or tasteful length shorts. Polo shirts are also great.


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Lightweight Rain Jacket: Of course, you can always buy one of those plastic parkas at the local drugstore, but those never seem to do the trick of keeping you dry. Bring something lightweight that is waterproof and can easily be thrown over your outfit to keep you dry.

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Generally, most locals are happy to see the tourists come and see what life means for them, especially those activities that depict a life many have never seen, learned, or experienced.

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Anyone can wear an aloha shirt without risking offense to Hawaiians. Hawaiians didn't invent them; they didn't exist until well into the 1900s, and were originated (reputedly) by a Chinese merchant based on colorful Japanese prints, in a Honolulu dry goods store.

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Hawaii itself is around 80 degrees year-round so you likely won't need these to wear there, except for maybe at night. Every single indoor place in Hawaii is air conditioned excessively which is why sometimes jeans are helpful!

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With that in mind, how much do you need to budget to visit Hawaii? Well, in general, you're going to want an average of about $4000 per week, depending on where you're staying and which island you're visiting on your Hawaii vacation.

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For a one week trip, that means you'll spend anywhere from $350 to $1000 per week. Just remember that if you do choose to get a car rental in Hawaii, you'll need to be aware of parking fees. Parking fees around the cities cost just a few dollars per hour.

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