What do you think of when you think of Hawaii? Beautiful, lush green mountains, clear ocean waters, and white sandy beaches. Isn’t that what we all think of? That’s why we visit. We visit for the unbelievable scenery without the hassle of traveling outside of the United States. Don’t get me wrong, Hawaii is all of these things, but it’s also much more. Hawaii is home to many. Hawaii has a rich culture and history that is not always explored.

I traveled to Oahu, HI from the mainland four weeks ago. I came to explore the beautiful nature of Oahu. Spending a month here, I was able to see how strong the culture is. I explored this culture by chatting with locals and researching on my own. As tourism opens back up and travelers flood to Hawaii from the mainland, I want to share the importance of preparing for all aspects of Hawaii before traveling.

There are many different aspects of culture to explore. One aspect that is commonly explored by tourists is the land. The land in Hawaii is sacred to Native Hawaiians as it provides food and nourishment; in return, Hawaiians care deeply for the land to ensure future generations can use the land’s natural resources. This is an aspect of Hawaiian culture that we as travelers can be actively cognisant of. We can ensure we are picking up trash and staying on the trail when hiking. 

Some other aspects of Hawaiian culture are food, language, and traditions. As a traveler, language and traditions are something that you might not tap into, as these are not necessarily meant to be explored by tourists, but the food is something travelers can make an effort to explore. There are many Hawaiian restaurants as well as food trucks to try out. Try out different Hawaiian meals and deserts.

When visitors travel to Hawaii, it isn’t always to experience the culture, which is okay, but it’s important to be mindful of the culture and land while enjoying everything the state has to offer. Tourism makes up about 23 percent of the state's economy, meaning the State relies on tourism to keep society functioning. Because the state thrives from your presence on one of the islands, it’s important to ensure that your money is going back into the pockets of Native Hawaiians instead of into the pockets of large corporations based out of the mainland. When you’re going out to eat, find a locally owned restaurant. When you’re finding a place to stay, look into who owns your accommodation. When you’re scheduling activities like snorkeling, horseback riding, boat tours, etc. try to see if you can book through a locally owned company.

Before you head out on your trip, make sure you do some research on the history of Hawaii. By having some understanding of the culture before you visit, your trip and experience will be overall more meaningful. There’s plenty of great resources on the internet to use before you travel, and then once here, use the locals. Chat with them; see what advice they can give you and what they can tell you about the island.

Lastly, as goes for everywhere, don’t take anything from the adventures you go on. Leave the beach and trails as you find them. Not to mention, taking something from the island you visit is bad luck! Buy your souvenirs from a small locally owned shop instead of taking something you find. This helps out a small business and gives you a memento of your travels.