HONOLULU (KHON2) — Visiting Hawaiʻi is a dream for many people. It’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with warm beaches, clear waters and a culture rooted in deep traditions.
But Hawaiʻi is also home to more than a million people, including many Native Hawaiians. It’s not just a vacation spot. It’s a living place with sacred spaces, fragile ecosystems and a history that deserves respect.
Being a thoughtful visitor means learning what not to do just as much as knowing what to do. Some mistakes can be dangerous. Others can offend the people who live here. And some are just the kind of careless behavior that gives tourists a bad name.
Here are the top 10 things you should not do when visiting Hawaiʻi.
1. Ignore ocean safety signs
The ocean in Hawaiʻi is not a swimming pool. Even if the water looks calm, waves can change fast. People drown every year in waters they thought were safe.
Always read the signs posted near the beach. Listen to lifeguards. Stay out of areas where there are strong currents or high surf warnings. If there are no lifeguards, be extra cautious.
Never turn your back to the ocean.
2. Touch Hawaiʻi’s wildlife
Monk seals and honu (sea turtles) may look peaceful, but they are protected. Getting too close is not only dangerous; it’s also not recommended. It is recommended say you stay at least 50 feet away from monk seals and 10 feet away from sea turtles.
If there’s a monk seal pup with its mother, the safe distance is 150 feet. Watch with care but keep your distance, be respectful and enjoy your experience.
3. Use sunscreen that harms coral reefs
Hawaiʻi banned the sale of sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2021. These chemicals damage coral and harm marine life.
Instead, use reef-safe sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Look for labels before you buy. Protecting your skin should not come at the cost of the ocean’s health.
4. Hike on illegal trails or after dark
Some hikes in Hawaiʻi may look fun on social media, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe or allowed. Trails like the Haʻikū Stairs, sometimes called the Stairway to Heaven, are illegal and in the process of being demolished.
People still try to go, and locals are tired of tourists walking through private property in the middle of the night. It’s not just rude. It’s dangerous.
If you get hurt or lost, rescue teams have to come find you. Choose legal hikes. Start early. Stay on marked paths. Respect the rules and the people who live nearby.
5. Park wherever you feel like it
You might want to stop for a photo or take a break during a long drive. That doesn’t mean you can park in unsafe or illegal spots.
On Maui, for example, tourists often block traffic on the Road to Hāna. This makes life hard for residents who need to get to work, pick up kids or respond to emergencies.
Use official parking areas. Pull over only when it’s safe and legal. Don’t treat the road like a photo shoot.
6. Take lava rocks home
It might seem harmless to pick up a small rock or piece of lava as a keepsake. In Hawaiʻi, though, that’s considered bad luck and bad manners. The islands are made from volcanic rock, and many places are sacred to Native Hawaiians.
Taking rocks or sand disrupts nature and disrespects the ʻāina (land). It’s also illegal in some areas. Every year, parks receive boxes of rocks mailed back by tourists who say they brought bad luck. Leave the islands as you found them.
You can click here about how to avoid
7. Step on coral or stand on reefs
Coral reefs are alive. When you stand on them, you’re crushing the life that lives there. Even touching coral can damage it, because the oils on your skin harm its surface.
Many coral reefs in Hawaiʻi are already struggling from climate change and pollution. Don’t make it worse. Choose beaches with sandy bottoms if you want to wade or snorkel. Wear reef-safe sunscreen. Keep your feet off the reef.
8. Build bonfires on beaches
Movies might show people roasting marshmallows by a beach fire, but in Hawaiʻi, that’s usually against the law. Bonfires are banned on most state and county beaches. The rules help prevent wildfires and protect local wildlife. If you want a cookout, use a legal grill or fire pit in a designated area. Check the rules before lighting anything.
9. Spend your whole trip in Waikīkī
Waikīkī has hotels, restaurants and shopping; but it’s only one part of Oʻahu. If you never leave the tourist zone, you miss out on the real Hawaiʻi. Take time to explore the island.
Visit the North Shore. Try the best hamburger in the United States in Wahiawā. Drive out to Waiʻanae or explore the beauty of Oʻahu’s Leeward side. Every island has its own flavor. Don’t let the view from your hotel room be the only thing you see.
10. Disrespect the culture and people
This one matters most. When you visit Hawaiʻi, you enter a place with its own identity, its own culture and its own history. People live here. They raise families, go to work and carry the stories of their ancestors.
Making fun of hula, mocking the language or ignoring cultural signs isn’t just rude. It shows that you don’t care. That attitude hurts people. It makes visitors unwelcome. Respect begins with small things.
Learn to say aloha and mahalo. Listen more than you speak. Don’t assume you know better. Appreciate what is shared with you.
You can click here to access more information on Hawaiʻi’s native language, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi is a special place. The beaches, the mountains, the culture and the people all make it unlike anywhere else.
But it’s not a theme park. Being a good guest means caring for the ʻāina, following the rules and showing respect. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to pay attention.
Small choices can make a big difference. Take care. Be kind and leave Hawaiʻi better than you found it.