I was born and raised in Hawaii. Here are eight things travelers should stop wasting money on.


A yellow plastic ray with a red arrow and an X pointing to it. Blue Hawaiian-print shirts and dresses for adults and children are displayed in storefronts with red arrows and Xs.

There are some things that tourists are not advised to spend money on, such as fake leis and matching costumes.Ashley Probst

  • Born and raised in Hawaii, I tourists spend money on things it’s not worth it.

  • Some sunscreens and cheap beach toys are harmful to the local environment.

  • Skip the fake leis and imported souvenirs and support local businesses instead.

Support local businesses instead of going to chain stores.

Customers entering Chick-fil-A restaurant

Eat at unique local places instead of the chains you have at home.Ashley Probst

Two popular mainland chain restaurants, Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s, Opened on Maui Last summer — but I was told some locals weren’t happy that these fast food chains could take business away from local businesses.

To me, it seems like a waste to fly all the way to Hawaii just to eat the same food that you can eat at home. increase Authentic Pacific Island Cuisine.

Avoid sunscreens that can damage the environment.

Person with long yellow nails applying sunscreen to arm

I always avoid sunscreens that contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.Mykola Sosiukin/EyeEm/Getty Images

2021, state legislature passed the law Banning the sale of sunscreen Made with oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals that are harmful to reefs, these can still be found in some stores in Hawaii.

Spending money on products that are harmful to the island’s natural ecosystem can have a negative impact on the environment and local people. Even if it’s a little cheaper, it’s not worth the price.

We strongly recommend that you only use reef-safe sunscreens to protect the land you are visiting. Especially when it comes in reusable or recyclable bottles.

Skip the fake leis and choose real flowers instead.

The writer has a fake yellow flower that is part of the lei

If you’ve made it all the way to Hawaii, ditch the plastic fake leis.Ashley Probst

Fake leis and other floral accessories can be souvenirs, but I think plastic lacks the spirit of Aloha. Staying in Hawaiiyou can wear real leis handmade by local artists and find real flowers to wear in your hair for free.

If you absolutely must bring a lei home, consider purchasing one made with real kukui nuts from trees that grow in Hawaii. Be careful with synthetic iterations.

Pass imported mass-produced trinkets.

A writer holds a tiki bobblehead in front of a shelf full of figurines

I’d rather buy from a local artist than pick up a memento sold at a gift shop.Ashley Probst

There are many trinkets that serve only as cheap replicas of the real thing.Tiki, for example, are iconic cultural and spiritual symbols representing Polynesian deities, but tourists can buy inexpensive iterations from convenience stores.

These trinkets are usually imported to the islands and made of synthetic materials instead of hand-carved wood that drains the totem’s mana or power.

It may be more expensive, but it’s worth buying a piece from a local artist who has spent years honing his craft.

Matching outfits can look cute, but they often look unkempt.

Gift shop display of blue and black Hawaiian shirts and dresses in adult and child sizes

Wearing matching clothes is not a new idea, so your family may be twins with others.Ashley Probst

One way to stand out as a tourist is to dress in matching outfits with your partner or family.

I think matching costumes have potential cute photo session However, consider whether these pieces will actually be worn again after returning home. We do not recommend wasting money on things that you wear once and then throw away once the vacation is over.

With so many tourist shops selling clothes with the same styles and prints, it’s possible to twin with many people, not just family members.

Tourist traps are rarely worth the price of admission.

Crowded restaurant in Hawaii tourist area

Crowded and expensive popular attractions just aren’t worth it.Ashley Probst

Each island has its charm It draws a large crowd, but in my opinion it doesn’t add much value to the vacation.

If a gift shop dominates your venue, you may be caught in a trap of tourists trying to siphon your money without offering much value in return.

Don’t buy throwaway beach toys.

Display of plastic footballs, snorkeling equipment and floats in the gift shop

I think snorkel gear and other beach toys are best rented rather than purchased.Ashley Probst

Convenience stores on the island sell a variety of water toys, including inflatable tubes, snorkels and boogie boards.However, visitors typically do not take these products home, so they end up in landfills or on our beach.

Instead of buying these items at a convenience store, rent them from a seaside hotel kiosks or local businesses. snorkel bobs.

Tropical cocktails at resorts are convenient but too expensive.

A writer holds a tropical cocktail with pink flowers in front of a bush of red flowers.

We encourage you to grab a drink at the offsite bar to ensure a safe ride.Ashley Probst

Cocktails in hotel bars are notoriously overpriced. The “upgraded” drinks served in coconut and pineapple are photo worthy, but I think paying nearly $40 for a cup is exorbitant.

That said, part of the drink’s value lies in the experience itself, especially when you’re enjoying it poolside.

However, if you want to have a Mai Tai before dinner or spend the night in a bar, Look for options outside the property.

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