Hawaii Travel Made Easy Podcast—Hawaii travel tips, Things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii vacation planning

Marcie Cheung—Hawaii Travel Expert, Blogger & Guide Book Author
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel

Hawaii Travel Made Easy is the ultimate Hawaii travel podcast for families and first-time Hawaii visitors looking to plan a stress-free and unforgettable Hawaii vacation. Hosted by a seasoned Hawaii travel expert, this show delivers essential Hawaii travel tips, Hawaii vacation planning advice, and insider insights to help you navigate the Hawaiian Islands with confidence.Marcie Cheung is a certified Hawaii destination expert by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, runs the popular Hawaii family travel site Hawaii Travel with Kids, and has visited Hawaii more than 40 times. Whether you're dreaming of your first trip to paradise or planning your return visit, each episode provides budget-friendly recommendations, cultural insights, and must-know Hawaii travel guide information to make your Hawaii vacation planning simple and stress-free. From choosing the right island to finding hidden gems, we'll help you create the perfect Hawaii experience! New episodes drop every Monday & Wednesday!

  1. 1d ago

    Maui vs. Big Island: The Decision Most People Get Wrong

    Maui vs. the Big Island: How to Choose the Right Hawaii Island for Your Trip Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains how travelers often choose the wrong island by defaulting to Maui because of social media or choosing the Big Island for lower cost while expecting a beach-and-resort trip. She contrasts Maui’s compact, easy rhythm—ideal for a resort base, romance, great food, Road to Hana, Haleakala sunrise, Molokini snorkel, and whale season (Nov–Apr)—with the Big Island’s vast scale and drive-heavy logistics, best for travelers focused on activities like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea’s episodic summit eruptions since Dec 2024, manta ray night snorkeling, waterfalls, and farm tours; she recommends a Kona/Hilo split stay for trips over 4–5 days. She suggests island hopping (under an hour flight, about $80–$100 each way) and promotes car rental comparison, itinerary audits, and consultations. 00:00 Instagram Trip Trap 00:59 Maui vs Big Island Setup 01:15 Two Common Booking Mistakes 02:07 Big Island Driving Reality 02:40 Why Maui Feels Easy 03:12 Maui Food and Whale Season 03:58 Big Island Volcanoes and Adventures 04:49 Quick Decision Test 05:30 Island Hopping and Planning Tools 06:09 Itinerary Audit and Consults 06:51 Final Thanks and Aloha How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island How to Plan a Trip to Maui About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    7 min

  2. 1d ago

    The One Thing That Actually Makes a Hawaii Trip Feel Luxurious

    The Real Luxury in Hawaii: Downtime, Oceanfront Stays, and a Better-Paced Itinerary Marcie argues that what makes a Hawaii trip feel luxurious isn’t an expensive resort or amenities, but having intentional downtime and avoiding an overpacked itinerary, which she says is the most common issue she fixes in consultations. She contrasts a relaxed Maui family plan with a stressed couple’s wall-to-wall schedule, emphasizing that memorable moments come from unstructured time. She explains how where you stay and the specific area of an island shape the trip’s tone, recommending true oceanfront options, walkable locations, and lodging layouts that support rest (separate bedrooms, kitchens for basics). She advises protecting recovery time around must-dos like Road to Hana and Haleakala sunrise so you can actually use resort amenities. She promotes her itinerary audit, consultations, resources page, and Instagram for further help. 00:00 Luxury Myth Busted 00:35 Overpacked Itinerary Problem 01:04 Two Trips Two Outcomes 02:05 Downtime Is Real Luxury 03:33 Stay Where Rest Feels Right 04:11 Area Matters More Than Hotel 04:54 Room Layout And Sleep 05:41 Kitchen Lowers Friction 06:09 Walkability Changes Everything 07:30 Protect Space Around Must Dos 08:13 Use The Amenities You Paid For 08:43 Let Hanging Out Count 09:02 Itinerary Audit And Consults 10:03 Final Tips And Where To Follow About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    11 min

  3. 3d ago

    The Oahu Itinerary That Almost Always Works

    Oahu Itinerary Framework: 7, 10, or 14 Days (Geography-Based Planning + Split Stay Tips) Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares her geography-based framework for first-time Oahu itineraries, explaining what 7, 10, and 14 days realistically look like and why booking before having a plan leads to excessive driving. She recommends clustering days by island region and often doing a split stay—starting in Waikiki for the iconic experience, then moving to a quieter area like Ko Olina or the North Shore. For 7 days, she suggests slow arrival days, two East Side days (Hanauma Bay reservations open only two days ahead and it’s closed Mondays/Tuesdays; Kailua beach/town), two North Shore days (Haleiwa, Laniakea turtles with 10-foot rule, Kahuku Farms), and a final flex day. Ten days adds a dedicated Pearl Harbor day (especially the Aviation Museum), room for the west side and a luau, plus tours via Viator and optional Flytographer photos. Fourteen days shifts to a slower pace with open time, repeats of favorites, and staying on the North Shore; she notes Oahu can fill two weeks without island hopping and offers an itinerary audit and consultations. 00:00 One Night Oahu Mistake 00:47 Geography First Framework 01:25 Split Stay Strategy 02:11 Rental Car Reality Check 02:57 Seven Day Game Plan 03:17 East Side Highlights 04:15 North Shore Two Days 05:00 Flex Day And Limits 05:21 Ten Days Sweet Spot 05:37 Pearl Harbor Aviation 06:13 Extra Days West Side 06:34 Tours Luau Booking 07:02 Flytographer Photos 07:37 Fourteen Day Deep Dive 08:22 Slow Pace Open Time 09:11 Biggest Planning Mistake 09:44 Itinerary Audit And Wrap About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    11 min

  4. Jun 17

    North Shore, No Regrets: One Family's Honest Take on Oahu

    Honest Family Trip Report: 7 Nights on Oahu’s North Shore After the Kona Storms Host Marcie, a Hawaii travel expert, interviews Kim Fidler about her family’s seven-night spring break trip to Oahu’s North Shore (two adults and three kids ages 12, 11, and 9) staying in a VRBO condo near Turtle Bay with a kitchen to manage costs and be prepared after recent Kona storms and lingering brown water. Kim shares highlights including Waimea Valley’s waterfall swim, lush plant life, and the TOA luau, plus a full-day Kualoa Ranch tour featuring the movie tour, WWII bunker, Jurassic Park filming sites, and fresh macadamia nuts. She also praises an intimate Kahuku Farms tour and poke from a small Kahuku market, notes downtown Honolulu closures on Saturday during a Pearl Harbor/Bishop Museum/Iolani Palace day, discusses budgeting and planning 8–9 months ahead using a Delta companion fare, and advises travelers to prioritize downtime and a few must-dos. She recommends Oahu for its mix of beaches, history, culture, and convenience, and wants to visit Kauai next. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:33 Trip Overview North Shore 01:04 Why They Chose Hawaii 02:20 Past Visits and North Shore Love 02:49 Where They Stayed Turtle Bay 03:52 Arriving After Kona Storms 07:46 Top Highlight Waimea Valley 10:50 Kualoa Ranch and Kahuku Farms 15:31 Best Eats Poke and More 17:27 More Tours and Kualoa Tips 20:05 Favorite Day Replay 20:20 North Shore Food Tour 21:15 Luau Feast Highlights 21:49 Storm Prep and Water Safety 23:39 Tourist Traps and Wins 24:21 Costs and Budget Reality 25:33 Booking Timeline Strategy 27:29 Packing Lessons Learned 28:49 Honolulu Weekend Surprise 31:08 What to Do Differently 32:13 Planning Tips and Downtime 33:45 Best Island Pick Oahu 35:41 Next Trip Kauai Dreams 36:50 Three Words and Farewell About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    38 min

  5. Jun 15

    How to Get Around Hawaii Without Renting a Car

    Can You Do Hawaii Without a Rental Car? Honest Island-by-Island Transportation Guide Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy explains when you can realistically skip a rental car in Hawaii and how to use alternatives like walking, shuttles, buses, rideshares, and tours, noting Hawaii’s public transit is not like Europe and planning ahead is essential. Oahu—especially Waikiki—is the most car-free friendly with The Bus (Holo card, daily cap, visitor pass), Skyline Rail connections, trolley, Biki, and reliable rideshares, though North Shore trips are long or pricey and return rides can be difficult; rideshares don’t provide car seats. Maui is generally best with a car, but resort-based stays in Ka’anapali, Wailea, or Kihei can work using shuttles and tours with hotel pickup, trading spontaneity for schedule and sometimes higher costs. Kauai usually requires a car, though the Go Haena shuttle is recommended for Haena/Ke’e, and walkable/bikeable areas include Poipu, Hanalei, and Kapaa’s coastal path. The Big Island typically needs a car to explore, but resort-focused travelers can rely on guided excursions. She urges comparing real costs and suggests a hybrid approach: go car-free on resort days and rent a car for a few exploration days. 00:00 Rental Car Regret 01:07 Who Can Skip Cars 02:10 Transit Reality Check 03:01 Oahu Without Wheels 05:51 Maui Car Free Options 08:00 Kauai Shuttles And Bikes 10:56 Big Island Resort Style 12:37 Does It Save Money 14:23 Hybrid Strategy 15:01 Who It Works For 15:49 Resources And Wrap Up About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    17 min

  6. Jun 10

    Where I eat on Oahu

    Where I Eat on Oahu: My Repeat-Favorite Spots in Waikiki and the North Shore Marcie from Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares her personal repeat-favorite places to eat on Oahu, starting with a tip to skip the dine-in line at Pa’ia Fish Market Waikiki by ordering takeout (she recommends the mahi-mahi with home fries and homemade tartar sauce). She highlights Musubi Cafe Iyasume for Spam and tuna mayo musubi, Waffle & Berry for thick acai bowls, and urges stopping at Hawaii’s 7-Eleven for musubi and sushi rolls. For North Shore days, she plans food stops at Kahuku Farms (plus farm-store favorites like lilikoi balsamic and passion fruit syrup), Fumi’s or Romy’s shrimp trucks (garlic butter; choose by line length), Seven Brothers for burgers, and Sunrise Cafe for acai bowls and lattes. She also recommends Rainbow Drive-In for plate lunch and sit-down picks House Without a Key, Merriman’s, and Deck at Queen Kapiolani Hotel, plus notes on reservations, views, parking, and her itinerary audit service. 00:00 Skip the Paia Line 00:31 Personal Oahu Food List 01:03 Musubi Cafe Breakfast 01:38 Waikiki Acai Bowls 02:10 Paia Fish Order 02:35 Hawaii 7 Eleven Snacks 03:00 North Shore Food Stops 03:06 Kahuku Farms Must Do 03:34 Shrimp Truck Strategy 04:02 Seven Brothers Burgers 04:19 Sunrise Cafe Coffee 04:40 Rainbow Drive In Plate Lunch 05:04 Sit Down Favorites 05:13 House Without a Key 06:04 Merrimans Date Night 06:36 Deck Diamond Head View 07:01 Wrap Up and Resources About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    8 min

  7. Jun 8

    The Comparison Trap: When Other Families Look Like They're Having More Fun

    Escaping the Comparison Trap on a Hawaii Family Vacation Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares how comparing her family’s Hawaii vacation to other families, “perfect” restaurant moments, or Instagram reels made her question choices like letting her kids use iPads or eating grocery store poke in a Waikiki hotel room. She offers reality checks: what looks ideal is often staged or only a brief highlight, and every family has hard moments. She stresses that a vacation can be successful even if it doesn’t look like the brochure, and encourages planning around your own kids’ ages, energy, and needs rather than copying others. Marcie describes helping a client reset expectations after comparing to a sister-in-law’s flawless-sounding trip, promotes her itinerary audit at hawaiitravelwithkids.com, and suggests asking “why do you want to do this?” when adding activities like Pearl Harbor or out-of-the-way stops. 00:00 Poolside Comparison Trap 00:58 Restaurant Reality Check 01:52 Instagram Poke Envy 03:04 Behind the Highlight Reel 04:30 You Are Doing It Right 04:47 Plan Your Own Trip 06:06 Itinerary Audit Offer 06:34 Why Is This On Here 07:52 Reset Expectations 08:07 Resources And Wrap Up About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    9 min

  8. Jun 3

    Hawaii 101: 2026 Edition

    Hawaii 101 for 2026: What’s Changed, Reservations, Islands, and Smarter Planning Marcie updates a “Hawaii 101 for 2026,” warning that much online advice is outdated due to West Maui’s post-2023 fire reality, expanding reservation requirements, new fees, and changing vacation-rental laws. She explains best timing (peak: Dec–Apr, Jun–Aug; shoulder: late Apr–May, Sept–mid Nov; September favorite) and flags logistics like REAL ID, shifting airline routes after Alaska’s 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian, Southwest’s Las Vegas–Hilo route, and Hawaiian ending most free main-cabin meals July 1 in favor of paid pre-orders. She compares island personalities and notes Lahaina remains a recovery area while nearby resorts operate and Pac Whale resumes Lahaina Harbor tours June 1. She stresses booking required reservations early, budgeting higher lodging taxes including the 0.75% “green fee,” verifying legal vacation rentals, renting cars on most islands, packing lightly, and choosing luaus carefully, with itinerary reviews and consultations available. 00:00 Hawaii 2026 Reset 01:14 Best Time to Visit 02:17 Flights and REAL ID 03:35 Choosing Your Island 04:39 Maui After the Fires 05:41 Big Island and Kauai 06:35 Reservations Are Mandatory 08:03 Itinerary Reality Check 09:41 Taxes and Rental Laws 11:10 Cars Packing and Luaus 13:20 Planning Help and Wrap Up How to Plan a Trip to Oahu How to Plan a Trip to Maui How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island How to Plan a Trip to Kauai About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories. Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation 🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now! https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

    15 min
See All (117)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hawaii Travel Made Easy is the ultimate Hawaii travel podcast for families and first-time Hawaii visitors looking to plan a stress-free and unforgettable Hawaii vacation. Hosted by a seasoned Hawaii travel expert, this show delivers essential Hawaii travel tips, Hawaii vacation planning advice, and insider insights to help you navigate the Hawaiian Islands with confidence.Marcie Cheung is a certified Hawaii destination expert by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, runs the popular Hawaii family travel site Hawaii Travel with Kids, and has visited Hawaii more than 40 times. Whether you're dreaming of your first trip to paradise or planning your return visit, each episode provides budget-friendly recommendations, cultural insights, and must-know Hawaii travel guide information to make your Hawaii vacation planning simple and stress-free. From choosing the right island to finding hidden gems, we'll help you create the perfect Hawaii experience! New episodes drop every Monday & Wednesday!

Information

You Might Also Like