Home Podcasts Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Hawaii Travel Tips, Things to Do in Hawaii & Vacation Planning
Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Hawaii Travel Tips, Things to Do in Hawaii & Vacation Planning

Hawaii Travel Podcast by Hawaii’s Best: Hawaii Travel Tips, Things to Do in Hawaii & Vacation Planning

Bryan Murphy - Certified Hawaii Travel Expert & Creator of Hawaii’s Best Travel 252 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

The Hawaii Travel Podcast is hosted by Bryan Murphy, a certified Hawaii travel expert and founder of Hawaii's Best Travel. Each episode helps listeners plan an unforgettable, authentic and stress-free Hawaii vacation, covering practical tips, things to do and insider recommendations. The show spans the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai and Molokai, highlighting memorable experiences and local voices. Episodes also include cultural insights and guidance on traveling respectfully and responsibly. Bryan draws on more than 30 trips to the islands and official training through the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau.

Episodes

Steal My Family's 7-Day Hawaii Itinerary for Oahu (What I Skipped and Why)
Steal My Family's 7-Day Hawaii Itinerary for Oahu (What I Skipped and Why) Oct 13, 2026 1155 Planning a family vacation to Hawaii? I'm sharing the 7-day Oahu itinerary I'm putting together for our family of seven, including what we're doing, what we're skipping, and why.We're staying in Ko Olina and planning visits to Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, Iolani Palace, and Waikiki. But instead of filling every day with activities, I'm building our Hawaii vacation a
Hawaii Vacations Are Getting Shorter. Is That a Bad Thing?
Hawaii Vacations Are Getting Shorter. Is That a Bad Thing? Oct 8, 2026 557 Hawaii vacations are getting shorter. In July, the average Hawaii trip dropped more than 14% compared with 2025, even as visitor arrivals increased.So what is actually changing, and is a shorter Hawaii vacation really a bad thing?In this episode, I break down the latest Hawaii travel numbers, what may be driving shorter stays, and why more travelers appear to be simplifying their trips, including
Planning a Hawaii Vacation? Do These 7 Things Before Booking Anything Else
Planning a Hawaii Vacation? Do These 7 Things Before Booking Anything Else Oct 6, 2026 1139 Planning a Hawaii vacation can get overwhelming fast, especially when you start with hotels, activities, restaurants, and reservations before deciding the bigger pieces of the trip.✅ Free Hawaii Trip Planning ChecklistIn this episode, I’m walking through the 7 decisions I would make first when planning a Hawaii trip, and the order I’d make them in.You’ll learn how to:Set your trip guardrails befor
Kauai Is Welcoming Visitors Back. But Are Travelers Returning?
Kauai Is Welcoming Visitors Back. But Are Travelers Returning? Oct 2, 2026 617 Kauai is welcoming visitors back after Hurricane Lowell, but travelers have been much slower to return.In this episode, I break down what the latest passenger numbers actually show, why they should not be confused with official visitor counts, and what this next stage of recovery means for local businesses and anyone with a Kauai trip coming up.I also cover what’s currently open, which major parks
Are Visitors Welcome in Hawaii? What 5 Native Hawaiians Have to Say
Are Visitors Welcome in Hawaii? What 5 Native Hawaiians Have to Say Sep 29, 2026 845 Are visitors welcome in Hawaii? After years of mixed messages around tourism, that’s a question a lot of travelers are still quietly asking.In this episode, I went back through conversations I’ve had with five Native Hawaiians and listened again to what they’ve shared about visitors, respect, the land, and what it means to visit Hawaii knowing that you’re stepping into someone else’s home.I’m not
Why Fall Is Still My Favorite Time to Visit Hawaii
Why Fall Is Still My Favorite Time to Visit Hawaii Sep 25, 2026 700 Could fall still be my favorite time to visit Hawaii after one of the most unusual hurricane seasons in years?👉 FREE Hawaii during fall guide ->If you’re planning a fall trip, the real question isn’t whether September, October, or November is perfect, but whether the pace, weather, crowds, and tradeoffs fit the kind of trip you want.👉 Hit play now to hear why I still choose fall and the specifi
Kauai After Hurricane Lowell: A Local Perspective on Recovery and How to Help
Kauai After Hurricane Lowell: A Local Perspective on Recovery and How to Help Sep 22, 2026 961 Kauai is welcoming visitors back after Hurricane Lowell, but recovery is still uneven.In this episode, I’m joined by Meghann Kealoha Matsuda, a lifelong Kauai resident, entrepreneur, and community organizer who has been directly involved in recovery efforts on the island.We talk about what things actually look like on the ground right now, which areas are reopening, where visitors still need to be
The Oahu Tourist Traps 1,000 Travelers Say to Skip
The Oahu Tourist Traps 1,000 Travelers Say to Skip Sep 15, 2026 947 Which Oahu 'tourist traps' are actually worth skipping, and which ones are still worth your time?In this episode, I break down some of the most commonly debated Oahu spots, including Dole Plantation, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, Waikiki, luaus, Pearl Harbor, Waimea Valley, and more.I also share results from a listener poll on the most overrated Oahu attractions and explain where I agree,
UPDATE: Should You Cancel Your Kauai Trip?
UPDATE: Should You Cancel Your Kauai Trip? Sep 10, 2026 576 If you have a Kauai trip coming up, the official guidance has changed.In this update, I explain what Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is now asking upcoming Kauai visitors to consider, what that means if your trip is only days or weeks away, and why simply having an operating flight does not mean the rest of your vacation is ready to go as planned.I also talk about the real weight of rescheduling we
Hawaii Travel After Hurricane Lowell: Should You Cancel or Keep Your Trip?
Hawaii Travel After Hurricane Lowell: Should You Cancel or Keep Your Trip? Sep 8, 2026 701 🚨Updated Episode:Apple PodcastSpotifyHurricane Lowell is moving away from Hawaii, but the storm has left major impacts on Kauai and disrupted travel across the islands.So what does this mean if you have a Hawaii trip coming up?In this episode, I break down what you should know about airline travel waivers, canceled flights, refunds, and when it actually makes sense to change your plans.I also expl
How to Build a Hawaii Itinerary That Actually Feels Like a Vacation
How to Build a Hawaii Itinerary That Actually Feels Like a Vacation Sep 1, 2026 595 Planning a Hawaii itinerary sounds easy until your list of things to do keeps getting longer.✅ Free Hawaii Itinerary Reality ChecklistBeaches, restaurants, tours, lookouts, reservations. They may all be great options, but trying to fit everything into one trip can quickly turn your vacation into a checklist.In this episode, I'll share my simple framework I use to build Hawaii days that feel r
Do You REALLY Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?
Do You REALLY Need a Rental Car in Hawaii? Aug 28, 2026 558 Do you actually need a rental car in Hawaii, or are you about to pay for one that sits in a parking garage half your trip?The answer depends a lot on which island you’re visiting, where you’re staying, and how much exploring you actually plan to do.👉 Play this episode before you book your rental car so you can figure out what your trip really requires.If you’re staying in Waikiki, you may not need

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