Here Are 11 Overrated Tourist Activities To Avoid In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Updated on July 29, 2022(Originally published July 24, 2022)
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
When visiting Hawaii – whether you are from the mainland, or simply exploring a neighbor island – you might want to avoid what many would call “tourist traps.” You know, the attractions the guide books boast about, but are actually just overrun with so many tourists that you leave slightly disappointed and confused as to why everyone talks about how amazing it is? Well, these 11 Hawaii tourist traps are, quite frankly, overrated.
I understand that I may have previously touted these activities as mandatory for island residents, but this is meant to be a fun piece that offers memorable alternatives to those activities that are a little too “safe” for anyone planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands. After all, you only have so much time in paradise and you want to experience the best of the best, don’t you?
Diamond Head is overrated: crowded, noisy, and full of too many people to really enjoy the journey – or the view from the top. The trail is half-paved, and really not an accurate portrayal of hiking in Hawaii. Instead, head to Koko Head, the Lanikai Pillboxes, or even Makapu’u Lighthouse.
This Hawaii tourist trap should be a miss if you’re looking for solitude.
Waipio Valley is said to be one of the most gorgeous spots on the Big Island – and it definitely is, but if you don’t plan on adventuring past the lookout point, Polulu Valley Lookout, on the other side of the Pu’u O Umi Natural Area Reserve, offers some pretty stellar views as well, as well as access to a stunning black sand beach via steep hiking trail.
One of the top places to see in Hawaii, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, save this one for later!
Let’s get one thing straight: Luaus can be pretty cool, but they cater almost exclusively to tourists who don’t know any better, and often cost far more than the average person can afford for mediocre Hawaiian food. Sure, the entertainment is pretty neat, but not worth the cost, at least to me.
Ka’anapali is one of Maui’s most stunning beaches, but it is often far too crowded to truly relax and enjoy your beach day. For a more memorable beach experience, head down the road to Hanakao’o Beach Park, a beautiful 4.8-acre oasis with a canoe clubhouse, lifeguards on duty, and picnic area.
While a fun thing to do in Hawaii, Ka'anapali Beach is definitely busy.
Waikiki is literally the biggest tourist trap there is in Hawaii. If you venture out of this area saturated with expensive food and luxury hotels, you are sure to find breathtaking waterfalls, pristine white sand beaches, and incredible, panoramic views - some just miles away.
This super busy attraction in Hawaii should be skipped if you don’t want the crowds.
If you’re an adult and have never been surfing before - or don’t plan to commit a substantial portion of your life to learning the sport - a surf lesson could ultimately be a waste of both time and money that might be better spent snorkeling, kayaking, or enjoying the ocean in a much easier manner.
7. Getting Shave Ice from Matsumoto's.
Matsumoto Shave Ice, 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
Located on Oahu’s north shore in the sleepy surfer town of Haleiwa, Matsumoto’s is famous, and the shop makes more than 1,000 shave ices on any given day, and is, unfortunately, inconsistent at best. I’ll be honest: I much prefer the shave ice from Anahulu’s down the road.
Matsumoto's is one of the top things to do in Hawaii, so head to a small local spot if you want a quieter option.
8. Touring the Mauna Loa Factory.
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center, 16-701 Macadamia Road, Keaau, HI 96749, USA
The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory tour might be an excellent stop for a rainy day on the Big Island, but that’s about it. You can buy their products anywhere, and I’m personally not terribly interested in the farming of macadamia nuts. Instead, consider checking out any of the Big Island’s beautiful botanical gardens or coffee farms.
This Hawaii tourist trap can be a pass unless it’s raining out.
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9. Going to Pearl Harbor only for the USS Arizona Memorial.
The USS Arizona is a breathtaking piece of American history, and it is entirely worth the trip, but I can guarantee you will enjoy exploring the USS Battleship Missouri more. And you won’t need to get to Pearl Harbor by 7 a.m. to reserve those free Arizona tickets.
One of the top tourist attractions in Hawaii, make sure you spread out a bit and learn more!
10. Eating at Zippy's.
Zippy's Kahului, 15 Ho'okele St #3513, Kahului, HI 96732, USA
Can I be honest with you for a second? I don’t like Zippy’s, nor do I think it is representative of the amazing Hawaiian food available throughout the islands. I can see how it would be an excellent hangover food, but I’d rather eat elsewhere.
There’s plenty of other places to eat instead of this tourist trap in Hawaii.
Maui’s "seven sacred pools" are heralded as being one of Maui’s greatest gems, and while the pools are beautiful, I think that the nearby Pipiwai Trail - which leads to two gorgeous waterfalls through a stunning bamboo forest is clearly the better attraction.
A top attraction in Hawaii that might be better to pass on if you’d rather have a secluded experience.
Have you gotten stuck in any of these Hawaii tourist traps? Which ones? Let us know in the comments below!
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Hawaii Tourist Traps
Megan McDonald|July 29, 2022
Are there a lot of tourist traps in Hawaii?
With 4.7 million tourists coming to Oahu alone, you are guaranteed to find a few tourists traps on the islands. There are plenty of places that grab the eye of a traveler, and provide more of a surface experience of the islands instead of delving deep into what makes Hawaii truly special.
Is Hawaii itself considered a tourist trap?
Because Hawaii is one of the most well-known vacation destinations in the world, much of the islands caters to tourists as its their number one economy. But it doesn’t take much to travel outside of the overdone areas and see the true beauty Hawaii has to offer.
What is a tourist trap?
A tourist trap is a place that attracts and then exploits tourists. It’s usually overpopulated and no longer reflective of the culture or area the way it once originally may have been.
