Hey Reader!

If Hawaii is anywhere on your radar for summer (even in the "maybe someday" category) I want to give you a nudge.

Here's the thing nobody really tells you when they say "book early": it's not just flights and hotels. It's everything. Whale watching tours, helicopter rides, luaus, Pearl Harbor visits, etc. The good stuff has specific booking windows that open and fill up fast. Pearl Harbor, for example, opens 56 days out. Haleakala sunrise? 60 days. And summer flights and hotels? Those are ideally booked 3 to 6 months in advance, which means if you're thinking June, your window is either closing or already closed.

Also: rental cars. I cannot stress this enough. Hawaii rental cars are expensive right now. It's like $80 to $100 a day regularly, and during peak times cars literally disappear. In late December 2024, Maui completely ran out. Book your car the same day you book everything else. Not kidding.

Now if you're flexible, here's a secret worth knowing: late April through June is genuinely a sweet spot. Spring break crowds have thinned out, summer heat hasn't fully hit, prices drop a bit, and the islands are at their most lush and green after winter rain. My kids don't know the difference between "peak season" and "shoulder season" but I absolutely know the difference in my wallet and my stress level.

Not sure which island is right for your family? Or how to structure a trip that doesn't turn into a 12-hour activity death march? I've put together resources for all four islands over on Hawaii Travel with Kids (itineraries, hotel breakdowns, island comparisons, all of it.) There's also a free Hawaii planning email course if you want someone to just walk you through it step by step.

​Start planning at Hawaii Travel with Kids →​

​Best times to visit Hawaii with kids →​

​How to plan a trip to Hawaii →​

Go book that car. Seriously.

Marcie

P.S. I also do Hawaii travel consultations if you feel stuck. Just reply to this email and I'll send you info.