Traveling light is a fine art, especially as a backpacker or hostel traveler. You want to find that fine line between feeling prepared for epic adventure and “why the heck did I bring all this crap!?!”. If you love to travel, you’ve probably learned some hard lessons when it comes to packing. [Insert personal packing fail here.] We get it. To make your life easier, we’ve compiled a list of essentials for hostel travel in Hawaii for backpackers, by backpackers. We’ve also included some notes on Hawaii’s weather, choosing luggage, and packing hacks - plus what not to bring to Hawaii - just in case you were wondering. Read on for the inside scoop.
Hawaii Essentials for backpackers
Reef safe sunscreen (For more info on reef safe sunscreen check out EcoWatch.)
Hat and sunglasses
Slippers (flip flops)
Comfortable sneakers and socks for hiking
Bathing suits (2)
Rash guard or surf shirt
Quick drying beach towel
Sarong
Shorts
T-shirts, tank tops
Button down “aloha shirt” and/or sundress for dressier occasions
Hooded sweatshirt
Lightweight windbreaker or raincoat
Lightweight sweatpants
Pair of jeans
Small backpack for day hikes
Refillable insulated hot/cold Hydroflask or water bottle
Go-wear portable/reusable silverware
Camera or Go Pro
Lightweight backpacker’s hammock - string it up between the palm trees!
Ear plugs - buy a box!
Blackout eye mask. Check out the Mindfold.
Headphones. (Noise cancelling preferred). Bring an extra pair just in case!
Portable power bank for charging your electronics
Headlamp or small handheld flashlight
Essentials we provide at My Hawaii Hostel
We provide towels and bedding. We also provide laundry service for guests. Ask our staff about laundry service. (Staff will wash your laundry for you - laundry is not self service.)
Storage
Each bunk has extra storage space underneath for baggage and each room is outfitted with small lockers for storing valuables. Locks are provided at check in. Traveling with a surf board or other large item? No worries! We have a secure storage room for safe keeping.
How’s the weather in hawaii?
From its high volcanic peaks to the sea, the Hawaiian islands are home to a diverse range of weather and climates. The Big Island of Hawaii has over a dozen different climate zones. The islands experience two main seasons: cooler winter (November to March) and hotter summer (June to August) with a couple spring and fall “shoulder months” in between. Each island’s weather is defined by which side of the island you are on, the “windward” (the wet side) or “leeward” (the dry side).
My Hawaii Hostel is located in Kona on the the Big Island’s leeward side, which means our weather is generally warm, dry, and sunny - perfect beach weather! Kona’s average temperatures range from 66 ℉ in the winter to - 87 ℉ in the summer. If you plan on traveling around the island and to higher elevations, know that the climate and conditions can change quite a bit. For instance, temperatures are cooler in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park due to its higher elevation. Lush and beautiful Hilo side is lush for a reason - rain and plenty of it.
If you plan to visit Mauna Kea, be aware that the mountain has its own climate at 14,000 ft. (summit) and 9,200 ft. at the Visitors Center. Nighttime and early morning temperatures can be close to freezing, while summer daytime temperatures can reach 60 ℉/15 ℃. Winter storms often bring snowfall to the summit. You will want a hat, gloves, warm socks, shoes, pants, layers and a warm jacket if you plan to spend a prolonged time outside on the mountain.
Mauna Kea Summit in winter.
Sunny Kua Bay in Kona.
Let’s talk about Luggage
You don’t need a fancy bag to have a good trip. As a budget traveler, you’re pinching pennies so you can spend on the good stuff - the experiences. Yet, investing in a good bag that will last you for years to come can make your travels much more enjoyable.
One of the main concerns with luggage as a budget hostel traveler is ease of carrying/transporting if you have a long schlep from the airport or are going to be moving locations frequently. Another is ease of access to your stuff and organization. When you’re staying in a hostel dorm, you don’t have the luxury of allowing your suitcase to explode all over the room, or have the extra storage of a dresser or closet afforded by more pricey hotels.
Here are a couple bags that work well for Hostel travel. (Note: we are not being paid by these companies to mention them in this blog post.)
Travel Bags for Hosteling and Backpacking
Front loading backpacks that are carry-on size like the Nomadic 40L Travel Bag work well for hostel travel. The front loading feature allows you to open and sort through your luggage like in a suitcase, rather than having to dig to the bottom of your bag with a typical top loading backpacking pack. The Nomadic 40L includes extra features like a built in laundry bag, a laptop sleeve, a shoe compartment, waist straps, and is made from water resistant material.
If you are traveling for a longer period of time and need more space, you may want to go with a rolling suitcase and backpack combo. The company Away creates suitcases that make travel more enjoyable with features like a laundry bag, TSA approved combination lock, interior compression system, and durable polycarbonate shell. Their suitcases also have the genius option of a built in battery that can charge your phone up to 4 times!
Die hard backpackers who want stay true to their roots will find this article on best backpacking packs for 2020 insightful.
Packing Hacks
So, you have your bag and all your gear assembled. Now it’s time to pack. You may be eyeing your mountain of stuff skeptically, wondering how on earth you’re going to fit it all in your bag, not to mention keep it organized once you get there and start living out of your luggage for the next week or two. Here are a few things that can help.
Packing cubes - you can purchase a set of packing cubes for around $20-$40 online. This is a genius way to separate items and keep the little things from magically disappearing inside your suitcase.
Rolling vs. Folding - roll your clothing up tightly rather than folding it. It takes up less space this way.
Maximize real estate - don’t forget about the empty spaces inside your shoes or a baseball cap. You can nest smaller items inside here like socks, jewelry, or other odds and ends.
Be Strategic - thinking about what things you may want to access during your flight and when you first arrive to your destination and first get to the hostel. Pack those items on top or in an easily accessible pocket. Put things you won’t anticipate needing within the first 24-48 hours at the bottom.
What Not to Bring to Hawaii
Leave room in your luggage for a few gifts for friends and leave these things at home. You won’t regret it.
A million pairs of shoes - you can get by with a pair of waterproof slippers (the Hawaiian term for flip flops) and a pair of comfortable sneakers for hiking. You do not need big heavy hiking boots, unless you are planning an intense multi-day backpacking camping trip. Most everyone in Hawaii wears slippers all day every day, unless their job requires otherwise. It's common to see children and even some adults walking around barefoot even in stores.
Fancy, uncomfortable clothes - Hawaii style is casual, especially on the big island. Most men rock shorts or surf shorts and a t-shirt 24/7. If you expect to go somewhere fancy, a button down short sleeved collared shirt, like an ‘aloha shirt’ is classy enough. For women, casual sundresses, jean shorts, tank tops or t-shirts are the staples - with a bikini underneath. Natural, breathable fabrics are most comfortable in the heat and humidity, so leave the velvet stretch pants at home.
Toxic Sunscreen - it’s illegal! Act 104 was signed by Hawaii’s Governor Ige in July 2018 and will take effect in 2021, banning sunscreens that contain chemicals harmful to the coral reef from the Hawaiian Islands. Don’t worry, there are plenty of reef-safe sunscreens out there! To see what to look for in a reef safe sunscreen check out EcoWatch.
That’s all travelers - happy packing! Do you have any packing trips or tricks we missed? Tag us in your packing adventures @myhawaiihostel on Instagram and Facebook. We hope to see you soon.