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 Hawaii travel consultant Marcie Cheung, 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 Hawaii travel consultant for families and a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority. She runs the popular Hawaii family travel site Hawaii Travel with Kids, has visited Hawaii more than 40 times, and offers one-on-one Hawaii trip planning consultations and itinerary reviews at hawaiitravelwithkids.com.
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 figuring out what's actually worth your time, we'll help you create the perfect Hawaii experience!
New episodes drop every Monday & Wednesday!
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What It's Really Like to Be on Maui During a Hurricane with Kids— Ep 155
Episode 155
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 • Duration 28:59
Family Trip to Maui During Hurricane Lala: What It Was Really Like (Plus Kid-Friendly Tips)
Who this episode is for: Families planning a Hawaii trip in late summer or fall who are nervous about hurricane season, especially with young kids.
What you'll learn: How Kendra's family got ready for Hurricane Lala and handled a day without power in a Napili vacation rental with a 4 and 7 year old. You'll also hear what Maui beach parking cost them, what travel insurance may not cover in a hurricane, and how a Resort Pass day room made their red-eye day easier.
Places discussed:
Maui
Napili (West Maui), where Kendra's family stayed
Ka'anapali
Lahaina, for the grocery store and chain restaurants
Ma'alaea, home of the Maui Ocean Center
Kihei, including a big shaded park with a play structure
Kapalua, for snorkeling and easy beach days
Ironwoods Beach, for family photos
Maui Ocean Center
Costco on Maui
Safeway on Maui
Kona
Big Island
Kauai
Activities discussed:
Private shore-based snorkeling tour with Maui Ocean Project at Kapalua (beach lesson on sea life, wetsuits, life jackets, two-person boogie boards, photos included)
Seeing sea turtles while snorkeling
Building a sand turtle on the beach
Boat snorkel tours (considered, skipped with young kids)
Maui Ocean Center visit, about an hour to an hour and a half
Free Maui Ocean Center entry with a Pacific Science Center reciprocal membership
Flytographer family photo shoot at Ironwoods (Marcie's trusted Hawaii resources, including Flytographer, are at hawaiitravelwithkids.com/hawaii-resources)
Beach days at Kapalua, with chair and umbrella rentals
Paid beach parking on Maui ($35 for an evening at Ironwoods, one code good at several Napili area beaches)
Pool time at the vacation rental
Playground time in Kihei
Costco run for food, flashlights, and battery lanterns
Grilling at the rental during the power outage
Skip-Bo and Uno by lantern light
Packing a suitcase of toys (Legos, Matchbox cars, Wikki Stix, Magna-Tiles)
Resort Pass day-rate room with pool and water slide before a red-eye flight
Hotels discussed:
Four-bedroom Airbnb with a pool in Napili (owner on property, solar battery backup)
Sheraton or Hilton on Maui, Kendra's Resort Pass day-rate room
The Hyatt on Maui, next to the Sheraton, where Marcie has stayed
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Marcie's Costco Travel booking
Restaurants discussed:
Starbucks by the Maui Ocean Center: had power after the storm, 45-minute line
Marcie's recommendations:
A rental with a pool is the right call with young kids, since they can swim before or after dinner.
Marcie usually doesn't factor hurricane season into trip planning because it's rarely been an issue. This year has been unusual, with three storms as of early October.
Don't count on ChatGPT for real-time info like whether an attraction is open. Call directly.
Maui Ocean Center is amazing but pricey, so the reciprocal membership tip is a big money saver.
Maui beach parking fees catch people off guard. Read the signs and know which lot you're in.
Travel insurance often won't cover a hurricane unless there's a state of emergency or things are legitimately shut down.
Hurricanes headed toward Hawaii can change direction fast, so you can't predict much ahead of time.
Spring break and February midwinter break flights from Seattle are usually very expensive.
Marcie watches for Cyber Monday deals from Alaska and Hawaiian, and only pays the deposit on a package until flights are sorted.
Book a Resort Pass day-rate room for your last day before a red-eye, especially if you're in a vacation rental. Marcie did this on Kauai and wants to do it every time.
The Hyatt's pool area is fabulous, with ocean views and the beach right there.
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.
The Group Chat Meltdown: How Planning Hawaii With Friends Ends Friendships— Ep 154
Episode 154
Monday, November 2, 2026 • Duration 13:54
Why Group Trips to Hawaii Get Messy (and How to Avoid the Group Chat Meltdown)
Who this episode is for: Anyone trying to plan a Hawaii trip with a group of friends and already feeling the budget, pace, and activity differences start to pile up before a single thing is booked.
What you’ll learn: Why Hawaii specifically tends to turn group trip planning into a slow-motion group chat meltdown, and Marcie’s actual fixes: having a real money conversation before you book, deciding upfront whether everyone has to do everything together, naming comped-experience and roommate expectations out loud, picking one final decision-maker, and building in recovery time.
Places discussed:
Kauai
Princeville, North Shore (Kauai)
Waikiki
South Shore, Kauai
Poipu, Kauai
Activities discussed:
Kayaking
Sunrise hiking
Shopping
Eating out / brunch
Cooking at home (self-catering in a vacation rental)
Ziplining
Luau
Pool and beach time
Content creation for tourism boards and activity providers
Sunrise coffee run
Restaurants discussed:
7-Eleven, for a quick, budget-friendly musubi run instead of a full meal
Marcie’s recommendations:
Have the money conversation and get an actual number before anyone books a house or hotel, not a vague budget.
Decide early whether the group will do everything together or split into smaller groups some days, and build that flexibility in from day one.
If some people in the group work with tourism boards or activity providers and may get comped experiences while others are paying full price, say that out loud early since it changes what feels fair to everyone.
Sort out room assignments and agree on basic shared-space rules, like kitchen habits and chores, before arriving instead of after.
Holiday Honest Takes: Thanksgiving, Christmas & NYE in Hawaii — Ep 153
Episode 153
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 • Duration 14:01
Hawaii Holidays Planning Guide: Thanksgiving Through New Year’s (Closures, Costs, Fireworks, and Fukubukuro)
Who this episode is for: Families planning a Hawaiʻi trip between Thanksgiving week and New Year’s Day, especially anyone still booking for this holiday season.
What you’ll learn: Why the holidays are the priciest time to visit and what to book first, which attractions and restaurants close on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and how to plan meals around those closures. You’ll also get the 2026 dates for the big holiday events on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, New Year’s Eve fireworks tips for families, and how Ala Moana’s fukubukuro works.
Places discussed:
Oʻahu
Kauaʻi
Big Island
Waikīkī
Kalākaua Avenue
Ko Olina
Tantalus, above Honolulu
Downtown Honolulu
Honolulu Hale, home of Honolulu City Lights
Ala Moana Center
Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Center
Pearl Harbor visitor center
Diamond Head
Waimea Canyon, closed after Hurricane Lowell
Hāʻena, closed after Hurricane Lowell
Wainiha, closed after Hurricane Lowell
Līhuʻe
Rice Street in Līhuʻe
Historic County Building in Līhuʻe
Activities discussed:
Fukubukuro lucky bags at Ala Moana Center on New Year’s Day
Experience Nutridge luau on Thanksgiving, including its imu (underground oven)
Thanksgiving buffets and holiday menus in Waikīkī
Holiday takeout meals
Grocery runs before each holiday
Waikīkī Holiday Parade (Friday, Nov 27)
Holiday decorations and photo ops in Waikīkī and at Ala Moana Center
Waikiki Trolley holiday lights tour
Ala Moana’s 50-foot Santa, Santa’s Surf Shack photos, and the Big Santa Mailbox
Honolulu City Lights (opens Saturday, Dec 5)
Honolulu Marathon (Sunday, Dec 13) and its effect on Waikīkī traffic
Lights on Rice Parade in Līhuʻe (listed for Friday, Dec 4)
Hawaii Travel Made Easy Trailer
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • Duration 01:13
Hawaii Travel Made Easy: Meet Marcie (and Owen’s Island Rankings)
Hawaii Travel Made Easy is a Hawaiʻi trip planning podcast hosted by Marcie Cheung, a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has been to the islands more than 40 times. New episodes come out every Monday and Wednesday, and most of them answer one planning question, like whether you need a rental car on Oʻahu or if a Haleakalā sunrise is worth a 3 a.m. alarm (bring gloves). You’ll also hear trip reports from guests, answers to listener questions from Marcie’s Thursday AMAs on Instagram, and a lot about how to be a good guest while you’re visiting.
Who this show is for: Anyone planning a trip to Hawaiʻi, whether you’re still picking an island or sorting out the last details.
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.
Movies Filmed in Hawaii: Fun Trivia for Your Flight— Ep 152
Episode 152
Monday, October 26, 2026 • Duration 10:45
Movies Filmed in Hawaii: Fun Trivia for Your Flight
Who this episode is for: Anyone with a Hawaii flight already booked who wants a fun, low-effort listen for the plane, plus movie and TV fans curious about real filming locations they can visit.
What you’ll learn: What’s actually filming in Hawaii right now heading into 2027, including Protecting Jared, Untamed season 2, the new Jumanji, and the live-action Moana, plus where classics like Jurassic Park, Lilo & Stitch, Gilligan’s Island, and The White Lotus were really shot, and what to expect (locations, pricing, tips) if you book the Kualoa Ranch Movie Sites tour.
Places discussed:
Oahu
Kauai
Big Island (Hawaii Island)
Maui
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
Allerton Garden, Poipu (Kauai)
Waimea Canyon (Kauai)
Na Pali Coast (Kauai)
Kilohana Plantation Railway (Kauai)
Wailua Falls (Kauai)
Opaekaa Falls (Kauai)
Moloaa Beach (Kauai)
Honolulu (Oahu, shipyard origin of the Gilligan’s Island boat)
Kualoa Ranch / Kaaawa Valley (Oahu)
Kalanianaole Highway (Oahu, southeast side)
Sandy Beach (Oahu)
Makaha Beach (Oahu, leeward coast)
Haleiwa (Oahu, North Shore)
Oahu’s North Shore (general, Blue Crush)
Halona Cove (Oahu)
Kapolei (Oahu)
Wailea (Maui)
Thailand (where Jurassic World: Rebirth filmed instead of Hawaii)
Kansas (where Lilo & Stitch was originally set before the switch to Hawaii)
Los Angeles (studio lot where Gilligan’s Island moved after its Kauai-shot pilot)
Activities discussed:
Kualoa Ranch Movie Sites & Ranch Tour (open-air bus tour, WWII bunker with movie props, dinosaur “boneyard”)
Visiting Jurassic Park/Jurassic World filming locations on Kauai and Oahu
Hiking down to Halona Cove
Watching or surfing big waves on Oahu’s North Shore (as featured in Blue Crush)
Luau experience at Germaine’s Luau (noted as a filming location)
What a Real Hawaii Consultation Sounds Like— Ep 151
Episode 151
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • Duration 01:06:13
A Real Maui Trip Planning Consultation: Snorkeling, Luaus, Road to Hana, Haleakala, and Family Photo Tips
Who this episode is for: Families planning a first Hawaii trip with a full house of tweens and teens, especially anyone who wants a real sense of what a Hawaii Travel with Kids consultation actually sounds like before booking one.
What you'll learn: How Marcie walks a family through snorkeling gear decisions, luau options, Haleakala sunrise logistics, and a full Road to Hana game plan, plus what her follow-up consultation email actually includes.
Places discussed:
Maui
Ka'anapali / Kaanapali Beach
Whalers Village
Haleakala National Park (Haleakala Crater / the volcano)
Road to Hana
Paia
Twin Falls (mile marker 9)
Pipiwai Trail (near Hana)
Huelo Lookout
Halfway to Hana stand
Hana town
Black sand beach in Hana (reservation required)
Kahului, including Target, Walmart, and Safeway for arrival-night supplies
Kahului Airport
Kapalua Bay
Wailea
Kihei
South Maui Gardens (food truck park in Kihei)
Kamaole Beaches
Westin Maui or Sheraton Maui (unconfirmed, site of a sunset cliff diving ceremony)
Kauai (mentioned briefly in a discussion of 2026 hurricane season impacts)
Activities discussed:
Snorkeling, including gear rental vs. buying your own
Snorkel boat tour (Molokini Crater and Turtle Town)
Luau
Haleakala sunrise hike and general volcano visit
Road to Hana scenic drive
Waterfall hiking and swimming
Surfing lessons
Sunset cliff diving ceremony
Flytographer family photo shoot
Beach time and picnicking
Grocery and food truck stops
Restaurant reservations
Hotels discussed:
Hyatt Regency Maui (Jill's hotel, two rooms booked on points, concierge floor)
You Don't Have to Plan This Alone— Ep 150
Episode 150
Monday, October 19, 2026 • Duration 04:06
Marcie's Hawaii Trip-Planning Toolbox: Free Email Courses, Instagram Keywords, and Updated Island Guides
Who this episode is for: Anyone in the early, overwhelmed stage of planning a Hawaii trip who wants a fast, free way to get oriented before spending money on a guide or a consult.
What you'll learn: Where to find Marcie's free email planning courses, how to use Instagram DM keywords to get them sent straight to your inbox, and what her paid, regularly-updated island guides and Hawaii Resources hub cover for day-by-day planning.
Once you know your island, use that island's free course (Maui, Oahu, Kauai, or Big Island) instead of the general one
DM her on Instagram with a keyword (PROEMAIL, BUDGETEMAIL, or an island keyword like MAUIEMAIL) to get the course sent instantly, rather than hunting for the link
Consider her paid island guides only once you want a full day-by-day plan, not as a first step
Her guides are worth trusting because she keeps them updated, unlike a guide that hasn't been touched in years
Bookmark the Hawaii Resources hub as the one link to save if you're only going to save one
Why Slowing Down Is the Secret to a Great Hawaii Trip (with Retha from Roaming Retha)— Ep 149
Episode 149
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 • Duration 41:04
From Travel Blogger to Hawaii Specialist: Retha on Planning Safer, Slower Hawaii Trips
Who this episode is for: Anyone planning a Hawaii trip who tends to over-schedule their days or wants guidance on which activities are actually worth booking.
What you'll learn: Why slowing down and booking just one activity a day leads to a better trip, and how to tell if an experience (like a manta ray night snorkel or downhill biking) is actually a good fit for your family before you book it.
Places discussed:
Big Island
Kauai
Oahu
Maui
Kona
Kalalau Trail
Activities discussed:
Manta ray night snorkel near Kona
Downhill biking tour (Maui)
Snorkeling
Sea turtle viewing
Hiking the Kalalau Trail
Beach elopement/wedding ceremony
Hotel cabana days
Dolphin encounters
Marcie's recommendations:
Recommends doing a cabana day near the end of a trip so kids can swim while parents relax
Advises front-loading a trip by spending less on hotel splurges early on, since you'll want a nicer home base once you get tired later in the trip
Emphasizes giving people the benefit of the doubt around wildlife rules, since many visitors simply don't know the guidelines yet, while still stressing the importance of keeping a safe distance
Reminds listeners that every family's "dream Hawaii vacation" looks different, so don't feel pressured to do something just because it's popular
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.
Hawaii Travel Insurance: Do You Need It?— Ep 148
Episode 148
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 12:00
Hawaii Hurricanes and Travel Insurance: What's Covered (and What Isn't) for Flights, CFAR, and Vacation Rentals
Who this episode is for: Anyone with a Hawaii trip on the books during hurricane season, or a vacation rental already reserved, who wants to know whether their coverage would actually hold up if a storm hit.
What you'll learn: What actually triggers hurricane-related travel insurance coverage and why the timing of your purchase matters more than the storm itself, plus how pandemic coverage, Cancel For Any Reason, and Airbnb/Vrbo cancellation policies each work differently than most people assume.
Places discussed:
Hawaii (statewide)
Big Island
Laupahoehoe (Big Island)
Kauai
Princeville (Kauai)
Oahu
Honolulu
Marcie's recommendations:
Buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy as early as possible, ideally the same week you book, especially during hurricane season (June through November)
Look for a policy that explicitly names hurricane or named storm coverage, not just generic trip cancellation
If you want the flexibility to cancel for any reason, add CFAR within two to three weeks of your first trip deposit, since it can't be tacked on later once a storm is already forming
Don't assume Airbnb or Vrbo's own policies will protect you during a hurricane. Read the platform's actual policy and carry your own insurance on top of it
Warns that vacation rental hosts have an incentive to keep a reservation going regardless of conditions on the ground, pointing to accounts out of Princeville after Hurricane Lowell where guests were told it was fine to stay without power for weeks and had trouble getting refunds
If your Hawaii trip touches more than one island, check your policy's language on connecting flights specifically, since interisland disruptions aren't always treated the same as your original mainland flight
Once a storm has a name or an official watch or warning is issued, buying insurance after that point almost certainly won't cover it, so don't wait to see how bad it gets
Credit card travel protection is usually too narrow to rely on for something this specific
What's Actually Happening in Hawaii: Fall Update— Ep 147
Episode 147
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 • Duration 19:20
Hawaii Fall Travel News Roundup: Hurricanes, Kauai Closures, Punalu’u Changes, and New Inter-Island Check-In Rules
Who this episode is for: Anyone with a Hawaii trip on the calendar this fall or winter, especially families heading to Kauaʻi or flying between islands.
What you'll learn: What's open and closed on Kauaʻi after Hurricane Lowell, what changed at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, and how Hawaiian's new 50-minute interisland check-in rule affects your travel days. Plus fall events, the extended North Shore Huakaʻi shuttle, and how to get ready for Black Friday Hawaii deals.
Places discussed:
Kauaʻi
Līhuʻe
Lydgate Beach
Kealia Beach
Kapaʻa Beach
Coastal bike path, Lydgate to Kealia
Wailua River and Wailua River State Park
Secret Falls (hike still closed)
Fern Grotto
Hāʻena State Park
Kalalau Trail
Na Pali Coast Wilderness Park
Waimea Canyon
Kōkeʻe State Park
Polihale State Park
Hāʻena and Wainiha (residents and recovery traffic only)
Poʻipū Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park
Hanamaʻulu Beach Park
Black Pot Beach Park, Hanalei
Hanalei Bridge
Big Island
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Kaʻū
Highway 11 near Waiʻōhinu and Honuʻapo
Hilo
Kona
Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway
Hāwī
Aliʻi Drive
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Kahuku Unit
Mauna Loa Road
Hilina Pali Road
Kīlauea summit
Maui
Haleakalā National Park
Olowalu
Kahului
Lahaina and Front Street
ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, Lahaina (targeting November)
Oʻahu
Honolulu airport
Waikīkī
Kalākaua Avenue
Duke Kahanamoku Beach
Ko Olina
North Shore
Haleʻiwa
Waialua and the Waialua Sugar Mill
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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.
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.
Building a self-guided movie-location day around Kualoa Ranch and other windward Oahu spots
Hotels discussed:
Kahala Hotel & Resort (Oahu) — stands in as the fictional resort in live-action Lilo & Stitch
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea — filmed The White Lotus season 1, bookable as-seen rooms
Marcie’s recommendations:
Calls the Kualoa Ranch Movie Sites & Ranch Tour one of the best family activities on Oahu
Tip: arrive early, check-in fills up and tours sell out, especially in peak season
Tip: bring sunscreen and a hat since most of the tour is outdoors
Tip: budget extra to tip your tour guide
Warning: tour pricing shifts, so double check current rates before booking
Suggests pairing Kualoa Ranch with other windward Oahu spots in the same day so you’re not backtracking across the island
Offers her trip consultations for building an itinerary like that, and her itinerary review as the lower-commitment option if you already have a draft itinerary
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.
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.
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.
For a short or cheap trip, decide based on how refundable it already is rather than assuming insurance is always worth it
If you have a trip coming up soon, check your policy's effective date, call your insurer to ask about current advisories for your dates, and get your vacation rental host's cancellation stance in writing ahead of time
Personally buys whatever Allianz plan is offered when booking flights with Alaska Airlines, every time, without comparison shopping tiers
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.
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.
