Hawaii Travel Made Easy Podcast—Hawaii travel tips, Things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii vacation planning

Hawaii Travel in Peak Season vs. Off-Peak Season

• Marcie Cheung • Episode 26

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Navigating Hawaii Travel in 2025-2026: Timing, Costs, and Tips

In this episode of Hawaii Travel Made Easy, Marcie provides an in-depth Hawaii travel guide on planning a Hawaii vacation in 2025 and 2026, emphasizing the shifting Hawaii travel landscape post-2019. This essential Hawaii vacation planning guide is perfect for first-time Hawaii visitors and experienced travelers planning their Hawaiian Islands adventure.

She discusses the best times to visit Hawaii, considering the changes in Hawaii peak season and off-peak seasons, and provides realistic cost estimates for Hawaii vacation flights, accommodations, Hawaii car rentals, food, and Hawaii activities. This comprehensive Hawaii travel guide shares strategies for finding Hawaii travel deals, flexibility in Hawaii vacation planning, and Hawaii travel tips for managing crowds during your Hawaii vacation.

Perfect for Hawaii family travel and budget-conscious travelers, Marcie offers universal Hawaii travel tips for making the most of a Hawaiian vacation regardless of the timing, stressing the importance of realistic expectations and Hawaiian culture respect. Essential for Hawaii vacation planning in the current travel environment and maximizing your Hawaiian Islands experience.

Learn insider Hawaii travel tips for navigating 2025 Hawaii travel trends, costs, and timing for your perfect Hawaii vacation.

00:00 Welcome to Hawaii Travel Made Easy

01:38 Understanding the New Travel Landscape

04:33 Peak vs. Off-Peak Seasons in 2025-2026

07:15 Budgeting for Your Hawaii Vacation

12:42 Crowd Management Strategies

15:28 Weather and Seasonal Activities

18:42 Booking Strategies for Flights and Hotels

25:18 Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes

28:21 Final Tips and Encouragement

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Aloha and welcome back to Hawaii Travel Made Easy. I'm Marcy, your go-to guide for planning stress-free Unforgettable Hawaii Vacations. If you're here, you're probably wondering what's the best time to visit the islands? And honestly, this question has gotten way more complicated in the past few years. The Hawaii travel landscape has changed completely since 2019, and what used to be predictable seasonal patterns have been turned upside down. Maybe you're wondering, should I go during summer when the kids are outta school, even though that means dealing with crowds and higher prices, or should I wait for those traditionally quieter months, like May or September when costs used to drop significantly? But will they actually be cheaper anymore? Here's the thing. I've been helping families plan Hawaii vacations for years and 2025 and 2026 is unlike any year I've seen before. Hotel prices have hit record highs. Airlines have completely restructured their Hawaii routes, and the whole concept of peak versus off peak season is evolving in ways that might surprise you. Today we're gonna break down everything you need to know about timing your Hawaii vacation in 2025 and 2026. I'll give you the real scoop on costs. Crowds weather and what's actually happening in the Hawaii tourisms of market right now. We'll talk about which months still offer the best deals when you should absolutely avoid traveling, and most importantly, how to plan an amazing Hawaii vacation regardless of when you decide to go, if you're trying to decide when to book your Hawaii trip and wanna make sure you're making the best choice for your family and your budget, this episode is definitely for you. Before we jump into peak versus off peak seasons, I need to give you some context about what's happening in Hawaii right now because the travel landscape has fundamentally shifted. Okay, first, here's something that might shock you. Hawaii is actually seeing a decline in visitors during what used to be peak season summer. Hawaii is actually seeing a decline in visitors during what used to be peak summer season. The islands haven't reached 10 million annual visitors since 2019, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority is projecting that 2025 will still be well below pre pandemic levels. Now you might be thinking, great, this means fewer crowds for me. And yes, in some ways that's true, but it's also created some unexpected challenges that affect when and how you should plan your trip. So here's the reality check. Hawaii now officially has the highest average hotel rates in the entire United States. We're talking an average of$364 per night before taxes and fees, and that's just the average on Maui. The average is over$540 per night before you add that 18% hotel tax, the Hawaii charges. So when I see articles from a few years ago talking about$200 to$250 per night for off-peak travel. I have to tell you, those days are basically gone. Even budget hotels in Hawaii are still averaging over$230 per night. Now, the airline situation has completely changed too. Hawaiian Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines, which has resulted in significant route changes. Southwest Airlines has scaled back their Hawaii services, meaning fewer budget options for mainland travelers. And here's what's really wild. Even during traditionally peak weeks, you can sometimes find round trip flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu for as slow as$225. But then other times, these same routes can cost over$800 with very little predictability. Hawaii is also considering additional visitor fees, including a proposed green fee to help offset tourism's environmental impact. Combined with the already steep 18% hotel tax, parking fees, resort fees, and other hidden costs, the total price of a Hawaii vacation has gotten significantly more expensive across the board. Here is why all this matters for your vacation planning. The old rules about when to travel and how much to budget have changed. Peak season doesn't always mean higher prices anymore, and off peak doesn't guarantee the deals it used to. The good news. There are still ways to find great deals and have an amazing Hawaii vacation, but you need to know what you're looking for and when to look for it. The strategies that worked five years ago, like booking exactly X months in advance, or traveling in specific months. Aren't as reliable anymore. Instead, you need to be more flexible, more strategic, and honestly more realistic about what a Hawaii vacation is gonna cost in 2025 and 2026. But don't worry, I'm gonna walk you through exactly how to navigate this new landscape. So let's talk about what peak and off peak seasons actually look like in 2025 and 2026, because they're not exactly what you might expect. Winter holidays, which is mid-December to early January, this is still the most expensive and crowded time to visit Hawaii. Nothing has changed here. If you wanna spend Christmas or New Year's in Paradise, you're gonna pay premium prices and deal with maximum crowds. Spring break, which is mid-March to early April. Here's where it gets interesting. Spring break used to be one of the most expensive times to visit Hawaii, but that's not necessarily the case anymore. Hotels are struggling to fill rooms even during traditionally busy periods, so you might actually find some deals if you're flexible with your dates. Summer, June to August. This is still busy, especially with families, but it's not the pricing nightmare. It used to be July and August still draw crowds, but the prices aren't automatically sky high like they were a few years ago. So what are the new off peak sweet spots? Late April to early June. This remains one of the best times to visit Hawaii. The weather is fantastic. Crowds are manageable, and you can still find some reasonable deals if you book strategically, September to mid-November. This is still the golden window. September and October have some of the best weather of the year with warm ocean temperatures and fewer tourists. November can be great too, as long as you avoid the Thanksgiving week rush. And January after New Year's to mid-March. This used to be considered peak season, but LA tourism numbers down January and February have become surprisingly good months to visit. The weather might be a bit cooler, but you'll have more breathing room and potentially better deals. And here are some wild car months. May is still one of the best months to visit Hawaii. Great weather, reasonable crowds, and historically good deals. However, hotel availability can be limited because everyone knows May is great. And December before the 15th, this used to be considered off peak, but now it's become a sweet spot for people who want to avoid the holiday chaos, but still enjoy good weather. So what do you need to know about booking? Well, here's the thing about these seasons in 2025 and 2026, the difference between peak and off. Peak pricing isn't as dramatic as it used to be. You might save 20 to 30% by traveling in off peak months instead of the 50 to 60% savings people are used to seeing. But here's what makes a huge difference. Flexibility. If you can be flexible with your dates within a given month, you can often find significantly better deals than if you're locked into specific weeks. All right, let's talk money, and I'm gonna give you the real numbers, not the outdated figures you might see in other travel guides. Here's what's wild about flights to Hawaii right now, they're completely unpredictable. I've seen round trip flights from the west coast to Honolulu for as low as$225 during what should be peak season, and then the next week, the same flights cost$750. So what's a realistic flight budget for 2025 and 2026? Well, from the west coast, you're looking at 300 to$800 round trip, depending on timing and flexibility. From the East coast, you're looking at$500 to$1,200. Round trip from the East Coast, you're looking at 500 to$1,200 round trip. And from the Midwest you're looking at 450 to$1,000 round trip. The key is using Google Flight's price tracking feature and being flexible with your dates. Sometimes shifting your trip by just a few days can save you hundreds of dollars. Okay, let's do a hotel reality check. Let me be brutally honest about hotel costs, because this is where most families get sticker shock. I'm gonna tell you about some current average hotel rates before taxes and fees for Oahu. You're looking at$284 per night average, but that can range from 150 for a budget hotel to$600 or more. For resorts on Maui, you're looking at$544 per night average, and this is significantly higher due to limited inventory post fires. And on the big island, you're looking at about$427 per night average. And on Kauai.$423 per night average. But here's what the numbers don't tell you. Hawaii has an 18% combined hotel tax, plus most hotels charge resort fees of$25 to$50 per night, plus parking fees of$15 to$30 per night. So that$284 per night hotel on Oahu. You are actually paying closer to$380 to$400 per night after all fees and taxes. So what's the realistic hotel budget for budget hotels and condos? Expect 200 to$300 per night total mid-range hotels, about 400 to$600 per night total and luxury resorts, 700 to$1,500 or more per night Total. Car rental prices have stabilized somewhat from their post pandemic highs, but they're still significantly more expensive than pre 2020. So the current car rental rates for peak season is about 60 to$120 per day, and off peak season is about 40 to$80 per day. My pro tip is to book directly with a rental car company or discount Hawaii car rentals. I'll drop the link in the show notes and consider staying somewhere accessible by public transportation if you don't need a car every day. Okay. How about food and activity costs? This is an area where costs have increased across the board, but there are still ways to manage your budget. What is a realistic daily food budget in Hawaii? Well, for the budget approach, this would be grocery shopping and going to some restaurants. You can probably expect a hundred dollars to$150 per day for a family of four for mid-range, which is a mix of restaurants and casual dining, about 200 to$300 per day for a family of four. In splurge mode, that would be resort dining and fine dining and fine restaurants. Expect$400 or more per day for a family of four. How about those activity costs? Well, there's lots of free activities like beaches, hiking, sunset watching that is free. There's paid activities like snorkel, tours, luaus, and zip lines, and those can range from$50 to$250 per person. And then there's premium experiences. Those would be helicopter rides, private tours, things like that. You're looking at about$200 to$500 or more per person. So what's a total trip cost reality for a family of four, planning a week long Hawaii vacation in 2025 or 2026. Here's what you should realistically budget for a budget trip. Expect 8,000 to$12,000 total. Your flights would be about two to$3,000. Accommodations about 3,500 to$4,500. Car rental, about 400 to$600 and food and activities, about 2100 to$4,000. For a mid-range trip, you're looking at about 12,000 to$18,000 total. Your flights would be 2,500 to$4,000. Accommodations would be 5,000 to$7,500, car rental, 500 to$800, and food and activities, about 4,000 to$6,000, and for a luxury trip plan on 20 grand or more total. So what are some money saving strategies that actually work? Number one, use flight price alerts and be flexible with dates. Number two, consider vacation rentals or condos with kitchens. Number three, book activities directly with operators rather than through hotels. Four, take advantage of happy hour specials and lunch portions at restaurants. Five, mix expensive activities with free ones, and six, consider staying on Oahu, which tends to be less expensive than neighbor islands. The bottom line, Hawaii is expensive and has gotten more expensive, but with realistic expectations and smart planning, you can still have an amazing vacation without going into debt. Okay, let's talk about crowds, because this is one area where the current tourism decline is actually working in traveler's favor Sometimes. Even during traditionally busy times, you're likely to find more breathing room than you would have in 2019, but fewer crowds doesn't mean no crowds, especially at the most popular attractions. So what does peak season look like now? Waikiki Beach? It's still busy, but not shoulder to shoulder packed popular restaurants. You'll still need reservations, but not weeks in advance. Major attractions. There are lines and crowds, but a bit more manageable and rental cars are available, but you still need to book in advance for better rates. What about off peak season advantages? This is where off peak travel really shines in 2025 and 2026. Popular hiking trails like Diamond Head or Man Falls aren't nearly as congested. Beaches have plenty of space even at the famous ones. Restaurants are easier to book often with same day availability and tours and activities have more availability and sometimes offer discounts. Okay, so here's what still requires advanced planning. Regardless of when you visit, these are the must book ahead activities. Hahan Bay reservations require 48 hours in advance, and it's about$25 per person. Popular Luaus. You need to book at least one to two weeks ahead during any season. Helicopter rides and submarine tours often book up one to two weeks ahead and higher end restaurants you'll always wanna reserve ahead of time. But what are some last minute friendly activities? Most beaches, except for Han Bay, of course. Hiking trails. You don't need reservations for most hikes, snorkel, gear rentals, and casual dining. Now let's compare island by island for crowds. Oahu is always the busiest, but also has the most options for avoiding crowds. Maui is less crowded than usual due to limited hotel inventory, but prices are higher. Big Island is great for avoiding crowds, especially on the Kona side, and Kauai is small and intimate, but popular spots can get busy during peak times. So what are my smart crowd avoidance strategies? Number one, early morning activities. Start hiking or snorkeling by seven to 8:00 AM. Number two, weekday visits Tuesday through Thursday are consistently less crowded. Number three, alternative beaches. Skip the famous ones for equally beautiful, lesser known spots, and number four shoulder hours. Late afternoon, four to 6:00 PM is often quieter than midday. The good news is that with tourism numbers still blow pre pandemic levels. You have a better chance of finding those magical uncrowded moments even during traditionally busy seasons. Okay. One thing that hasn't changed about Hawaii, the weather is still pretty fantastic year round, but there are definitely seasonal differences that can impact your vacation experience. Okay. The summer weather, which is June through August, the good. Its warmest, driest weather of the year. It's perfect for snorkeling and beach activities. The ocean temperatures are at their peak around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and there's less chance of rain interrupting outdoor plants. But the considerations are that UV rays are strongest and you'll burn faster. Trade winds can be lighter, making it feel hotter. And hurricane season though direct hits are rare, summertime is best for beach lovers, snorkeling enthusiasts, and families with young kids who want predictable weather. Okay. Winter weather, which is December through February, the good is the best time for whale watching, which runs December through April. Big waves on the North shore, which is amazing for surfing spectators, is slightly cooler temperatures for hiking and there's fewer mosquitoes. The considerations, there's more rain, especially on windward sides of the island. There's rougher ocean conditions on north facing beaches, and there's cooler evenings where you might even need a light jacket. So winter is best for whale watchers, surfers, and people who want slightly cooler temperatures. Okay, let's talk about spring and fall, which are the sweet spots. Spring, which runs April through May, has fantastic weather with warm days and cool evenings. Ocean is warming up from the winter. There's less rain than winter, but occasional showers. And there's a great balance of sunny and comfortable in fall, which runs September through November is some of the best weather of the year. Ocean temperatures are still warm from summer, hurricane season is ending, and it's the perfect balance of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. So what about some seasonal activity considerations for whale watching? It runs December through April only, so if this is a priority you have to visit during these months for surfing, for snorkeling. This is best during summer when ocean conditions are calmest, but doable year round on the leeward, which is south and west sides of the islands. Hiking is actually better during slightly cooler months, which would be October through May when you won't overheat as quickly. Okay, let's talk about the microclimate reality. Here's something crucial. Hawaii's weather varies dramatically across each island, and it can be raining and hilo on the big island while it's sunny and dry in Kona, just two hours away. So what's the general rule? The windward, which is the east sides, has more rain, lush, and green. And the Lee word, which is the west sides are drier and more desert-like. So even if the weather forecast shows rain, it might only be affecting one part of the island. What's my weather related money saving tip? Well, if you're flexible about activities and don't mind occasionally moving your plans around based on weather, you can often get last minute deals on tours and activities when operators are trying to fill spots due to weather cancellations elsewhere. The bottom line. Hawaii's weather is generally great year round, but understanding seasonal patterns can help you choose the best time for your specific interests and activities. Okay, let's get into the practical stuff. How to actually book your Hawaii vacation in today's market To get the best deals and availability. Okay. Your flight booking strategy, the old rule of book exactly six to eight weeks in advance doesn't work anymore. Here's what does, here's the new approach. First, you're gonna set up Google flight price alerts two to four months before you wanna travel. You're gonna wanna be flexible with dates. Sometimes shifting by two to three days saves hundreds. You're gonna consider flying into different airports, sometimes Big Island or Kauai, or cheaper than Oahu. You're gonna book one way ticket separately because it's often cheaper than roundtrip, and you're gonna clear your browser cookies between searches to avoid dynamic pricing. Here's the timing that works. For peak season travel, you're gonna wanna book three to four months ahead for off peak travel, you can often wait six to eight weeks out and last minute travel deals. Sometimes they appear two to three weeks before departure, but it's risky. There's also a hotel booking strategy with hotel struggling to fill rooms despite high advertised rates. There are opportunities if you know where to look. So what's the best booking approach you're gonna wanna book directly with hotels for the best cancellation policies. You wanna check multiple platforms, Costco Travel, aaa, and hotel websites often have different rates. You're gonna look for package deals that bundle flights and hotels, and sometimes even car rentals. You're gonna consider vacation rentals for longer stays, or if you're traveling with a group and you're gonna book refundable rates when possible because prices can drop. So what's the best timing for hotels? For peak season, you can book two to three months ahead. For off peak season, four to six weeks is usually sufficient. And for those last minute deals, check one to two weeks before travel for distressed inventory. Okay, here's something that has changed package deals, which are flight plus your hotel are often better value than booking separately, especially during uncertain times when airlines and hotels are offering promotions to stimulate bookings. So where do you find these good package deals? Costco Travel. This is excellent for families. My own family has booked through classical travel for many trips. There's AAA travel that has a good cancellation policy. There's airline websites like Hawaiian, Alaska, Southwest. And there's traditional travel agents. Yes, they are making a comeback. So what's your activity Booking strategy? The things you need to book in advance are popular tours like Klo Ranch, submarine tours. You need to do at least two to three weeks ahead of time, luaus about one to two weeks ahead of time, and helicopter tours about one to two weeks ahead of time. What are the things you can wait last minute? That would be weather dependent activities like boat tours and some hikes and some less popular tours where you can get discounts. So here's the biggest game changer. Being flexible can save you thousands. So if you can try traveling midweek instead of weekends, shift your dates by a few days. Consider different islands and book refundable rates and monitor prices. You'll have a huge advantage in finding deals. With airline mergers and programs changing, using credit card points has gotten more complicated, but can still offer value. So what are the best point? Redemptions? Hotel points often offer better value than airline miles. Flexible point currencies like Chase and Amex give you more options and book award Travel early before devaluations happen. Here are the red flags to avoid. Don't wait until the last minute for peak season travel. Don't book non-refundable rates unless you're 100% certain. Don't assume off peak automatically means cheaper. And don't forget to factor in all fees when comparing prices. So here's the 20 25, 20 26 reality check. The deal hunting strategies that worked pre 2020 don't always work. Now the market is more volatile, inventory is more limited and prices change more frequently. Your best bet is to be prepared, be flexible, and be realistic about what things cost. But with the right approach, you can still find good value for your Hawaii vacation. Okay, once you've decided when to go, let's talk about how to maximize your experience. Regardless of whether you're traveling during peak or off peak season. If you're traveling during busy times, whether by choice or necessity, here's how to make it work for crowd management. You're gonna wanna start early. Popular hiking trails and beaches are less crowded before 8:00 AM. End late stayer sunset at popular viewpoints. When the day troopers have left, you're gonna go midweek. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are always less busy than the weekends, and you're gonna choose alternative spots. Every famous beach has a less famous but equally beautiful neighbor. Your booking tactics, you're gonna make dinner reservations as soon as you arrive, or even before. You're gonna book popular activities for weekdays when possible, and you're gonna have backup plans for weather or full capacity situations for your budget management. You're gonna mix expensive and free activities. Don't try to do paid tours every day. You're gonna eat lunch portions at dinner restaurants for better value. And you're gonna take advantage of happy hour specials, which is usually three to 6:00 PM at most places if you're traveling during quieter times. Here's how to take full advantage. Your spontaneity opportunities include booking activities, day of for potential discounts, trying popular restaurants without advanced reservations and exploring without crowds of famous viewpoints and beaches. Weathered preparedness. You're gonna pack layers for variable weather. You're gonna have indoor backup activities planned, and you're gonna embrace the quiet season five. It's more relaxed and local feeling. And for local interaction, you're gonna chat with locals who have more time. When tourism is slower, you are gonna explore local markets and events that cater to residents, and you're gonna try locally owned restaurants that might offer specials during slow periods. Here are some universal tips for any season. The island time mindset. Hawaii operates on island time, which means things move slower and more relaxed than the mainland. Embrace this, rather than trying to fight it. Weather flexibility. Hawaii's microclimates mean weather can change quickly if it's raining where you are, drive 20 minutes and you might find sunshine. Cultural respect, regardless of when you visit. Remember that you're a guest in Hawaii. Respect local. Hi. The environment and sacred sites for budget balance. You're gonna mix splurge experiences with budget friendly activities. Maybe do one expensive activity per day and balance it with free beach time or hiking. Okay, let me share some of the biggest mistakes I see families making when planning their Hawaii vacation and how you can avoid them. Mistake number one is unrealistic budget expectations. The problem is that planning a Hawaii vacation based on outdated cost information or unrealistic expectations about what things cost. So what's the solution? Use current realistic cost estimates and add a 20% buffer to your budget. Hawaii is expensive, and trying to do it on a shoestring budget often leads to disappointment. Mistake number two, all or nothing timing decisions. The problem thinking there's only one perfect time to visit Hawaii, and that you have to wait for it. So what's the solution? Understand that each season has pros and cons. Pick the timing that works best for your family's schedule and budget, then optimize for that choice. Mistake number three, over planning every minute the problem, trying to pack too many activities into each day, leading to exhausted families and rushed experiences. So the solution plan one major activity per day with plenty of time for beach relaxation and ate and spontaneous discoveries. Mistake number four, assuming cheaper always means better value. The problem choosing flights, hotels, or activities based solely on price without considering quality, location, or convenience. So the solution factor in the total experience, sometimes paying a bit more for better location or more convenient timing is worth it. Mistake number five, not having backup plans. The problem, having rigid plans that fall apart when weather crowds or availability don't cooperate. The solution, always have a plan B for outdoor activities and build flexibility into your schedule. Mistake number six, forgetting about hidden costs. The problem budgeting for base hotel rates and airfare without factoring in taxes, fees, parking, resort fees, and tips the solution. Research all additional costs before booking and factor them into your budget from the start. Mistake number seven, island hopping without considering logistics. The problem trying to visit multiple islands without understanding the time and cost involved in inner island travel. The solution for first time visitors or shorter trips. Pick one island and explore it thoroughly rather than rushing between multiple islands. Mistake number eight, not respecting local culture and environment the problem treating Hawaii like it's another beach destination without understanding its unique culture and environmental sensitivity. The solution. Learn about Hawaiian culture before you visit follow Leave no trace principles and be respectful of local customs and sacred sites. The biggest mistake of all not going, here's what I tell every family who's hesitating about Hawaii. Because of the cost or timing concerns, there's never gonna be a perfect time or time in Hawaii becomes cheap. If you keep waiting for the ideal conditions, you might never go. The best time to visit Hawaii is when you can make it work for your family. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, timing matters, but Hawaii is magical, transformative and worth investment in family memories. All right, let's wrap this up with some clear, actionable advice for planning your Hawaii vacation in 2025 or 2026. If you have complete flexibility, the absolute best times to visit Hawaii are late April through May and September through early November. You'll get great weather, fewer crowds, and the best chance at reasonable prices. But if you're restricted to school holidays, don't let anyone tell you you can't have a great Hawaii vacation during peak season. The summer months, which are June through August, are still wonderful for families and you might find better deals than expected. Spring break weeks can also offer value if you're flexible with your dates. If budget is your primary concern, you might wanna consider January after New Year's through mid-February. Or look at early November or look at early December before the holiday rush. And seriously consider the big island over Maui or Kauai for better value if avoiding crowds is most important. September and October are your best bets, followed by May. Weekday travel during any month will also help you avoid crowds. So my top five tips for any Hawaii vacation in 2025 or 20 26 1. Be realistic about costs. Budget more than you think you'll need. Number two, book early for peak season, but watch for deals during off peak. Number three, build flexibility into your plans for weather, crowds and spontaneous discoveries. Number four, mix expensive activities with free ones. You don't need to spend money every day to have fun. And number five, focus on experiences over Instagram shots. The best memories often happen when you're not trying to document everything. So the bottom line, Hawaii travel has changed, but Hawaii itself hasn't. The islands are still incredibly beautiful. The culture is still rich and welcoming, and the experience of being in paradise with your family is still magical. Yes, it costs more than used to. Yes, you need to plan more strategically, but millions of families still visit Hawaii every year and have amazing experiences with realistic expectations for smart planning. Yours can be one of them. The Hawaii tourism market is still evolving. Hotel prices might stabilize as competition increases. Airlines might end more flights as demand recovers. New fees may be implemented, but new deals may emerge too. So my advice is don't wait for the perfect conditions. If Hawaii is on your family's bucket list, start planning now for the timing that works best for you. I'd love to hear about your Hawaii travel plans. Send me a DM on Instagram at Hawaii Travel with kids, or check out my blog for Detailed Island Guides and Money Saving Tips if this episode helped you understand the current Hawaii travel landscape. Please subscribe and leave a review. It really helps other people find the podcast when they're planning their own Hawaii adventures. Until next time, keep dreaming of those Hawaiian sunsets and remember, the best family. Vacation is the one that brings you together to experience something amazing. Mahalo for listening and aloha.