Can you bring food from one island to another in Hawaii?
Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, certain fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers are prohibited in carryon items when traveling between Hawaiian Islands.
Travelers: You must present all food, plants, and other agricultural items to the USDA inspector at the airport before you leave Hawaii. If your items are generally allowed, the inspector will check them to make sure they are free from pests and disease before you begin your trip to the U.S. mainland.
Should you pack food for your Hawaii vacation? If you have dietary restrictions, definitely pack any specific food you like to eat that you might not be able to find easily in Hawaii. And if you plan on cooking a lot, bring your own spices, pantry staples, and anything where you just need part of the package.
Tip: Pineapples are on the USDA list of agricultural items permitted to leave Hawaii. As long as there are no bugs, soft spots or holes you can take them home to the mainland. It makes for a perfect souvenir.
To get around the islands of Hawaii, you can fly by helicopter, travel by ferry or hop on a boat. But while there are options, in most cases, you are probably boarding a flight before saying aloha to your next Hawaiian island destination.
Don't bring Fruits or Vegetables into Hawaii. It's actually illegal to bring them into Hawaii because of the very unique ecosystem. It could be disrupted via unwanted pests on your uneaten apple or banana in your bag.
Can you bring food through airport security? Yes, solid food is allowed through TSA security in any amount. If the item is considered a liquid, paste, cream, gel, or aerosol, it is still allowed, but must be smaller than 3.4 ounces.
Yes, so can you. Anyone can bring food to the beach.
Commercially packaged foods are allowed to be transported from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland. For information on transporting fruits and vegetables, contact USDA Inspection Offices listed above or link to the USDA Fact Sheet above.
On the plus side, sourcing your food from the grocery store—even if you're relying on pre-made items from the deli or fresh seafood counter—is usually much cheaper than dining out. Tailor your grocery list to local tastes and ingredients.
Should we bring cash to Hawaii?
It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel before you leave home, or withdraw money upon arrival at an airport ATM.
You definitely need to bring a beach towel on your Hawaii vacation, but not just any old towel will do! When packing for Hawaii, you'll want to bring a sand-resistant beach towel or blanket to lounge around on. For drying off, I suggest a quick drying microfiber towel. Leave all other bulky towels at home!
- Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits.
- Passion fruit plants and seeds.
- Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)
- Corn on the cob.
- Citrus and pulpy fruits from Florida & Puerto Rico.
- Taro and dasheen.
- Coconuts.
Checked Bags: Yes
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
Collecting beach glass and shells is still allowed. But if you're collecting shells for the purposes of commercial activity, a Commercial Marine License is required per HRS §189-2,3 and Hawai'i Administrative Rule §13-74-20.
Hawaii Island Hopping FAQs
There are dozens of daily flights between the islands and the prices vary greatly depending on the time of day. It can cost $50-$150 to go island hopping Hawaii.
The cheapest way to travel between Hawaiian islands is to fly. You can find inter-island flights for as little as $39 each way, depending on when you want to travel and how far in advance you book.
Island hop from Oahu to Maui and see a second island on an action-packed, full-day tour. Perfect for visitors who are short on time but want to experience some of the magic of Maui. Your guide narrates as you travel across the island in a climate-controlled mini-bus, stopping at many sights during the day.
Can you take your flower lei on a plane back home from Hawaii? Most likely, yes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits certain foliage used in leis from leaving the islands to protect the mainland U.S. from harmful pests. Orchid and plumeria leis are okay to bring back from Hawaii.
All travelers entering the United States are REQUIRED to DECLARE meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying.
Can I bring fruit on a plane to Hawaii?
If you are flying to Hawaii, you must declare all fresh fruits and vegetables you bring upon arrival; these may be inspected and prohibited depending on type and origin.
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Tip #2: Reduce waste and save some money by bringing a reusable water bottle. So you can't bring H20 or any other liquids more than 3.4 oz. (well there are some exceptions) through security, but you CAN bring an empty bottle. Just fill it up on your way to boarding your flight after screening.
In most cases, you can not take fresh fruit out of Hawaii with you. The exceptions are made for pineapples and treated fruit (in USDA inspected and sealed boxes) such as papaya, abiu, atemoya, banana, curry leaf, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, mangosteen, rambutan, starfruit, and sweet potato.
If you happen to be walking on a public highway or sidewalk to your beach, consuming liquor is illegal. If you choose to drink alcohol on or near a beach, be aware there are many restrictions and you may be unknowingly breaking the law.
No, you cannot drink alcohol on the beach. However, there are several bars and restaurants in the area that have outdoor seating with a view of the beach. You may also want to check out booze cruises.
Customs Declaration Form. This form is required from all arriving passengers and crew, even if you have nothing to declare. One customs form may cover multiple persons as long as they are from the same household. Any type of dutiable good, food, plant or animal product must be declared.
Leaving Hawai'i
Hawaii residents leaving Hawaii should be prepared to undergo a government-mandated 5-day quarantine or pre-travel testing upon their return. If you are considering travel in the US, the CDC has developed the following guidance to help determine whether you should postpone your trip.
Packing a few lava rocks or a handful of sand for a remarkable keepsake is harmless, right? Not so. Possessing or removing any natural mineral is illegal and could cost you some hefty fines. Hawaii is big on the preservation of natural resources.
Why is Burger King so expensive in Hawaii?
Most of the food in the state is imported from the mainland, which means there are more costs that go into that.
Although the following figures are average estimates on what you might spend on necessities and fun in Hawaii, they may help you when planning your vacation budget: Breakfast and lunch: $8 to $16 per person. Dinner: $14 to $25 per person.
Food in Hawaii is expensive, even if you don't go to a restaurant for each meal. The average cost of food per person per day is about $61, but it can fluctuate depending on where you eat and how many people you go with. Fortunately, there are also some ways to save money on food costs during your vacation.
| $ US Dollar | Hawaii Coin |
|---|---|
| 50.00 | 3,330.14 |
| 100.00 | 6,660.28 |
| 250.00 | 16,650.70 |
| 500.00 | 33,301.41 |
Likewise, TSA has no rules that limit how much money you can bring through security. In other words, TSA has no cash limit per person. So you can bring any amount of money to the airport. Flying with a large amount of cash on a flight is not illegal.
Can you wear jeans in Hawaii? Sure, you can wear jeans in Hawaii. But unless you're going up to the summit of Haleakala you'll probably be more comfortable in almost anything else due to the balmy temperatures and humidity. I have visited Hawaii in every season and never wished I had jeans with me.
- Hawaiian/Aloha shirts.
- Board shorts.
- Loose-fitting pants or shorts.
- Comfortable shoes like sandals or flip flops.
- Colorful sundresses.
- Muumuu dresses.
- Tank tops.
- Pa'u hula skirts.
We recommend comfortable shoes for walking, shorts, sun dresses, and t- shirts. In the evening most people switch over to dressy casual - slightly dressier than their daytime attire - khaki shorts or trousers, polo shirts, aloha shirts, skirts, sundresses, etc. Breakfasts - Come "as you are".
Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, certain fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers are prohibited in carryon items when traveling between Hawaiian Islands.
If our complimentary meals (regular, vegetarian, vegan or gluten free or child) do not meet your specific dietary needs, we welcome you to bring your own meals on board.
Can I fly home with a pineapple from Hawaii?
Shipping or mailing most fresh fruits and vegetables from Hawaii directly or through Alaska or Guam to the continental United States is prohibited due to the risk of introducing certain invasive plant pests and diseases. However, there are a few exceptions. Fresh pineapple and coconut are permitted after inspection.
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring green salad made with lettuce, spinach, kale or any other solid foods through airport security. You will need to put the salad in a resealable bag or container with a secure-fitting lid.
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
Are there ferries between the Hawaiian Islands? There is only one ferry between Hawaiian islands and that is the ferry from Maui to Lanai. There used to be a ferry between Maui and Molokai, but that ferry service was discontinued in 2016.
Documents for travel to/from Hawaii and within the Hawaiian Islands are the same for any other U.S. state. If you are flying to Hawai'i within the United States, you only need a valid government photo ID.