Aloha Reader,

I've noticed something in my consultations lately. More people are booking shorter Hawaii trips, but they still want to do everything. Multiple islands, every waterfall, every beach, every must-see spot from their Pinterest board. And when I ask if they're worried about all the driving that takes, they usually say no, they don't mind.

Turns out this isn't just my clients. The state just released July numbers, and Hawaii lost more than 1 million visitor days compared to last July. Arrivals were actually up slightly, but people are staying an average of 7.59 days instead of the 8.83 days they stayed a year ago. That's the shortest July stay since 2011.

Here's the part that always makes me shake my head a little. Every article covering this points out that visitors are spending more per day, like it's some encouraging silver lining. Daily spending is up 17%. But people aren't spending more because they're treating themselves. Everything costs more now. Flights, hotels, food, the tax on your room went from 10.25% to 11% back in January. Spending more per day and getting less time in the islands isn't a win. It's just what happens when a trip gets more expensive and shorter at the same time.

So if you're one of the many people trying to fit a full Hawaii trip into fewer days, here's what I've learned helping clients do exactly that. The families who come away happiest aren't the ones who see the most. They're the ones who figure out what they actually want, not what a list told them they're supposed to want, and then build a realistic day around that. Sometimes that means skipping the sunrise hike everyone raves about because it means a 4 a.m. wake up and your kids will be miserable by lunch. Sometimes it means one full free afternoon at the pool instead of a fourth waterfall. A shorter trip with breathing room beats a packed one where everyone's exhausted by day three.

If you're staring at a week or less and trying to figure out what actually deserves a spot on your list, that's exactly what my itinerary review service is for. You send me your draft plan and up to five questions, and I'll tell you honestly what's worth keeping, what to cut, and where you're about to overpack your days. Turnaround is two business days, and slots are limited each week, so if you've got a trip coming up, it's worth grabbing one now.

Aloha,

Marcie