Aloha Reader!

I need to be honest with you about something.

I almost canceled our February trip to Oahu and Maui. Not because I didn't want to go. I've been looking forward to this for months. But because even though I do this for a living, I still had to sit at my kitchen table in December and have a real conversation with my 12yo about whether we could actually swing it.

I'd booked our hotels back in the fall using Hyatt points (free stays on both islands, check!). I figured I'd worry about flights later. Big mistake. When I finally checked airfare in December, it was $2,200 per person. For mid-winter break dates. That's Europe-level pricing. I actually stared at my screen for a full minute thinking there had to be an error.

Then I checked miles. 185,000 per person. I mean, come on.

I did everything. Google flight alerts. Different date combinations. I finally found flights for $1,200 per person, and the only reason this trip is happening at all is because I had my Atmos companion fare saved.

Without that? We wouldn't be going. And even then, I had to book us on a redeye home to save $1,000.

So now I'm trying to figure out if my 12-year-old will get enough rest on the flight to go straight to school after we land at 6am. Spoiler: I'm not counting on it. And yes, I'm leaving for a local girls trip five hours after we land, which was entirely my own fault for planning things too close together.

I'm telling you this because I want you to know I get it. I'm in the exact same position as a lot of my clients right now, weighing whether a trip makes sense budget-wise. This one's technically a business trip for me (we have a packed schedule of activities to review for the blog and podcast), but if it were a true vacation? I honestly don't know if I would have made the same call.

What I'm seeing families struggle with right now

Lately I'm seeing a lot of questions about vacation rentals. Someone emailed me last week asking why I don't recommend them more often. I had to be really honest with her. I've had some bad personal experiences with Airbnbs in Hawaii, and I'm hesitant to recommend something I can't fully stand behind. But her question inspired me to write a whole blog post about it to help families figure out what's actually right for them.

I'm also getting DMs from podcast listeners asking for more attraction-specific episodes. They want to know which activities are actually worth the money before they book. I totally understand. Activities in Hawaii are SO much more expensive than they were pre-pandemic, and I don't think those prices are coming back down. I just recorded a brutally honest episode about the Polynesian Cultural Center, and I've got episodes coming on Diamond Head and other popular Oahu hikes. After I get back from this trip, I'll be recording even more so you can make better decisions with your budget.

Hawaii Right Now (what you should know)

The Green Fee went into effect January 1st. It's a 0.75% bump to the hotel/vacation rental tax, which doesn't sound like much until you realize total taxes are now pushing 19%. On a $400/night room, you're paying about $3 more per night. Just budget an extra 10-15% for accommodations and you won't be caught off guard.

The vacation rental situation is messy right now. Maui's phasing out thousands of them. Big Island is requiring registration starting July. Oahu's always had strict rules. I'm fielding a lot of panicked questions about this. If you already booked something for 2026, ask your host for their permit or registration number. If they hem and haw, that's a red flag. And honestly? If you're booking now and want zero stress, just go with a hotel or resort in a designated resort zone.

I'm getting more questions about farm tours. Like, way more. Families want to do something real, not just another crowded tourist trap. Coffee farms, vanilla farms, goat dairies. The kids actually pay attention because they're tasting things and meeting farmers. Plus they're cheaper than most of the big-ticket attractions. Kualoa Ranch has a good one. So does Surfing Goat Dairy on Maui. If you're trying to stretch your budget and want your kids to actually learn something, this is worth considering.

One personal Hawaii moment

Since I'm attending three luaus AND doing a Flytographer shoot on this trip, I figured I should probably get a new dress. I've been trying to shop local whenever I can, so I found two from Yireh that I really liked. I sent photos to about five friends asking which one I should get.

Then I bought both.

I know. But I was worried that if I waited until we got to Oahu, I'd waste half a day shopping and they might not even have my size. Sometimes you just have to plan ahead. Which, if you know me at all, is completely on brand.

Got questions about your trip? Hit reply. I actually answer these.

Aloha,

Marcie