Aloha Reader!

I need to tell you about something that's been breaking my heart lately.

Last week, I got an email from Sarah, a mom of three who'd been planning their dream Hawaii trip for over a year. They saved up, booked their flights, found the perfect condo rental... and then discovered they couldn't do ANY of the activities her kids had been most excited about.

No Diamond Head sunrise hike. No Haleakala crater viewing. No snorkeling at that special spot she'd been promising them. All booked up. Sometimes months in advance.

Sarah's story isn't unique. I'm hearing it over and over again, and it's absolutely preventable.

Here's the thing: Hawaii trip planning has completely changed in 2025.

The old advice of "just book flights and hotels, then figure out activities when you get there"? That'll leave your family staring at "SOLD OUT" signs everywhere.

My friend learned this the hard way on her most recent trip when she tried to grab last-minute tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial. The woman at the desk just laughed (kindly, but still) and said, "Honey, we're booked solid for the next two months."

The #1 mistake families are making? Not booking activities and attractions when they book their flights.

I'm talking about reservations for:

• Diamond Head (requires advance reservations now)
• Haleakala sunrise viewing (books up FAST)
• Popular snorkeling spots with limited daily access
• Luaus that aren't tourist traps
• USS Arizona Memorial tickets
• Even some beach parking in high-demand areas

But here's what makes me really sad – it's not just about missing out on activities. When families can't do what they planned, they end up:

• Paying premium prices for last-minute alternatives
• Settling for overcrowded, less magical experiences
• Dealing with disappointed kids (and stressed parents)
• Feeling like they "wasted" their Hawaii trip

The good news? Once you know the new rules, planning is actually easier than ever.

I've completely updated my approach for 2025, and families who follow my new timeline are having BETTER trips than before – less crowded experiences, smoother logistics, and way less stress.

Want to know exactly how to avoid the planning pitfalls that are catching so many families off guard?

I've written detailed guides that walk you through everything:

🌺 What I Wish I Knew Before Going to Hawaii with Kids – This covers all the insider tips I've learned from 40+ trips, including what to book first

🏝️ Best Things to Do on Oahu with Kids – 101 activities with specific booking requirements and timelines

Plus, if you're planning fall travel (which is looking AMAZING this year), check out my September guides:

• ​Best Things to Do in Kauai in September​
• ​Best Things to Do on Oahu in September​
• ​Best Things to Do in Maui in September​

My new 2025 planning timeline (bookmark this!):

6 months before: Book flights, accommodations, and car rentals
​4 months before: Reserve must-do activities and popular attractions
​2 months before: Book restaurants and backup activities
​1 month before: Confirm all reservations and check for any new requirements

Trust me, following this timeline will save you from so much heartache. And honestly? Your trip will be better because you'll have access to experiences that spontaneous planners simply can't get.

Don't let poor planning turn your dream Hawaii vacation into a series of "sorry, we're booked" conversations.

Your family deserves better than that.

Got questions about what to book first for your specific trip? Just hit reply – I'm always here to help!

Aloha,

Marcie

P.S. – Already feeling overwhelmed by all the new planning requirements? That's exactly why I created my detailed planning guides. They do the research FOR you so you can focus on getting excited about your trip instead of stressed about logistics.