Clothing/Footwear

[sueg]

We have never been to Hawaii and we are excited for one week at end of March into April. I am unsure how to pack. Have a series of questions:
1. Are sneakers needed or is it sandals/flip flops? (going to Pearl Harbor & thought the walking may benefit from sneakers)
2. Do we need anything for chilly weather, i.e. hoodie 0r long pants?
3. Casual or do I need a dressier outfit for dinner, in Ama Ama or Dukes?
4. One bathing suit enough?

I"m sure I'll have more questions, but thank you for any help with these 4.

 

[Elima2015]

You will love Hawaii! Here are my opinions on your questions:

1. I don't think you need sneakers. I bring two pairs of shoes: flip flops and Keen sandals. The Keens are so comfortable, have back straps and closed toes for any hiking, can get wet, and are washable if they get dirty

2. I would bring one pair of light pants and a hoodie or other light jacket. I usually wear these items on the plane anyway. I found HI to be a bit cooler in the evenings with a breeze (but still plenty comfortable)

3. Not sure I can give a good rec on this as we didn't go anywhere "nice" last time, but I suggest bringing a sundress

4. Bathing suit # is up to you - I bring two, but we often take a break in the middle of the day and get dressed and I am not a fan of putting on cold wet suits when we are ready to go back out in the afternoon

 

[hilarys]

We have never been to Hawaii and we are excited for one week at end of March into April. I am unsure how to pack. Have a series of questions:
1. Are sneakers needed or is it sandals/flip flops? (going to Pearl Harbor & thought the walking may benefit from sneakers)
2. Do we need anything for chilly weather, i.e. hoodie 0r long pants?
3. Casual or do I need a dressier outfit for dinner, in Ama Ama or Dukes?
4. One bathing suit enough?

I"m sure I'll have more questions, but thank you for any help with these 4.

We will be there the first week of April as well - it will be our 3rd Aulani visit but as West Coasters we have made many visits to Hawaii. Here are my thoughts:
1. I bring sneakers because I like to go for a walk/run in the mornings along the path to the Marina. Sneakers are also good if you are planning to hike in the areas that are in the rainforest or if you plan to hike Diamond Head. The Keens would also probably be fine for those types of hikes, but i prefer a closed shoe.
2. I only wear long pants in Hawaii if I plan to go horse back riding or if I am going to the higher elevations on the other islands. I have sometimes brought pants for the flight home but change into them at the airport. I light sweater might be needed on some evenings so it is not a bad thing to pack.
3. Resort casual is fine even in the nicest of restaurants - i usually bring a sundress or two.
4. I bring two. As the the prior poster mentioned it is no fun to put on a wet swimsuit. With the humid air they don't dry too quickly.

Happy to answer any other questions.

 

[ktlm]

1. Are sneakers needed or is it sandals/flip flops? (going to Pearl Harbor & thought the walking may benefit from sneakers)
If you are planning to hike at all, take sneakers or something you would be comfortable hiking in. Even if you aren't, I would take a pair just in case. You just never know, when you might decide to do something else on the spur of the moment.

2. Do we need anything for chilly weather, i.e. hoodie 0r long pants?
We were not there that time of the year- we were there in the summer and definitely did not need anything like that. I would bring one just in case.

3. Casual or do I need a dressier outfit for dinner, in Ama Ama or Dukes?
When we were there, Ama Ama had a dress code posted. Men were to wear dress shorts, jeans, slacks or khakis with a collared shirt. Women were to wear dress shorts, capris, skirts, dresses or jeans. Tank tops, swimwear, cutoffs, hats for men, or any torn clothing were not allowed. I wore a very casual resort type dress and DD wore a very casual sundress and we felt fine. DH I think wore a polo type shirt and khaki pants, or maybe even khaki shorts. Some people were more dressed up, but there were plenty of others that were dressed like us. You could easily get by with a pair of capris or dressier shorts and a shirt. I don't remember seeing any people in jeans our night even though it is allowed-- most men were in pants or dress shorts with casual collared shirts, and most of the women had on capris, casual dresses, or dress shorts.

4. One bathing suit enough?
I would say no. You will likely be in a swim suit at least part of every day. I alternated between two. As others have said- it won't be dry the next day and it is not fun putting on a wet swimsuit.

Someone told me before we went, not to pack anything but t-shirts, shorts, and swimsuits- that anything else would just sit in my suitcase and with the exception of wearing something a little nicer to Ama Ama, they were pretty much right. I brought other clothes, but at Aulani aside from meals, most days I was in a swimsuit and cover-up the entire day.

 

[buffettgirl]

1: women and men can get away with flip flops or sandals just about everywhere. You might want sneakers if you're more comfortable walking in them.
2: probably won't need pants, maybe a light hoodie for night. But it's generally much warmer in march/april at night. Right now it's getting into the mid 60s at night so definitely need something this time of year. I've worn actual pants once this winter.
3: everything is pretty resort wear especially at places you're likely to go. My husband wears mostly nothing but aloha shirt/shorts anytime we go out to eat (other than the most super dressy places - AmaAma not one of them) I usually wear a sundress/casual dress/skirt or nice shorts and a top. Dukes is right on the beach however, mostly anything goes there.
4: I usually travel with two suits if I have two that fit me LOL. Nothing dries in a hotel room....

 

[Soccerluvinmama]

We have never been to Hawaii and we are excited for one week at end of March into April. I am unsure how to pack. Have a series of questions:
1. Are sneakers needed or is it sandals/flip flops? (going to Pearl Harbor & thought the walking may benefit from sneakers)
There are 3 pairs of shoes I bring....tennis shoes, flip flops, and water shoes. When we go, we go for 10 days. After the first week, my feet start to hurt from the flip flops, so I'll wear those at night and when we run into town to give my feet a break. And, like was already posted, I need them for my morning walks/trips to the gym.
2. Do we need anything for chilly weather, i.e. hoodie 0r long pants?
It can get chilly at night if it's windy. Probably not a problem in the summer, but we go every February. I'm always cold on the plane, so I usually have a hoodie or light jacket anyhow because of that anyhow.
3. Casual or do I need a dressier outfit for dinner, in Ama Ama or Dukes?
Resort casual
4. One bathing suit enough?
That's all I bring. I hang up on the string/clothes line in the bathroom at night to dry, or throw it in the dryer when we are in a 1 bedroom
I"m sure I'll have more questions, but thank you for any help with these 4.