KatarinaVdP

Hi!

I'm a 19 year old girl from Norway, considering going to Hawaii by myself march 2017 for 2-3 weeks. I will be traveling with my backpack, probably staying in hostels, since that'll be cheaper and more social(?). I'm going to drive along the east coast of Australia with my best friend in January, February and the first weeks of March, and I'll be meeting my family in San Diego in April. That's why I'm thinking Hawaii will be a perfect place to stay in between saying goodbye to my friend and meeting my family.

I'd be so grateful if someone out there would take the time to answer my questions:

1) What do you think of going to Hawaii by myself, being a girl and only 19 years old? Is it safe and do you think I'll meet other backpackers or people my age? I'm scared I'm gonna get bored by myself.

2) Should I stay on only one island or several in the course of my visit? Which one(s) in that case? I don't think I'll be able to rent a car, so I'll have to get around otherwise, i.e. by bus or by taxi, what do you recommend?

3) Where should I stay? Hostels maybe?

4) The age limit of drinking in Hawaii is 21 y.o., and I've read they're kind of strict since it's a part of the US. I'm afraid that will make it harder for me to get to know other people, since I won't be able to go to bars and pubs like most other backpackers. Do you have any experience in this area? Is it easy getting to know other people? I'm really relying on getting to know others since I'm going by myself

5) What can you do in Hawaii? I love hiking as long as it's not too extreme (kind of scared of heights, haha) and I'm thinking of getting my scuba diving certificate (anywhere you recommend?) and maybe surfing, but I'm open to most things.

Thank you so so much in advance

Christina

I think you may be able to go to bars but you just won't be served. I'm not sure, that's usually the case. I think it isn't just that Hawaii is a state in the US, but they are strict there as liquor licenses are very expensive and people don't want to risk losing one.

I can't help you on the danger or how easy to get to know people, just recommend you do a hostel in a place that is easy to get to from the airport. Check out hostels to see how many people stay there, do they have a communal outdoor deck area, etc, where you may meet people.

like this one
https://polynesianhostel.com/
or this http://seasidehawaiianhostel.com/

this one seems to have a lot of young poeple and advertises international
http://www.waikikibeachsidehostel.com/
They claim to be the biggest, so in one sense that could be good, more people to meet. A lot of them will be under 21, also, I'm sure.

good luck

suze

Without a car and staying in hostels, I think you need to focus on Oahu, staying in Waikiki/Honolulu area. That's the only place it is really practical to do what you describe in Hawaii (near an international airport, good public transportation system, compact city area).

As far as getting bored, that's something you need to figure out for yourself. Check events calendars online, ask around after you get there, find things that interest you to do, take a few books to read (reading novels set in Hawaii are always fun).

marvelousmouse

The biggest problem I can see is that there really aren't all that many hostels in Hawaii. If I remember right, they're mostly in Honolulu, which is fine if that's where you want to go. The other problem is that at 19, a lot of hotels won't be an option. I can't comment on the drinking thing- I generally meet people at my hostel, and although I can go to bars, it's not really my scene. There may be 18 and over clubs- but in terms of the law, it's not "kind of strict"- you aren't allowed to be in bars, you can't buy alcohol, and it's illegal for others to do so.

I haven't been to Hawaii- I've considered it a few times, and from what I've gathered in the past, there are many tours you can take, but it makes the trip not cheap. So I would be confined to Honolulu and anywhere I can reach on plane or transit, unless I really wanted to splurge.

I don't get bored traveling by myself at all. It allows me to do stuff that my friends aren't interested in.

I do know that scuba costs money- and you can't dive alone. So you may want to look into that before you go through the class. I have done the class but it wasn't worth keeping up because of where I lived and the expense.

This is not to discourage you. If you have the money, I'd say go for it. But also consider LA or San Francisco- both have really good hostels that have activities and tours.

suze

I should have mentioned specifically, I have been to Oahu 5 times, 4 of those solo. I did not have a car, stayed right in Waikiki at a budget hotel, and found plenty of things to see and do on the cheap.

You don't have to spend money on fancy tours, scuba diving, helicopter tours, sunset cruises ;-) you can go to the botanical gardens, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, ShangriLa estate, hang out at the two beautiful parks at either end of Waikiki (Kapiolani or Fort de Russy), spend free time on the beach, look for free Hawaiian music and dance exhibitions, go to the Farmer's Markets, etc. etc.

jamie99

I agree with sticking to Oahu. The public transport on the other islands is geared to transporting locals and does not go to places the average tourist would want to visit.
Not sure about the other islands but on Kauai there are only two hostels, reviews are quite mixed.
Regarding scuba diving, it is very expensive, what you might want to do is take a Discover Scuba course. Many places offer this, costs about $100, you have pool instruction and one dive the next day to about 35' or so. You can discover if it is for you or not.

suze

<Is it easy getting to know other people? I'm really relying on getting to know others since I'm going by myself>

My best advice as a long time solo traveler, is not to count on it. Maybe you'll meet people, maybe you won't. Just plan the trip around things you are interested in and enjoy doing.

sf7307

You can Google "hostels in Hawaii" and find a list and maps, along with some ratings. The biggest issue is that public transportation is only good on Oahu, and you can't rent a car because of your age (there are a lot of hotels that won't rent to anyone under 21 either). So, I'd recommend going, but maybe just for a week rather than 3. Then spend the rest of your time in California as someone else suggested.

KatarinaVdP

Wow, thank you so much for your quick and informative answers! This helped a lot

After reading your comments I've understood that I maybe shouldn't go for more than two weeks, counting on my own company instead of others.

Maybe some of you have been to Fiji or other islands in the Pacific Ocean? If you could choose to go to Hawaii, Fiji or any of the others islands for to weeks on your own, which would you choose and why? (just checking out my options, maybe Hawaii isn't necessarily the best choice)

suze

I choose Hawaii but mostly because I can get a nonstop (6 hour) flight from Seattle, so it's a very easy trip.

From your part of the world, I would definitely be open to some of the other island choices.

When I travel alone, one thing I like, which may or may not apply to you... I like to be in a city or at least a town. So I can walk around, poke in shops and restaurants and bars, find a few local activities. Even if I don't actually "meet" others to hang out with, this makes me feel less isolated.

Some people think "a deserted beach without any people around" sounds good. To me as a solo traveler, that sounds truly boring

justineparis

I have been to hawii 8 or 9 times, but never solo.

I would think more than two weeks would be boring.

Oahua is best choice , but saftey wise , honolulu is a city, with city issues, so you would need to be aware of that, no walking on deserted streets late at night alone, make sure your accomadation is in a decent area...there are some less than desirable areas in honlulu.

Personally i would choose new zealand and fiji from where you are coming from.

I also think the drinking age may limit you. I am not sauing you need to drink to have fun, but alot of young peole do socialize over drinks, and you wouldnt be able to, they are strict in states with drinking age. In canada and europe drinking ages are lower as you know.

Tabernash2

Going to Hawaii, and only staying in Waikiki/Honolulu, would be a shame, in my opinion. Unless you have a car, or can take trips to the less inhabited parts of Oahu.

Moving island-to-island will cost you more money than it sounds like you want to spend. I'd stay on one island for a week, in a place better than a hostel.

Tabernash2

Oops, forgot that you can't rent a car if under age 25.

suze

<Going to Hawaii, and only staying in Waikiki/Honolulu, would be a shame, in my opinion.>

Definitely personal opinion.

Because I do it all the time. I've gone 5 times so far to Oahu, and done exactly that, stayed right in Honolulu/Waikiki for the entire trip. 4 times solo and once with a friend. Not everyone feels the need to go to "the less inhabited parts". Some people like the vibrant city vibe.