5 smart and sensible tips that will keep you safe in Hawaii

Hawaii may be famous for its striking beauty and warm, comfortable climate, but there’s also a fair share of “hazards to be aware of.”

Because we care, here’s a list of the top 5 so you can stay dafe and enjoy your time in our Islands:

Only swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty

The Hawaiian Islands are  geographically isolated and therefore exposed to the open ocean, which means we experience year-round swells and currents on all coastlines.

This makes our ocean and beaches constantly volatile with the potential for extreme danger.

With that said, we strongly advise you only swim at Hawaiian beaches where there are lifeguards on duty. Hawaii’s lifeguards are highly trained and responsive, and if they post signs and or make an announcement…do yourself a favor and listen up!

The ocean does not discriminate — some of the most experienced swimmers, surfers, and divers run into trouble…or worse.

Stay in clean and sanitized accommodations to avoid critters

The good news: Hawaii has no snakes, crocodiles, large cats, bears, or poisonous animals.

The bad news: You may still have to deal with cockroaches, centipedes, and red “fire” ants.

I don’t know a single soul on Earth who loves making contact with cockroaches or centipedes or ants that bite.

To avoid contact with them, stay in places that are professionally cleaned and treated for pests — like a Sunny Maui Vacations property!

Also, don’t leave any food or food mess out on the counter — that’s just an invitation for trouble.

Look up when you’re under a coconut tree

It would be an ultra rare event, but imagine the damage a coconut falling on your head would do.

This is why you’ll often see workers in resorts, condo, parks, and public spaces shimmying up coconut trees and chopping down the fruits. As for everywhere else, however: keep your head up and eyes open, especially on windy days. Because gravity.

Be mindful of swimming in fresh water

Just the sound of “leptospirosis” sounds terrible, and that’s because it is. You can contract this bacterial disease from swimming in fresh water, like waterfall pools and streams.

Leptospirosis can cause fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms can worsen to kidney or liver failure or meningitis.

Although rare, you should always pay attention to posted signs, and while you’re at it — have a good look at the water and see what other people are doing.

Always always always wear sun protection

Back when I was more ignorant, I used to giggle at the Australian tourists who were covered completely head to toe in sunblock, sun hat, long-sleeve sun shirt, neck protection, etc.

After the recent removal of two pre-cancerous lesions from my body, I’m no longer laughing. Sun protection is a real thing, and the Aussies — who have no protective ozone Down Under — know exactly what they’re doing.

At the very least, wear sunblock outside. Also consider wearing clothing with built-in SPF, hats, and sunglasses. Your skin, your dermatologist, and your overall well-being will thank you.

Bonus sun tip: wear your slippers (flip-flops) to the beach — that sand can scorch!🔥

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Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo or rental home in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui.

Image credits: Simona Sergi, jimmysmith, Jakob Owens, Wisconsin Hemp Scientific, MD_JERRY

Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo or rental home in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui.