Get leid.

A lei is a garland made of Hawaiian flowers that have been strung together into a circle in order to be worn. After arriving in Hawaii, the first thing that many visitors experience is having a lei put around their neck. Leis are also distributed during times of celebration like birthdays and graduations and represent friendship, luck, and love.

Even if you don't really want to keep your lei on after it's put around your neck, don't remove it until you're in the privacy of your room or retreat. Removing a lei before then is considered very rude considering they're made and presented to visitors as a symbol of welcoming and friendship.

Respect local culture, starting with hula.

Hula is a beautiful dance form that is an important part of Hawaiian tradition. Although hula has been used for a long ime as a way to entertain guests and is even the subject of dance competitions, hula is definitely more than just entertainment for visitors.

There are many places in Hawaii where you can watch trained dancers perform hula, but make sure that you're respectful of the art. Hula takes a lot of training and dedication and is a sacred act that connects the dancers to their culture. Don't mock the dance or try to join in without being invited as each movement tells a story.

They’re called “slippers”, not sandals.

Whether you've been invited to someone's home in Hawaii or you're just arriving at your Airbnb, there's one thing you need to remember: take your shoes off. Taking your shoes off before entering a home is an important part of many cultures and Hawaii is no different.

This tradition is said to have been brought over to Hawaii from Japan. It shows the owner of the home respect because you're not bringing in dirt and germs and are keeping their home clean while you visit. Some homes may have slippers that you can wear while in their home while others prefer you stay barefoot.

Adopt the local lingo.

If you're trying to talk about someone that lives in Hawaii and you're not sure if they're a Native Hawaiian or not, just use the word "local." Whoever you're speaking to will definitely know what you mean and you won't run the risk of accidentally misidentifying them.

If you want to talk about the rest of the US, don't just say "the states." Either name the specific states that you're talking about or call it "the mainland." Hawaii may have a unique culture and feel like its own place, but it's still part of the US and saying "the states" can sound like you think it's not. And if you're talking about any island that you're not currently on, call the other islands the "neighbor islands" or by their specific names.