I'm planning 8 days in Hawaii in May of 17, thinking 5 days on Oahu and 3 on the big island. I can do the tripadvisor top sights things, anybody got some don't miss stuff?
Like I recommended in the past, get the blue book guides, these are updated guides done by ppl there, and they give you all the cool local (non tourist) stuff, along w/ tourist things.
Amazon.com: blue book hawaii
some advice.
DO NOT rent a convertible, that is a def tourist sign and locals will rob your car
DO NOT lock your car, take all your valuables w/ you when you're on the beach, locals will pop open your trunk to see if you got anything, if not, then they will move on to another car. This is the better alternative than having some scumbag local break your rental window, looking to score some stuff
DO NOT flaunt the blue book around, locals HATE the blue book, b/c it shows all the cool stuff, they might retaliate.
the blue book also has an app you can buy, it was nice to use cuz it'll just get directions from gmaps and you can travel fast.
You taking family or something? going to a lot of beaches? i got this popup tent
Amazon.com : Genji Sports Pop Up Family Beach Tent And Beach Sunshelter : Family Beach Cabana Tent : Sports Outdoors
it weighs 5lbs and is super UPF protective, It fit in a large suitcase nicely. It gets low ratings b/c ppl who buy it CANNOT fold it back, just watch the video and you'll be good. The other option is to get an umbrella, but unless you get a nice one, it'll just break from the winds, i've seen all those cheap umbrellas break like twigs, fall over, etc.
are you doing a BnB or hotel? usually if you find a BnB, they'll have a few "beach things" for you, the previous one i went to had a nice umbrella set and chairs (tommy bahamma) and coolers and shit, also boogey boards/snorkels, check that out b4 you decide to rent or buy.