5 Things to Know Before Visiting Oahu, Hawaii

A traveler recently returned from a nine-day trip to Oahu, Hawaii, staying at Disney's Aulani Resort in Ko Olina. Despite researching beforehand, they identified five key things they wish they had known before departing.

First, traffic is manageable if travelers depart after 9 a.m. and return before 3 p.m. or after 6 p.m. Second, Leonard's Bakery has multiple locations and food trucks, saving time compared to the main Honolulu store. Third, Hawaii bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect reefs, requiring mineral-based alternatives.

Fourth, weather varies drastically across the island; it can be sunny in Ko Olina while cloudy near Kualoa Ranch. Finally, learning basic Hawaiian phrases like 'aloha' and 'mahalo' is appreciated by locals. These insights aim to help future visitors navigate the island more efficiently and respectfully.

Before leaving for Oahu, the traveler heard from friends and read on social media that getting around could be difficult. Fears of sitting in traffic for the entire week set in before stepping off the plane.

However, the reality was different. Over six days on the island, the traveler and their family never got stuck in gridlocked traffic. A hotel worker provided a specific tip: regardless of which part of the island you are on, the secret to avoiding traffic is to head out after 9 a.m. and try to return either before 3 p.m. or after 6 p.m.

The family followed this rule every day. They traveled from Ko Olina to Pearl Harbor and from Ko Olina to the North Shore without significant traffic delays. Additionally, they found drivers in Hawaii to be much more courteous than expected, noting that no one weaved in and out of cars.

One of the most talked-about spots on Oahu is Leonard's Bakery, famous for its Portuguese-style doughnuts called malasadas. The main store is located near Honolulu, which was approximately a 40-minute drive from the traveler's resort in Ko Olina.

The traveler had budgeted several hours for the drive to try the treats. Upon arriving on the island, however, they noticed a Leonard's Bakery food truck—affectionately named Malasadamobiles—only about 10 minutes from the resort.

The truck served hot malasadas to order, though it did not offer the main bakery's extended menu. The traveler viewed this as a worthy trade-off to save significant driving time.

Packing for Hawaii requires careful planning, particularly regarding sunscreen. Because Hawaii is close to the equator, UV rays are stronger on the islands.

The traveler wished they had known more about the islands' rules regarding reef-safe sunscreen before packing. Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can harm local reefs. Some counties allow only mineral-based sunscreens.

The traveler used Sun Bum sunscreen during their stay and noted they would continue using it in Florida to help protect coral reefs.

Travelers should be prepared for drastically different weather depending on which side of the island they are visiting. For example, when the family left Ko Olina on the western side to drive to the North Shore, it was sunny and warm.

About an hour into the drive, near Kualoa Ranch (a filming location for "Jurassic Park"), the weather suddenly became cooler and cloudy. Once they arrived at the North Shore, the sun returned.

Finally, learning a few key Hawaiian phrases goes a long way with locals. Beyond basic words like "aloha" (hello) and "mahalo" (thank you), the traveler learned the phrase "a hui hou," which means "until we meet again." This was particularly useful when saying goodbye to people they had connected with during their stay.