Hawaii Visitor Guides

Visitor Guide F.A.Q.

  Why choose this guide over free online information?

While free information is abundant online, it’s often scattered, outdated, or influenced by sponsorships. Our Visitor Guides provide clear, accurate, unbiased recommendations curated by independent Hawaii travel experts. We’ve distilled over 20 years of local knowledge, genuine traveler feedback, and continuous on-the-ground updates into one convenient resource—saving you countless hours of research and ensuring you get the most out of your trip to Hawaii.

  Who created these guides, and why should I trust them?

These guides were created by John & Victoria Derrick, the independent owners of HawaiiGuide.com—the second most visited Hawaii travel website behind only GoHawaii.com. With over two decades dedicated to exploring, photographing, and writing about the Hawaiian Islands, they’ve personally experienced Hawaii’s best (and worst), carefully documenting it all. Unlike corporate-owned sites, they maintain complete independence, meaning recommendations are always unbiased, honest, and crafted from genuine expertise.

  Is this guide regularly updated?

Absolutely! Our Visitor Guides are reviewed and updated by our team at least twice a year—often more frequently for digital editions. We’re committed to ensuring our visitors always have the latest information, whether it’s new attractions, updated maps, safety tips, or current local insights. With this guide, you’re never stuck with outdated or incorrect information, ensuring your Hawaii vacation is seamless from start to finish.

  Is this guide unbiased and ad-free?

Yes! Our Visitor Guides are completely ad-free and independent. Unlike other websites or guides funded by advertisers, our recommendations are driven solely by what’s best for travelers—not sponsors. Creators John and Victoria Derrick have personally explored and evaluated the Hawaiian Islands for over two decades, ensuring honest, unbiased insights you can trust.

  How does this guide compare to the official Hawaii visitor guide?

Unlike the official visitor guide, which is now available only digitally and filled with numerous advertisements—often occupying half or even full pages—our Visitor Guides are entirely ad-free. Official guides typically have frequent commercial interruptions, making it harder to quickly find useful, trustworthy information. Our independently created guides prioritize clear, unbiased advice without distractions. Because we're not funded by advertisers, you can rely on our honest and straightforward recommendations, ensuring your trip planning remains stress-free and focused.

  What makes your recommendations independent and unbiased?

We’re committed to maintaining our independence because it's essential to providing genuine, trustworthy advice. Many other guides rely heavily on advertising revenue, which inevitably influences their content. We refuse ads entirely, ensuring our recommendations come solely from direct experience, traveler feedback, and expert insights. When we suggest a location, activity, or accommodation, it's because we've personally verified its value—not because someone paid us to promote it.

  How can this guide save me time?

Free online resources and AI (especially AI) often require extensive searching, fact-checking, and cross-referencing. Our Visitor Guides eliminate this hassle. We've done all the legwork, organizing 20+ years of Hawaii travel experience into an easy-to-follow format. With accurate, carefully curated, and regularly updated information at your fingertips, you can confidently plan your trip faster, without second-guessing or endless scrolling through conflicting online advice. Save yourself 10 hours of searching with our expert advice.

  What type of information will I find in this guide that I might not easily discover elsewhere?

Beyond standard tourist spots, our guides offer insightful local tips, lesser-known gems, detailed safety recommendations, updated maps, and practical advice tailored to genuine traveler experiences. We highlight valuable insights that other sources might overlook, ensuring your Hawaii vacation is uniquely enriching and hassle-free.