John C. Derrick
John C. Derrick
Guide of Hawaii, LLC
Editor-in-Chief / Founder
- 20+ years in Hawaii travel & tourism
- Certified Hawaii Destination Expert
- Author of five Hawaii guidebooks
- Full-stack Web Application Developer
John pairs a deep love of the Hawaiian Islands with a background in web development, engineering, geography, and digital marketing. He is driven to help travelers experience the “real” Hawaii, from off-the-beaten-path gems to local cultural practices. When he’s not exploring or updating this site, John enjoys gardening, hiking, and caring for his parrots on his homestead.
Visiting Hawai‘i
John has visited the islands dozens of times over the last 20+ years and has spent several extended stays on both Kaua‘i and the Big Island, immersing himself in local culture and daily life in a way that shorter trips don’t allow. Collectively, he’s spent more time in Hawai‘i than anywhere else except where he was born and raised. My heart is always at home here in Hawai‘i.
Experience
For the last 20+ years, John has been an avid fan of Hawaii; his passion for all things Hawaii began after his first trip in 2002, at age 21. A seasoned traveler, having visited each of the previous 49 U.S. states by the age of 19, the islands of Hawaii made a significant impact on John after his first visit. John says he really did save the best for last, his Hawaii trip completing his goal to visit all 50 states before turning 25.
Today, over two decades later, he continues to enjoy studying many aspects of Hawai'i, ranging from the cultural and historical to the flora and fauna of the islands. Of course, this website is also a testament to his genuine & ongoing love of Hawaii.
Having traveled within the U.S. extensively from a young age, John truly believes, 'Hawaii no ka oi' or 'Hawaii is the best.'
John is interested in landscape photography, gardening, traveling, technology, web development, birds (parrots), and hiking.
Makau - Hawaiian Fishhook
Expertise
Before taking on HawaiiGuide full-time in 2014, John previously worked as a front-end web developer and VP of Operations for a local web firm, where he gained extensive experience with content marketing, SEO, web development & design, and business strategy.
• Hawaii Travel & Tourism – Creating detailed itineraries, travel guides, and authentic local experiences.
• Digital Publishing & SEO – Managing content strategy, search optimization, and audience engagement.
• Environmental & Cultural Insight – Drawing from his academic background to highlight Hawaii’s landscapes and traditions.
• Business Strategy & Web Development – Leveraging past leadership roles to drive site growth and improvements.
• Photography & Storytelling – Capturing the essence of Hawaii’s beauty and sharing it through vivid writing and imagery.
John continues to work on the editing, design, and further development of this site, in addition to managing our web development and financial teams.
Hawaii Destination Specialist & Expert
John C. Derrick is a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist & Expert with the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Hawaii Destination Expert & Specialist Badges
Education
John holds a degree in Environmental and Physical Geography from the University of South Carolina, which provides him with a scientific perspective on Hawaii’s diverse landscapes. His deep interest in the islands began long before Hawaii Guide's success—so much so that in college, he was colloquially known as ‘the Hawaii guy’ among his classmates.
Adding to his list of unique achievements, John earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 16, an honor achieved by only about 4–5% of Boy Scouts nationwide. This distinction highlights his early commitment to leadership, service, and adventure.
- Page last updated March 2025
John's Social Media
These days, John spends more time building and refining HawaiiGuide than posting on social media—so while you’re welcome to connect, you’ll mostly find him hard at work behind the scenes. He promises he’s not ignoring you—he’s probably just neck-deep in code, maps, or Maui beach research.
Press Mentions & Memberships
January 29, 2021
John was interviewed in a 2021 'Washington Post' article on Hawaii travel trends during the pandemic, offering insights drawn from over a decade of firsthand Hawaii travel experience.
2024-2025
As a technology and travel enthusiast who closely follows responsible AI developments, John supports independent tech journalism like 'The Information' to keep him informed about what's happening.
July 10, 2023
Julia McCoy interviewed John in a 2023 'Brandwell' case study for A.I. content generation tools. Ultimately, we decided to continue writing our organic content in-house, using AI as a writing assistant to maintain our high-quality standards.
2025-2026
We are members of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and are listed by the Hawaii Tourism Authority on the GoHawaii.com website, the official website for the state of Hawaii's tourism efforts.
Aloha from HawaiiGuide
Your Trusted Guides to Hawai'i
Hawaii-Guide.com / HawaiiGuide.com was developed by John & Tori Derrick, two certified Hawaii destination experts, to provide Hawaii visitors with everything they need to create the perfect Hawaii trip. This website is dedicated to being the one-stop resource for all things Hawaii.
Since 2002, our Hawaii website has virtually assisted tens of millions of visitors in the process of planning and booking the Hawaiian vacation of their dreams.
First Trip in 2002
Our 2011 Wedding on Kauai
Present Day
Into the cradle of Wai'ale'ale
John's Once-in-a-lifetime adventure...
In 2012, I had the rare opportunity to embark on a journey deep into the heart of Waiʻaleʻale Crater, a place so sacred and remote that few ever reach it. I had asked my guide for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and he delivered—taking me on an incredibly technical trek to touch the 5-million-year-old exposed rock at the back wall, where the Wailua Headwaters begin. Standing in that ancient, rain-soaked amphitheater—one of the wettest places on Earth—was the most profound experience of my life. While I can’t recommend others attempt it, the moment was a humbling reminder of Hawai'i’s raw power and beauty.
Wailua Headwaters in Wai'ale'ale
Technical Terrain Hiking in Wai'ale'ale
Touching the Back Wall of the 'Blue Hole'
Wai'ale'ale Springs
John, Loke, and Pabu
John's Favorite Hawaii Birds
Birding isn't just a hobby for John—it's practically in his DNA. What started generations ago with his great-grandfather has blossomed into a family passion that's still going strong. Over the years, John has enjoyed caring for all sorts of feathered friends, from backyard chickens and ducks to his beloved parrots.
My deep appreciation for birds naturally extends to Hawaii's incredible avian life. Among my absolute favorites are:
- Moa (Hawaiian Junglefowl): A spirited ancestor of domestic chickens, bringing a dash of wild beauty wherever they roam. Incredibly iconic to Kauai.
- ʻIʻiwi: A dazzling honeycreeper with vibrant scarlet plumage and a distinctive curved beak, perfectly adapted to Hawaii’s native flowers.
- Myna Bird: Clever, charismatic, and delightfully vocal, the myna's playful antics and calls are unmistakably Hawaiian.
- Zebra Dove: Their gentle, soothing calls instantly transport me to Hawaii, echoing memories of warm island mornings.
These birds aren't just wildlife to me—they represent the vibrant spirit and resilience of the Hawaiian islands themselves. The list goes on: the Nene (Hawaiian Goose), the Pueo (Hawaiian Owl), etc. John says, "I find birding in Hawaii most rewarding for the effort involved. Nothing beats the glimpse of a rare endemic Hawaii bird."
Moa
I'iwi
Myna
Zebra Dove
