Aerial view of Kalaupapa airport on Molokai coastline - perfect for international travelers arriving in Hawaii

International Travel to Hawaii

Complete Planning Blueprint for Your Perfect Paradise Vacation

Written by a Local Expert

A Personal Welcome to My Home

Aloha! I'm Kalani Miller. I've been incredibly fortunate to travel the world for my swimwear brand, MIKOH, which I co-founded with my sister Oleema. I've seen the shores of Fiji and the coasts of France, but my heart, my piko (center), is always here on the North Shore of Oahu. This is home.

I've also had the joy of hosting friends and family from all over the globe, from Australia to Europe. And I've learned that while Hawaii is the definition of paradise, the journey to get here can feel a little… complicated for international visitors. I'll never forget a close friend visiting from Paris, feeling overwhelmed by the ESTA application, convinced a tiny mistake would derail her entire dream vacation. That's when I realized that what visitors need is a friend on the ground, someone to walk them through every step, from the confusing paperwork to the unwritten rules of our islands.

That's why I wrote this article. I want to be that friend for you. This is more than just a list of things to do; it's a complete blueprint for your trip, designed to handle the logistics so you can focus on the magic. We'll cover everything, leaving no stone unturned.

But first, a quick lesson that will shape your entire experience. Here, we live by two core principles: aloha and mālama i ka ʻāina. Aloha is more than just hello or goodbye; it's a spirit of love, respect, and compassion that we extend to each other and to our guests.

Mālama i ka ʻāina means "to care for the land". It's a deep, guiding responsibility to protect this beautiful, fragile place we call home. If you come with these two values in your heart, you won't just have a good vacation—you'll have a meaningful one.

So, let's get you ready for your trip to paradise.

🛂