Camping in Hawaii: is it right for you?

If you like camping, you may want to consider camping in Hawaii. In addition to saving you thousands of dollars on accommodations, sleeping and waking up to the sound of the ocean or the forest is a wonderful way to relax to the rhythm of the island.

Now, I really like nature and saving money (without sacrificing too much fun or comfort), which is why camping vacations on the mainland and Hawaii have always been something I have enjoyed over the years. But not everyone is camping to save money.

Plain and simple, Americans love pitching tents, sitting around the campfire, and enjoying the outdoors. The fact is, camping is America’s number one outdoor vacation activity. About 33 percent of American adults have reported that they went on a camping vacation in the past decade, and about 27 percent report wanting to camp again.

However, relatively few realize they can camp in Hawaii. While the state of Hawaii does not have statistics on visitors and campsites, based on where most visitors stay, I estimate that less than 1 percent of mainland camp visitors here.

The locals camp out all the time, they know how much fun it is! I have been on weekend camping trips with my kids growing up here since 1988 and have enjoyed camping vacations in Hawaii from the mainland ever since. Those who don’t live here don’t hear much about camps in Hawaii because the state doesn’t promote them.

Have you ever seen a campground in a Hawaii travel brochure or on the state tourism site? Let’s face it, the backbone of Hawaii’s economy is tourism, and hotels, even those that aren’t locally owned, make a lot of money for Hawaii. However, you don’t have to spend money on a hotel to benefit Hawaii. Be a good eco-tourist, shop locally, spend money on local activities. Have more fun and have a richer cultural experience!

Camping in Hawaii is not for everyone. If your heart is set on the luxurious and pampered amenities of a resort, you may not want to book a camping vacation in Hawaii. However, if you like camping too, maybe you will give it a try here for a night or two. A couple I interviewed on Oahu, Mike and Ghislaine Burbridge, seniors from Nova Scotia, were camping near me at the Friends of Malaekahana campground. Both world travelers had spent the first two weeks of their vacation in a five-star resort and luxury B&B. Still, I was told that their 2-week camping experience in Hawaii was the “highlight” of their month-long Hawaii vacation.

Many of Hawaii’s campgrounds are located on the beaches, as well as in the cold highland forests. Like anywhere else, you won’t want to camp in just any campground in Hawaii. Some are party places, others are not easily accessible. But there are many beautiful, family-friendly places to camp here on the islands. Some more that come to mind are the YMCA campground overlooking the Hana coastline of Maui, Spencer’s on the sunny Kohala coast of the Big Island, Camp Sloggett in the Kauai highlands, and the county campground in Anini. Beach, both on Kauai.

Bottom line … camping in Hawaii isn’t for everyone, but if you like camping, it’s definitely worth a try!