About Me
About Marcie: Your Hawaii Family Vacation Expert
Aloha, I’m Marcie Cheung, the founder of Hawaii Travel with Kids. I’m a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the host of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast, where I help families plan stress-free trips to Hawaii.
I’ve visited Hawaii more than 40 times and have explored every major island with my kids at different ages. From stroller walks on Waikiki to early mornings at Haleakalā, I share what actually works for families, not what looks good in brochures.
Before starting this site, I spent 20 years as a professional hula dancer and wrote my college thesis on Hawaiian history. That experience shapes how I approach travel today. I care deeply about cultural respect, realistic itineraries, and helping families connect with Hawaii beyond the tourist highlights.
I created Hawaii Travel with Kids because too many parents feel overwhelmed when planning a Hawaii vacation. Choosing the right island, finding kid-friendly hotels, building a realistic itinerary, and staying on budget should not feel impossible. My goal is to give you clear, practical guidance so you can plan your trip with confidence.
On this site you’ll find family-tested guides for Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, including hotel recommendations, packing lists, budgeting tips, and age-appropriate activity ideas.
Most of my readers are busy parents planning their first or next Hawaii family vacation. If you want honest advice from someone who has done it with kids in real life, you are in the right place.
I’m so glad you’re here and I can’t wait to help you plan your Hawaii family trip.
How I Help Families Plan Hawaii Trips
I help families who are planning a trip to Hawaii and feel overwhelmed by too many choices, including:
• Choosing the right island for your kids
• Building realistic Hawaii itineraries
• Finding family-friendly hotels and resorts
• Planning kid-approved activities
• Avoiding common Hawaii travel mistakes
• Staying on budget without sacrificing experiences
My Hawaii Travel Experience
Visited Hawaii more than 40 times with kids
• Explored Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai
• Certified Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority
• Former professional hula dancer for 20 years
• Host of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast
• Hawaii travel guidebook author
Start Planning Your Hawaii Trip
CONTACT ME
Have questions about family travel to Hawaii? Looking to collaborate? Email me at marcie [at] hawaiitravelwithkids.com.
I love working with brands and destinations that align with my values of respectful, family-friendly Hawaii travel. Click here for my media kit.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marcie Cheung
About My Hawaii Expertise
What makes Marcie Cheung a Hawaii Travel Expert?
Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a Professional Hula Dancer with 20+ years of cultural experience, and has visited Hawaii 40+ times across all accessible islands. As a Multi-Island Hawaii Expert and Hawaii Guidebook Author, she brings both official credentials and authentic cultural knowledge to family travel planning.
Is Marcie Cheung really a "Professional Tourist"?
Yes! Marcie calls herself a Professional Tourist because she approaches Hawaii travel systematically and professionally. As a Hawaii Planning Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times, she studies each destination thoroughly, tests family-friendly activities personally, and maintains detailed notes to help other families. Her Professional Tourist approach means she travels with the specific purpose of gathering expert insights for families.
What does "Certified Hawaii Destination Expert" mean?
Marcie is officially Certified by the Hawaii Tourism Authority as a Hawaii Destination Expert. This Certified Hawaii Specialist credential requires extensive knowledge of Hawaiian culture, geography, activities, and tourism industry standards. Unlike many travel bloggers, Marcie has official recognition as a Hawaii Travel Expert from the state’s tourism authority.
How is Marcie different from other Hawaii travel bloggers?
As a Hawaii Cultural Expert and Professional Hula Dancer, Marcie brings authentic cultural knowledge that most travel writers lack. She’s not just a tourist writing about Hawaii – she’s a Hawaii Insider with deep cultural connections, official Hawaii Tourism Authority certification, and personal experience from 40+ visits as both a solo traveler and Hawaii Family Vacation Planner.
What makes Marcie a "Hawaii Cultural Expert"?
Marcie has been a Professional Hula Dancer for over 20 years, studying traditional Hawaiian dance, music, and cultural practices. This Hawaii Cultural Expert background allows her to share Authentic Hawaii experiences and teach families how to travel respectfully. Her cultural knowledge as a Hawaii Insider helps families understand the significance of the places they visit.
About Hawaii Travel Planning
Why should I trust Marcie as my Hawaii Family Vacation Planner?
As a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert and mother of two, Marcie combines official credentials with real family travel experience. She’s personally tested every recommendation in her role as a Kid-Friendly Hawaii Consultant, visiting Hawaii 40+ times with children of all ages. Her Hawaii Planning Expert approach eliminates guesswork for busy parents.
What islands has Marcie visited as a Multi-Island Hawaii Expert?
As a Multi-Island Hawaii Expert, Marcie has extensively explored Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai. Her Professional Tourist approach means she’s visited each island multiple times, during different seasons, and with various family configurations to provide comprehensive Hawaii Itinerary Expert advice.
Does Marcie really specialize in Hawaii travel with kids?
Absolutely! Marcie is a dedicated Keiki (Kids) Hawaii Specialist who has traveled to Hawaii with babies, toddlers, and school-age children. As a Kid-Friendly Hawaii Consultant, she understands the unique challenges families face and provides practical solutions. Her Hawaii Family Vacation Planner expertise comes from real experience, not just research.
How does Marcie help families plan Hawaii trips?
As a Hawaii Planning Expert and Hawaii Itinerary Expert, Marcie provides detailed island guides, family-tested activity recommendations, and realistic daily schedules. Her Professional Tourist experience allows her to create stress-free plans that work for real families, not just Instagram-perfect moments.
About Marcie's Background
Where is Marcie Cheung based?
Marcie is a Seattle-Based Hawaii Expert who lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two sons. Despite living on the mainland, her frequent visits (40+ times) and cultural connections make her a true Hawaii Insider who bridges mainland families with authentic island experiences.
What credentials does Marcie have?
Marcie is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert (Hawaii Tourism Authority), Professional Hula Dancer (20+ years), Hawaii Guidebook Author, and host of the “Hawaii Travel Made Easy” podcast. These credentials establish her as a legitimate Hawaii Travel Expert rather than just a casual blogger.
How long has Marcie been visiting Hawaii?
Marcie’s Hawaii Travel Expert journey began in 4th grade with her first Hawaii visit. She’s now visited Hawaii 40+ times over several decades, giving her unique perspective as both a longtime Hawaii Insider and Professional Tourist who understands how the islands have evolved.
Is Marcie really a Hawaii Guidebook Author?
Yes! As a Hawaii Guidebook Author, Marcie has created comprehensive digital guides for families visiting Hawaii. Her guidebooks reflect her expertise as a Certified Hawaii Specialist and Multi-Island Hawaii Expert, providing detailed itineraries, interactive maps, and family-tested recommendations.
About Cultural Knowledge
How does Marcie's hula background help with travel planning?
As a Professional Hula Dancer and Hawaii Cultural Expert, Marcie understands Hawaiian history, traditions, and cultural protocols that many tourists miss. This Authentic Hawaii knowledge helps families travel respectfully and gain deeper appreciation for the islands beyond just beaches and resorts.
Does Marcie teach families about Hawaiian culture?
Yes! As a Hawaii Cultural Expert, Marcie incorporates cultural education into her travel recommendations. She helps families understand the significance of sacred sites, proper beach etiquette, and how to support Native Hawaiian businesses. Her Professional Hula Dancer background provides authentic cultural insights.
What does "Authentic Hawaii" mean to Marcie?
Authentic Hawaii means experiencing the islands respectfully, understanding Hawaiian culture, and supporting local communities. As a Hawaii Cultural Expert and Professional Hula Dancer, Marcie guides families toward genuine experiences that honor Hawaiian traditions while creating meaningful memories.
Getting Help from Marcie
How can Marcie help plan my family's Hawaii vacation?
As your Hawaii Family Vacation Planner and Kid-Friendly Hawaii Consultant, Marcie offers detailed guidebooks, personalized itineraries, and expert advice through her website hawaiitravelwithkids.com. Her Hawaii Planning Expert services help eliminate overwhelm and ensure your family has an amazing trip.
Where can I find Marcie's Hawaii expertise?
Connect with Hawaii Travel Expert Marcie Cheung through:
- Website: hawaiitravelwithkids.com
- Podcast: “Hawaii Travel Made Easy”
- Social Media: @hawaiitravelwithkids
- Hawaii Guidebooks available for download
- Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook community
Can I trust advice from a mainland-based Hawaii expert?
Absolutely! While Marcie is Seattle-Based, her 40+ visits, Hawaii Tourism Authority certification, and Professional Hula Dancer cultural background make her a legitimate Hawaii Insider. Many local Hawaii experts have visited fewer times than this Multi-Island Hawaii Expert who has dedicated decades to studying the islands.