Here’s what usually happens:
You start researching Hawaii. You open 47 browser tabs. One blog says Maui is best for families. Another swears by Kauai. Someone on Reddit says you’re crazy to skip the Big Island. Your friend loved their resort, but it has 2-star reviews on TripAdvisor.
Three weeks later, you’ve read everything and know nothing.
You’re about to spend $8,000 (or $12,000, or $15,000) on this trip. It’s your honeymoon. Or your first big family vacation in five years. Or your parents’ 50th anniversary. You cannot screw this up.
That’s when people call me.
I’m Marcie. I’ve been to Hawaii 40+ times. I’m a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert and I’ve been dancing hula for over 20 years.
I’m also a mom who has dragged two kids through airports, dealt with meltdowns at luaus, and learned which beaches are actually safe for toddlers (not the ones Instagram says are).
In one conversation, I’ll tell you exactly what to do for YOUR family. Not what works for everyone. What works for you.
As featured in USA Today Press.
Why Travelers Book Consultations with Me
✔ 40+ trips to Hawaii
✔ Certified Hawaii Destination Expert
✔ Host of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast
✔ Thousands of families helped through my guides and resources
Hawaii Travel Planning Consultations
Planning a trip to Hawaii can get overwhelming fast. Which island should you choose? Do you need a rental car? How far in advance should you book luaus or tours?
After visiting Hawaii more than 40 times, I’ve helped hundreds of travelers plan trips that actually work for their family, schedule, and budget.
If you want personalized guidance from someone who knows Hawaii inside and out, a consultation can save you hours of research (and help you avoid expensive mistakes).
I offer two consultation options depending on how much help you need.
What Actually Happens on These Calls
60-Minute Call ($149)
Best for travelers who already have some plans but want expert guidance.
During this one-hour call we can cover things like:
- Choosing the right Hawaii island
- Reviewing your itinerary
- Hotel or resort recommendations
- Transportation tips (rental cars, driving times, etc.)
- Must-do activities and tours
- Dining recommendations
- Budget planning
After the call you’ll receive:
- A follow-up email summary
- Helpful resource links
- Key itinerary notes from our conversation
- Free booking service through my travel agent partner – normally $100-300, included for you
This last one is huge. I plan it, she books it, you pay nothing extra. Most travel consultants charge a separate booking fee. Mine’s included.
This option is great if you need clarity, reassurance, or expert feedback on your plans.
90-Minute Hawaii Travel Consultation ($199) Most Popular
Best for travelers who want deeper trip planning help, especially for more complex itineraries.
This extended session gives us time to go further into the details of your trip, including:
- Multi-island trip planning
- Building or refining a detailed itinerary
- Resort and neighborhood comparisons
- Activity and tour planning
- Transportation strategy between islands
- Budget optimization
- Insider tips from my 40+ trips to Hawaii
After the call you’ll receive:
- A follow-up email summary
- Helpful resource links
- Detailed itinerary notes from our conversation
- Free booking service through my travel agent partner – normally $100-300, included for you
Many travelers choose this option when they want more strategic planning support and a clearer plan for their entire trip.
Availability
Because I balance consultations with writing, podcasting, and travel, I only open a few consultation appointments each week.
If you see a time that works for you, I recommend booking it before it fills.
Real Stories From Real People Who Were Also Overwhelmed
Johnny was planning his honeymoon: “I was starting from scratch 7+ months out and feeling overwhelmed by all the options. In just one hour, Marcie gave me clear budget expectations and made the whole planning process feel manageable. She turned what felt like an intimidating task into an exciting ‘choose your own adventure’ for our April honeymoon!”
Vanessa had done tons of research and was still confused: “I easily get overwhelmed by the number of options. But chatting with Marcie was like talking to a friend that knows a LOT about all things Hawaii. She helped me narrow down which islands would be best for our group (ranging from 7-70+). Money well spent if you’re not sure where to start or just need someone to steer you in the right direction.”
Michelle had a complicated multi-island trip: “Marcie took the time to understand my individual family’s needs. I came away with the confidence of a solid trip plan and felt much less overwhelmed.”
Notice a theme? Everyone felt overwhelmed. Then they didn’t.
Work With a Hawaii Travel Expert
I’m Marcie Cheung, the creator of Hawaii Travel with Kids and host of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast. I’ve visited Hawaii more than 40 times and help travelers plan smarter trips through my guides, podcast, and personalized consultations.
When You Should Actually Call Me
Call me if:
- You’ve been researching for weeks and you’re more confused now than when you started
- This is a big deal trip (honeymoon, milestone anniversary, first big family vacation in years)
- You’re spending serious money and terrified of picking the wrong island/hotel/activities
- You have a complicated family situation: kids with special needs, picky eaters, grandparents with mobility issues, teenagers who hate everything, wide age ranges
- You keep finding conflicting advice and don’t know who to trust
- You literally just don’t have time to figure this out
Don’t call me if:
- You actually enjoy spending hours researching (some people do!)
- You’re comfortable winging it and adjusting as you go
- You have one quick question Google can answer
- You’re going back to Hawaii for the 4th time and know exactly what you want
I’m not for everyone. But if you’re overwhelmed? That’s my specialty.
What I Know That You Can’t Google
I’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to.
Like the time I booked a “family-friendly” resort that was actually a party hotel. Or when I planned way too much for one day and everyone melted down by 2pm. Or the beach that looked gorgeous in photos but had a deadly current.
I know which advice is outdated. That blog post from 2019? Half of those restaurants are closed. That hotel everyone loved? It’s under renovation. I was just there in February updating everything.
I understand the cultural stuff. As a hula dancer for 20+ years, I can help you experience Hawaii respectfully. Not as a tourist consuming culture, but as someone genuinely appreciating it. This matters.
I get family travel. I have two kids. I know about nap schedules and meltdowns and picky eaters and sibling fights in the rental car. My advice is realistic for actual families, not Instagram families.
What We Can Actually Cover
Island selection, hotel recommendations, daily itinerary planning, activity suggestions, restaurant picks, transportation logistics, cultural education, budget planning, multi-island trips, special occasions like honeymoons or anniversaries, special needs accommodations, what to pack, when to go, how to avoid crowds, where to see turtles, which luaus are worth it, whether that helicopter tour is too scary for your 8-year-old, if that snorkeling spot is safe for beginners…
Honestly? Any Hawaii question that’s keeping you up at night.
How It Works
1. Pick a time
Choose 60 or 90 minutes on my calendar. If nothing works, email me.
2. Fill out a quick form
Tell me about your family, your budget, what you’re worried about. The more honest you are, the better I can help.
3. We hop on Zoom
You ask questions. I answer them. We figure out your plan. It’s casual – like talking to your friend who happens to be a Hawaii expert.
4. I send you everything
Detailed notes on what we discussed, links to hotels and activities, resources to help you book. For 60-minute and 90-minute calls, you also get connected with my travel agent partner who books everything for you.
Questions People Always Ask
“Is this actually worth it?”
My last client was about to book a hotel in Waikiki that would have been a nightmare for her two young kids. One conversation saved her $3,000 and a week of stress. You tell me.
“What makes you different from other Hawaii consultants?”
Three things: I’ve been there 40+ times (not just once for a blog post). I’m a professional hula dancer with real cultural knowledge. And I’m a mom who gets the reality of family travel, not the Instagram version.
“What if I’m torn between islands?”
Perfect. That’s my favorite question to answer. Once I know your family’s ages, interests, and priorities, the right island becomes obvious.
“Can you help with complicated family situations?”
Yes. Multi-generational trips, special needs kids, dietary restrictions, mobility issues – I’ve planned for all of it. Tell me your situation and I’ll tell you how to make it work.
“Do you book everything for me?”
Depends. My travel agent partner can book everything with zero planning fee (normally $100-300 but included for you).
“What if I need to reschedule?”
Just email me 24 hours ahead and we’ll find a new time.
“Can I send you my current plan first?”
Yes! After you book, I’ll tell you how to send it over so I can review before our call.
About Me
I’m Marcie. I run Hawaii Travel with Kids, a blog that gets 100,000+ people every month. I host the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast with 30,000+ downloads. I send a weekly newsletter to 11,000 people.
But more importantly: I’m a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has been to Hawaii 40+ times over many years. I’ve visited every major island multiple times. I’ve stayed at dozens of hotels. I’ve eaten at hundreds of restaurants. I’ve done the tourist stuff and the local stuff and everything in between.
I’m also a professional hula dancer (20+ years) and a mom of two who lives in Seattle. I get it. The overwhelm, the budget pressure, the fear of wasting your vacation days on a trip that doesn’t work.
My actual job is making your Hawaii trip not suck. That’s it.
Ready to Stop Overthinking This?
Or email me: marcie@hawaiitravelwithkids.com
Consultation fees are non-refundable. All advice is based on current information and personal experience. Weather, closures, and life happen – I’ll give you the best plan possible but can’t control everything.