TL;DR: If you’re drowning in Hawaii research, can’t decide which island to visit, or have a rough itinerary but aren’t sure if it’s any good – a consultation will save you time, money, and a lot of stress. In 60 minutes, we’ll build a personalized plan that fits your family, your budget, and your travel style. Not sure if you need one? Keep reading.
I’m Marcie, and I’m what I call a professional tourist.
I’ve been to Hawaii 40+ times over 20 years, I’m a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert, I’ve danced hula for two decades, and I spend my days helping families plan Hawaii trips through my blog, podcast (Hawaii Travel Made Easy), and one-on-one consultations.
Here’s who books consultations with me: people who’ve done the research and now they’re MORE confused than when they started.
The “I’ve Read Everything and Now I’m Paralyzed” Problem
Someone tells you Maui is the only island worth visiting.
Your kid desperately wants to see Pearl Harbor (that’s Oahu).
A blog says you can’t skip the volcano (Big Island).
Now you’ve got 47 browser tabs open. You’re comparing hotel prices on Expedia and Booking.com in three different locations.
You’re looking at vacation rentals on VRBO trying to figure out if that’s even legal anymore. And every decision has a price tag that makes your stomach hurt.
You’re not being indecisive. You’re experiencing information overload.
Common situation:
Family of four, first Hawaii trip, can’t decide between one island or two, friend says stay here but the hotel reviews say there, kid wants adventure but grandma coming along wants to relax, budget is $8,000 but prices seem insane.
Sound familiar?
Who books consultations: Families who’ve spent hours researching Hawaii but can’t decide which island to visit, where to stay, or if their rough itinerary actually makes sense. In 60 minutes, we go day-by-day through your trip and build a personalized plan that fits your travel style and budget.
What Actually Happens in a Consultation
No fluff. Here’s the process:
Before the call:
You either fill out the booking form with the broad strokes of your trip OR email me what you’ve got so far (rough itinerary, hotel ideas, whatever).
During the 60-minute call:
- I ask what your perfect trip looks like (not what blogs say, what YOU actually want)
- We talk about your travel style, must-dos, deal-breakers
- If you haven’t figured out where to stay, we start there – I’ll give you a few options that fit your budget and travel style
- Then we go day by day from arrival to departure
- We fill in what makes sense for each day
- We figure out which activities to book in advance vs. what to leave flexible
- You ask every random question that pops into your head
After the call:
I send you a detailed wrap-up report with everything we discussed and links to book.
I’m not a travel agent (so there’s no sales pressure), but I partner with one if you’d prefer help actually booking your flights, hotels, and activities.
When relevant, I’ll include:
- Hotel links on Expedia or Booking.com
- Activity booking links on Viator, Get Your Guide, or Hawaii Tours
- Car rental options through Discount Hawaii Car Rental
- Photography recommendations (like Flytographer where you save $20 using my link)
- Any gear or supplies you might need from Amazon
What people tell me:
“I feel so much better about this whole trip.”
Real Example: The Three-Hotel Mistake
I had a client who wanted to move hotels three times in one week.
On one island.
Here’s what that would’ve looked like:
- Check out of Hotel A
- Pack everything
- Load the car
- Drive to Hotel B
- Check in
- Unpack
- Repeat two days later
- Repeat again three days after that
Instead, we picked one hotel and grouped all her activities by region.
She saved vacation time, saved money (no additional hotel taxes and fees with each move), and actually got to relax instead of playing “pack the suitcase” every other day.
This is the kind of thing you don’t realize is a problem until someone who knows Hawaii points it out.
You probably need a consultation if:
⃞ You can’t decide which Hawaiian island to visit
⃞ You’re not sure if your rough itinerary makes sense
⃞ You’re overwhelmed by hotel options
⃞ You don’t know what to book in advance vs. what to leave flexible
⃞ You’re stressed about spending money on the wrong things
⃞ You’ve been planning for weeks and you’re more confused now than when you started
When You DON’T Need a Consultation
I’m going to be honest (it’s kind of my thing as a Hawaii travel expert):
You don’t need to pay me if you’ve been to Hawaii a few times and you’ve got a solid handle on where to stay and what to do.
If you genuinely enjoy doing ALL the research and you’re not stressed about decision-making, you’re good.
But if you’re reading this thinking “wait, this is exactly how I feel” – overwhelmed, stressed, spending hours researching but not getting anywhere – then yeah, a consultation will help.
Questions People Ask Me Most Often
“Is [insert island name] the best place for our family?”
Maybe! Depends on your family.
This is exactly what we figure out together.
I talk about how to choose between islands in several podcast episodes on Hawaii Travel Made Easy, and I’ve written detailed comparisons on the blog.
But the short answer: it depends on your travel style, your kids’ ages, what you want to DO, and how much time you have.
“Should we try to visit more than one island this trip?”
Sometimes yes, usually no.
If you’ve got 6 days, probably not.
If you’ve got 10-14 days and specific activities planned for each island, maybe.
We’ll look at your actual trip length and priorities. (I have a whole island hopping guide that breaks this down.)
“Do I really need a rental car?”
On most islands, yes. On Oahu, it depends.
This is one of those things that seems simple but gets complicated fast based on where you’re staying and what you want to do. I always recommend checking Discount Hawaii Car Rental for the best rates.
“How much should I budget for a Hawaii trip?”
This is the question that stresses people out most.
The honest answer: it varies wildly depending on where you stay, when you go, and what you do.
But in a consultation, I’ll give you realistic numbers based on YOUR specific plans. (I also have a free budget planner tool that helps you estimate costs before you book anything.)
What You’re Actually Getting
Blog posts have to be general.
Even my island-specific travel guides for Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island cover all the options because different families need different things.
A consultation is 100% about YOUR trip.
Your travel style. Your kids’ ages. Your must-dos. Your budget. Your “would be nice but not essential” list.
It’s like having a Hawaii-obsessed friend who actually knows what she’s talking about sit down and say: “Okay, HERE’S what makes sense for you specifically.”
From my consultation with Vanessa (planning a multi-generational trip, ages 7-70+):
“I’ve done lots of my own research and purchased a travel guide or two, yet the best resource in planning our family’s trip to Hawaii was hands-down the consultation I had with Marcie. I easily get overwhelmed by the number of options when it comes to traveling (or anything, really), but chatting with Marcie was like talking to a friend that knows a LOT about all things Hawaii.”
What Makes This Different
Blog posts, guides, and podcasts = general advice for everyone
Consultation = specific recommendations for YOUR family, YOUR budget, YOUR travel style, YOUR dates
You get individualized answers to questions like: Should we stay in Wailea or Kihei? Is this hotel worth the extra $200/night? Can we realistically do Road to Hana with a toddler? Should we book that snorkel tour or just go to the beach?
Current Hawaii Reality Check (2026 Edition)
Quick context on what’s happening in Hawaii right now that affects trip planning:
Vacation rentals:
Several islands have new restrictions on short-term rentals, so your options might be more limited than blog posts from 2023 suggest. Hotels and condos are your best bet in many areas.
Maui/Lahaina:
The 2023 Lahaina wildfires mean West Maui is still recovering. Some areas are open, some aren’t. This affects where you should stay and what you can do on Maui.
Prices:
Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax went up to 11% in 2026. Budget accordingly – this adds up fast on hotels and vacation rentals.
Rental cars:
Still recommended on most islands, but demand has stabilized compared to the 2021-2022 shortage. Book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental for the best rates.
This is the kind of current information that matters when you’re planning a 2026 trip but most online resources haven’t updated yet.
What People Actually Say
Johnny (honeymoon, starting from scratch 7+ months out):
“Marcie’s consultation completely put my mind at ease about planning my upcoming Hawaii honeymoon! As someone starting from scratch 7+ months out, I was feeling overwhelmed by all the options and logistics. In just one hour, she gave me clear budget expectations, helped me understand what activities and experiences to prioritize, and made the whole planning process feel manageable.”
Katie (self-described planner drowning in options):
“I am a planner and having so many options and ideas is so overwhelming! Marcie helped narrow down my plans and took so much stress out of my planning in ONE HOUR! I should have done this so much sooner!”
Michelle (complex multi-island trip with cruise + resort stay):
“Marcie used her extensive knowledge to help me plan my complex multi-island Hawaii trip that included both a cruise and resort stay. I came away from the consultation with the confidence of a solid trip plan (detailed but with room for spontaneity) and felt much less overwhelmed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you only work with families?
A: No. I do honeymoons, couples trips, solo travel, friend groups, multi-generational trips. If you’re going to Hawaii, I can help.
Q: What if I’ve already booked some stuff?
A: Perfect. We’ll work around what you’ve locked in and figure out the rest.
Q: I’m not sure which island I want yet.
A: That’s one of the main things we figure out together. Which Hawaiian island you should visit depends entirely on what you want from your trip.
Q: Do I need to have my flights booked first?
A: Nope. Sometimes it actually helps to figure out the island and itinerary BEFORE you book flights so you know which airport makes the most sense.
Q: Is Hawaii worth it with kids?
A: Absolutely. But the island, hotel, and activities that work for a family with toddlers are different from what works for a family with teenagers. That’s what we figure out together.
Q: How far in advance should I book a consultation?
A: Anywhere from 2 months to a year out works. The earlier you book, the more time you have to secure accommodations and activities at good prices.
Q: Will you book everything for me?
A: I’m not a travel agent, so I don’t book things on your behalf. But I send you a detailed wrap-up with direct links to book everything. If you WANT someone to handle the booking, I partner with a travel agent who can do that.
Q: What if I need to change my plans after the consultation?
A: You can always email me follow-up questions. Most people find they don’t need to because we cover everything in the hour, but I’m here if something changes.
WHO THIS IS PERFECT FOR:
- First-time Hawaii visitors who are overwhelmed by options
- Families who can’t decide which island to visit
- Anyone with a rough itinerary who wants an expert to review it
- People planning complex trips (multi-island, multi-generational, special occasions)
- Travelers who’ve been researching for weeks and are more confused now than when they started
- Anyone who wants to make sure they’re not wasting money on the wrong hotel, activities, or island
Free Resources If You’re Not Ready Yet
If you want to try the DIY route first, I’ve got you:
Free email courses:
- How to Travel to Hawaii Like a Pro (5-day course)
- How to Save Money in Hawaii (5-day course)
- How to Plan a Trip to Oahu (7-day course)
- How to Plan a Trip to Maui (7-day course)
- How to Plan a Trip to Kauai (7-day course)
- How to Plan a Trip to Big Island (7-day course)
- How to Plan a Trip to Disney Aulani (7-day course)
Podcast:
Hawaii Travel Made Easy has hundreds of episodes covering everything from which beach to visit to how to pack light.
Travel guides:
I’ve got detailed guides ($27-35) for Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Big Island, and island hopping.
Travel journals:
Capture your trip memories with my Hawaii Travel Journal or the Hawaii Travel Journal for Kids.
Budget planner:
Use my free budget planner tool to estimate costs before you book anything.
Try those first.
If you get to a point where you think “I just need someone to tell me if this plan makes sense” or “I need help figuring out which island to pick” – that’s when a consultation helps.
Ready to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed?
You’ll tell me about your trip, we’ll spend an hour figuring it all out, and you’ll walk away with a clear plan and a lot less anxiety.
That’s it.
No pressure. No sales pitch.
Just someone who knows Hawaii (as a professional tourist and Hawaii travel expert who’s been there 40+ times) helping you figure out what actually makes sense for your family.
A note from Katie (who came prepared with questions):
“Come prepared with your itinerary and questions. I of course came up with some during the session, but make the most of your time! It is precious and wonderful!”
She’s right.
The more you bring to the call (even if it’s a messy Google doc or a list of random questions), the more specific I can be with my recommendations.
BEFORE YOUR CONSULTATION: Bring:
- Your rough itinerary (even if it’s messy)
- Your must-do activities list
- Your budget range
- Questions that have been keeping you up at night
- Hotel options you’ve been considering
Don’t worry about:
- Having everything figured out (that’s what I’m here for)
- Sounding like you know what you’re talking about
- Having the “right” questions (there are no wrong questions)
Want to remember your trip forever?
Consider booking a Flytographer session (save $20 with my link) to get professional photos of your family in Hawaii. Way better than selfies on the beach.
Need activity ideas?
Browse Viator, Get Your Guide, or Hawaii Tours to see what’s available. (We’ll talk through which ones are actually worth booking in your consultation.)
Looking for hotels?
Check Expedia, Booking.com, or VRBO to see your options. (I’ll help you narrow down which location and property type makes sense for your family.)
Book your consultation now and stop second-guessing every Hawaii planning decision.