Checklist of what to wear and what to bring when to Hawaii. Useful items recommended by magazine editors are also introduced [Men's Edition]

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First up, for men. Our advisor this time is Ryota Hara, the web editor-in-chief of the fashion and lifestyle magazine "OCEANS." Hara often covers Hawaii for the magazine and also enjoys traveling to Hawaii with his family in his free time. We asked him about his recommended items.

Ryota Hara

After joining Zenkoku Shoseki Publishing, he worked in the editorial department of fashion magazines such as "Ryuko Tsushin" (INFAS Publications). He has been involved with "Oceans" since 2008, and became deputy editor-in-chief in 2016. Since 2019, he has been working on OCEANS Web
He serves as editor-in-chief of the magazine.

1. The appeal of Hawaii from a magazine editor's perspective

"We often feature Hawaii in our magazine, and it's a real treasure trove of stories. The food and shopping are great, but Hawaii also has a myriad of activities to offer. Not only can you enjoy the ocean or the mountains, but there are also plenty of facilities and events at zoos and aquariums. Plus, you can enjoy the extraordinary feeling of being 'overseas,' so we're never at a loss for ideas for stories." (Hara, same below)

As the magazine is dedicated to proposing lifestyles for active men in their 30s and 40s, it also focuses on activities. When you think of "OCEANS," you might imagine surfing or golf, but the activities proposed by Hara are more familiar to us.

"If you have a driver's license, I recommend getting an international driver's license and renting a car to travel around the island. Hawaii has a variety of beaches, each with its own unique features. On Oahu, you can't just go to Waikiki Beach; you can drive to the North Shore and enjoy small, private beaches, or put on some water boots and enjoy exploring rugged, rocky beaches with your kids. That's a great way to spend time."

Right: North Pupukea Beach Park
"There is lava between the island and the open ocean, forming tide pools. There are lots of fish here, and you can see lots of tropical fish just by snorkeling."

Left: Kailua Beach
"The east side of Oahu has a lot of sandy beaches, so it might be a good place to bring children. There are far fewer people here than in Waikiki, so you can relax."

2. Tips on clothing for men when visiting Hawaii

If you're going back and forth between the beach and the hotel during your stay in Hawaii, a T-shirt and shorts will be enough, but you'll want to go out and enjoy activities. That's where you need to be careful about your clothing. If you plan on staying out late at night or trekking in the mountains, you'll want to be mindful of your clothing and take into account the temperature differences. We asked Hara-san about the key points to bring with you.

"First of all, when you're in Hawaii, you want to dress as lightly as possible. When you go out, it's important to make do with as little equipment as possible. I think swim trunks should have a design that's suitable for the city, so you can walk around town in them even after going in the sea. To protect yourself from the cold, you should carry a thin cardigan or nylon jacket that you can wear over a T-shirt. Stretch pants are also light and good. At night, your feet can get cold, so you can easily change into them from your swim trunks and quickly warm up. However, if you're going trekking in the mountains, you'll need heavier clothing. If you want to enjoy yourself seriously, it's a good idea to bring trekking shoes that you're used to walking in."

cardigan

"I recommend a light cotton wool. Depending on the season and location, it may be better to go for a lighter color rather than a heavy one. Mine is from a Japanese knitwear brand called Side Slope."

slacks

"Above all, you should choose something that doesn't wrinkle easily. Also, I don't like having to worry about it, so I choose a material that I don't mind getting dirty. The photo shows New Balance's first pants, which were released this year and quickly sold out (the second set is currently on sale). They have a cool feel to the touch, so they're comfortable even in hot places. They have pleats, so if you pair them with a shirt, you should be fine even in slightly formal places."

sunglasses

"If you're going to be active, it's best to wear sunglasses with polarized lenses. They reduce the diffuse reflection of light from the sea surface and ground, so your eyes won't get tired as easily."

Be aware of the dress code and prepare in advance according to your purpose.

When you're sightseeing in Hawaii, you want to be relaxed, so loose, light clothing is sufficient, but be aware that many high-end restaurants around Waikiki have dress codes. If there's a restaurant you want to visit, it's a good idea to make sure you know the basic etiquette beforehand.

"The dress code in Hawaii is called resort casual, so you don't need to dress up too formally. Collared shirts are the norm for men. You can bring a shirt from Japan, but it can get wrinkled, so it's a hassle, so I think it's better to buy an aloha shirt locally. As for shoes, as long as your toes aren't visible, that's okay. I don't think you need to bring leather shoes (laughs). Pants that cover your ankles will help protect you from the cold, and it's convenient to bring casual slacks."

3. Useful items to bring along

In his free time, Hara enjoys doing activities with his family. When we asked him what would be useful to bring when sightseeing in Hawaii, he told us about some unexpected items.

Cigarette lighter

"It's an essential item when driving a rental car. I often use the map function on my smartphone as a car navigation system while traveling, so charging is essential."

Cooling bag

"I bought this at Whole Foods in Hawaii, and it's light and just the right size, so it's very useful. You can use it to keep the kids' drinks and towels cold when you go to the beach, and if you're cooking locally, you can use it to store vegetables bought at the supermarket. It folds up, so it doesn't take up much space when you bring it with you."

cloth

"There are many occasions when this kind of fabric can be used, such as when sitting on the beach or as a scarf when it gets cold. Since this is Hawaii, a slightly flashy color would be fine."

mini bag

"I put the contents of my wallet from Japan into this bag and carry it around with me. In Hawaii, there are still many opportunities to use cash, so I just throw in as much cash and credit cards as I need. It's also great that it doesn't take up much space in your suitcase because you can crumple it up."

4. Recommendation for local procurement

Hawaii is always summery. You need to bring less clothing and belongings compared to colder climates, but Hara recommends purchasing things locally to make your trip even lighter.

"It's best to go to Hawaii with half your suitcase empty. One of the joys of Hawaii is shopping. Of course, you can buy souvenirs for people who have helped you, but I also hope you'll take this opportunity to enjoy shopping for fashion items for yourself. As we've covered many times in our magazine, Hawaii has a wide variety of exclusive local items, as well as a lot of stylish clothing and accessories."

Hara will introduce the items he procured locally.

flip flops

"Flip flops are essential in Hawaii, but I often buy more when I'm there. These are leather flip flops from Scott Hawaii, and I'd never seen them in Japan before, so I bought them. The footbed is soft and very comfortable to walk in. I'm very happy with the quality, which is to be expected in a country famous for flip flops."

T-Shirts

"This is a rather interesting T-shirt. Hawaii is a great place to be, so it's fun to choose something different from your usual style. It might even inspire you to change your fashion style. I wore this T-shirt to my child's sports day in Japan and it made me really popular (laughs)."

Swim trunks

"Men tend not to replace their swim trunks after buying them once, but since you're in Hawaii, it's a good idea to buy an extra pair for next season."

Cutlery Sets

"I use a Patagonia cutlery set. I can just put it in my bag and use it not only in Hawaii but also in Japan when camping. Plastic waste is a serious environmental issue, so I'm conscious of the need to reduce it little by little. When drinking outside, I try not to use plastic cup lids, and I think it's good to take small steps like that. I think it's not just good for Hawaii, but for everyone to have one when traveling."

Hawaii is always summer, but if you want to enjoy activities, be aware of the temperature difference. When doing so, it is recommended to wear light materials that are easy to carry. Another attraction is being able to enjoy shopping locally. Be sure to prepare your clothes and belongings in advance according to how you plan to enjoy your time there.

Next time, we'll be talking to Maki Shinjo, a fashion magazine editor.