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What to wear in Hawaii

By PackTheLook · Updated 28 October 2026

Hawaii is relaxed "aloha casual" year round: swimwear, sundresses, aloha shirts and sandals (locally called slippers) are what everyone wears, even to most restaurants. Days are 27–32°C all year, nights 19–24°C. Two things to plan for: the windward (northeast) sides of each island are wetter, and sunrise or stargazing trips up Haleakalā or Mauna Kea are near freezing — bring a proper warm layer.

Pick your month

Average daytime high shown. Tap a month for weather, events and a packing list.

Jan 27° Warm, showers Feb 27° Warm, showers Mar 27° Warm, showers Apr 28° Warm, showers May 29° Hot, dry Jun 31° Hot, dry Jul 31° Hot, dry Aug 32° Hot, dry Sep 31° Hot, dry Oct 31° Hot, dry Nov 29° Warm, showers Dec 28° Warm, showers

Dress code

  • Aloha casual is the dress code almost everywhere; resort restaurants may ask for collared shirts and closed shoes for men.
  • Swimwear is fine at the beach; add a cover-up for shops and restaurants.
  • Use reef-safe (mineral) sunscreen — Hawaii bans oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens.
  • Bring warm layers for Haleakalā sunrise or Mauna Kea — it can be 0–5°C at the summit.

Plugs: Type A / B, 120V.

What to wear for…

Haleakalā and Mauna Kea summits

Near freezing and windy at sunrise and sunset. Bring a warm jacket, beanie and gloves, even in August.

Hiking (Diamond Head, Nā Pali, Mānoa Falls)

Trail shoes with grip, especially on muddy windward trails, plus sun protection and water.

Snorkelling and beaches

Hawaii bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so pack reef-safe sunscreen. A rash guard and water shoes protect against reef and sun.

Pearl Harbor

Strict bag policy: no bags are allowed beyond small clear ones, and there is a paid bag storage. Plan your outfit with pockets.

Winter (Nov–Apr) Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec

Warm (27°C) with more showers, big North Shore waves and whale-watching season. Beach clothes, a light rain jacket and a warm layer for evenings and summits.

Also pack

Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.

Summer (May–Oct) May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Hotter (30–32°C), drier and calmer seas on the north shores — great for snorkelling. Lightest beachwear, sun protection and water shoes.

Also pack

Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.

For men

In Hawaii an aloha shirt counts as dressing up. "Aloha attire", meaning an aloha shirt with slacks or nice shorts, works for nearly every restaurant and even weddings. Board shorts, tees and slippers (flip-flops) cover the daytime. Pack one pair of closed shoes for hikes and long trousers for the summits of Haleakalā or Mauna Kea, which are near freezing at sunrise.

Common packing mistakes

  • Skipping a warm layer for volcano summits, which are near freezing even in summer.
  • Bringing regular sunscreen. Choose reef-safe.
  • Walking on reef or lava rock in flip-flops instead of water shoes.
  • Over-packing formal clothes, when aloha attire is enough almost everywhere.

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