Hawaiʻi visitor etiquette: lei, homes, rocks and driving

Accept a lei by lowering your head and never throw one away; take off your shoes before entering a home; don't stack rocks; and drive patiently without honking. Touching or harming endangered or threatened species is a felony under state law.

• Lei: lower your head so the giver can place it on you, don't take it from their hands, and don't toss it in the trash; it carries cultural significance.
• Homes: remove your shoes before entering.
• Rocks: don't stack them. Rock stacking isn't a traditional practice, and rocks were used for ahu (altars and trail markers).
• Driving: highways max out at 60 mph and speeding fines start at $100; locals rarely honk, pull over for others on narrow roads and one-lane bridges, and a wave or shaka says thanks.
• Bicycles: don't ride on sidewalks in business districts such as Waikīkī and downtown Honolulu.
• Words: residents of Hawaiʻi are kamaʻāina; not every resident is Native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli).
• Don't stand on reefs, slippery ocean-side rock ledges or near blowholes.

Source: Lonely Planet: Dos and don'ts for traveling in Hawaiʻi (Aug. 2025)

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.