Choosing the Right Hat
The variety of hats available ensures there’s something for every activity and personal style. Here’s a guide to different types of hats you can buy in Hawaii or bring along to suit your needs:
- Wide-Brimmed Sun Hats: These hats provide excellent sun protection for your face, neck, and sometimes shoulders. Lightweight options like straw or fabric make them breathable and comfortable for extended wear.
- Bucket Hats: Compact and lightweight, these hats are great for casual outings and moderate sun protection. Many feature adjustable straps for windy conditions.
- Fishing or Hiking Hats: Designed for functionality, these hats often feature a full brim, neck flaps, and moisture-wicking material. Adjustable straps or toggles help keep them secure during activities.
- Packable Travel Hats: Perfect for those short on suitcase space, these hats are made from crushable materials that regain their shape after being folded.
- Ball Caps with Neck Flaps: These combine the convenience of a classic cap with additional neck protection, suitable for lighter outdoor activities.
- Convertible Hats: These versatile options allow you to add or remove neck flaps as needed, offering flexibility for various situations.
If you don’t have room in your suitcase for a bulky hat, don’t worry—Hawaii has plenty of local stores offering stylish and practical hats for all types of activities. Buying locally also supports Hawaiian businesses and ensures you’re well-prepared.
The Sun’s Strength in Hawaii
Hawaii’s tropical location means the sun is powerful year-round, but it is especially intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During these hours, UV rays are strongest, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin damage. If you’re planning outdoor activities during this time, take extra precautions:
- Wear a hat that covers your face and neck.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and reapply every two hours.
- Seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak midday hours.
- Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and UV-rated fabrics.
Even on cloudy days, UV rays penetrate the clouds, so don’t let cooler weather fool you into skipping sun protection.
Keeping Your Hat Secure
Hawaii’s breezy conditions and activities like boat rides can make it tricky to keep your hat on. Hats with chin straps, adjustable cords, or Velcro closures are your best bet for staying secure. Without these features, your hat could easily blow off in the wind. Look for hats labeled “windproof” or “boating-friendly” if you plan to participate in water-based activities or high-speed adventures.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Even with the best hat, sunscreen is essential to protect exposed areas like your neck, ears, and shoulders. Hawaii’s sun is powerful year-round, even on overcast days. Use reef-safe sunscreen made with minerals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect your skin and the local marine life. Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming or sweating, to ensure continuous protection.
What to Do If You Get Sunburned
Despite your best efforts, sunburns can happen. If you do get sunburned, follow these steps for relief and healing:
- Cool the Skin: Take a cool (not cold) shower or apply damp, cool compresses to soothe the skin. Avoid hot water, which can further irritate the burn.
- Hydrate: Sunburn dehydrates your body, so drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids.
- Moisturize: Apply aloe vera gel or a soothing lotion to keep the skin hydrated and reduce inflammation. Avoid products with alcohol, which can dry out the skin.
- Avoid Further Sun Exposure: Cover the burned area with loose, lightweight clothing and stay out of the sun until the burn heals.
- Manage Pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Severe sunburns with blisters, chills, fever, or nausea may require medical attention. Seek help if these symptoms occur.
Stay Mindful of the Sun’s Power
Whether you’re hiking, strolling through downtown Honolulu, or enjoying a boat ride, preparation is key. Combine a sturdy, secure hat with reef-safe sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours to stay protected while exploring Hawaii’s beauty. If you do experience sunburn, take immediate steps to care for your skin and prevent further damage.
Protect yourself and the environment so you can fully enjoy the magic of Hawaii safely and responsibly.
Visitors to Hawaii are often urged to wear a hat and sunscreen. However, that advice may not be specific enough, as recent visitors demonstrated to me. They wanted SO much to wear the pretty flowers behind their ears rather than crushing them beneath a hat.
I realized that I had not been specific enough about hats when they arrived from the plane wearing sun hats with large brims. While those are perfect for the beach, they’re a little unwieldy for every day use and Hawaii has enough breeze that they may take flight. Ball caps are popular choices, and I wore one for most of my first year here. The brim covers the face well, but leaves the neck exposed. Be very certain to put sunscreen on the area between your hairline and shirt collar EVERY time you go outside. Even after being in Hawaii for a couple of days, skipping that step will produce a painful red neck.
I now have a hat with a brim that goes all the way around. There are several versions, often called fishing or boating hats. I got one that has a brim large enough to cover my face and neck but not so large that the wind catches it. It is also convenient for the light misty rain in Hawaii, keeping the droplets off my face and glasses.
It’s easy to underestimate how much sun you’ll be getting in Hawaii. Often there are clouds and light breezes so it doesn’t seem really hot, but the sun is powerful. On the second day of my recent visitors’ stay, we were scheduled to take a tour of downtown Honolulu that included riding in the trolley and walking a couple of shady blocks. As is often the case, we actually wandered a little farther than that and were outside for several hours.
When we began the day, they had told me they were not wearing their sun hats (understandable) but rather the beautiful flower hair ornaments they had discovered in the store nearby. They had sunscreen and felt that was sufficient. You already know how this ends, right? So, here is my amended and much more specific advice about hats: wear a hat that at least covers your face (and neck if possible) AND sunscreen every time you are outside in Hawaii. Save the big sun hats for the beach, and the flowers in your hair for inside or evenings.
