Many tourists go to Hawaii specifically for its natural beauty. If you're not careful, this very natural beauty can be hazardous to your health. Hawaii is full of cliffs, rough terrain and beaches with high waves and undertows. Interacting with any of these things without knowing what you're doing can lead to injury and possibly death. Don't let this stop you from experiencing the wonders of Hawaii, but be sure to learn about these places before you visit them, and don't be shy about asking for advice from locals who know more about the hazards than you do.
Hawaii is a tropical ecosystem, and as such is subject to intense weather systems including tropical storms and hurricanes. You should know what to do in the event of these hazards well before they strike. The middle of a hurricane is not the time to learn about the proper response. If you are staying at a hotel or resort in Hawaii, they will have contingency plans for dangerous weather. Learn what you are expected to do when you arrive, and you will greatly reduce your chances of loss or injury.
Hawaii's economy is dependent on tourism, so it is promoted as a place where everyone will be welcoming and benign. However, like any place, there are a few people who are more interested in preying on you than helping you. Tourists are prime targets for burglars, muggers and con men because they are usually carrying either cash or valuables on them and are unfamiliar with the area. If you keep your wits about you and don't engage in high-risk behavior, you are very unlikely to fall victim to Hawaiian criminals.
Hawaii is part of the United States, and has a very highly developed infrastructure. You are unlikely to become ill from the food or water, but it is a possibility. People with sensitive digestive systems sometimes feel ill when they drink unfamiliar water or eat unfamiliar food, even if these things are not tainted. Excessive exposure to intense sunlight, particularly if you're unaccustomed to it, can also make you feel ill through heatstroke or dehydration.
