About Discover Hawaii

A Passion for Hawaii

I'm Scott — an American traveler who got his first passport in 2002 and has since explored 40+ countries. Hawaii captivated me from the first visit with its breathtaking natural beauty, world-class beaches, rich Polynesian culture, and a warmth unlike anywhere else. This is how decades of obsessive trip planning became the travel guide I wished existed.

Scott · American · First passport: 2002 · 40+ countries traveled

Travel has always been my escape from the rat race — and honestly, I enjoy the planning almost as much as being there. Researching destinations, mapping routes, finding that perfect spot. Hawaii has been one of the most rewarding places I've explored — the raw natural beauty, the world-class surfing, and the way ancient Polynesian traditions blend with modern island culture.

From the golden shores of Waikiki to the dramatic cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, from a perfect plate of fresh poke at a beachside counter to watching the sunrise from Haleakala — Hawaii delivers experiences that stay with you. The warmth of the people, the diversity of the islands, and the sheer beauty of the landscapes are unlike anywhere else on Earth.

I'm not a travel blogger. I work in healthcare IT. But Hawaii keeps pulling me back, and I finally decided to put everything I've learned into something useful — a site with honest prices, video content from the places I've actually been, and an AI trip planner that builds real itineraries. It's the resource I wished existed when I started planning my first trip to Hawaii.

Our Story

The Journey So Far

2002
The Passport

Scott gets his first passport and begins exploring the world. 40+ countries would follow — but certain destinations would leave a deeper mark than others.

First Trip
First Landing: Oahu

The first trip to Hawaii. Waikiki's golden shore, the North Shore's massive waves, a first taste of fresh poke at a beachside counter. The realization that Hawaii operates on a rhythm all its own. The obsession begins.

Exploring
Beyond Oahu

Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Lanai. Each trip goes deeper — from the tourist highlights to the places only locals know. Inter-island flights make the entire chain accessible, and every island reveals something new.

2025
Discover Hawaii Launches

The travel guide Scott wished existed finally becomes real — with video content, an AI trip planner, and honest recommendations. Not recycled content from press trips. A real guide built by someone who loves these islands.

Meet the Team

The People Behind the Pages

Scott Murray
Scott
Founder · Writer · Videographer

Healthcare IT professional by day, travel obsessive by every other waking moment. Based in Southern California. Got his first passport in 2002 and has since explored 40+ countries. Hawaii captured his imagination with its breathtaking natural beauty, world-class beaches, rich Polynesian culture, and a warmth unlike anywhere else. Enjoys the trip planning almost as much as the travel itself.

40+
Countries traveled
20+
Years of travel
San Diego
Home base
Jenice Murray
Jenice
Island Explorer · Cultural Guide

Born in the Philippines and based in San Diego. Island culture runs deep — the aloha spirit resonates with values she grew up knowing. The one who finds the local plate lunch spot that's been there since 1987, stops for the ginger-scented hairpin turn on Road to Hana, and brings the cultural and emotional insight that makes Hawaii feel like more than just a beach vacation.

Islands
Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai
40+
Countries traveled
Culture
Aloha spirit
Our Promise

What You'll Never Find Here

I built this site because I got tired of Hawaii travel content that's secretly a press trip recap or a sponsored hotel review dressed up as honest advice. Discover Hawaii exists because I wanted the resource I wished I had when I started planning my first trip.

0
Sponsored posts
ever
0
Press trips or
free hotel stays
20+
Years of
travel experience
100%
Real prices in
USD
If I recommend it, I've been there. If I list a price, I've paid it. If I tell you to skip something, I've wasted my own money there first. This is a truthful, fact-based site — and I want you to feel like you've experienced it with me.
What We're Building

More Than a Travel Blog

Discover Hawaii isn't a collection of "Top 10" listicles. It's a living resource built on real experience and technology that actually helps you plan a better trip. Here's what makes it different:

  • 🎥 Video guides for select destinations — see the temples, streets, and landscapes before you book
  • 🤖 An AI trip planner that builds custom itineraries with real prices, not hallucinated estimates
  • 💰 Every price listed in USD, updated regularly based on what I actually pay
  • 🚅 Transport logistics — inter-island flights, rental car tips, and the details that make Hawaii travel seamless
⛩️
Destination Guides
Deep dives into each region — not surface-level overviews, but neighborhood-level detail with real logistics.
📹
Video Content
Real footage from Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and more. See the beaches, volcanoes, and landscapes before you go.
🗺️
AI Trip Planner
Describe your dream trip and get a custom day-by-day itinerary built on real experience.
📧
Itinerary Downloads
PDF itineraries you can take offline — complete with maps, booking links, and transport details.