In 2021, I visited Oahu, Hawaii for what was only supposed to be a few weeks. I wound up extending my stay at the hostel, getting a job at a smoothie shop, and living there all summer long.

I gained so much from that season of my life: new friends, a passion for traveling, and best of all, a reliable beach bag that I could keep buying again and again.

The Aloha Collection Beach Bag, dubbed the “unofficial bag of Hawaii,” is everywhere in the Aloha State. The collection was founded in 2014 by Rachael Leinaʻala Soares, a flight attendant, and Heather Aiu, a Kauaʻi native, and has since taken the travel bag world by storm. Today, Aloha Collection bags can be found in nearly every Hawaiian gift shop and even be bought in Disney World.

From weekenders to fanny packs, Aloha Collection sells bags for all types of travelers. One of my best friends owns every single bag that Aloha Collection sells, and I can guarantee that the bags are perfect for any sort of activity. See why below:

Aloha Collection Keep it Light Weekender

I’m a harsh critic when it comes to weekender bags. Generally, this type of personal item is meant to be compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you on a plane, while also offering enough space to fit enough clothes for weekend travel. However, I have never owned a weekender bag that I felt met all the marks until I got the Aloha Collection weekender.

The bag is water resistant, small enough to count as a personal item, and flexible enough to fit clothes, shoes, and a laptop. It also has a zippered pocket for easy access; I always use my Aloha Collection weekender as a personal item and am able to fit everything I need and more in it.

Aloha Collection Day Tripper

The Day Tripper is an Aloha Collection classic. The bag comes in several bright floral colors, as well as more monotone colors, so it can be used on the beach or in the city. The Day Tripper can fit everything you need for the whole day. Plus, it’s water resistant, has a top zipper, and a deep zippered pocket inside and out to protect all of your personal items.

If you’re looking for a smaller bag, you should look into the Mini Tripper.

Aloha Collection Mini Pouch

It’s a toiletry bag, a makeup bag, and a jewelry bag all rolled into one — it’s the Mini Pouch. And it’s exactly what it sounds like: a small pouch that can be used for all purposes. I own several and use both the mini, small, and medium sized pouches to hold my toiletries, makeup, and tech.

Whenever I have items that I want to keep dry at the beach I stick them in my small pouch. Plus, when checking my bags, I’ll put any liquids that might be at risk of exploding in my mini pouch to protect it.

Tropical Storm Lala is heading toward Hawaii and could be at hurricane strength as it moves through near the Big Island this weekend. Residents should be preparing for hurricane wind impacts, though most will see tropical storm force winds. Heavy rain will likely cause flooding as well. We’re also monitoring Hernan to the east, but impacts are not expected from that system.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center determined that Tropical Storm Lala strengthened slightly Thursday, and is now expecting it to reach low end category 1 strength as it passes Hawaii on Saturday.

The system is expected to continue generally toward the west-northwest over the next several days. Central Pacific Hurricane Center believes conditions should support additional organization and strengthening.

While there is still some uncertainty about the system’s exact track, the GFS and Euro models indicate it is close enough to Hawaii for residents and visitors to prepare for impacts. A hurricane watch has been issued for the Big Island. Other watches/warnings may be issued in the days ahead. This is the first hurricane watch for Hawaii since Hurricane Hone moved through the area in August of 2024.

Tropical storm or even hurricane conditions could reach portions of the state as the system moves through, even if the center does not move directly over an island. If the eye of the storm stays south of the islands, the higher wind impacts will be felt on the east side of the Big Island, as the front right quadrant sees the strongest winds.

Flooding will likely be the biggest threat with this system, as terrain enhanced rain could top a foot of accumulation on the Big Island. When heavy rain saturated soils, trees can be toppled more easily. Tropical storm force winds could have bigger impacts in this scenario.

Beach conditions are also expected to deteriorate as Lala gets closer. Larger swells generated by the system could lead to increasing surf and dangerous conditions along exposed coastlines. 

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center emphasizes that the forecast could change as the disturbance becomes better organized. Small adjustments in the track or strength of the system could make a significant difference in which islands see the greatest impacts. 

People across Hawaii should continue checking forecast updates through the rest of the week and be prepared in case additional tropical alerts are issued. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center will continue issuing regular advisories as Lala moves toward the islands.