We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bryan Murphy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryan, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned by being close to real travelers and real questions. Hawaii’s Best Travel actually started pretty simply in 2017 on Instagram and later in 2019 with the podcast as a way to share favorite spots and talk story about Hawaii trips we loved. At first, it was just answering questions for friends and family and posting things I wished I had known on earlier trips. Once the podcast and site started to grow, the same questions kept coming up again and again. That repetition became my classroom.

Every email, DM, and listener question showed me where people were getting overwhelmed or misled. Over time, that turned into writing long-form guides, recording weekly podcast episodes, and having real conversations with local businesses and people who live in Hawaii. Learning happened by doing the work in public and adjusting based on feedback, not by following a template.

Looking back, I probably could have sped things up by narrowing my focus sooner. Early on, I tried to cover too much and paid too much attention to what other travel sites were doing. Things clicked once I stopped chasing trends and focused on what Hawaii’s Best Travel was really about: helping families and first-time visitors plan unforgettable trips that were clear, current, and respectful.

The most essential skill was listening. Not just hearing questions, but understanding what people were actually worried about underneath them. Clarity came next. Hawaii travel sounds simple, but once you add reservations, rules, cultural context, and logistics, it gets complicated fast. Learning how to explain that without overwhelming people took time. Consistency mattered too. Showing up every week, even when things weren’t perfect, is what built real skill.

The biggest obstacles were information overload and time. Hawaii travel is full of outdated posts, viral shortcuts, and advice that doesn’t reflect what’s actually allowed or respectful. Sorting through that noise took experience. Balancing family life, client work, and building Hawaii’s Best Travel also meant learning happened in small windows, but it forced me to focus on what actually mattered.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Bryan Murphy, the founder and owner of Hawaii’s Best Travel. What I do today grew out of a simple place. I love Hawaii, but more than that, I noticed how confusing and overwhelming planning a Hawaii trip had become. Too much outdated advice, too many “must-do” lists, and not enough clear, honest guidance that actually helps people plan a trip they enjoy.

Hawaii’s Best Travel started in 2017 as a small Instagram project and a way to share favorite spots and lessons learned from visiting the islands. Over time, it grew into a podcast, blog, and community focused on making Hawaii trip planning simple, practical, and respectful. I’m not a travel agent and I don’t sell vacation packages. What I provide is clear information. Guides, itineraries, maps, and real-world advice that help travelers make better decisions before they arrive.

Through the Hawaii’s Best Travel podcast and website, I focus on answering the questions people actually ask. When should you go? Which island fits your travel style? What needs reservations now? What’s changed recently? How do you enjoy Hawaii without being “that” visitor? Those are the problems I work to solve. I also bring local voices into the conversation whenever possible, because Hawaii travel shouldn’t just be about beaches and resorts. Culture, community, and care for the land matter.

What sets my work apart is that it’s grounded in experience and responsibility. I’ve visited Hawaii more than 30 times, built long-standing relationships with local businesses and residents, and completed formal training as a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawaii Tourism Authority. I’m also an active member of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau. That combination of firsthand experience, ongoing education, and listening closely to travelers shapes everything I create.

I’m most proud of building something people trust. Hawaii’s Best Travel has grown into a top-30 U.S. travel podcast, and each month we help hundreds of thousands of travelers plan their trips with more confidence and less stress. I hear regularly from listeners and readers who say they felt more prepared, more respectful, and more connected to the islands because of our work. That matters to me.

What I want people to know about me and Hawaii’s Best Travel is simple. Planning a Hawaii trip should be fun, not overwhelming. You don’t need to see everything or do what’s trending online. You just need good information, realistic expectations, and a mindset that treats Hawaii as a place with people, culture, and limits. If my work helps someone slow down, make better choices, and leave the islands better than they found them, then I’m doing what I set out to do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I started Hawaii’s Best Travel, I honestly had no idea where it would go or what it might turn into. It began as a passion project. I just loved Hawaii, the culture, and helping people plan better trips. There was no big business plan attached to it in the early days.

Early on, I felt a lot of pressure to monetize it quickly. Becoming a travel agent or going all-in on affiliate marketing would have been the obvious move. But I was uncomfortable with that. I didn’t want my recommendations to be influenced by commissions or bookings. I wanted people to trust that the advice was genuinely in their best interest, not mine.

So instead of forcing Hawaii’s Best Travel to make money right away, I built a completely separate business in podcast production. That business grew steadily and became very successful, working with hundreds of podcasters each month. It gave me financial stability and, more importantly, freedom. I didn’t need Hawaii’s Best Travel to pay the bills early on, which meant I could protect its integrity.

That decision wasn’t easy. Running two businesses at the same time required patience and a lot of long nights. There were moments when it would have been much easier to just flip the switch and monetize aggressively. But I stuck with it because I believed the long-term value was trust.

That resilience is what’s allowed Hawaii’s Best Travel to still be here years later. By not rushing the monetization or compromising the advice, I was able to build something sustainable, credible, and aligned with my values. In the end, that slower, steadier path is what positioned the brand to grow naturally and last.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

A big part of building my reputation came from showing up consistently, not just publishing content and disappearing.

From early on, I made it a priority to be an active member of the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau. That meant attending monthly meetings, participating in conversations, and making the effort to be present at in-person gatherings and annual meetups. Being in those rooms matters. It keeps you connected to what’s actually happening on the ground, not just what’s trending online.

Those relationships helped me listen more than talk. I learned directly from local businesses, tourism professionals, and cultural practitioners. That shaped how I approach content and why I’m careful about what I recommend. Over time, people saw that I wasn’t chasing quick wins or clicks. I was trying to get it right.

Reputation, at least in my experience, isn’t built by claiming expertise. It’s built by being consistent, doing the work, and being willing to learn. Showing up, staying engaged, and respecting the community has gone a long way in earning trust, both locally and with travelers who rely on the information we share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hawaiisbesttravel.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hawaiis.best
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawaiisbesttravel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanmurphy81/
• Other: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hawaii-travel-podcast-hawaii-travel-tips-things-to/id1455785618

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1z0uhYggdORp6LqTsAwAkU?si=fadce81e65a14a09

Image Credits

Bryan Murphy – Hawaii’s Best Travel