Cell reception is spotty on all three islands.

No. You’ll have dead zones, especially along cliffs and in valleys where spray and geography block signals. The major towns and popular beaches are fine—mostly—but once you’re on a winding coastal road or hiking a ridge, expect dropped calls and no data.

The islands have surprisingly good coverage in the main resort areas (think Waikiki, Lahaina, Kona), but even a short drive can put you behind a cliff or in a rain shadow. Spray isn’t the main problem—topography is. Those volcanic ridges and deep valleys are natural Faraday cages. If you need to stay connected, download offline maps and consider a local SIM or prepaid eSIM for better roaming.

Remote areas? Assume no service. Treat it like a feature, not a bug.