Hawaii Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In Hawaii, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type A (NEMA 1-15, two flat parallel pins, ungrounded) and Type B (NEMA 5-15, two flat parallel pins plus round grounding pin, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 120V and 60Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to Hawaii.
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Hawaii Travel Adapter Guide
Hawaii power plug requirements are the same as the rest of the United States, since the islands run on a 120V, 60Hz electrical system. Visitors from countries that use 220-240V supplies or different plug shapes will typically need a travel adaptor to connect their devices to a Hawaiian electrical outlet. The two plug types found throughout Hawaii are Type A and Type B, both of which are standard across North America.
Dual-Voltage Devices and Hawaii
Many modern electronics, including phone chargers, laptop power supplies, and camera battery chargers, are dual-voltage and designed to accept anywhere from 100V to 240V. For these devices, travelers only need a plug adapter that changes the shape of the plug top to fit Type A or Type B outlets, without needing a voltage converter. Always check the voltage rating printed on your device or its charger before plugging it in, since single-voltage appliances built for 220-240V systems will require a separate voltage converter in addition to a plug adapter.
Where to Buy a Travel Adapter for Hawaii
Travel adapters for Hawaii's Type A and Type B outlets are widely available before you even leave home, including at airport shops, electronics retailers, and online marketplaces. Once in Hawaii, adapters can also be found at drugstores, big-box retailers, and convenience stores near hotels and resorts, though selection may be limited compared to specialty travel stores. Buying a universal adapter ahead of time is generally the most reliable option, especially since it can also cover other stops on a multi-country itinerary.
Power Sockets and Plug Types in Hawaii
Hawaii uses the same two plug standards as the U.S. mainland: Type A (NEMA 1-15) and Type B (NEMA 5-15). Type A is an ungrounded plug with two flat parallel pins, rated for 15A at 100-127V, and is commonly used for small appliances, lamps, and chargers that don't require grounding protection. Type B adds a round grounding pin alongside the two flat blades, providing essential shock protection for larger appliances, computers, and power tools.
Because Type B outlets in Hawaii accept both Type A and Type B plugs, backward compatibility is built into the system, so travelers with either plug style will have no trouble finding a matching electrical outlet. The grounding pin on Type B plugs is slightly longer than the power pins, ensuring the ground connection is made before power flows to the device.
- Type A (NEMA 1-15): ungrounded, two flat parallel pins, 15A, 100-127V
- Type B (NEMA 5-15): grounded, two flat pins plus round grounding pin, 15A, 100-127V
- Standard voltage in Hawaii: 120V at 60Hz
- Type B outlets accept both Type A and Type B plugs
Frequently Asked Questions
If your devices use Type A or Type B plugs, the same standard used throughout North America, you won't need a travel adaptor in Hawaii. Visitors from countries using other plug shapes will need an adapter to fit Hawaii's Type A or Type B electrical outlets.
Hawaii uses both grounded and ungrounded outlets. Type B outlets provide grounding through a round pin for safety with larger appliances, while Type A outlets are ungrounded and intended for smaller devices that don't require a ground connection.
Pack a travel adapter if your home country uses a plug type other than Type A or Type B, since Hawaii's outlets are built for these two North American standards. If any of your devices are single-voltage and not rated for 100-127V, you'll also want a voltage converter alongside your adapter.
Hawaii uses Type A (NEMA 1-15) and Type B (NEMA 5-15) plugs, the same standards found across the rest of the United States. Type A is a two-pin ungrounded plug, while Type B adds a third round grounding pin, and both operate on Hawaii's 120V, 60Hz electrical system.
