Hawaii
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.9 / 5
- Year
- 2011
About the game
In Hawaii, players guide chieftains around a modular tropical island, buying tiles to grow bountiful villages while juggling three different currencies. Over five rounds you balance dwindling resources against rising costs, racing rivals to snap up the best deals first. It's a tactical worker/action-point euro wrapped in a sunny island theme from designer Greg Daigle. Modular boards and tile drafting keep every game fresh and highly replayable.
Hobbli's Notes
Hawaii rewards tight resource planning more than aggressive confrontation, and Hobbli's team likes how the shrinking income curve forces tough trade-offs late game. The three-currency system takes a round or two to click, but once it does the tension of racing for prime tiles is genuinely satisfying. It's a quieter, cerebral euro rather than a flashy tableau-builder, which suits patient planners best.
What we like
- Modular board keeps every playthrough different.
- Three-currency system adds meaningful strategic tension.
- Tile drafting rewards careful timing and planning.
- Attractive island theme and components.
Keep in mind
- The multiple currencies can overwhelm new players at first.
- Downtime can creep up with a full table of five.
- Limited direct interaction may disappoint more combative gamers.
Who it's for
Fans of mid-weight euro games (ages 13+) who enjoy resource management and tile placement in groups of 3-5.
