Traveling with tents/sleeping bags

So I'm going to Hawaii next month and I'll be living there for the next 6 months. When I'm not WWOOFing I will probably be camping out on beaches and I need to know if anyone has traveled with a tent or sleeping bag? I'm going with the Deuter Futura 28. I did a prelim packing and I have a lot of space left in the bag even with 6 shirts, 2 pants, 1 short, 3 underwear, 1 socks. Obviously I'm traveling minimalist so if anyone could recommend something lightweight, inexpensive, and durable to use on a beach that would be great! A hammock or a tarp might also work but what should I look for in that regard? I was thinking a hammock is probably the best way to go in Hawaii, but if anything I might also go with a bivy sack and sleeping bag. I would rather not travel with a tent. If I could make a tarp work that would be great. If you guys have any clues, let me know. Thanks!

How about this?

http://www.tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html

And this site is geared towards New Zealand but there may be info that is useful if you are thinking ultralight

http://www.tramplight.co.nz/

tent - The Tarptent models or similar are very functional and light weight. To make them even lighter, easier to pack, etc one can cut out the bottom leaving 8-12 inches or so around the sides. Often then putting a ground cloth in that spot and overlapping with the remaining floor gives one more versatility at the expense of waterproofness although that would be more a function of how/where one pitches their tent. The bigger issue with all mesh wall tents and beach camping is just the sand. The sand will get in everywhere.

sleeping bag - Any 40 deg F or so down sleeping bag will do the trick. The super super ultralight ones probably have a few trade-offs that aren't worth it as the difference in size and weight won't be all that much, but you'll likely end up with a less durable shell, half-length or less zipper, etc. In Hawaii and for general travel, I'd be surprised if you'd ever even want the sleeping bag to be more than a blanket so a good length zip comes in handy.

bivy = sweatshop. Fine for colder environments and ideal when sleeping in a snow cave or out on the snow. I can't get in one without sweating miserably even without a sleeping bag if the temperature is greater than 40F. And, they really aren't that great in wet environments as it is near impossible to get you and your stuff inside without getting everything wet unless it's used in conjunction with a Tarp.

Hey Now, Be sure to check out http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/ for some very nice hammocks that are great to use camping or traveling. We got ours two summers ago and we love them! PEACE!

Erik
http://www.madebyhippies.com

I found this company http://www.treklightgear.com. A small company based out of Colorado that makes high quality hammocks. I bought myself the double with a tarp for my beach camping on the various Hawaiian islands. I sent them an email and the CEO said he used the hammock and tarp on Kauai and Maui and it was great! So I'm pretty pumped about this.

I took a Tarptent brand "Sublite" on the Continental Divide Trail. I was very impressed by its size, weight, and practicality.

I work in a gear shop. I could have taken literally any tent on the market. I took the sublite because it was the best tent for MY needs as a solo lightweight hiker traveling in the summer with trekking poles.

Your mileage my vary, of course, according to your needs and the climate you visit.