4/28/2011 Hawaii travel guide - Wikitravel

Hawaii
From Wikitravel
United States of America : Hawaii

Contents Hawaii [1] (http://www.gohawaii.com/)

(sometimes pronounced ha-VAI-ee by
Islands locals) is the 50th state of the United
Cities States of America. Situated nearly at the
center of the north Pacific Ocean,
Other Destinations
Hawaii marks the northeast corner of
[+] Understand
Polynesia. While it was once a major
History
hub for the whaling, sugar and pineapple
Weather industries, it is now economically
[+] Get in dependent on tourism and the U.S.
By plane military. The natural beauty of the islands
By boat continues to be one of Hawaii's greatest
[+] Get around assets. Honolulu is the state's capital,
By plane largest city, and cultural hub. Hawaiian
By boat and English are the official languages of
By bus Hawaii.
By car
By moped/scooter/motorcycle Islands
[+] Talk
Avoiding misunderstandings Hawai'i is an archipelago of over
[+] Buy nineteen distinct volcanic islands located
Clothing over a geological "hot spot" in the
Made in Hawaii Central Pacific. The Pacific plate on
Do which the islands ride moves to the
Learn northwest, so in general the islands are
Work older and smaller (due to erosion) as
Eat you move from southeast to northwest.
Drink There are eight major islands, six of
Stay safe which are open to tourism.
Stay healthy
Hawaii, the "Big Island," is the largest of
Respect
the islands and home to Mauna Kea,
Contact
Mauna Loa (the largest and one of the
Get out
most active volcanoes on Earth),
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park [2]
(http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm) , coffee and macadamia nut plantations,
working ranches, and even green sand beaches. Kailua-Kona is the busiest part
of the island on the dry, leeward side, and near the mega-resort Kohala Coast
area with nearly zero annual precipitation. The saddle road (quite passable and a
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must see--despite what
rental car companies
say) passes between the
massive volcanoes and
connects Kohala with
Hilo, the largest town on
the windward side with
annual precipitation of
more than 300 inches
per year. Unlike
anywhere else on Earth
and definitely worth a
look. Waikiki Beach, Honolulu

Oahu, nicknamed "the

Gathering Place," is the
most populous and
developed island. Its
southern shore is home
to the city of Honolulu;
four out of every five
Hawaii residents call it
home. It is the
governmental and
commercial center of the
state, and Waikiki Beach
is arguably the best
Map of Hawaii
known tourist destination
in Hawaii. Outside the
city are pineapple fields, and the North Shore of Oahu, which is known each
winter as the home of some of the largest waves in the world. The USS Arizona
National Memorial at Pearl Harbor is also very popular visitor destination.

Maui is the second largest island in the chain and is home to 10,023 foot (3,055
m) tall volcanic mountain crater of Haleakala. It is nicknamed "the Valley Isle"
for the narrow plain between Haleakala and the West Maui mountains. On the
west side of the island are the resort areas of Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua,
While the south side is home to Kihei, and Wailea. On the east side is the tiny
village of Hana, reached by one of the most winding and beautiful roads in the
world.

Kauai, the "Garden Isle," is home to several natural wonders, such as the
Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali Coast. Mount Waialeale is
known as one of the rainiest spots in the world.

Molokai, the "Friendly Isle," is one of the least developed islands in the chain. It

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is home to Kalaupapa, the leper colony on Molokai's north shore that was the
home of Father Damien.

Lanai was at one time completely owned by Dole Foods and was the largest
pineapple plantation in the world; it is now home to several exclusive resorts.

Niihau is a privately owned island with an entirely Native Hawaiian population.

Until very recently, the island was off limits to all but family members and invited
guests of the owners. Tourism to the island is limited to Helicopter, ATV, and
hunting excursions originating on Kauai.

Kahoolawe, which was once a former US Navy bombing range, remains

uninhabited. Efforts are being made to rehabilitate the island, but cleanup efforts
continue.

Cities
These are some of the bigger cities in Hawaii.

Honolulu on Oahu
Kahuku on Oahu
Kailua on Oahu
Lihue on Kauai
Lahaina on Maui
Kahului on Maui
Wailuku on Maui
Hilo on the Big Island
Kailua-Kona on the Big Island

Other Destinations
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on the Big Island
Haleakala National Park on Maui
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island
Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Molokai
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island
USS Arizona National Memorial on Oahu
Waimea Canyon on Kauai
NaPali Coast on Kauai
Waikiki on Oahu

Understand
Where tourism is concerned, Hawaii has
something for everyone. The island of Oahu, the The name game
most populous and home to the state capital and
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largest city of Honolulu, is great for people who The reef triggerfish
wish to experience the islands and still keep the (Rhinecanthus rectangulus),
conveniences of a large city. Rainforests and the state fish of Hawaii, is
hiking trails are located just minutes from Waikiki known in the Hawaiian
Beach, one of the world's best tourist language as the humuhumu-
destinations. In the winter, large waves on Oahu's nukunukuāpuaʻa, which
north shore turn the normally sleepy area into the means "triggerfish with a snout
surfing capital of the world. like a pig". It is not the longest
Hawaiian fish name, as is often
On the other hand, those who wish to experience thought; that distinction instead
Hawaii at a slower pace would do well to visit goes to the
one of the Neighbor Islands (the other, less lauwiliwilinukunukuʻoiʻoi
populated islands around Oahu). All the neighbor ("long-snouted fish shaped like
islands offer opportunities to relax and enjoy the a wiliwili leaf"), the butterflyfish
sun and scenery. Many of the natural wonders of (Forcipiger longirostris).
the Islands are located on the Neighbor Islands,
from Waimea Canyon on Kauai, to Haleakala on
Maui, to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. Numerous
waterfalls and rainforests evoke memories of what the islands might have looked like
before major corporations set their sights on Hawaii. The road to Hana is one of the
most scenic on Maui, as you manipulate many turns overlooking the Eastern coast of
the island. It leads you over bridges and past beautiful waterfalls. Ultimately, you can
end up at the Oheo Gulch Pools (which are not sacred and there's more than seven),
where the hiking is quite the experience.

History
Polynesians migrated to, and established
communities on, the islands of Hawaii before the Father Damien
arrival of Captain James Cook in 1778, who is
widely credited as the first European visitor to the On October 11, 2009, Father
islands. At that time, each island was a separate Damien de Veuster (1840-
kingdom. With the support of western advisors 1889), a Belgian priest who
and weapons, Kamehameha I of the island of came to the island of Molokai
Hawaii conquered all the islands except Kauai, in 1864 to treat victims of
which acquiesced to his rule in 1810. leprosy - and eventually
succumbed to the disease -
After Kamehameha II abolished the kapu (taboo) was canonized by Pope
system, American missionaries came to the Benedict XVI.
islands to spread Christianity. As the ancient
Hawaiians did not have any concept of owning
land the missionaries became official land owners of many of the islands. Their children
would later become successful businessmen in the Islands and still own entire islands to
this day. Pineapple and sugar cane plantations were established, and workers from
other countries (in particular Japan, the Philippines, China, and Korea) were imported
as contract laborers. Later, their descendants would also become established as
successful professionals.

Th H ii h
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The Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by a group of American
businessmen. While the U.S. administration at the time refused to annex the former
sovereign nation, in 1898 the United States did annex the islands, which became a
territory in 1900, and a state of the United States in 1959.

Hawaii also became an important outpost for the U.S. military through the 20th
century, and Pearl Harbor was the site of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941,
that resulted in the U.S. joining World War II. Today, the military maintains its
presence here, with several major military bases on the island of Oahu alone; Pearl
Harbor remains the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Over the years, many major retail chains have expanded their presence in Hawaii,
making the Islands look more and more like the continental United States, often at the
expense of local businesses. Nevertheless, Hawaii remains culturally vibrant. Its
population, descended from the Native Hawaiians, the original plantation workers, and
more recent arrivals, and in which no one group has a majority, is often cited as an
example of multiculturalism at its best. There is a strong commitment to perpetuating
native Hawaiian cultural traditions, as well as the cultural heritage of Hawaii's many
immigrant communities from the Pacific, Asia and Europe. And certainly the
environment is conducive to longevity...Hawaii has the longest predicted life
expectancies of any U.S. state.

Weather
Depending on where you're located in Hawaii, the weather can be very different over
even short distances. On the same day, on Oahu you might find sun over the beaches in
Waikiki and rain only a few miles away in Manoa Valley.

Although the islands receive abundant amounts of both sunshine and rain, rain is more
likely on the north and east sides of the islands, which face the prevailing northeasterly
tradewinds (the "windward" side of the island), as well as the mountain peaks and
valleys. The moist tropical air carried by the tradewinds is forced upward by the
mountains, resulting in clouds and rain. Rain is less likely on the coastal areas of the
"leeward" sides (the south and west sides) of the islands.

Although there are no true "seasons" in the islands in the same sense as the rest of the
U.S., the climate does go through annual cycles based on rainfall. The "wet" season in
Hawaii (cooler temperatures and more rainfall) runs roughly from October to March,
and the "dry" season (warmer temperatures and less rainfall) from April to September.
There is therefore a higher probability of rain if you visit during the peak of tourist
season in late December or January.

Hurricane season in the islands runs from June to November. Although Hawaii's
relative isolation means that it is affected only rarely by tropical cyclones, a destructive
storm will occasionally hit the Islands, such as Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki hitting Kauai in
1982 and 1992 respectively.

Overall, Hawaii is warm and balmy - when you step out of the plane you'll immediately
notice that the air is soft and humid - and during the summer months the tradewinds
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provide a pleasant breeze. Daytime temperatures generally range from the low-80s
(27°C) in "winter" to the high 80s (31°C) in "summer". Very rarely does the air
temperature exceed 90°F (32°C) even in the hottest part of summer; however, the
humidity will make it feel as if it were a few degrees hotter. Ocean temperatures range
between 77° (25°C) degrees in the winter to 82° (28°) in the summer. There is usually
no more than a 20-degree Fahrenheit (12°C) difference between daytime high and
nighttime low temperatures.

Consequently, besides your driver's license, credit card, camera, binoculars, and other
essentials, it's best to keep your clothes to a minimum... a jacket, sweater, one or two
pair of washable slacks/shorts, walking shoes, sandals and swim gear. Sunscreen is
essential since Hawaii's close proximity to the Equator translates into very strong sun
radiation. The suitcase space you save can be used to fill up on island purchases.

Get in
Foreign travelers entering Hawaii directly from another country are subject to the same
entry requirements as for the United States in general. See the Get in section of the
United States article.

As Hawaii is one of the 50 United States, flights to Hawaii from the U.S. Mainland are
considered domestic flights. Therefore, it is not necessary for U.S. citizens or legal
immigrants to show a passport (or any documentation of U.S. citizenship or
immigration status) when entering Hawaii from the U.S. Mainland. It is also not
necessary for foreign visitors arriving from the U.S. Mainland to show passports or
visas (U.S. entry formalities are done at the port of entry).

You will, however, be asked to fill out a written agricultural declaration while aboard
your flight to Hawaii. This declaration is required by the U.S. and Hawaii state
departments of agriculture to prevent harmful plant pests and diseases from coming into
Hawaii. Any fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and the like need to be declared and
inspected by Department of Agriculture personnel at your port of arrival; some items
may be prohibited from entering Hawaii at all. Penalties for non-compliance are stiff.
Avoid bringing such items with you if at all possible. It's not worth the hassle. (On
the reverse side of this declaration is a Hawaii Tourism Authority questionnaire that
asks for information about your stay. You are encouraged but not required to complete
this questionnaire.)

When leaving Hawaii for the U.S. Mainland, all baggage must be inspected by U.S.
Department of Agriculture inspectors at the airport. Be advised that fresh fruits (with
the exception of pineapples and treated papayas) are prohibited from leaving the
islands to prevent the spread of fruit flies. Consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/notice_hawaii.html) for more
details. Bags are inspected by X-ray, so depending on the airport you leave from and
the airline, be prepared to submit to as many as three checkpoints on the way to your
Mainland flight: having your checked bags X-rayed in the ticket lobby, the TSA
security checkpoint, and perhaps a separate agricultural inspection for your carry-on
bags on the way to your gate.
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Hawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time. For reference, Hawaii is two time
zones behind the US West Coast, thereby accounting for a three hour time difference
during DST. Arizona, which also does not observe DST save for the Navajo
Reservation, is always three hours ahead of Hawaii year-round.

By plane
Most flights from the mainland US and almost all international flights land in Honolulu
on the island of Oahu. From here, passengers destined for a Neighbor Island will
connect to an interisland flight (see By Plane in Get Around below). Direct service from
the mainland is also available to Kahului on Maui, Kona on the Big Island, and Lihue
on Kauai as well.

Depending on the airline, nonstop flights to Honolulu leave from most major gateway
airports on the West Coast (as well as some smaller ones), as well as many major
airports in the Midwest and East Coast. The flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco
takes about 5 hours, comparable to a flight between the West and East Coasts. Thus, a
flight from New York can take about 10.5 hours.

Jetstar [3] (http://jetstar.com) is a budget Australian airline that recently started

connecting Honolulu to several cities in Australia at very reasonable prices.

By boat
While the days where everyone arrived in Hawaii by boat are long gone, there are
limited numbers of trans-Pacific cruises to Hawaii that leave from ports on the West
Coast. However, one fascinating way to experience Hawaii is by taking a cruise ship
between the islands (see Get around: By boat).

There are limited freighter services [4] (http://www.freightercruises.com) , but if you

are an American citizen embarking in the USA and wishing to travel to Hawaii
then you cannot travel this way (because of the U.S. Passenger Vessel
Services Act of 1886, which says foreign-flagged ships cannot carry
passengers from one U.S. port to another unless they stop in a foreign country
- try cruises from Ensenada, Baja California or Vacouver, British Columbia).

Get around
By plane

Because Hawaii is an archipelago, air travel is, by and large, compulsory for traveling
within the state. Travelers can choose from either a scheduled or unscheduled air
carrier. Both scheduled and unscheduled air carriers are regulated by the Federal
Aviation Administration via the states local Flight Standards District Office.

Six scheduled inter-island air carriers, Hawaiian Airlines [5]

(http://www.hawaiianair.com) ,MarJet Hawaii [6] (http://www.marjethawaii.com) ,
Mokulele Airlines [7] (http://www.mokuleleairlines.com) , Island Air [8]
(http:// islandair com/) P ifi Wi
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(http://www.islandair.com/) , Pacific Wings [9] (http://www.pacificwings.com/) , and
go! [10] (http://www.iflygo.com) (a subsidiary of Mesa Air) provide set scheduled
flights between the islands. Go! started service in June 2006, positioning itself as a
discount carrier. Travelers can save money and time by planning "triangle routes" that
arrive in Hawaii on one island and leave on another.

Scheduled flight times run anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour and can usually be
purchased a day or two before departure, although this may increase the cost of
traveling.

Visitors wanting to fly according to their own demand (as opposed to a pre- set
published times) should consider flying on an unscheduled air carrier also known as air
taxi service. Passengers can simply contact the air carrier direct and arrange a time and
place for pick up. Iolani Air [11] (http://www.iolaniair.com) is one such air carrier.

The Hawaiian islands are populated with airstrips that some carriers choose not to
service due to economic or operation considerations that make flights not feasible. In
some instances air taxi companies may be the only means of reaching a certain location
or air strip.

Hunters and campers with cumbersome gear planning trips to remote island regions and
also visitors wishing to "island hop", should consider air taxi service to meet their
demands.

By boat

Charter boats sail and motor between some islands, especially the
Maui-Molokai-Lanai area. But, crossing the channels between islands can be
extremely rough going. Because of this, a few charter companies specialize in having
boats delivered inter island and can meet you at your destination.

Norwegian Cruise Lines operates both U.S.-flagged and foreign flagged cruise ships
between the islands. By February 2007 Maui departures are being eliminated, leaving
Honolulu Harbor as the sole originating port. The ship is called Pride of America.

By bus
On Oahu there is an excellent public transportation system TheBus [12]
(http://www.thebus.org) . You can buy a booklet called "TheBus" at local ABC Stores
[13] (http://www.abcstores.com/) giving route information on how to get around the
island. Route Schedules [14] (http://www.thebus.org/Route/Routes.asp) are also
available on The Bus Website [15] (http://www.thebus.org) . Public transportation
systems are less developed on the Neighbor Islands.

By car

If you want to take your car to Hawaii, it will either need to be amphibious or freighted
by ship, making this infeasible unless you plan a long-term stay in Hawaii. However,

Hawaii is the only state that honors all other US state vehicle licenses until they expire
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Hawaii is the only state that honors all other US state vehicle licenses until they expire,
provided you apply for a permit within 10 days of the car's arrival. (Incidentally, Hawaii NYC
also is the only state that does not require intended residents to exchange their out-of- HNL
state driver's licenses.)

Car rentals should be booked as soon as possible as the price charged is based on a
supply/demand basis. The exception is Waikiki where you will not need a car on a
permanent basis so just rent a car the day before you want one. Collision insurance Just found...
coverage is very expensive through car rental companies (it can easily double your daily $690^ from New York
to Honolulu
rate or more). Consider using a credit card with collision coverage. All U.S.-issued
consumer Visa credit (but not debit) cards, many MasterCard cards and some More Deals from New
American Express cards include secondary collision coverage; some American York:
Express, Visa business and Diners Club cards offer primary coverage. Alternatively or $185^ to Miami
additionally, prior to your trip, verify that both collision and liability (also called third- $155^ to Fort Lauderdale
party) coverage from your own auto insurance company extends to rental cars. Car $315^ to San Juan
rental rates for 5 or 6 day periods are often the same as 7 day rentals. Use a credit $183^ to Orlando
card that includes medical and trip cancellation insurance benefits; if you cannot, $358^ to Cancun
consider buying trip insurance from your flight travel agent. View more on Hawaii car $239^ to Las Vegas
rental insurance [16] (http://www.hawaiidrive-o.com/hawaii-car-insurance.html) . Also $222^ to West Palm
be aware some hotels may charge you for car parking; check with your hotel for Beach
$318^ to Los Angeles
parking fee before you book your car. International tourists with non US credit cards
$219^ to New Orleans
are not covered by the above. By clicking on your country of origin when obtaining a
$201^ to Tampa
quote from the car rental company's website, often an inclusive quote with loss damage
$222^ to Fort Myers
waiver and supplemental liability insurance is provided. Otherwise using a travel agent
$279^ to San Francisco
website within your country e.g. your local Expedia website or local car hire broker will $279^ to Salt Lake City
often also include insurance in their quote. $626^ to Paris
$183^ to Orlando
Gasoline, while nowhere near the prices charged in Europe, is significantly more
expensive in Hawaii than on the U.S. Mainland. Expect to pay about 10% more than ^ Fares found recently . Click
for more info
the prevailing rate on the Mainland for gasoline in Honolulu. Neighbor Island prices can
be as much as 10-15% above that.

By moped/scooter/motorcycle Ads by Google

Auto Shipping to Hawaii
Scooters are also an excellent alternative to getting around the islands. Rental rates are Shipping your car to
fairly cheap (about $50/day, or $135 for three days). The scooters are also fun to ride Hawaii is
and are cheap on gas (typical mileage is 100-130mpg). For scooters that can go over simple. Frequent, reliable
35mph or have an over 49cc engine, you'll need a motorcycle license.[17] service
(http://www.city-data.com/forum/hawaii/947879-question-mopeds-scooters-vespas- www.matson.com
etc.html#post13729771) Mopeds don't require a license, but the driver must be over
15, and it's illegal for two or more persons to ride a moped[18]
(http://moped2.org/laws/Hawaii.htm) , although this may not be enforced in more
remote areas such as Big Island. On most islands, you can also rent out Harley-
Davidson motorcycles.

Talk
Hawaiian and English are the official languages of Hawaii. However English is by far the
main spoken language There are some subtle differences in usage (see below) but
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main spoken language. There are some subtle differences in usage (see below), but
standard English is universally understood in Hawaii. Hawaiian "pidgin" English, spoken
by many locals, incorporates bits of Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese
and many other languages, in addition to its own unique idioms. As Japan is the most
important international tourist market in Hawaii, many tourist destinations offer
information in Japanese and have personnel who can speak Japanese. There are also
many ethnic communities that speak languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog,
Ilocano, Vietnamese, Korean, Samoan and the native Hawaiian language.

Learning a few words of Hawaiian can be fun and useful. Some signs in Hawaii use
Hawaiian words, and most street signs use Hawaiian names. The following is a brief
primer on Hawaiian pronunciation:

a as in father
e as in red
i as in machine
o as in phone
u as in fruit

ai, ae roughly like the igh in high

au, ao roughly like the ow in cow
ei roughly the ay in hay
ou roughly like the o sound in boat.

The Hawaiian alphabet consists of 13 characters: all 5 vowels plus 8 consonants (h, k,
l, m, n, p, w, and the apostrophe) which are generally pronounced in Hawaiian as they
are in English, except that w can also take on the sound of v in certain words and the
apostrophe is a glottal stop (which has the speaker curtailing the flow of air and
resuming as though speaking two separate words).

Each vowel or diphthong is pronounced separately. For instance, the highway

connecting Honolulu and Kaneohe on Oahu is called the Likelike Highway, and is
pronounced LEE-keh-LEE-keh, NOT like-like.

You will often see an apostrophe-like symbol in some words. This symbol, called the
'okina, means that the following vowel is pronounced with a catch in the throat, much
like the sounds in "uh-oh" are separated. A line above a vowel means that the vowel is
extended and stressed.

Some useful words include:

Hello.
Aloha. (ah-LOH-hah)
Goodbye.
Aloha. (ah-LOH-hah)
love
aloha (ah-LOH-hah) (So you indirectly refer to "love" when you first see
someone and when they have to go)

Thank you
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Thank you.
Mahalo. (mah-HAH-loh). (Although this word is found on fast food trash
receptacles around the islands, it does not mean "trash".)
finished, done
Pau. (pa-oo)
help
kokua (koh-KOO-ah)
woman
wahine (wah-HEE-ne)
man
kane (kah-ne)
child
keiki (KAY-kee)
local resident
kama'aina (kah-mah-EYE-nah)
toward the mountains
mauka (ma-OO-kah)
toward the ocean
makai (mah-KIGH)

Avoiding misunderstandings
As mentioned above, standard English is understood in Hawaii, and Hawaii residents
are generally very friendly. However, there are some subtle differences in word usage.
When talking with Hawaii residents, be aware of the following differences in word
usage to avoid miscommunications. Also see Respect below.

Always refer to the continental United States as "the Mainland" rather

than "the States." For instance, say "Back on the Mainland..." instead of "Back
in the States..." Hawaii has been one of "the States" since 1959, and the
Hawaiian sovereignty movement notwithstanding (see Respect below), most
Hawaii residents are proud to be part of the United States. Using the term "the
States" (implying that Hawaii is somehow foreign) may be seen as naive at best
and condescending at worst. However, don't be surprised if some local people
are condescending towards you because you are from the mainland. The "local"
vs. "mainland" difference is something local people are only too happy to point
out.
Residents of Hawaii do not necessarily consider themselves "Hawaiian."
For instance, when asking a Hawaii resident, "Are you a native Hawaiian?" don't
be surprised if his reply is "No, I'm Japanese." On the Mainland, for example, a
Californian means any person who lives in (or has ties to) California. However,
in Hawaii, the terms "Hawaiian" or "native Hawaiian" are reserved to mean
someone who is descended from the aboriginal people of Hawaii. This definition
even appears in state laws. Because Hawaii is made of people of various
ethnicities, someone whose family may have lived in Hawaii for generations may
still not be Hawaiian by the above definition. To avoid misunderstanding, it is
best to refer to Hawaii residents as such or as Islanders "locals" or kama'aina
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best to refer to Hawaii residents as such, or as Islanders, locals , or kama aina
(as above), unless you know for a fact that they are of native Hawaiian descent.

Buy
As in the rest of the United States, U.S. dollars are the local currency. There are plenty
of banks, ATMs, and money change offices in all cities. ATMs are scarcer on the
North Shore of Oahu and other rural areas. Note that because Hawaii is an island and
transporting goods to Hawaii is more difficult, the prices for most goods are more
expensive.

Hawaii has a 4% general excise tax statewide on the gross income of all businesses,
which is generally passed on the consumer as a de facto 4.166% "sales tax." (The
slight increase because they're taxed for collecting this "tax"!) As of January 1, 2007,
the City and County of Honolulu adds an additional half-percent on the excise tax rate,
making the "sales tax" rate on Oahu 4.712%.

Clothing

Other than the stereotypical grass skirt (which is not generally worn in Hawaii except
by hula dancers), no pieces of clothing are more associated with the Islands than the
aloha shirt and the muumuu.

The ever-present aloha shirt comes in a wide variety of designs. On one end, there are
the brightly colored, tourist-oriented, polyester aloha shirts that many stores throughout
the Islands carry. On the other end of the spectrum are the type of collared aloha shirts
that have become standard business attire among career professionals in Hawaii, in the
same way that the business suit is on the mainland. These aloha shirts are usually
cotton-polyester blend and are "reverse print." Reverse print means that the design is
printed on the inside of the shirt, resulting in a more muted, businesslike look.

For females, the muumuu is a long Hawaiian dress, usually made of cotton, that hangs
loosely from the shoulder.

A special note on shoes: The item commonly referred to on the US mainland as a

"sandal" or "flip-flop" (or more limited "thong") are called on the islands a "slipper" or
"slippa". Using a mainland term for the shoe will get you a quizzical look from locals.
Call them by their island name and they will instantly know what you are talking about.

Made in Hawaii
One of the most popular souvenirs to buy in Hawaii are locally made Hawaiian bath &
body products. The islands of Hawaii feature some of the most unique and refreshing
fragrances in the world which you can easily find in Hawaiian shampoos, body lotions,
soaps, oils, incense, floating candles, and much more.

Do
The Hawaiian islands offer a vast number of activities Hiking and eco tours are popular
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The Hawaiian islands offer a vast number ofHawaii travel guide - Wikitravel
activities. Hiking and eco tours are popular
on most islands, with opportunities for horseback riding, ATV, air tours, and other
methods of exploring the landscape. Museums and historical sites such as Pearl Harbor
are also to be found throughout the islands. Cultural activities such as the Polynesian
Cultural Center on Oahu also make for interesting day-long activities.

Oahu is famous for Pearl Harbor tours, but also popular are Shark Snorkel dives in
cages, Waikiki snorkel tours as well as around Oahu Tours where you will see all the
major highlites of Oahu including Diamond Head, the North Shore and Dole Plantation
where you can sample menu items made from fresh picked pineapples.

Maui is the location for Humpback Whale Watching from December 15 to April 15
each year as the massive Humpbacks migrate to Hawaii's warm waters to bear their
calves. Also famous from Maui is the Molokini Crater which is a partially submerged
volanco crater that you can snorkel at.

Kauai is untamed and beautiful. It has been featured in many major motion pictures
over the past two decades. See this island by land or by air to take in the true beauty of
this island.

This Big island is the volano island where you can take a land tour or fly over the
incredible huge volanco on a helicopter tour. Doors off flights allow you to feel the heat
from the volanco, and amazingly unique experience. Also on the Big Island you have
the rare opportunity to swim with Wild dolphins, not capitve one.

Hawaii is best known for its beaches and water activities. Surfing is practically a
religion in Hawaii, and scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities exist nearly
everywhere. In addition, jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking are available in tourist
areas.

Learn
Tourists who want to get a taste of Hawaiian culture can sign up for classes in hula,
surfing and lei-making at most tourist destinations.

There also a number of cultural and historical centers on Oahu well worth your time,
such as the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace.

If you have the money, the time and the inclination, the Polynesian Cultural Center
provides a window into Polynesian culture. As its name implies, the Polynesian Cultural
Center covers not just Hawaii but also the cultures of Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Easter
Island and the Maori people of New Zealand.

The outer islands also have destinations such as Maui Center for Culture and the Arts
and the Big Island has the Hilo Art Museum. the Lyman House Museum and the
Pacific Tsunami Museum as well as the University of Hawaii's 'Imiloa Astronomy
Center and Kula Kai Caverns.

Work
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Work
Given the current economic situation, the unemployment rate in Hawaii is at its highest
point in many years, but is still below the average unemployment rate for the country as
a whole. Hawaii is not an easy place to legally find casual work for non-US work
permit holders. To apply for a local government job, by law you must be a Hawaii
resident. This is changing though. Currently, police officer applicants do not have to be
residents.

Eat
Contemporary food in Hawaii, like the language and popular culture, is a medley of
traditional Hawaiian, Portugese, American, and Asian Pacific flavors. Pacific "fusion"
cuisine was largely invented in Hawaii. Well-known local chefs include Sam Choy,
Alan Wong, Russell Siu, Roy Yamaguchi, and George "Chef Mavro" Mavrothalassitis.
Seafood is, of course, fresh and tasty. Local beef comes from ranches on Maui and
coffee is grown on the Big Island. Tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, bananas,
guavas, and papaya - as well as fresh sugar cane, can be bought in most corner stores
(although you may be surprised to learn that many of those fruits are now imported
from distant locales such as The Philippines & Brazil).

One of the most common ways that local food is served is in the form of plate lunch,
usually meat or fish with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad. It's always a good
deal at any lunch wagon, mall, or outside food court. L&L Drive Inn [19]
(http://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com) and Zippy's [20] (http://www.zippys.com/) are
probably the most widely distributed chain of plate lunch spots in the Hawaiian islands.
Branches of L&L are in some locations on the Mainland as well (as L&L Hawaiian
Barbecue).

Another way of enjoying local food when roaming around the island is to keep an eye
out for the converted trucks/vans that are parked in their regular spots in gas station
parking lots, some parks and a variety of places on the island. They offer the "plate
lunches", are popular with the locals and provide great meals (on plastic plates} at very
reasonable prices. There is no reason to fear them, they are very common and popular.

Perhaps the best setting for tourists to enjoy traditional Hawaiian food is at a luau, or a
traditional Hawaiian feast. Tourists can find luaus at various locations in the Islands,
including many of the major resort hotels. At a modern luau traditional Hawaiian
favorites are served buffet style, and there is also Hawaiian music, hula, and other
Polynesian entertainment. The downside is that they can be pricey and prices can vary
widely; expect to pay between USD $50 and $90 per adult and about half that per
child.

Dishes that are often found at luaus include:

Lomi salmon, salted salmon mixed with tomatoes, onions, & pepper; like an
island salsa
Kalua pig, pork wrapped in banana leaves and steamed inside an imu (ground
boiler); similar to pulled pork
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boiler); similar to
pulled pork Hawaii travel guide - Wikitravel

Pipi kaula, Hawaiian style beef jerky

Poi, ground and boiled taro root paste
Laulau, pork & butterfish (black cod) wrapped in ti leaves then steamed
Luau, seafood (often squid) prepared in a mixture of boiled taro leaves and
coconut milk
Haupia, a gelatin-like dessert prepared from thickened coconut milk

Other local dishes include favorites such as the following:

Ahi, tuna, excellent as sashimi (Japanese style sliced raw fish) or as poke
(chopped and seasoned raw fish).
Mahi Mahi or dolphin fish, served as a steak, sandwich, or in almost-raw thin
strips .
Ono, A type of fish also known as wahoo. Not coincidentally, the name
resembles the Hawaiian word for "delicious."
Shave ice, an island version of snow cones made from finely shaved ice, comes
in lots of ono flavors. Order your shave ice with azuki beans and/or a scoop of
ice cream.
Saimin, Hawaii's version of noodle soup or ramen.
Malasada, Fried bread rolled in plenty of sugar, often sold at special events.
Portugese origin.
Manapua, local name for a popular type of Chinese dim-sum otherwise known
as "char-siu-bao". Cured sweet pork wrapped in soft white bread.
Spam musubi, an unorthodox variant of Japanese riceballs (musubi),
composed of salted rice formed into a rectangular shape and topped with spam,
wrapped in seaweed. Popular enough to be sold in every Hawaiian 7-11.
Chicken/Pork Adobo, Filipino dish widely offered and appreciated in Hawaii.

If you are roaming the island away from tourist areas, you may find restaurants are
scarce. Many of the numerous golf courses have dining rooms open to the public that
offer great meals at very good prices. They seem to welcome the non-golfer. For
specific places at which to eat, see the individual island or city articles. Be sure to
check the coupon books that are available at display stands for meal specials.

Drink
Beer: there are a number of excellent local brewpubs in Hawaii. Mehana, Sam Choy's,
Honu, Waimea Brewing Company, Liz's Pub, Keoki's and Kona Brewing Company all
brew beer in Hawaii or brew it on the mainland and ship it to the islands. The largest of
the group is Kona Brewing, which has won several national awards and runs two brew
pub / restaurants in the islands (one in Kailua Kona, the other in Hawaii Kai on Oahu).

Stay safe
Theft is a big problem in cities as well as beaches and parks. If you are camping on a
beach, keep bags locked in a car (but don't assume that they are safe in the trunk,
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, p g ( Hawaii travel guidey - Wikitravel ,
especially if you are driving a rental) and keep valuables in a hidden money belt.
Although Hawaii is generally considered relatively safe, it does have some violent
crime. Consequently, women should not walk alone in unlit areas. Although Honolulu
has one of the lowest violent crime rates of metro areas in the U.S., use your common
sense. Stay smart and act as if you were in your own home city: lock doors, lock cars,
and don't leave valuables lying around.

Stay healthy
Hospitals in Hawaii meet U.S. standards for care, and can be found in the urban areas
of each island. The hospitals in Honolulu are larger and have the most advanced
equipment; the hospitals on the neighbor islands provide general care. There is currently
a shortage of specialists on the Neighbor Islands. Depending on where you are and
how serious your condition is, be advised that you may need to be medically evacuated
to Honolulu for treatment.

The main tourist areas of each island have walk-in urgent care clinics where you can
receive non-emergency treatment for whatever ails you. Some clinics even make hotel
room calls. Check with the local phone book or your hotel. In Waikiki, try Doctors on
Call (808-971-6000). The clinic is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you plan to go hiking in the backcountry or go swimming in freshwater pools in

Hawaii, be advised of the risk of catching leptospirosis. Leptospirosis generally
causes flu-like symptoms; in rare cases it can be fatal; the incubation period can be
from 2-30 days after exposure. Do not swim in freshwater pools if you have open
sores; see a doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms after hiking or swimming.

Be sure to have travel health insurance. If you are a U.S. resident with private health
insurance, you should consult your insurance carrier to determine what copayments
apply and to what extent your insurance is accepted in Hawaii by doctors and hospitals
in the event you need health care while on your trip. See Stay healthy in United States
of America for more information.

When going to the beach/swimming always wear suntan lotion or sun guard to
protect your skin from burns.

Respect
In general, American standards of etiquette (see Respect in United States of America)
apply in Hawaii. Hawaii, however, has certain cultural differences, owing to the Native
Hawaiians and the large population of Asians and people of Asian descent.

As is the custom in many Asian countries, always remove your footwear when
entering the home of an island resident, if so invited.

Hawaiian culture should be respected and travellers should be sensitive to the

state's rich cultural heritage and diversity - and the fact that the tourist experience
of Hawaiian culture may only scratch the surface. For instance, there are many
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, y
heiau (temples) in the Islands, where the ancient Hawaiian religion was
practiced. Some of these have become tourist attractions in their own right, but
visitors should nevertheless treat these places with the same level of respect one
would show at a place of worship.

If you visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you will no doubt hear about Pele,
the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. An urban legend has it that people who
have taken volcanic rock from the slopes of Mauna Loa or Kilauea have
suffered various misfortunes; it is believed that it is the wrath of Pele. In any
case, it is illegal to take rocks or other material from a national park.

Also, the status of Native Hawaiians vis-a-vis the U.S. federal government
has become a hot topic in recent years, with some Native Hawaiian groups
seeking a degree of sovereignty for the Hawaiian people as redress for the
overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and U.S. annexation in the 1890s.
(Honolulu is home to the only royal palace on U.S. soil.) There is currently no
consensus among Native Hawaiians on what form this sovereignty should take,
with some preferring the status quo of ordinary citizenship, some seeking a status
similar to that of Native Americans, and some wanting complete independence
and secession from the Union. In addition, private and government programs
that benefit Native Hawaiians have been called into question via a series of
lawsuits that have received extensive coverage in local media. Discussions of
Hawaiian sovereignty and programs can arouse a variety of strong opinions
(both in support and in opposition) among Hawaii residents of all ethnicities, and
the uninitiated visitor would be wise to avoid bringing up these topics in casual
conversation.

Some Native Hawaiians may attribute accidents caused by nature (such as a landslide
at Sacred Falls that killed several people) to the Menehune punishing tourists
disrespecting the land. Menehune or not, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in
the world and its sites deserve our respect. Bottom line: respect the land and the
people; there may be more there than meets the eye.

Contact
Hawaii uses the US postal system. Internet access can be found in most tourist areas
and many hotels. General wi-fi access is available only at select hotels and cafes. The
public libraries offer Internet access, but only for library cardholders. Visitors may
purchase a 3-month library card for $10.00.

Hawaii's area code is 808. When dialing any off-island telephone number, dial 1 + area
code + phone number. You must include the 808 area code when calling another
island.

Get out
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean Hawaii has few nearby neighbors.
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y g

California - The point of departure for many visitors from the continental United
States.
Oceania - Hawaii can be a stepping off point to explore the many islands of the
Pacific as well as the countries of Australia and New Zealand.
Japan

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