New: We went back! There's more stuff for Oahu and Maui, and a new page for Kauai.
Click for Maui tips, big island tips, Kauai tips, or Oahu tips. Many of the places mentioned in the sections below have websites. We've listed what we can on our links page.
GENERAL TIPS (ALL ISLANDS)
WHAT TO WEAR: The hardest thing to get over is what the Hawaiian meaning of dressing for dinner is. Most places will let you wear an Aloha shirt and nice shorts. If you really feel uncomfortable about doing this sight unseen, just ask the concierge at your hotel, or the person at the restaurant you're talking to when you make the reservations.
SUNBLOCK: Please, please wear at least #15 sunblock wherever you go. Believe it or not, one hour of Hawaiian sun equals 3 hours of sun anywhere on the mainland USA. Even wearing a #30 sunblock, we still came back home lots darker than we were 2 weeks before.
RENTING A CAR: Two things: First, a warning about gas prices. They are going to be higher than the ones you are used to on the US Mainland, so don't be surprised. You have a choice as to transportation on the island of Oahu. You can take "The Bus", which only charges $1 each way, no matter where you want to go. But, it's a real hassle waiting for the bus and then having it take so long to get where you want to go, so it really is better to have a rental car for the whole time. For our second trip, we did this and it seemed like we took less time to do what we wanted to do and still had plenty of beach time, unlike the year we only took the bus everywhere which was a real pain. Keep in mind, though, that most places, even your own hotel, will charge you to park. However, if you're staying on any other island, a rental car is a MUST if you want to do any sightseeing without being tied down to a group of strangers. And for the most part (except for a few hotels on the Kaanapali side of Maui), parking is free.
SAVING MONEY: There are lots of ways to save money on just about everything. The best coupon book is the Entertainment book. These aren't always available, but if you're lucky enough to get ahold of one, it's well worth it. One book covers all the islands with lots of buy one get one free meal and attraction coupons. If you can't buy one of these, just check out the million and one brochures available everywhere you go. They're chock full of coupons and good deals.
HOTEL RESTAURANTS: Generally, restaurants in the better hotels are very expensive. Sure, the food is good and it's convenient, but there might be a restaurant close by that's just as good and cheaper because it's not in a hotel. Check your coupons! (Covered in "Saving Money" above.)
AIRLINE BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS - Revised 5/12/2005 An experience we had in 1999....Many places will tell you that when taking pineapple home with you, you can take 1 or 2 boxes home in addition to the 2 pieces of luggage you are allowed. This is wrong. We were specifically told at the United Airlines counter that no matter whether it's a box of pineapple or not, you are only allowed a TOTAL of 2 checked in pieces and no more. Most of the time in Hawaii, the agents will be nice enough to check in extra anyway, and the agent did do this, but she warned us that she could have just as easily charged us an extra $50 per piece for the extra boxes and had it been a Chicago counter, they would have. The fruit companies may be taking advantage of the good graces of the airline's agents by lying to the people buying fruit. This policy may not apply to all airlines! Your best bet is to call your airline and ask them specifically what the policy on extra luggage is. A big thanks to the nice lady for accomodating us.
Take Home Maui wrote to us recently to correct the information.
"....our ads have not said you can take a box of pineapple free since September 11, 2001. That is when some of the airlines began charging for boxes of pineapples, but only if your two checked bags exceeded the weight limit. This lasted about 6 months, until The Maui Visitors Bureau reminded the airlines that their lucrative Hawaii route relied on the goodwill of the Maui community, which is by and large an agricultural island. Currently and for the last 3 years only Northwest Airlines charges $20 for a box of pineapple if you are also checking two full weight bags."
Hopefully, in the near future, The Maui Visitors Bureau and the Airport authority can come to an agreement on some signage throughout the check in area that will clarify their policies and take the guesswork out of this very important part of a Hawaiian Vacation.
Email / knighton@cablespeed.com
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