|
|
|
        |
The Hawaii Islands
|
|
|
Visitors Information
Visas: Conditions
of entry are the same as those for the USA. Most visitors require a visa.
However, Canadians need only proof of citizenship and citizens of the UK,
New Zealand, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, the
Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland can stay up to 90 days without
a visa.
Health Risks: Leptospirosis, sunburn, jellyfish
Time: UTC minus 10 hours
Electricity: 110/120V, 60Hz
Weights & Measures: Imperial
Tourism: 6.5 million visitors per year
Money & Costs
The currency in Hawaii
is the US dollar (US$). Holiday costs for European visitors depend on
the exchange rate (to the Euro), but in general are moderate to high. The
following prices give an indication of you spendings. Tips are expected. Tips
are 15% in restaurants.
Taxis
10%. $1 to $2 per person to tour guides.
|
|
- Budget meal: US$5-7
- Moderate restaurant meal: US$7-15
- Top-end restaurant meal: US$15 and up
- Budget room: US$15-25
- Moderate hotel room: US$25-45
- Top-end hotel room: US$45-55 and up
When to Go |
| Although Hawaii's busiest
tourist season is during winter (December to February), this has more to
do with the weather elsewhere, since many visitors are snowbirds escaping
cold winters back home. Average temperatures differ very little from
winter to summer. June through October is the hottest period, while
rainfall is heaviest between December and March - neither extreme is worth
worrying over. Hotel prices are lowest between April and mid-December.
If you're a surfer, you won't want to miss the
Christmas-time action around Oahu's North Shore, but if windsurfing or
diving is more your thing, you'll find the waters at their calmest at the
height of summer (July and August)
Getting There & Away |
| Honolulu
International Airport, on the island of Oahu, is a major Pacific hub and an intermediate
stop on many flights between the US mainland and Asia, Australia, New
Zealand and the South Pacific. There's a US$6 departure tax on all
international flights. If you insist on arriving by sea, the QE II stops
in Hawaii in January on its annual world cruise.
Getting Around |
| Inter-island
fights
flights are
plentiful between Honolulu (Oahu) and airports at Lihue (Kauai), Kahului
(Maui), Kona and Hilo (Big Island). The main carriers are Aloha Airlines
and Hawaiian Airlines; commuter services are run by Island Air and Air
Molokai. There are inter-island ferries between Lahaina (Maui) and Manele
(Lanai), and Lahaina and Kaunakakai (Molokai).
Oahu has a comprehensive bus system, making it
easy to explore by public transport. It will be necessary to hire a car to
fully explore the other main islands. Hawaiians drive on the right-hand
side of the road and consider horn honking extremely rude unless required
for safety. Cycling is a legitimate way of getting around but be prepared
for hefty climbs and narrow, traffic-clogged roads.
Climate: |
| Balmy
and mild temperatures ranging from 18º C to 30º C year round.
Clothing: |
| Summer
clothes, few restaurants require jacket & tie. Warmer clothes for
mountain hikes.
Electricity: |
| 220
volts, AC/60 cycles.
Time
Zone: |
| GMT
less 10 hours.
Activities
|
| Hawaii
is a fantastic place to enjoy watersports and recreational activities. Surfing
is the king of sports, and Hawaii is deservedly renowned for its great
waves. Beginners can learn the basics at Waikiki, then watch the
professionals on Oahu's North Shore.
Maui has become a windsurfing mecca, with
the top international windsurfers heading for Hookipa Beach. Diving
is good year-round and there are plenty of underwater caves, canyons, lava
tubes, vertical walls and sunken ships to explore. Lanai, the sunken
volcanic crater of Molokini, and Oahu and Kauai's northern coasts are all
great diving areas.
For more
information on windsurfing, go to:
|
|
The Big Island's Kona Coast offers some of the
world's best deep-sea fishing for Pacific blue marlin, yellowfin
tuna and spearfish. And for those who want to keep their feet on solid
ground, hiking opportunities include trails in the Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, Haleakala National Park and Hawaii's premier hike along
Kauai's Na Pali Coast.
Holidays,
Festivals & Events |
| With
its multitude of cultures and permanently good weather, Hawaii always has
something to celebrate. Some of the events to look out for include: the
Merrie Monarch Festival (Hawaii's biggest hula competition, April); Lei
Day (lei-making competitions, May); King Kamehameha Day (state holiday
with parades, June); Aloha Week (celebration with parades, cultural
events, canoe races and Hawaiian music, September); and the
Quicksilver/Eddie Aikau Memorial Big Wave Classic (surf event held when
wave heights exceed 20ft/6m, December). Other annual events are the Honolulu Marathon
and the Hawaii Ironman Triatlon. |
|
|
Aloha Festivals
-
September
12 to 21 - Oahu
festival week
-
September
13 - Floral Parade
-
September
20 to 29 - Kaua'i
festival week
-
September
27 to October 6 - Moloka'i festival week
-
October
4 to 13 - Hawai'i
festival week
-
October
11 to 20 - Lana'i
festival week
-
October 11 to 20 - Maui festival
week
|
|
For
more general information
on Hawaii, go to: |
|
For more regional
information on Hawaii, go to: |
|
For
more product information
on Hawaii, go to: |
|
|
For
our special offers to Hawaii from Europe, go to:
|
|
These
specials are individual tour packages, including the roundtrip flights from
Europe, interisland flights, hotels, transfers and rentalcars. Another option is to create your own package to
the Hawaii by utilizing the separate travel components, like
hotels,
flights,
Carrental
and
excursions
on the islands. |
|
|
|
