Friday, October 25, 2024

Questions and Answers for Those Contemplating Their First Trip to Hawaii Pt. I

Hawaii is one of those destinations that seems to be most people's travel bucket list. Unlike the "all inclusive" resorts commonly found in the tropics, where the only money you bring is for tips and souvenirs, Hawaii is somewhere that you pay for everything. According to Hawaii Travel for Kids, here are 36 questions asked to them when traveling to the Aloha state where palm trees sway

1. How far in advance should you buy airfare to Hawaii?

-Sign up for Google Flight Alerts to get specific information on this. Sign up for their email list and it will provide useful information. Unfortunately, since 2021, the price can go up and down like the stock market. So, unfortunately, there is no specific time frame to buy airfare

2. What is the difference between the time zone on the Mainland and the time zone in Hawaii?

-There is the unique Hawaiian Standard Time. It does not do daylight savings time. Hawaii is 2-3 hours behind the West Coast of the Mainland, 3-4 hours behind Mountain Time, 4-5 hours behind Central Time, and 5-6 hours behind the East Coast of the Mainland

3. Is a passport required to visit Hawaii?

-Since Hawaii is part of the United States, you won't need a passport. However, if you are planning on going outside the US, you will need a passport. That goes for everyone in your family, including babies if you are taking them

4. What should / can you wear in Hawaii?

-It can vary from one person to the next. Hawaii is a casual place where the ever popular "Hawaiian Shirt" is frequently seen. It's warm here, so warm weather clothing, such as t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops and shorts can be worn anywhere. If you plan on going to do any excursions, like ATV riding or horseback riding, bring the appropriate clothing, such as long pants and closed-toe shoes. And if you are planning on hiking, bring good walking shoes and light, breathable clothing. Since the sun is strong, bring good sunscreen. Make sure that if you go in to the ocean, your sunscreen is mineral-based rather than chemical-based because the chemical-based stuff can damage the reef and delicate ecosystem

5. Is there a main airport in Hawaii?

-Each island has its own airport. Most flights will bring tourists into Honolulu International Airport on the island of Oahu. Depending on traffic, it's about 20 minutes from Waikiki. Honolulu International Airport is also the airport that handles international flights as well

6. What island is Honolulu on?

-It's located on the island of Oahu. Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu. This is one of the most populated islands out of all of the Hawaiian islands

7. How long should I stay in Hawaii?

-You can stay as long as you want. It usually depends on what all you want to see.7-10 business days are a good range for a start. This will give you time to get over jet lag, do some tours or excursions, find some nice beaches, eat great food and still have time to take in the breathtaking beauty. If you plan on visiting all of the islands, 5-7 days per island would be recommended

8. What is the best method of transportation between the islands?

-Inter-island flights are the answer. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the two that do these. Like any airport, you'll need to go through security after arriving at the airport early. There's also a ferry that takes people from Maui to Lanai, but its run schedule is limited

9. What shouldn't I do in Hawaii?

-Don't be that tourist who thinks they are entitled to something. Be a good tourist. Say Aloha to people, treat them with respect. Obey the local laws and customs. Because if you break the law, the local Honolulu Police Department will want to talk to you. And it won't be like the older office Duke and the other police officers from the new television show Hawaii Five-O. Be patient. Not everyone is on vacation. You'll be interacting with people from various industries. Remember to tip. This shows gratitude for their hard work

10. What is the biggest problem in Hawaii?

-It might be shocking to those who have never been here, but there are homeless people in Hawaii. Homelessness here is such a problem because the cost of living is so high. Nearly everything has to be imported into the islands and the housing costs are so high

11. Where can I see an active volcano?

-The Big Island is the only place to see active volcanoes. Make Hawaii Volcanoes National Park your destination to see these living, breathing works of nature. Here you can see Kilauea

12. Can I take a ferry between islands?

-The answer is no. You cannot take a ferry between the islands. If you want to go to different islands, you must take an inter-island flight from either Southwest Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines

13. Can I drive between the islands?

-It's not even realistic. The answer is no. This is not the Florida Keys. To move between islands, once again you must take an inter-island flight from either Southwest Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines

14. What's the best island for a honeymoon?

-It all comes down to what you are hoping to do with your time here. If relaxation is your goal along with some fun excursions, Maui would be recommended. Snorkeling at Molokini Crater and road trips such as the Road to Hana are fun things to do. If this is your first trip to Hawaii, head to Oahu. This is where many of the iconic tourist places are. There, you'll find the Pearl Harbor Monument, Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch and the iconic North Shore, where you can see surfers. For a slower pace of life, head to Kauai. Their food scene is top quality, with beautiful beaches and hidden resorts. To completely disconnect from city life, go to the Big Island. They have options fitting all price ranges for honeymoons. They also have volcanoes and waterfalls for nature lovers

15. If you have kids, what is the best island to start with?

-The answer can vary from family to family. Any of the islands will provide a breathtaking trip for kids. 

Oahu with kids

-This is the most popular option. It's home to the Disney Aulani Resort. You can see Pearl Harbor, the Dole Pineapple Plantation, the Waikiki Submarine and the Polynesian Culture Center

Maui with kids

-There are kid-friendly resorts with plenty of activities to keep the kids busy. There's the I'ao Needle, the Surfing Goat Dairy, the Maui Ocean Center, boat tours and more to do

Kauai with kids

-Laid-back is the rule of thumb here. Here, you can partake in snorkeling, ziplining, watching a fire dance show and even explore Waimea Canyon

Big Island with kids

-This provides families with kids an "authentic" Hawaiian experience. The Big Island is perfect for the outdoorsy types who love nature-related activities, such as snorkeling with manta rays, exploring active volcanoes, such as Kilauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or checking out a Hawaii Chocolate farm

16. Where are the big waves in Hawaii?

-You'll need to head to the North Shore on Oahu. Go during the winter months of November-February. This is where you can see surfers of every skill level tackling the so-called "Hawaiian Roller Coaster."

17. What is the best time to visit Hawaii?

-There's no really bad time to visit Hawaii. In terms of weather, the winter months prove to be a bit rainy, but it never lasts long. During the summer months, from July-August, it can get hot and humid

18. When is the high season in Hawaii?

-It's mostly during school breaks when you'll see a lot more people in Hawaii than normal. It can be incredibly busy (and expensive) during the summer, with so many people going on vacation due to school breaks. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays also prove to be a busy season. Spring break is also a popular time to go to Hawaii. The best times to go would be mid-April-June and September to mid-November. These tend to be the calmer times, when people are back in school and it's not as hectic

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