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Frequently Asked Questions
Readers Please Note:
Hawaii.com DOES NOT mail brochures or pamphlets. You will find all the information you need about Hawaii travel on our Web site, Hawaii.com. A good place to start exploring the Hawaiian Islands is at www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu. We also offer a section that sells magazines and booklets that can help you plan your trip, here: www.hawaii.com/marketplace
Need More Information About Hawai‘i Travel?
For quick answers to some of your most pressing questions, check out the following questions frequently asked of the Hawaii.com webmaster. You'll find even more information about Hawaii travel by FULLY exploring our Web site, Hawaii.com. On Hawaii.com you'll find, among other things:
• Great travel deals
• Attractions and activities for each island
• Accommodations guides for each island
• Air travel tips and resources
• Transportation options
• Dining recommendations
• Events and entertainment
• Hawaii photos, web cams, messages boards and more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Trip Itinerary
Q HELP! I have booked a trip through your site and lost my itinerary. How can I find it again?
A Please go to www.hawaii.com and, under the section titled "Special Sections," click on the link called "Check Your Hawaii Itinerary." This will take you to a site where you can log in and retrieve your trip details. If you do not have your login information, you'll find that information on the reservation confirmation you were sent by email.
Questions About Vacation Reservation
Q I booked a trip on Hawaii.com but have questions about some things on my itinerary. Is there a number I can call?
A Yes — our 24-hour reservations agents can be reached toll free at 1-800-282-6487.
Multi-Island Trip
Q We want to visit 2 or 3 islands while in Hawaii. How can we make those reservations?
A The best way is to click here and choose the 2-island package option.
Hawaii.com Club Password
Q I would like to change my email login and other information in my Hawaii.com Club Account but can't remember my password. How can I get it?
A See our Password Retrieval page and receive your password in minutes: www.hawaii.com/members
What are Points?
Q I just joined the Hawaii.com Club. What are points and why are they important?
A Points are important if you are trying to win our prizes. Each point you earn in your account equals an entry in all our prize drawings. For more information and tips on earning points, see this page: www.hawaii.com/join/points.php
Winning Prizes
Q I would like to enter Hawaii.com's prize drawings...how do I do that?
A If you are registered as a Hawaii.com Member, you are automatically entered into our contests. To be eligible for prizes, though, you must be a member and have at least 1 point in your account (the more points, the more entries you'll have in all our drawings). If you are not a member, sign up here: www.hawaii.com/members/join
Moving to Hawaii
Q I am planning to move to Hawaii. Where can I find out more about apartments and employment, bringing my pets, and moving my household items?
A Hawaii.com offers all this info and more in our "Moving to Hawaii" section, here: www.hawaii.com/move
Leis at the Airport
Q Do people arriving in Hawai‘i still get greeted with a lei?
A Yes! Traditional, Island-style lei greetings at the Honolulu International Airport can be arranged — for yourself or someone you know who is traveling to Hawai‘i. Click here to order online!
Weather
Q What's the weather like in Hawai‘i? Is there a "monsoon" season?
A There is no specific rainy season in Hawaii, although on the windward (eastern) side of each island rain is more frequent year-round. From season to season, air and water temperatures vary only slightly. Click here for information on Hawaii's climate
Surf
Q Where can I find good surfing waves?
A This depends on the time of year. In the winter months (November through March) O‘ahu has some of the best-known surf breaks in the world, including 'Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline) and Waimea Bay. Maui's North Shore is also known for big waves during the winter months. In summer, waves are biggest on the southern and eastern shores of all Islands. See this page for more: www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/activities/surfing
Island Hopping
Q I would like to visit several islands while in Hawa'i. How can I do this and what will it cost?
A Except for ferry service between Maui and Moloka'i and Maui and Lana'i, island hopping is done by airplane. A round-trip ticket will cost between $90 and $130. Our Air Travel page provides island-hopping information, including links to check rates and book your interisland trip: www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/flights
"Low" Season
Q When is the "low" season in Hawaii?
A "Low" season in the Hawaiian Islands is January through May and September through December 15. It is during these months that prices are a bit lower and the beaches, a bit quieter.
Interisland Cruises
Q Are there cruises in Hawaii?.
A Yes. Norwegian Cruise Lines operates an interisland cruise, and may be expanding its routes. Price voyages and book online here
Seatbelt Laws
Q Are seat belts and car seats required in Hawaii?
A Yes. All occupants of a car must wear seat belts (regardless of age), and children weighing less than 50 pounds must be in a child safety or booster seat. Some car rental companies provide children's car seats to customers, so check with your rental company when making a reservation. For more transportation information, visit www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/transportation
Drinking Age
Q What is Hawaii's drinking age?
A You must be 21 years of age to drink alcoholic beverages or enter most nightlife establishments.
Documentation
Q Do I need a passport to come to Hawaii?
A If you are traveling from outside the United States (and are not a U.S. citizen), yes. Hawaii is the United States' 50th state.
If you plan to take a cruise in Hawaii, there are separate requirements. Click here for details
Weddings
Q I'm planning a wedding in Hawaii. Where can I find information on marriage license requirements, plus find an officiant, flowers, a reception site and more?
A You can find all the above and more — including a wedding checklist, what to wear for a beach wedding, and ideas for classic and creative weddings — in our Island wedding sections. Start here
Honeymoons
Q We're honeymooning in Hawaii. What are some of the attractions we really should see while there?
A Hawaii.com's island-specific Attractions sections provide a comprehensive guide to the most interesting things to do in the Islands. Go to the island of your choice, select "Attractions" and search for the type of sightseeing you'd most like to do — from arts, culture and history to gardens, parks and beaches.
• More about planning a honeymoon
Pearl Harbor
Q Where is Pearl Harbor — and how can I visit the site of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor?
A Pearl Harbor is on the island of O‘ahu, just west of Honolulu International Airport. At Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri are popular visitor attractions. Info on booking tours
Visiting the Volcano
Q Where is the erupting volcano?
A Kilauea, the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world, is on the Big Island of Hawaii, within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. See Hawaii.com's guide to the Big Island for more information: www.hawaii.com/visit/bigisland/attractions
Swimming with Dolphins
Q I have heard you can swim with dolphins somewhere in Hawaii. How do I find out about this?
A Several of Hawaii.com's preferred Activities providers can help you arrange a dolphin tour or encounter — for some, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Start exploring here: www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/activities
Family-friendly Attractions
Q Where can I find kid-friendly activities and attractions in Hawaii?
A The Attractions section within each island guide offers a search for "family friendly" attractions (such as zoos, waterparks, aquariums, nature centers and more). Have fun!
• Start here
Packing
Q What should I wear on my vacation?
A We recommend packing as lightly as possible. Detailed packing checklist
Ocean Hazards
Q Are there dangerous animals in Hawaii's oceans?
A There are a few, though it's unlikely you'll encounter them if you follow basic beach-going guidelines. read these guidelines
Interisland Ferries
Q Can I go from Oahu to other islands on a ferry?
A There is no ferry service from Oahu to other islands. Hawaii has no mass-transit interisland ferry system, but several small ferries operate visitor and commuter routes between the islands of Maui and Molokai, and Maui and Lanai.
• Read more
Events
Q I would like to attend a cultural event while in Hawaii. How can I find out what's happening during my stay?
A Search Hawaii.com's events and entertainment calendar for the events that most interest you — from cultural festivals and marathons to nature hikes, parades and art exhibits. Go to: www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/events.
Renting a Car
Q How old do I have to be to rent a car?
A Most rental car companies require that you be 25 years of age and have a major credit card to rent a car. Some rental companies will allow you to use a debit or cash system for payment. Rent a car here: www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/transportation
Bringing Food
Q Can I bring fresh fruits or vegetables with me to the Islands?
A Perhaps. All visitors coming into Hawaii are required to complete a form declaring any fresh produce or other live organisms in their possession. If agriculture inspectors determine that your items cannot be brought into the state, they will confiscate it at the Honolulu airport.
Taking Food
Q Can I take Hawaii-grown food home with me, such as pineapples?
A Certain fruits, vegetables and flowers are allowed for export, but they must be agriculturally approved. You can find boxed pineapple and other goods in retail shops throughout Hawaii. You CANNOT pick fruit or flowers in Hawai‘i and take them home. All luggage is scanned for outgoing agricultural products.
Pets
Q Can I bring pets to Hawai‘i?
A Yes. However, Hawai‘i is rabies-free and requires that all cats, dogs and other carnivores entering the state be quarantined for 30 to 60 days to screen for rabies. A state law exempts service dogs for the disabled. See our "Moving to Hawaii" section for more information about animal quarantine: www.hawaii.com/move.
Time Zone
Q What time zone is Hawai‘i in?
A Hawai‘i Standard Time. We do not observe daylight savings time. The current time in Hawai‘i is always displayed on our home page, www.hawaii.com
Hawaii Dining
Q What kind of food do people in Hawaii eat?
A An amazing blend of Asian, European, Polynesian and other foods. For more of an explanation and to search for recommended restaurants, visit our dining guide here: www.hawaii.com/visit/oahu/dining
Returning Rocks
Q I took a small lava rock from the Big Island as a souvenir, but I hear it's bad luck to do so. Can I return it?
A Yes you can. Hawaiian legend has it that Pele, the goddess of fire, becomes angry when rock or sand is taken from the Big Island, her 'aina (land) — and sends bad luck to the person who took it. You can return rocks and sand to:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052
Wearing Flowers
Q I have seen women wearing flowers behind their ear. Are there guidelines as to which ear the flower should decorate?
A We've been given these guidelines, though some would question the logic: A flower worn behind the right ear means you're single; a flower worn behind the left ear means you are married or otherwise taken (the left ear is allegedly closer to the heart).
** Still can't find what you need? We encourage you to surf www.hawaii.com to find answers about and recources for Hawaii travel. If you still cannot find what you need, e-mail webmaster@hawaii.com and we'll direct you to the appropriate source for answers. KEEP IN MIND: Due to the overwhelming volume of email we receive, you should expect a response no sooner than 4 days from the time you submit your question. Please be aware, also, that if your question is answered in the FAQs above, you may not receive a response.
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