Travel Tips and Facts about Hawaii

Location Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean, around 3860km from mainland USA

Area 29,311 sq km

Population 1.3 million

Capital city Honolulu (population 380,000)

Climate Hawaii has a warm and balmy climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging between 20˚C and 28˚C. Summer coastal average highs are a pleasant 27˚C to 29˚C, while winter temperatures average at around 22˚C. June through to October is the hottest time of year in Hawaii. North-easterly trade winds prevail most of the year. The rainy season runs between December and March; rain can be heavy in the mountains but on the coast is confined to short showers. In general, the driest, sunniest conditions and the calmest waters are on the south-western side of the islands.

Time Zone GMT/UTC -10

Currency US dollar (USD)

Electricity 110 volts at 60hz. American-style three-pin plugs and flat two-pin plugs

Tipping Tipping is widely encouraged and should be added to all services. Tips of 10 to 20 per cent are considered acceptable. A 15 per cent tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but don’t tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. For bellmen, US$1 per bag; for valet, US$2 per use. In expensive restaurants or for large parties tip 20 per cent of the bill. It is normal to tip staff in hotels.

Language Hawaiian and English Useful phrases Try these Hawaiian phrases: Aloha! – Hello/goodbye; ‘olu olu – Please; Mahalo – Thank you

Local etiquette Visitors are requested not to offend local sensibilities. When driving horn honking is considered extremely rude unless required for safety.

Tip Hats and sunscreen are a must and sneakers or sandals are advisable for walking and swimming around coral. If you cut yourself on coral pour lemon or lime juice over the wound to relieve the pain, or use hydrogen peroxide.

Getting there Fly direct from Sydney to Maui’s Kahului International Airport on Hawaiian Airlines; Air Pacific via Nadi, Fiji; and Qantas Airways via Honolulu, with connections from all major Australian airports.

Flight time 12 hours from Sydney, 11 hours from Perth (plus transit times via New Zealand).

Flying in Honolulu International Airport is located about 13km northwest of Honolulu on the island of Oahu, with daily connections to Maui.

Entry requirements A machine-readable passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel. Australian citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days.

Getting around Hawaiian Airlines provides frequent inter-island flights. Ferries link all the main islands with frequent services between Lana’i, O'ahu, Maui, Kauai'i and the Big Island. Traffic drives on the right.

Public Holidays 2011
1 Jan – New Year's Day
18 Jan – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
15 Feb – President's DAy
31 May – Memorial Day
4 July – Independence Day
6 Sept – Labor Day
11 Oct – Columbus Day
11 Nov – Veterans' Day
26 Nov – Thanksgiving Day
25 Dec – Christmas Day.