Country Facts - Hawaii
Airport Taxes:
Have been included in the cost of your holiday.
Baggage Allowance:
Economy class passengers are allowed 1 bag per person at a maximum weight of 23 kilos. First and Business class passengers are allowed 1 bag at a maximum weight of 32 kilos per person. Any excesses will be charged for by the airlines. All passengers departing from or connecting through London Heathrow will be allowed one piece of carry-on baggage plus one small personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. The dimensions of the carry on luggage must not exceed a maximum height of 56cm (22 inches), width 45cm (17.7 inches) and depth 25cm (10 inches), including wheels, handles, side pockets etc. For further information regarding hand luggage and items that can be carried in your hand luggage we recommend you visit www.baa.co.uk which is the website for BAA which operates London Heathrow Airport .
Climate:
Located at the edge of the tropical zone there are really only two seasons. In "summer," the average daytime high temperature is 85F; in "winter," it's 78F. Ocean temperatures are always warm and trade winds keep the islands cool and the humidity comfortable.
Currency & Money Matters:
Hawaii 's currency is the US dollar. Whilst we recommend that any money taken should be in US Dollars travellers' cheques for security, all major international credit cards are widely accepted and ATM machines are plentiful throughout the islands. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Duty Free Allowance:
Visitors over 17 are allowed duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 1 litre bottle of wine or spirits. 60 ml of perfume.
Electricity:
The current voltage in the US is 120V. Plugs are mainly the two, flat-pin type, though three-pin plugs are also widely used.
Flight Time:
UK - America approx 12hrs / America - Hawaii approx 5hrs
Health & Immunisation:
There are no compulsory health requirements for visiting the USA and Hawaii . However, it is your responsibility to check for relevant requirements and recommendations before your departure and we recommend you consult your local GP or travel clinic for up-to-date information no later than two months prior to your departure.
Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds so good medical insurance is essential.
Passports & Visas:
We can only advise of the requirements for British passport holders. For British passports endorsed in any way and for all other passport holders, requirements should be checked with the relevant Embassy or Consulate. You should ensure that you have a valid 10 year passport which is machine readable and that that your passport is valid for 6 months after your return to the UK . British citizens will need to complete a Visa Waiver Form which will be handed out during the international flight. Important: Some travellers may not be eligible to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme (WWP). These include people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, certain serious communicable illnesses and some driving offences. Further information can be obtained by visiting www.usembassy.org.uk All passengers must comply with US Immigration Regulations and Journeys of Distinction accept no liability for any passenger being refused entry into America as a result of not acquiring the correct documentation or holding a valid passport.
Photography:
It is recommended that all photographic film and single use cameras are carried in your hand luggage. These items should be handed to security for hand checking rather than being scanned.
Safety:
Dialling 911 connects you to emergency assistance for police, fire and ambulance. In Hawaii , ocean safety is very important and it is advisable to heed the international signage at local beaches.
Special Dietary Requirements:
Although the airlines and hotels will endeavour to accommodate passengers with special dietary requirements this cannot be guaranteed. In particular this applies to meals taken outside the hotels. Therefore we suggest passengers requiring special foodstuffs should pack any essential items in their luggage.
Taxis & Public Transport:
Oahu is the only island where you will find a public bus system, called "The Bus", however all islands have a good taxi service.
Time Zone:
GMT - 10 to 11hrs
Tipping:
A 15% tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders and waiters, but don't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties tip 20% of the bill. It is normal to tip staff in hotels. Most services are customarily tipped if the service is good. Gratuities have NOT been included for the driver/guides or the Tour Manager. Journeys of Distinction therefore recommend US$3.00 per person per day for your Tour Manager and a similar amount for your driver/guides, depending on the standard of service given and your level of satisfaction. These recommendations are guidelines only. As tips are a personal matter and purely down to your discretion , we suggest they are given on an individual basis rather than as a group collection. All hotel porterage is taken care of by Journeys of Distinction.
What to Pack:
Pack clothes that are light, loose, and comfortable. For daytime, shorts, t-shirts, sandals and a swimsuit along with a hat and sunglasses are usually all that's needed. For the evening, sun dresses for women and casual trousers and a shirt for men along with a light jacket or sweater will be suitable for most restaurants. We also recommend some warmer clothes for our visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park along with some comfortable shoes.
Please note that the above information may be subject to change. Current information correct as at 01/05/2008
