Planning Your Trip to Oahu - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 360

Easy Ridin' on Oahu
If your dream is to go screaming down the highway on the back of a big Harley, here's your
chance. Cruzin Hawaii Motorcycles, 1980 Kalakaua Ave., at Kuhio Avenue, next to Tony
Roma's, Waikiki ( & 808/945-9595; www.cruzinhawaii.com ), has a range of bikes starting at
$79 (some insurance is included in the price). Also try Big Kahuna Motorcycle Rentals,
407 Seaside Ave., Waikiki ( & 808/924-2736; www.bigkahunarentals.com ) , which specializes
in Harley-Davidson, BMW, Yamaha, and Honda; or CoconutCruisers, 2301 Kalakaua Ave.,
across from the International Market Place, Honolulu ( & 808/924-1644;
www.coconutcruisers.netirms.com ) . You must have a valid motorcycle license to rent a bike.
TAXIS
RUSH HOUR
Oahu residents own 600,000 registered vehicles, but they have only 1,500 miles of mostly two-
lane roads. That's 400 cars for every mile, a fact that becomes abundantly clear during morn-
ing and evening rush hours. You can avoid the gridlock by driving between 9am and 3pm or
after 6pm.
DRIVING RULES
Hawaii state law mandates that all car passengers must wear a seatbelt, and all infants must
be strapped into car seats. The fine is enforced with vigilance, so buckle up—you'll pay a $95
to $150 fine if you don't. Pedestrians always have the right of way, even if they're not in the
crosswalk. You can turn rightonred from the right lane after a full and complete stop, unless
there's a sign forbidding you to do so.
MAIN STREETS & HIGHWAYS
Navigating around Oahu is actually easy as there are relatively few roads—some circle the
perimeter of the island and a handful cut across the island.
TO & FROM THE AIRPORT The main thoroughfare that runs from the airport to Honolulu and
Waikiki is the H-1 Freeway. The H-1 also runs in the opposite direction to Pearl Harbor
and Ewa. The artery that runs from the airport to Honolulu and Waikiki is NimitzHigh-
way (which has stoplights). In downtown Honolulu, Nimitz Highway becomes AlaMoana
Boulevard.
INHONOLULU The myriad of one-way streets in Honolulu can be confusing and frustrating. If
you want to travel in the Diamond Head direction, KingStreet is one-way going toward
Diamond Head. BeretaniaStreet is one-way in the opposite direction, toward Ewa. Punch-
bowl and Bishopstreets run toward the ocean (in the makai direction, as locals say), and
Alakea and Bethel streets run toward the mountains (in the mauka direction).