Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
swelling. See a doctor if you experience extreme pain, swelling, nausea, or any other severe reac-
tion.
Rarely seen,
scorpions
are found in arid, warm regions; their stings can be serious. Campers in
dry areas should always check their boots before putting them on and shake out sleeping bags
and bed rolls. Symptoms of a scorpion sting include shortness of breath, hives, swelling, and
nausea. In the unlikely event that you're stung, apply diluted household ammonia and cold com-
presses to the area of the sting and seek medical help immediately.
In addition to taking the appropriate precautions regarding Hawaii's bug population,
hikers
should
always let someone know where they're heading, when they're going, and when they plan to re-
turn; too many hikers get lost in Hawaii because they don't let others know their basic plans.
Before you head out, always check weather conditions with the
National Weather Service
(
&
808/973-4380
on Oahu;
www.weather.gov
)
. Hike with a pal, never alone. Wear hiking boots, a sun
hat, clothes to protect you from the sun and from getting scratches, and high-SPF sunscreen on all
exposed areas of skin. Take water. Stay on the trail. Watch your step. It's easy to slip of precipit-
ous trails and into steep canyons. Many experienced hikers and boaters today pack a cellphone in
case of emergency; just dial
&
911.
The volcanic haze dubbed vog is caused by gases released when molten lava—from the continu-
ous eruption of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island—pours into the ocean. Some people claim that
long-term exposure to the hazy, smoglike air has caused bronchial ailments, but it's highly unlikely
to cause you any harm in the course of your visit.
There actually is a vog season in Hawaii: the fall and winter months, when the trade winds that
blow the fumes out to sea die down. The vog is felt not only on the Big Island, but also as far away
as Oahu.
Because most people coming to Hawaii are unfamiliar with the
ocean environment,
they're often
unaware of the natural hazards it holds. With just a few precautions, your ocean experience can be
a safe and happy one. An excellent book is All Stings Considered: First Aid and Medical Treatment
of Hawaii's Marine Injuries, by Craig Thomas and Susan Scott (1997).
Note that
sharks
are not a big problem in Hawaii; in fact, they appear so infrequently that locals
look forward to seeing them. Since records have been kept, starting in 1779, there have been only
about 100 shark attacks in Hawaii, of which 40% have been fatal. Most attacks occurred after
someone fell into the ocean from the shore or from a boat; in these cases, the sharks probably at-
tacked after the person was dead. But general rules for avoiding sharks are: Don't swim at sunrise,
at sunset, or where the water is murky due to stream runoff—sharks may mistake you for one of
their usual meals. And don't swim where there are bloody fish in the water, as sharks become ag-
gressive around blood.
