Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Volunteering on Vacation
If you are looking for a different type of experience during your next vacation to Hawaii, you
might want to consider becoming a volunteer and leaving the islands a little nicer than when
you arrived. People interested in volunteering at beach and ocean cleanups can contact the
University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program
(
&
808/397-2651,
ext. 256) or
Hawaii
Wildlife Fund
(
www.wildhawaii.org
)
. For ecovolunteering on land, contact
Malama Hawaii
(
http://malamahawaii.org/blog/category/volunteer
)
, a statewide organization dedicated to
malama (taking care) of the culture and environment of Hawaii. At this site you will find a
range of opportunities on various islands, such as weeding gardens and potting plants in
botanical gardens, restoring taro patches, cleaning up mountain streams, bird watching, and
even hanging out at Waikiki Beach helping with a reef project.
HOW TO FIT IN LIKE A LOCAL
Most visitors to Hawaii want to fit in and be respectful of the local residents. The best way
to do that is to be friendly and practice the same common courtesy that you do in your own
neighborhood. If you smile and are polite to local residents, chances are they will smile back
at you. There are a few things you might want to think about:
1.
Be super polite when driving. People in Hawaii do not use their car horn as a comment on other
people's driving. Most Hawaii residents use their car horn only as a greeting to a friend.
2.
Another driving comment—you may be on vacation, but not everyone here is, so check your rear-
view mirror. If you are impeding traffic by driving slow, pull off the road. If you want to watch the
sunset, pull of the road. If you have a long line of cars behind you, pull of the road.
3.
Dress respectfully. Just because it's Hawaii and warm does not mean that it is acceptable to wear
your swimwear into a restaurant. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: Would I wear this outfit
to a restaurant or retail store at home?
4.
Remember Hawaii is part of the United States, and is, in fact, a state. A good way to alienate local
residents is to say something like “I'm from the States.” Or “Back in the States, we do it this way.”
SPECIAL-INTEREST TRIPS & GUIDED TOURS
If all you want is a fabulous beach and a perfectly mixed mai tai, then Hawaii has what you're
looking for. But the islands' wealth of natural wonders is equally hard to resist; the year-round
tropical climate and spectacular scenery tend to inspire almost everyone to get outside and
explore.
If you don't have your own snorkel gear or other watersports equipment, or if you just don't
feel like packing it, don't fret: Everything you'll need is available for rent in the islands. We
discuss all kinds of places to rent or buy gear in the chapters that follow.
Setting Out on Your Own Versus Using an Outfitter
