Oahu in Depth - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 88

CAMPING Hawaii's year-round balmy climate makes camping a breeze. However, tropical
campers should always be ready for rain, especially in Hawaii's wet winter season, but even
in the dry summer season as well. And remember to bring a good mosquito repellent. If
you're heading to the top of Hawaii's volcanoes, you'll need a down mummy bag. If you
plan to camp on the beach, bring a mosquito net and a rain poncho. Always be prepared to
deal with contaminated water (purify it by boiling, filtering, or by using iodine tablets) and
the tropical sun (protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt). Also be
sure to check out the “Health” section for hiking and camping tips.
There are many established campgrounds at beach parks, including Malaekahana
Beach. For more details on getting regulations and camping information for any of Hawaii's
national or state parks.
Travel Tip
When planning sunset activities, be aware that
Hawaii, like other places close to the equator,
has a very short (5-10 min.) twilight period after
the sun sets. After that, it's dark. If you hike out
to watch the sunset, be sure you can make it
back quickly, or else take a flashlight.
Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, P.O. Box 2238, Honolulu, HI 96804, offers an in-
formation packet on hiking and camping throughout the islands. Send $2 and a legal-
size, self-addressed, stamped envelope for information. Another good source is the Hik-
ing/Camping Information Packet, available from Hawaii Geographic Maps and Books,
49 S. Hotel St., Honolulu, HI 96813 ( & 800/538-3950 or 808/538-3952; hawaiigeographic-
[e-mail]), for $7. The Society prefers that people contact them via email. The
University of Hawaii Press, 2840 Kolowalu St., Honolulu, HI 96822 ( & 808/956-8255;
www.uhpress.hawaii.edu ) , has an excellent selection of hiking, backpacking, and bird-
watching guides, especially The Hiker's Guide to the Hawaiian Islands, by Stuart M. Ball,
Jr. (2000).
GOLF Nowhere else on earth can you tee off to whale spouts, putt under rainbows, and play
around a live volcano. Hawaii has some of the world's top-rated golf courses. But be fore-
warned: Each course features hellish natural hazards, such as razor-sharp lava, gusty trade
winds, an occasional wild pig, and the tropical heat. And greens fees tend to be very ex-
pensive. Still, golfers flock here from around the world and love every minute of it. See
for coverage of the resort courses worth splurging on (with details, where applicable, on
money-saving twilight rates), as well as the best budget and municipal courses. Also see
“The Best Golf Courses.”