Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Planning Your Outings
On Oahu—especially in Waikiki—everything is relatively close and
walking is the preferred method of transportation, but on other
islands you most likely will be driving. Be sure to pull out this guide's
maps, so you can group all your sightseeing on one side of the island.
At the beginning of each island chapter is information on the vari-
ous parts of the island, which will help you plan your daily jaunts. Be
sure to allow plenty of time for driving, for finding a parking space (yes,
Hawaii has parking problems), and for getting lost (and found again).
Finding a Restroom:
Any restaurant or fast-food joint has restrooms. In
Waikiki or other resort areas, the hotels all have restrooms off the
lobby. Every park in Hawaii has restrooms, though some may be
cleaner than others. When you enter an attraction (like a museum, Sea
Life Park, or even a sightseeing boat), ask where the restrooms are—
then you can take the kids quickly when they suddenly decide that
they need a bathroom
now.
Nursing Moms and Infants:
You'll be in good company everywhere in
Hawaii. Nursing in public is legal, but you might want to have a blan-
ket or diaper so you can cover the appropriate parts. Most restrooms
also have changing areas and chairs for mothers who are a bit shy
about nursing in public.
Hiring a Babysitter:
The larger hotels and resorts can refer you to qual-
ified babysitters. You can also contact
People Attentive to Children
(PATCH),
which can refer you to babysitters who have taken a training
course on child-care. On Oahu, call
&
808/839-1988;
on the Big Island,
call
&
808/329-7101;
on Maui, call
&
808/242-9232;
on Kauai, call
&
808/246-0622;
or visit www.patch-hi.org.
INSURANCE
Hawaii is a no-fault
state, which means that if you don't
have collision-damage insurance, you
are required to pay for all damages
before you leave the state, whether or
not the accident was your fault. Your
personal car insurance may provide
rental-car coverage; read your policy
or call your insurer before you leave
home. Bring your insurance identifi-
cation card if you decline the optional
insurance, which usually costs from
$12 to $20 a day. Obtain the name of
your company's local claim representa-
tive before you go. Some credit card
companies also provide collision-dam-
age insurance for their customers;
check with yours before you rent.
DRIVING RULES
Hawaiian state
law mandates that all car passengers
must wear a
seat belt,
and all infants
must be strapped into
car seats.
The
fine is enforced with vigilance, so
buckle up—you'll pay a $50 fine if
you don't.
Pedestrians
always have the
right of way, even if they're not in the
crosswalk. You can turn
right on red
from the right lane after a full and
complete stop, unless there's a sign
forbidding you to do so.
ROAD MAPS
The best and most
detailed road maps are published by
This Week Magazine,
a free visitor
publication available on Oahu, the
Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. For
island maps, check out the University
