Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fun for Less
Value
Almost any activity you can think of, from submarine rides to Polyne-
sian luaus, can be purchased at a discount by using the
Activities and
Attractions Association of Hawaii Gold Card,
355 Hukilike St., no. 202,
Kahului, HI 96732 (
&
800/398-9698
or 808/871-7947; www.hawaiifun.
org). The Gold Card, accepted by members on all islands, offers a dis-
count of 10% to 25% off activities and meals for up to four people; it's
good for a year from the purchase date and costs $30.
Your Gold Card can lower the regular $149 price of a helicopter ride
to only $120, saving you almost $120 for a group of four. And there are
hundreds of other activities to choose from: dinner cruises, horseback
riding, watersports, and more—plus savings on rental cars, restaurants,
and golf.
Contact Activities and Attractions to purchase your card; you then
contact the outfitter, restaurant, car rental agency, or other proprietor
directly, supply your card number, and receive the discount.
the islands. Send $2 and a legal-size,
self-addressed, stamped envelope for
information. Another good source is
the
Hiking/Camping Information
Packet,
available from
Hawaii Geo-
graphic Maps and Books,
49 S.
Hotel St., Honolulu, HI 96813
(
&
800/538-3950
or 808/538-3952),
for $7. The
University of Hawaii
Press,
2840 Kolowalo St., Honolulu,
HI 96822 (
&
888/847-7737;
www.
uhpress.hawaii.edu), has an excellent
selection of hiking, backpacking, and
bird-watching guides.
HIKING
Hiking in Hawaii is a
breathtaking experience. The islands
have hundreds of miles of trails, many
of which reward you with a hidden
beach, a private waterfall, an Eden-
like valley, or simply an unforgettable
view. However, rock climbers are,
sadly, out of luck: Most of Hawaii's
volcanic cliffs are too steep and too
brittle to scale.
Hawaiian Trail and Mountain
Club,
P.O. Box 2238, Honolulu, HI
96804, offers an information packet
on hiking and camping in Hawaii; to
receive a copy, send $2 and a legal-size,
self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Hawaii Geographic Maps and
Books,
49 S. Hotel St., Honolulu, HI
96813 (
&
800/538-3950
or 808/
538-3952), offers a
Hiking/Camping
Information Packet
for $7. Also note
that the
Hawaii State Department of
Land and Natural Resources,
1151
Punchbowl St., no. 131, Honolulu,
HI 96809 (
&
808/587-0300;
www.
hawaii.gov), will send you free topo-
graphical trail maps.
The
Nature Conservancy of
Hawaii
(
&
808/537-4508
on Oahu,
808/572-7849
on Maui,
808/553-
5236
on Molokai; www.tnc.org/
hawaii) and the
Hawaii Chapter of
the Sierra Club,
P.O. Box 2577,
Honolulu, HI 96803 (
&
808/538-
6616
) both offer guided hikes in pre-
serves and special areas during the
year. Also see the individual island
chapters for complete details on the
best hikes for all ability levels.
Before you set out on the trail, see
“Health, Insurance & Safety,” earlier
in this chapter, for tips on hiking
safety, as well as “What to Pack,” ear-
lier in this chapter.
HORSEBACK RIDING
One of
the best ways to see Hawaii is on
