Travel Tips and Tricks

A.  Beware of the Hawaiian Sun

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than a nasty case of lobster-red sunburn.  The sun in Hawaii is among the strongest on the planet. We’re not saying you’ll spontaneously combust if you step outside, but you should take some preventive measures if you’re going to be soaking up some rays all day long.  Here are some ways to defy that burning star in the sky:

1.  Wear sunscreen whenever you’re going to be outdoors. Not exactly earth-shattering news, but you’d be surprised how many people take the sun for granted. The sun in Hawaii is no joke. Even if you haven’t burned easily in the past, pack some sunscreen just to be safe. And don’t forget to apply it to the tops of your feet, too. Also, sand and water reflect UV radiation, which means even if you’re sitting under an umbrella on the beach or swimming in the water you’re not as safe as you might think.

2.  If you’re going for a hike, playing golf or doing anything outdoors that doesn’t involve purposefully making your skin darker, wear a hat and sunglasses.  And always have plenty of water with you. This is crucial for all you hikers out there.  The last thing you want is to have to trek back down Diamondhead with zero hydration.

3.  The sun is typically the strongest between 10am and 3pm. Try to limit your outdoor activities during that time.

4.  Don’t think that just because it’s a cloudy day you won’t get burned. Clouds scatter sunlight. You can still wind up with a nasty case of don’t-touch-me-itis even on cloudy days. Remember that sunscreen!

B.  Don’t over-pack

You’re headed off to a tropical island for a week. You’re going to be swimming, hiking, going to nice restaurants, and playing golf... among other things. Just because you’re going to be doing a lot on your vacation doesn’t mean you need to bring a lot. Hawaii is a very casual place; no ties or sport coats needed. The less the better. Two swimsuits, 2-3 pairs of shorts and t-shirts/light shirts for hanging around in the day, sandals, good walking shoes, a nice shirt or two and a nice pair of pants for a fancy night out are really all you need. Plus, if you’re staying in a condo you’ll more than likely have access to a washer/dryer to further reduce the amount of clothes you’ll need.  Another tip on packing?  Roll your clothes tightly instead of folding them. They won’t be nearly as wrinkled when you take them out and it’s a real space-saver. You may even have some room left in your suitcase to bring back souvenirs for those who weren’t lucky enough to make it to the islands with you.

C.  Plan your activities ahead of time

Fun activities are part of a great vacation. Try to research the island well in advance so you know what activities will be available to you. Then, when you know what you’ll want to do try to book them in advance. A lot of times if you wait until you get to the island to make up your mind some of the more popular activities will be booked. Check out this month’s featured article for some of the most popular activities on the islands.

D.  Tips for hiking

Hawaii has some of the most challenging, and rewarding, hikes on the planet. It is a tropical island, though, and with tropical islands come tropical bugs. If you plan on doing any hiking bug spray is crucial. Bring plenty of water, too. It’s easy to underestimate how long you’ll be out in the wilderness. Another good idea?  Tell someone (family member, someone at the hotel, etc.) where you’re going and what time you expect to be back. This way if you get lost on a hike people will know when and where to start looking for you.

E.  Keep your valuables out of sight

Hawaii isn’t exactly overrun with crime, but occasionally break-ins do occur. This is especially true with rental cars. Keep items like cameras, cell phones, wallets, etc. in glove boxes or under seats.  Theft isn’t a major problem in Hawaii, but sometimes when you’re on vacation you kind of take things like that for granted. Better to be safe than sorry.

Q.  How far in advance should I book my trip?

A.  This is an easy one… as far in advance as you can! Now, booking a trip for the summer of 2007 in the spring of 2005 may be a bit of a stretch, but the sooner you book your trip the better off you’ll be. Airfare usually becomes available about nine months out. So, if you want to travel at the end of December the earliest you can book your flights is the beginning of March. Hawaii isn’t considered a last-minute destination, so you don’t have the same last-minute deals that are offered to other destinations (Vegas, Florida, etc.). Plus, the airfare tends to be cheaper and there’s better availability at the properties. You’ll be much happier that you got the details out of the way so you can look forward to your trip.

Of course, booking that far out in advance leaves one question: if I reserve so early and something happens and I need to cancel, now what? Well, to answer that question there is trip insurance available for flights and most of the properties. It usually starts around $34/person and can protect you against change and cancellation fees through the last business day before you depart. Ask your travel consultant for details.

Q.  Are there any private beaches?

A.  Well no, but yes. Technically, the only “private” beach on any of the islands is a little section of sand roped off in front of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider in Waikiki. Since this property is so old they actually had a section of the beach “grandfathered in” when the rest of Waikiki was developed.  But, aside from that small sliver of sand, everything else on the islands is up for grabs. If you can get there, you can relax there. Of course, the getting there can be the tricky part. Be sure to look for signs indicating private property. The beach may not be private, but the land surrounding it could be. That said, there are plenty of beautiful beaches on all of the islands with easy access. You don’t need to risk trespassing to get to the most well-known beaches.

Q.  Do I actually get one of those flower things around my neck as soon as I step off the plane?

A.  Those flower "things" are called leis, and no, you don’t automatically get one when you land.  Many people are under the impression that the moment you step off the plane in Hawaii there are smiling Hawaiians there to greet you with flower leis. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get them. Lei greetings are something that can be added to your package and usually cost between $10-20/person depending on the island. Ask your travel consultant for details.

Q.  When’s the best time to go to Hawaii?

A.  The obvious answer is when you have the time to go there. We don’t recommend going for less than three days unless it’s for a special reason (wedding, graduation, etc.). With that said, the islands tend to be the least busy in May and mid-September through mid-December with Thanksgiving week being the only exception. Availability is good, flights are cheap and there are typically more specials available since the properties consider this their “low season”.

Q.  The condo I’m thinking about renting doesn’t have air-conditioning . Is that going to be a problem?

A.  This depends on a few things, such as where the property is located and the time of year you’re traveling.  Oceanfront properties tend to get good cross breezes from the tradewinds when you leave your windows open and the ceiling fans on. It can, however, be a tad uncomfortable between August and October since that’s when the tradewinds subside.