by Mike DuBose
Aloha! You will be heading out to the Island of Oahu (it means The Meeting Place) and we will be staying in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii, one of the largest cities in America. Remember that Hawaii is one of the 50 states and when you are in Hawaii, refer to back home as “the mainland.” We have visited the Hawaiian Islands twelve times, so we want to relay some information that may be useful in preparing and traveling to and from Hawaii. I am writing this article for three different classes of travelers: (1) those who have never flown; (2) those of you who have flown and traveled a little but may need a few suggestions; and (3) advanced travelers who know their stuff, but may need a little insight into the trip.
It took me four trips before I figured out some of these suggestions. You will spend about $150 per day (excluding hotels and car rental), so start saving your money now. You don’t want to come back after having a terrific time only to face credit card charges for the rest of your life! Save a little every week and then spend wisely so that you will return debt-free.
How to Prepare and What to Buy Before Leaving
Luggage: You will be allowed two pieces of luggage (not to exceed 40 pounds per bag) and two carry-ons. You will have to carry your luggage sometimes, so it is best to have pieces with pull-out handles and rollers. It is almost guaranteed that the airlines will nearly destroy your luggage, so we suggest buying something economical from K-Mart or Wal-Mart. Purchase luggage in colors like red or tie a colorful ribbon on yours so you can identify it when as it comes off the conveyor belt since most luggage looks alike. A word to the wise: pack lightly and conservatively as outlined below and do not place valuable items into your checked bags since they will be opened and inspected. Most likely you will be renting a car, and if you obtain a convertible, you will find there is little space for bags. Be sure to leave your luggage unlocked unless you want your locks broken by security people when they are inspecting it.
Carry on items: Most airlines allow two carry-on items, including one personal item like a briefcase, laptop, or purse and one small piece of luggage, (you cannot carry on two luggage items). Be sure to take one carry-on with enough clothing for a couple of days (in case your luggage is lost); key personal items such as medicine and hygienic products; and valuables such as cameras, electronic equipment, etc. This piece of luggage is not weighed but can be no larger than 9 X 14 X 22 inches. Try to board the plane as soon as possible because the interior overhead storage bins fill up fast and if there is no space, that carry-on luggage may have to be checked. You can store your carry-ons under the seat in front of you, but you will need all the leg room you can devise! Therefore, place your carry-on in the overhead bins.
Clothes: Hawaii is known for its relaxed attitude towards clothing. You will not see very many suits, but Hawaiian shirts are common. I do not recommend going out and buying a bunch of clothes, but look at K-Mart and other low-cost stores to buy your Hawaiian shirts before you travel. They will be more expensive in Hawaii. Knit shirts are common, but for the most part Caribbean- and Hawaiian-like dress for warm-hot weather is the norm, even in nice restaurants. On our first two trips to Hawaii, we took too many clothes and used about a third of them. I would avoid taking really nice clothing like a suit – just think casual, beach, hot weather, and 40-pound luggage limit when you are buying or packing.
Electronic equipment: On the flight there, you will have access to movies, but the airline will charge you $2 for cheap earphones. We suggest that you purchase some earphones with airline adapters before going. Ideally, you want some that will cover your ears. I own an excellent set called Plane Quiet earphones. These can be ordered at www.travelessentials.com, and they are selling for under $50. These earphones are specially designed to be noise-canceling and shut out a lot of the airliner jet noise and increase the quality of sound. They also come with airline adapters that you can plug into the airline’s audio system. They do require batteries so buy some extra batteries as well.
I also suggest that you bring a CD player with some of your favorite CDs. I purchased an Apple I-pod so I can store my CDs on a smaller device that is not as bulky as a CD player. Another item may be a DVD player. Some laptops have DVD capabilities, but I recommend a DVD player with 5” and, preferably, a 7” screen. Try to purchase a name brand like Polaroid, Sony, etc. It’s great for children and adults on a long flight! Be sure to purchase a Y splitter from Radio Shack for two headsets if you are traveling with a companion so the two of you can view a DVD at the same time. Your earphones will be great for this as well.
Another item you may want to carry is a digital camera since you will see some beautiful beaches, sunsets, etc. Of course, the more megapixels the camera has, the better the camera but also the higher the cost. Be sure to obtain a high-storage memory card (512 MEGS) since graphics take up so much memory. Transferring pictures to a laptop or other device frees up the memory card for additional pictures.
How much money to save for the trip: Hawaii is expensive because nearly everything is imported. If you want to save some money, pack some nonperishable and light-weight food that is sealed. There is also a K-Mart on the island, and its prices are not too bad. Consider the following as a conservative estimate of meal spending per person per day: $10 breakfast, $10 lunch, and $50 dinner.
I have seen some folks take a large, packed metal cooler with rollers loaded with food. While on the island, they use it as a cooler for icing down drinks and for sandwich items and other food; on the way home, they use it to pack dirty clothes or gifts. Considering that you may want to purchase other items and gas, I would budget somewhere between $100 and $150 per adult each day, but you can get by with less as outlined in this article. We suggest that you tell your relatives and friends that you will not be buying them any mementos and presents, but rather you are going to have a good time! Too often we go on trips only to get stressed out looking for presents! If you play it right, find the stores with the best prices, and spend wisely, you can have a great time within a reasonable budget.
Your ticket: Be sure to have a picture ID with you or you will be thumbing to Hawaii. I always carry a second ID in my luggage in case one gets lost.
Going to the airport: Leave home in plenty of time and prepare for a flat tire on the way to the airport. (Dr. Murphy is always lurking about!) Plan to arrive at the airport at least 1 to 1 • hours before your flight. Security lines are longer now. We suggest that you have someone take you to
the airport to save on expensive long-term parking fees. (You cannot leave your car unattended outside the airport when unloading luggage.)
If you are not in a rush when you arrive, go into the terminal and take your luggage to the ticket counter. You can also check in your luggage outside. Attendants will require your driver’s license and your electronic ticket. You will also need to tip the attendants outside, usually $1-$2 per bag. After checking your luggage, you will proceed to security. You will go through several checks where you are asked for a photo ID and your ticket. Only passengers can go beyond security so here is where your friends and relatives stop. I suggest that you wear no jewelry or metal objects that will set the metal detector off. Wear comfortable slip-on shoes (you may have to remove them for security). Avoid taking any scissors, knives, or sharp metal objects through security. Once you reach your departure gate, you do not need to check in – just be sure to go to the right one! When it is time to board the plane, passengers will be called by zone (1, 2, 3, etc.), which is the section of the plane where you will sit.
On the Plane
I suggest that you wear a jogging outfit on the flight since it will be cold on the plane and airlines may not be giving out blankets like they used to in order to save money. It is very important to dress comfortably for the long, ten-hour flight. Ideally, stow some shorts in your carry-on so that you can slip these on prior to landing in Hawaii since it will be 85 degrees when you land.
Don’t worry about having a good window seat. Once you are in the plane, you will see very little. The flight to Hawaii from Cincinnati or Atlanta is about 4,500 miles.
While on the plane, get up and walk around every hour for a few minutes. Do not stay in your seat for long periods of time since this can cause circulation problems. To avoid blood clots that can kill, drink lots of water, walk around the plane every two hours, and flex your legs ten times every half-hour to keep the bloods pumping.
I usually take a baby or low dosage aspirin (80 mg) when I leave Cincinnati or Atlanta to thin my blood. Of course, check with your physician before taking any medicines. If you do take medicine, we suggest that you obtain an original prescription from your physician prior to leaving for security and in the event you need it in Hawaii. Store all medicines in your carry-on.
Prior to leaving on the plane, we suggest that you purchase a small tube of petroleum jelly. Coat the interior of your nostrils with it. While this sounds unpleasant, it will keep your nose moist and reduce the chances that you will pick up some germs from the people near you. Air is re-circulated and so are the germs! Be sure to also keep your body hydrated and drink lots of water. Bottled water aboard the plane is free. The plane is always sold out on the way!
Be aware that too much alcohol doubles your jet lag. While sodas are free, alcoholic drinks aboard many airlines are $5. However, try not to drink alcohol as you near Honolulu because you will probably be driving a vehicle and you do not want a DUI upon arrival. Some research indicates that you can consume more alcohol in a pressurized cabin but that it has a more significant impact when you leave the plane.
Smoking is not allowed on the flights. However, you will be able to smoke in the airport at specially designated areas. Do not attempt to take any gas lighters onboard since security will confiscate them.
We recommend that you take plenty of reading materials and something to keep you occupied for 10 hours. You will not have access to the Internet, although you will have the option of watching a movie on board for a charge. However, if you have your good earphones with airline adapters, there is no cost.
I recommend that you purchase some eye covers or eye masks (like the movie stars used to wear). These sell for about $5. I like the ones by Lewis N. Clark (www.lewisnclark.com). Consider, too, an inflatable (to conserve storage) neck pillow. I also suggest that you purchase soft ear plugs, which can cut down on the noise. I like the Flents QUIET! PLEASE foam ear plugs. Get the ones that have a 29 or higher NRR rating or decibels. The higher the number, the less rumbling and jet noise you will hear. I prefer the foam ear plugs because they fit well in your ears and are comfortable. These are highly recommended! Most drugstores sell the ear plugs. If you are prone to ear problems on a plane, take some gum and chew it on take off and landings.
I would suggest that you also take some snacks in your carry-on since food is not the best on planes. If you require a special diet, call the airline. Have your flight information available. There are many different diets you can order.
On the way, as you near Hawaii, you will be asked to complete some paperwork for Hawaii so have a pen available. It is mostly travel-related information and questions about whether you are bringing in any deadly plants or disease.
In Hawaii
Try to adjust to Hawaiian time when you arrive! Don’t forget this 6-hour time difference when calling people back home! Try your best to stay up until 11 PM (Hawaiian time) and then go to sleep. That will tough but it will help your body change to Hawaiian time. Try to set the flight time so you can have a little time for fun on Day 1.
Cell phones: Check with your carrier before going since roaming charges can eat you alive! Mark everything like your cell phone with some identifying information in case you lose it. Also, remember to bring your cell phone charger. I suggest taking both AC and DC chargers.
Arriving at the hotel and what to do the first two days: I recommend that you try to stay in the local vicinity of your hotel the first two days – maybe shop or hang out to recover from jet lag and lie out on the beach.
About Hawaii:
The official Hawaiian Islands web site is www.gohawaii.com, and that will provide you with lots of information. Remember that there are six different Hawaiian Islands. Let’s review some facts about the island of Oahu:
Honolulu is the capital, and the city has over 1 million people who live in 600 sq. miles.
There are 112 miles of shoreline, and the average annual temperature is 79 degrees with low humidity.
The island receives about 23 inches of rain so you may have a little shower or two.
5 million people visit the island every year.
Waikiki is one of the world’s prettiest beaches.
300 state parks are located here.
There are no active volcanoes, although the island has an inactive one. The active one is on the big island of Hawaii.
They have serious traffic problems, and Honolulu has the highest density of cars per capita. There is one car per person!
The 50-foot waves can be seen in late January at North Shore.
Pearl Harbor is the most visited site. It includes the USS Arizona, bombed by Japan in WWII and now a memorial; the USS Missouri (Big MO), where the declaration of surrender with Japan was signed; and a WWII submarine. Everyone should visit this!
It is a very diverse society, and people are very friendly.
Crime is low, but stealing is a common problem. Never leave your valuables exposed since a thief can rip into a convertible. We also suggest that you take some travelers checks and cash stored in different locations in your belongings. One of those body fanny packs really helps. You can also use ATMs in Hawaii and secure money as you need it. We suggest that you check with your bank online to find their locations in Honolulu.
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Mike DuBose is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and a native of Darlington, S.C. and has lived in Irmo, S.C. for the past 30 years. He is president of Research Associate, Columbia Conference Center, and The Evaluation Group and has served as an administrator with seven state agencies, a private non-profit organization, and for two governors. He is also a former deacon at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, where he teaches Sunday school. If you have experienced a similar story, as others have reported to Mike, please e-mail him at www.mikedubose.com.
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