So you finally decided to take that vacation you’ve been eyeing for months or even years now. That’s great! But before you pack your bags and catch a flight to the heaven-on-earth place that is Hawaii, you should at least be aware of some basic facts.
Hawaii is a US state 2,397 miles west-southwest of San Francisco, consisting of eight main islands (Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, Kahoolawe), it’s capital being Honolulu, with other lesser islands which are administratively part of the state. The official languages of the state are English and Hawaiian (the only state in the union with two official languages) and due to it’s mild, pleasant year-round weather, tourists are popular in the area throughout the year. The summer months and major holidays are the most common times for foreigners to visit, however, especially when the rest of the United States are looking to escape the unfriendly winter weather. First record of visitors to the group of islands was of a sailor, Captain John Cook sometime in the eighteenth century and since then Hawaii has gradually grown to be a popular travel destination for tourists.
Here are some important things to know for a soon-to-be tourist of Hawaii –
Basic communication skills in the local language
Yes, the English language is one of the official languages of Hawaii, but it wouldn’t hurt to learn a bit of the charming, indigenous language – Hawaiian, right? Most likely, you’ll be able get by with plain ol’ English but a bit of Hawaiian in your communication can be a plus for you in the books of the friendly natives. So here are a few of the frequently used words; aloha means “hello”, “goodbye” and “love”, mahalo means “thank you”, Ae means “yes” e.t.c. A fair warning though, in your bid to impress the locals, do not over-do it and try to speak the pidgin which is used by a lot of locals in everyday conversations unless you’re in a situation where the locals are trying to teach you some phrases (they consider it condescending).
Best time to visit
Though tourists are popular year round in Hawaii, there are basically two factors that should influence your choice of when to visit: the weather and peak tourist seasons. In general, Hawaii is known to have two weather seasons: a wet season (November-March) and a dry season (June-September). We know that Hawaii is one of the wettest spots on the planet so it’s advisable to go within the dry months and if you must go in the wet season, best plan your trip around the island’s leeward side (the side of the island not facing the trade winds) which has better chances of staying dry. As essential as weather is the popular tourist season which can make your vacation miserable or pleasantly memorable. The peak tourist season (around US school holidays, summer and Christmas breaks), due to the high frequency of tourist influx from the mainland generally affects everything – prices shoot up, traffic is almost as bad, beaches and other tourist spots feel overcrowded. If you really must go during those periods, consider heading to Big Island or Molokai.
Affordable accommodation facilities
It goes without saying that plans for accommodation during the vacation should be made before the trip. No-one wants to go through the hassle of scrounging for hotel rooms or boarding houses after a 5-hour flight. Looking for a reliable travel agency that can make necessary, economical accommodation preparations with minimal stress? A particular brand comes to mind - Aqua Travel Group. The agency provides impressive Hawaii packages with attractive inclusions to suit the preference and budget of their clients with providing a hundred and one percent satisfaction as one of their core values, they are the smart, nay, perfect choice to plan your vacation to Hawaii.
Hawaii driving tips
Renting a car during your stay is almost unavoidable, so it would be really prudent to book ahead of time to improve chances of getting a good bargain. The best rates are usually found in Oahu and Maui. When visiting remote sections on an island, always make sure to fill up your gas tank as you might not find a gas station when you need one. Try not to be an impatient driver as most local drivers are really courteous to other road users, especially runners and cyclists, so avoid honking impatiently and try to enjoy the ocean view and warm breeze of the island. Sadly, car break-ins are quite common in Hawaii, so try not to leave any valuables behind in the car.
What to do
Hawaii is filled with lots of beautiful attractions, it’s just so hard to see them all. Each island with its own highlights and different scenery; shopping in the markets of Oahu and enjoying the beaches; Maui, where you can enjoy the splendid waterfalls and hike in nature’s splendor; Molokhai, with its pleasant natives and the famed luau shows; there’s the scenic drives, lava viewing, beaches and even skiing in Big Island. You could also sign up for the organized tours where you can visit and learn about some of the historical sites in Hawaii if that is your sort of thing. Needless to say, there is never a dry moment on the islands of Hawaii.
Armed with these useful tips, be rest assured you can have a fun, hitch-free trip filled with beautiful experiences in Hawaii. Hawaii waits for you with open arms.
Hawaii is a US state 2,397 miles west-southwest of San Francisco, consisting of eight main islands (Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, Kahoolawe), it’s capital being Honolulu, with other lesser islands which are administratively part of the state. The official languages of the state are English and Hawaiian (the only state in the union with two official languages) and due to it’s mild, pleasant year-round weather, tourists are popular in the area throughout the year. The summer months and major holidays are the most common times for foreigners to visit, however, especially when the rest of the United States are looking to escape the unfriendly winter weather. First record of visitors to the group of islands was of a sailor, Captain John Cook sometime in the eighteenth century and since then Hawaii has gradually grown to be a popular travel destination for tourists.
Here are some important things to know for a soon-to-be tourist of Hawaii –
Basic communication skills in the local language
Yes, the English language is one of the official languages of Hawaii, but it wouldn’t hurt to learn a bit of the charming, indigenous language – Hawaiian, right? Most likely, you’ll be able get by with plain ol’ English but a bit of Hawaiian in your communication can be a plus for you in the books of the friendly natives. So here are a few of the frequently used words; aloha means “hello”, “goodbye” and “love”, mahalo means “thank you”, Ae means “yes” e.t.c. A fair warning though, in your bid to impress the locals, do not over-do it and try to speak the pidgin which is used by a lot of locals in everyday conversations unless you’re in a situation where the locals are trying to teach you some phrases (they consider it condescending).
Best time to visit
Though tourists are popular year round in Hawaii, there are basically two factors that should influence your choice of when to visit: the weather and peak tourist seasons. In general, Hawaii is known to have two weather seasons: a wet season (November-March) and a dry season (June-September). We know that Hawaii is one of the wettest spots on the planet so it’s advisable to go within the dry months and if you must go in the wet season, best plan your trip around the island’s leeward side (the side of the island not facing the trade winds) which has better chances of staying dry. As essential as weather is the popular tourist season which can make your vacation miserable or pleasantly memorable. The peak tourist season (around US school holidays, summer and Christmas breaks), due to the high frequency of tourist influx from the mainland generally affects everything – prices shoot up, traffic is almost as bad, beaches and other tourist spots feel overcrowded. If you really must go during those periods, consider heading to Big Island or Molokai.
Affordable accommodation facilities
It goes without saying that plans for accommodation during the vacation should be made before the trip. No-one wants to go through the hassle of scrounging for hotel rooms or boarding houses after a 5-hour flight. Looking for a reliable travel agency that can make necessary, economical accommodation preparations with minimal stress? A particular brand comes to mind - Aqua Travel Group. The agency provides impressive Hawaii packages with attractive inclusions to suit the preference and budget of their clients with providing a hundred and one percent satisfaction as one of their core values, they are the smart, nay, perfect choice to plan your vacation to Hawaii.
Hawaii driving tips
Renting a car during your stay is almost unavoidable, so it would be really prudent to book ahead of time to improve chances of getting a good bargain. The best rates are usually found in Oahu and Maui. When visiting remote sections on an island, always make sure to fill up your gas tank as you might not find a gas station when you need one. Try not to be an impatient driver as most local drivers are really courteous to other road users, especially runners and cyclists, so avoid honking impatiently and try to enjoy the ocean view and warm breeze of the island. Sadly, car break-ins are quite common in Hawaii, so try not to leave any valuables behind in the car.
What to do
Hawaii is filled with lots of beautiful attractions, it’s just so hard to see them all. Each island with its own highlights and different scenery; shopping in the markets of Oahu and enjoying the beaches; Maui, where you can enjoy the splendid waterfalls and hike in nature’s splendor; Molokhai, with its pleasant natives and the famed luau shows; there’s the scenic drives, lava viewing, beaches and even skiing in Big Island. You could also sign up for the organized tours where you can visit and learn about some of the historical sites in Hawaii if that is your sort of thing. Needless to say, there is never a dry moment on the islands of Hawaii.
Armed with these useful tips, be rest assured you can have a fun, hitch-free trip filled with beautiful experiences in Hawaii. Hawaii waits for you with open arms.
