General Notes For A Hawaii Visit………

1. Take a nice deep breath and relax.  Things on the islands are much more laid back, don’t fight it.  You’ll enjoy your trip much more if you just embrace it from the start.
   

2. 
   

3. If you have naturally curly hair, prepare yourself for absolutely crazy hair in Hawaii.  Bring hair ties, product, hats…Whatever will keep it from driving you out of your mind.  Unless my hair is in my face I tend to just go with the wild look, that’s what the locals do.
   

4. 
   

5. Things are pricey here.  It works great to get a place with a kitchen so you can eat one or two meals a day at your place.  Stop at Costco first and load up on things like water, soda, beer, snacks, etc.  We like to pick up local fruit at road-side stands and farmer’s markets and have a fruit bowl in the morning before we head to the beach.  Around 2 or 3 we head back to town and have our big meal for the day, when things aren’t as crowded and then have a light supper back at the room later.  Also watch for places where you see a lot of locals eating.  The food is usually good and more reasonably priced. 
   

6. 
   

7. You will have no lack for places to souvenir shop, but if you are not a shopper and just want to go to one place and pick up all your gifts for everyone at home head for Hilo Hattie’s.  It’s the tourist super store of the islands.  They have everything there all laid out nice and neat and the prices aren't too bad…Bam, you’re done.  Also, don’t over look Costco for souvenirs.  On our last visit we picked up some nice things there.
   

8. 
   

9. If you are on a tight budget but want to try some activities consider sitting through a time share presentation.  A couple of hours could be worth it to you for the discounts and/or freebies they offer.
   

10. 
    

11. If you're resort has a activities coordinator make use of them.  We found that they sometimes have access to great discount deals that you can not get otherwise.
    

12. 
    

    It rains, but it comes and goes quickly.

1. 
   

2. There are speed traps so just drive the speed limit, you’re not in a hurry.
   

3. 
   

4. There are two directions in Hawaii, Mauka (mountain) and Kai (ocean).  You are either driving towards the mountain or towards the water.  Everything else is just a circle.
   

5. 
   

6. If you’re too young to rent a car, scooter may be an option for you.  You do not need a motorcycle license to drive a scooter in Hawaii.  Also my son, who lived this adventure, tells me that the bus system is quite good.
   

7. 
   

8. The ocean can be very dangerous.  If you’re not an experience ocean swimmer stay to beaches with life guards.  If you are experienced watch when, where and what the locals are doing and follow their example.  I went from walking in knee high water to being swept out to see in a heart beat!  On the same note, there are sharks here, though I have never seen one.  Stay away from areas where fishermen might be chumming the water, murky water, and swimming at sunrise or sunset.  Again, follow the local’s lead.