Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [171]
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES All embassies are located in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are located in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn’t listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. ( 20 2/555-1212) or check www.embassy.org/embassies.
The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 ( 20 2/797-3000;usa.embassy.gov/au).
The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 ( 20 2/682-1740;www.canadianembassy.org). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle.
The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 ( 20 2/462-3939;www.irelandemb.org). Irish consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and other cities. See website for complete listing.
The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 ( 20 2/328-4800;www.nzembassy.com). New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.
The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 ( 20 2/588-7800; www.britainusa.com). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle.
EMERGENCIES Dial 911 for police, fire, and ambulance service.
GASOLINE (PETROL) At press time, in the U.S., the cost of gasoline (also known as gas, but never petrol), is abnormally high, but still lower than prices in Europe. Gas prices in Hawaii are consistently higher than in the U.S. mainland. Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons. Taxes are already included in the printed price. Fill-up locations are known as gas stations or service stations.
HOLIDAYS Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year’s Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents’ Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2012).
In addition Hawaii celebrates Prince Kuhio Day on March 26, King Kamehameha Day on June 11, and Admissions Day (when Hawaii became a state on August 21, 1959) on the third Friday in August. Banks and state and county offices may be closed during these dates.
For more information on holidays see “Kauai Calendar of Events,” in chapter 3.
HOSPITAL The island’s only hospital, Wilcox Hospital, 3420 Kuhio Hwy., Lihue ( 80 8/245-1100), has emergency services available round-the-clock.
INSURANCE It is a good idea to have some sort of medical coverage—if you do not have health insurance, some doctor’s offices may refuse to see you. For information on traveler’s insurance, trip cancelation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling please visit www.frommers.com/planning.
INTERNET ACCESS See staying connected.
LANGUAGE Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States and everyone speaks English. However, you might find it helpful to see the “Life and Language” section in chapter 2 to peruse the Hawaiian words you will encounter on your trip.
LEGAL AID If you are “pulled over” for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more