Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [173]
TELEPHONE Generally, hotel surcharges on long-distance and local calls are astronomical, so you’re better off using your cellphone or a public pay telephone. Many convenience groceries and packaging services sell prepaid calling cards in denominations up to $50; for international visitors these can be the least expensive way to call home. For more information see “Staying Connected.”
TIME The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. Hawaii is 2 hours behind Pacific Standard Time and 5 hours behind Eastern Standard Time. In other words, when it’s noon in Hawaii, it’s 2pm in California and 5pm in New York during standard time on the mainland.
Daylight saving time takes effect at 2am the second Sunday in March and ends at 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time. When daylight saving time is in effect on the mainland, Hawaii is 3 hours behind the West Coast and 6 hours behind the East Coast; when it’s noon in Hawaii, it’s 3pm in California and 6pm in New York.
Hawaii is east of the international date line, putting it on the same day as the U.S. mainland and Canada, and a day behind Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
TIPPING Tips are a very important part of certain workers’ income, and gratuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided. (Tipping is certainly not compulsory if the service is poor!) In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2–$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you’ve left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.
In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff 15% to 20% of the check, tip bartenders 10% to 15%, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.
As for other service personnel, tip cabdrivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2–$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.
TOILETS You won’t find public toilets or “restrooms” on the streets in most U.S. cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. If possible, avoid the toilets at parks and beaches, which tend to be dirty; some may be unsafe. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
• Emergency: 911
• Time of Day: 80 8/245-0212
• Kauai Bus: 80 8/241-6410
• Kauai Visitor Bureau: 80 8/245-3971
• U.S. Agricultural Inspections: 80 8/245-2831
• Marine Weather Forecast: 80 8/245-3564
• Land Weather Forecast: 80 8/245-6001
VISAS For information about U.S. Visas go to http://travel.state.gov and click on “Visas.” Or go to one of the following websites:
Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 ( 0 2/6214-5600) or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission’s website at usembassy-australia.state.gov/consular.
British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line ( 089 1/200-290) or by visiting the “Visas to the U.S.” section of the American Embassy London’s website at www.usembassy.org.uk.
Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the Embassy of the USA Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Dublin 4, Ireland ( 35 3/1-668-8777);