Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [475]
Hostels
Hawaii has only two hostels associated with Hostelling International (HI; www.hiusa.org), and both are in Honolulu (Click here). All islands and most midsize towns have a small selection of private hostels. A few are appealing, friendly and well kept, but the majority are aimed at backpackers and traveling school groups, and are essentially worn-out crash pads. Most are spartan, offer a common kitchen and internet access, and have bulletin boards thick with useful postings. Dorm beds generally cost $20. Some are listed at The Hostel Handbook (www.hostelhandbook.com).
Hotels
It’s very common for Hawaii hotels, particularly larger beach hotels, to discount their published rack rates, typically by offering advance-purchase internet-only discounts. Others discount by the season, week or day depending on demand; others throw in a free rental car. Ask about specials before booking. Within a particular hotel, the main thing that influences room rates is the view and floor. An ocean view can cost 50% to 100% more than a parking-lot view (euphemistically called a ‘garden view’). The higher the rate, usually the quieter the room.
Resorts
Hawaii resorts do not mess around: they are designed to be pleasure palaces that anticipate your every need and provide ‘the best’ of everything (to keep you on the property every minute of the day). They provide a myriad dining options, multiple swimming pools, children’s programs, nightly entertainment, and fitness centers. Beaches are without blemishes, coconut trees are trimmed of drooping fronds and every single aspect of your experience is managed (in an oh-so-seamless way). They are intentionally contrived visions of paradise – accept that, and they’re really quite nice.
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ACTIVITIES
On land and in the sea, Hawaii provides some of the top outdoor experiences you’ll find anywhere in the world, and there are very few things you can’t do at all. Rock climbing? No, there’s really no rock climbing. White-water rafting? No, not that either. Skiing? Actually, yes. It won’t ever make top 10 lists, but it can be done on Mauna Kea (Click here). After that? Yep, pretty much everything else. For a proper introduction, see the Outdoor Activities & Adventures chapter (p73).
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BUSINESS HOURS
Unless there are variations of more than a half-hour in either direction, the following are the opening hours for entries listed in this book:
Banks 8:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday; some banks open to 6pm Friday and 9am to noon or 1pm Saturday
Businesses 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday; some post offices open 9am to noon Saturday
Restaurants breakfast 6am to 10am, lunch 11:30am to 2pm, dinner 5pm to 9:30pm.
Shops 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, some also open noon to 5pm Sunday; major shopping areas and malls keep extended hours.
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CHILDREN
A parent would like to hope that Hawaii, of all places, would be enough to satisfy any child (keiki). It offers tons of beaches and outdoor activities for all ages and abilities – plus hotels have pools, malls have arcades and movies, and the trees have coconuts and ripe fruit. It’s easy to meet local kids and their families at parks and beaches, and teens have many avenues – through music, arts and other programs – to encounter Hawaii’s fascinating multiethnic society.
Nevertheless, don’t leave home without the usual assortment of books, treats, on-the-road amusements and home comforts.
Traveling with kids in Hawaii is as easy (and hard) as anywhere in the US. Traveling families are common, most hotels and restaurants are ready to accommodate them and locals welcome and enjoy them. So long as you keep your kids covered in sunblock and don’t try to do or see too much,