Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [478]
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FOOD
Reviews in Eating sections are broken down into three price categories: ‘budget’ (for meals costing $12 or less), ‘midrange’ (where most main dishes cost $12 to $30) and ‘top end’ (where most dinner mains cost more than $30). These price estimates do not include taxes, tips or beverages.
For details about Hawaiian cuisine and local grinds (food), see the Food & Drink chapter, Click here.
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GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELERS
Hawaii has a heritage of Polynesian tolerance that extends to gays and lesbians – despitethe sometimes homophobic statements of a few contemporary Hawaiian elders. However, locals also tend to be very private about their personal lives in general, so you will not see much public hand-holding and open displays of affection of any kind, much less between gays. Even in Waikiki (see the boxed text, Click here), which is without question the home of Hawaii’s main gay scene, that ‘scene’ is muted by mainland standards (compared with, say, San Francisco or Los Angeles). Everyday queer life is low-key – it’s more about picnics and potlucks, not nightclubs.
That said, Hawaii remains a very popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, who are served by a network of B&Bs, resorts and tours. The monthly Odyssey (www.odysseyhawaii.com), free at gay-friendly businesses throughout Hawaii, covers the islandwide gay scene, as does the monthly Da Kine (www.dakinemagazine.com).
For more information on gay Hawaii, and recommendations about places to stay, gay beaches, travel arrangements and so on, visit the following sites:
Gay Hawaii (www.gayhawaii.com)
Out in Hawaii (www.outinhawaii.com)
Pacific Ocean Holidays (545-5252, 800-735-6600; www.gayhawaiivacations.com; PO Box 88245, Honolulu, HI 96830) Arranges packages.
Rainbow Handbook Hawai′i (www.rainbowhandbook.com)
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HOLIDAYS
Also see the Events Calendar (Click here).
New Year’s Day January 1
Martin Luther King Jr Day Third Monday of January
Presidents Day Third Monday of February
Easter March or April
Memorial Day Last Monday of May
King Kamehameha Day June 11
Independence Day July 4
Admission Day Third Friday of August
Labor Day First Monday of September
Columbus Day Second Monday of October
Election Day Second Tuesday of November
Veterans Day November 11
Thanksgiving Fourth Thursday of November
Christmas Day December 25
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INSURANCE
It’s expensive to get sick, crash a car or have things stolen from you in the USA. For car-rental insurance, Click here, and for health insurance, Click here. Consult your home-owner’s (or renter’s) insurance policy before leaving home to see if and to what extent you are covered should items be stolen from your rental car. Worldwide travel insurance is available at www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings/insurance.do. You can buy, extend and claim online anytime – even if you’re already on the road.
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INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Entering Hawaii
A passport is required for all foreign citizens. Unless eligible under the Visa Waiver Program (see below), foreign travelers must also have a tourist visa. To rent or drive a car, travelers from non-English-speaking countries should obtain an International Drivers Permit before arriving.
Travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program must register with the US government online (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov) at least three days before arriving; earlier is better, since if denied, travelers must get a visa. Registration is valid for two years.
Upon arriving in the US, all foreign visitors must register in the US-Visit program, which entails having