Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [479]
VISAS
All visitors should reconfirm entry requirements and visa guidelines before arriving. The introductory portal for US visa information is Destination USA (www.unitedstatesvisas.gov). The US State Department (www.travel.state.gov) maintains the most comprehensive visa information and has downloadable application forms. US Citizenship & Immigration Services (www.uscis.gov) mainly focuses on immigrants, not temporary visitors.
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of certain countries to enter the USA for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a US visa. There are 35 countries currently participating; they are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Under this program you must have a return ticket (or onward ticket to any foreign destination) that is nonrefundable in the USA. If your passport was issued/renewed after October 26, 2006, you need an ‘e-passport’ with digital chip; otherwise, you need a machine-readable passport.
Visitors who don’t qualify for the Visa Waiver Program need a visa. Basic requirements are a valid passport, recent photo, travel details and often proof of financial stability. Students and adult males also must fill out supplemental travel documents. Those planning to travel through other countries before arriving in the USA are better off applying for their US visa in their home country rather than while on the road.
The validity period for a US visitor visa depends on your home country. The actual length of time you’ll be allowed to stay in the USA is determined by US officials at the port of entry. If you want to stay in the USA longer than the date stamped on your passport, go to the Honolulu office of the Citizenship & Immigration Service (800-375-5283; 595 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu) before the stamped date to apply for an extension.
CUSTOMS
Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 1L of liquor and 200 cigarettes duty-free into the USA. In addition, each traveler is permitted to bring up to $100 worth of gift merchandise into the USA without incurring any duty.
Most fresh fruits and plants are restricted from entry into Hawaii (to prevent the spread of invasive species), and customs officials are militant. Similarly, because Hawaii is a rabies-free state, the pet quarantine laws are draconian. For complete details, contact the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture (808-973-9560; http://hawaii.gov/hdoa).
Embassies & Consulates
The US Department of State (http://usembassy.state.gov) website has links for all US embassies abroad.
Consulates in Honolulu (unless otherwise stated):
Australia (Map; 524-5050; Penthouse, 1000 Bishop St)
Canada (Map; 529-8120; Penthouse Suite, 1000 Bishop St)
France (Map; 547-5852; Ali′i Place, Suite 1800, 1099 Alakea St)
Germany (Map; 946-3819; 252 Paoa Pl, Waikiki)
Italy (Map; 531-2277; Suite 201, 735 Bishop St)
Japan (Map; 543-3111; 1742 Nu′uanu Ave)
Korea (Map; 595-6109; 2756 Pali Hwy)
Netherlands (Map; 531-6897; Suite 702, 745 Fort St Mall)
New Zealand (Map; 595-2200; 3929 Old Pali Rd)
Philippines (595-6316; 2433 Pali Hwy)
Money
Prices quoted in this book are in US dollars ($), which is the only currency used in Hawaii. See Quick Reference inside the front cover for exchange rates, and Getting Started (Click here) for information on costs.
The ease and availability of ATMs have largely negated the need for traveler’s checks. However, traveler’s checks in US dollars are accepted like cash at most midrange and top-end businesses (but rarely at budget places). Personal checks not drawn on a Hawaiian bank are generally not accepted. Exchange foreign currency at the Honolulu International Airport and