Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [489]
Road Conditions & Hazards
Drunk drivers can be a hazard, and in some rural areas, so can livestock on the road. However, the main hazards are usually narrow, winding or steep roads that sometimes wash out after heavy rains. Every island has several, and they are noted in the text.
For one-lane-bridge crossings, one direction of traffic usually has the right of way while the other must obey the posted yield sign. Downhill traffic must yield to uphill traffic where there is no sign.
Street addresses on some Hawaiian highways may seem quirky, but there’s a pattern. For hyphenated numbers, such as 4-734 Kuhio Hwy, the first part of the number identifies the post office district and the second part identifies the street address. Thus, it’s possible for 4-736 to be followed by 5-002; you’ve just entered a new district, that’s all.
Road Rules
As with mainland USA, driving is on the right-hand side of the road – usually. On unpaved or potholed roads, locals may hog the middle stripe until an oncoming car approaches. ‘Right on red’ is allowed (unless a sign prohibits it), but island drivers usually wait for the green light. Slow, courteous driving is the rule, not the exception. Locals don’t honk (unless they’re about to crash), they don’t follow close and they let people pass. Do the same, and you may get an appreciative shaka (Hawaiian hand greeting sign) from other drivers.
Hawaii requires the use of seat belts (tickets are expensive), and children aged four and under must use a child-safety seat. Rental companies (left) are required to provide them on request, but only if you reserve in advance.
Speed limits are posted and enforced. If you’re stopped for speeding, expect a ticket, as Hawaii police rarely just give warnings.
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HITCHHIKING
Hitchhiking, though technically illegal statewide, is not unusual. In certain areas, it’s an accepted way to get around easily (sometimes as noted in the text). However, hitchhiking anywhere is not without risks, and Lonely Planet does not recommend it. Get local advice, never hitchhike alone and size up each situation carefully before getting in a car. Travelers should understand that, by hitchhiking, they are always taking a small but serious risk.
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MOPED & MOTORCYCLE
Motorcycle hire is not common in Hawaii, but mopeds are a transportation option in some resort areas. You can legally drive either vehicle in Hawaii as long as you have a valid driver’s license issued by your home country. The minimum age for renting a moped is 16; for a motorcycle it’s 21.
There are no helmet laws in the state of Hawaii, but rental agencies often provide free helmets, and cautious riders will use them. Also remember that the windward sides of the islands generally require foul-weather gear, since it rains often.
State law requires mopeds to be ridden by one person only and prohibits their use on sidewalks and freeways. Mopeds must always be driven in single file and may not be driven at speeds in excess of 30mph. Bizarrely, mopeds can be more expensive to rent than cars.
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TAXI
All the main islands have taxis, with fares based on mileage regardless of the number of passengers. Since taxis are often station wagons or minivans, they’re good value for groups (a particularly smart idea if the designated driver decides to join the party). Rates vary, as they’re set by each county, but average around $3 at flag-down, then about $3 per additional mile; bags are usually 50¢ each. Outside of Honolulu and Waikiki, and at most hotels and resorts, travelers will have to call ahead to book a taxi. Pick-ups from remote locations (such as after a long one-way hike) can sometimes be arranged in advance.
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TOURS
For information on cruises to the Hawaiian Islands, Click here.
A number of companies operate half- and full-day sightseeing bus tours on each island. Specialized adventure tours, such