Hawaii Vacation Specialist-Chris

-Driving.  Speed limits in hawaii are not as high as they are say on I-95.  The highest speed limit is 55 mph on the freeways, residential areas are normally 15-25mph, and highways 35-45mph.  Don’t speed.  You are on vacation, take it easy, relax and enjoy.  Life in hawaii is not face paced like most other places.  DO NOT HONK YOUR HORN!!  That is not appreciated in hawaii.  I had to get used to that when I moved.  People honk their horns like it’s second nature here.  I’m not used to hearing so much horn honking.  Really the only time you hear horn honking in hawaii is..1)  someone sees a friend, calling for a horn honking and a "howzit brah", 2) in the event it’s really necessary , say someone is about to back up into you, you honk to let them know you are there.   Other than that, don’t horn honk and cut off.  Remember the speed limits are not as high in hawaii, people in hawaii probably don’t drive quite as fast as you are used to.  Be respectful you are now in their state and obey the rules and the way the people are used to driving. It’s also for your safety.  There may be many roads around the cliffs with bends and turns…you wont’ be used to it and know what turn to expect next, so drive slowly and be safe. Drive with Aloha!

-Also going along with the driving thing.  I waitressed for many years in hawaii in a local restaurant and we would get visitors all the time.  Of course asking for directions, with their maps..so we were quite used to giving out directions, however…most times people were asking us directions using numbers.  In hawaii most times the locals will know how to get there by using the street name.  Now I know a lot of people didn’t want to ask by street name because they couldn’t say it…well just spell it we will get the idea.  Big one on Oahu is "Kalanianaole Hwy"   It’s actually said just how it’s spelled, but I know it’s looks like a hard one.  I am now getting used to using numbers for directions..so I too have to change my customs here from what I was used to back home in hawaii.

-As the same as where you are probably from.  Don’t liter.  We try to keep the aina (land) clean and beautiful for many visitors to come and enjoy for years to come.

-Obey all posted signs.  When going to the beach if you see signs out, with flags, etc.  pay attention to them and read them.  They are there for a reason.  It could be high surf or jelly fish.  This could really help to keep you safe and help you to have a happy trip.  Who wants to get stung by a jelly fish on their vacation?  Also don’t try to be niele "nosy" when visiting certain areas.  For instance the blowhole in oahu.  signs posted, don’t go over the wall, I mean common sense without a sign would tell you not to do it anyway, but if the sign says not to go over the wall, DON’T DO IT.  Hawaii is very much known for it’s natural beauty.  There is no controling mother nature so please obey all posted signs.  They are for your safety.

-As for common questions…Yes we speak english, we drive on the same side of the car and the same side of the road, we are part of the United States, you don’t need to call internationally when calling from or to hawaii, and our lanes on our roads are just the same as anywhere else.  We drive the same kind of cars that everyone else does, so in turn our lanes have to be just as big to fit cars in them.   You may encounter back roads which may seem smaller, plenty people park on the side of the road in hawaii, so if you go down a street where many residents park on the side of the road, then yeah it might seem smaller, but the car will fit with no problem.

All in all, the people of hawaii are a friendly and beautiful people full of aloha they would love to share with all.  Be respectful of them and their culture, obey all signs, it’s there for your safety.  Relax and take your time and enjoy your vacation.  Your thoughts of hawaii is that it is a relaxing paradise, well then do just that…relax and enjoy the beautiful islands of hawaii.

To start planning your trip to paradise, call or email chris at chris@hawaii-aloha.com or call 1-800-843-8771 ext. 32