Big Island Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 56) DANA EDMUNDS HAWAI‘I’S BIG ISLAND AT A GLANCE Transportation: ATA flies non-stop to Hilo International Airport from Oakland. Direct flights to Kona International Airport are available from some carriers, and most major airlines serve Honolulu International Airport. From there it’s a quick 30-minute “island hop” on Aloha Airlines, go! Airlines, Island Air or Hawaiian Airlines to the Big Island. Island Air also provides inexpensive flights between Kona and Hilo. Ground transportation includes rental cars, limousine service, hotel shuttles, taxis and the public bus. Several companies provide guided tours with transportation included. Since the island is big and widespread, most visitors rent a car. Consider a four-wheel drive if you plan to visit remote areas. It’s a requirement to tackle the summit of Mauna Kea. Hawai‘i County provides public transportation around the island on the Hele-On bus. Shared Ride Taxi service is also available in Kona and Hilo through the Hawai‘i County Mass Transit Agency. Driving Tips: Drive with aloha, localstyle. Big Island residents have developed a set of aloha traffic customs: drive slowly; yield to others; no tailgating. Everybody’s your neighbor. So when you come to a single-lane bridge, the local rule is yield to oncoming traffic. If you’re the oncoming traffic and there’s a line waiting on the other side, stop and let your neighbor across. Hawai‘i’s Environment: Hawai‘i’s natural beauty derives from its fragile environment due to its isolation from other ecosystems. Bringing plants, produce or animals can introduce pests and non-endemic species that could ruin the Hawaiian paradise forever. House pets must be quarantined prior to entry. The Department of Agriculture requires a declaration form for each person arriving in the islands and will confiscate prohibited materials. When departing, your luggage must pass a pre-flight screening for uninspected fruits and plants. You are welcome to take inspected fresh flowers and fruits home. Items purchased at the airport or mailed home from local vendors are inspected for you. Vehicle Security: Even though Hawai‘i’s crime rate is low, visitors should be as cautious as they would be at any destination. Do not lock valuables in your vehicle, even the trunk can be broken into. If you must, pack items out of sight before parking. It is best to park your vehicle under a light or in a well-traveled area. Disaster Preparedness: Emergencies and disasters can occur anytime, some without warning. Visitors in Hawai‘i should be prepared by planning ahead. It is a good idea to bring an extra supply of any prescribed medications. Once here, decide where the family will meet if separated. If an emergency occurs, stay tuned to the local radio and television stations for instructions and information. For emergencies, dial 911 for fire, police and ambulances. Use your telephone only for serious emergencies to keep communication airways clear. Additional information is available at the county civil defense agency, 935-0031. Code 808: The area code for the entire state is 808. When making interisland calls, dial 1-808. Calls within the island are local. Weather: The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter months, the average temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level and 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit at higher elevations, however, mountaintop elevations can be below freezing. Ocean Temperatures: 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall: Varies widely from the west/ dry side to the east/wet side. Kona averages 10" per year. Hilo averages 132", though much of the rain on the Hilo Side falls at night. Beaches: 47 with sand colors from pristine white to green and rich volcanic black. Major Industries: Tourism, Defense, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Science and Technology. Agriculture: Quite varied including beef, coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya and tropical flowers and foliage. Accommodations: Over 11,000 rooms with the highest concentration in the Kona resort area. Choices are incredibly varied, from a quaint room in a bed & breakfast along the Hamakua Coast to an oceanview ¯¯ suite at a South Kohala luxury resort. T o really experience all the island offers and enjoy the variety, consider splitting your vacation between the east and west sides. Airports: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport for major airlines and commuter flights from neighboring islands. Waimea-Kohala Airport has some commuter service and is used for private charters. USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Agricultural Inspection Hilo 933-6930 Kona 326-1252 Ambulance, Fire, Police 911 Fishing License 974-6201 Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency 935-0031 Hawai‘i County Mass Transit 961-8744 www.co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_transit.htm Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce..935-7178 Hunting License 974-4221 Lifeguard Services 961-8694 Marine Conditions 935-5055 Marriage License 974-6008 www.hawaii.gov/doh (Vital Records) Road Conditions 334-9559 Time of Day 643-8463 Volcano Activity 985-6000 Weather Forecast/Tides 961-5582 DIRECT U.S. & CANADA FLIGHTS TO KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM: CHICAGO, IL • United Airlines DENVER, CO • United Airlines LOS ANGELES, CA • American Airlines • United Airlines OAKLAND, CA • Aloha Airlines • ATA Airlines ORANGE COUNTY, CA • Aloha Airlines PHOENIX, AZ • U.S. Airways SAN DIEGO, CA • Aloha Airlines OAKLAND, CA • ATA Airlines SAN FRANCISCO, CA • United Airlines SEATTLE, WA • Northwest Airlines VANCOUVER, CANADA • Air Canada (seasonal) • WestJet DIRECT U.S. FLIGHTS TO HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM: BIG ISLAND HOSPITALS HILO Hilo Medical Center, 974-4700 KAILUA-KONA Huala Urgent Care, 327-4357 ¯lai KAPA‘AU Kohala Hospital, 889-6211 KEALAKEKUA Kona Community Hospital, 322-9311 ¯ PAHALA Ka‘u Hospital, 928-2050 ¯ WAIMEA North Hawai‘i Community Hospital, 885-4444 56 www.bigisland.org http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_transit.htm http://www.hawaii.gov/doh http://www.bigisland.org
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