Big Island Vacation Guide 2009 - (Page 6) Essential Hawai‘i Island Transportation Direct flights to Kona International Airport are available from several carriers, and most major airlines serve Honolulu International Airport. From there it’s a quick 30-minute “island hop” on go! Airlines, Island Air or Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines also offers flights from Hilo to Kona. 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 Maunakea. Hawai‘i County provides public transportation around the island on the Hele-On bus. Shared Ride Taxi service is also available in Hilo through the Hawai‘i County Mass Transit Agency. Beaches 47 with sand colors from pristine white to green and rich volcanic black. Driving Tips Drive with aloha, local-style. Hawai‘i Island residents have developed a set of aloha traffic customs: drive slowly, yield to others and 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. 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. Agriculture Quite varied including beef, coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya and tropical flowers and foliage. 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. Ocean Temperatures 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 ocean view suite at a South Kohala luxury resort. To really experience all the island offers and enjoy the variety, consider splitting your vacation between the east and west sides. Major Industries Tourism, Defense, Agriculture, Astronomy, Aquaculture, Science and Technology. 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. 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. 6 www.bigisland.org 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 welltraveled area. http://www.bigisland.org
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