Calling Codes

The area code for all of Hawaii is 808.

For local numbers on your island dial the seven-digit phone number. For calls to outer islands, dial 1, then 808, then the seven-digit number. For long-distance calls to the mainland, dial 1, then the area code, then the seven-digit number. For long-distance calls outside the U.S., it is usually necessary to dial 011 and the country code, any local codes, then the phone number.

Dial 0 to reach an operator. For directory assistance, dial 1-411.

Electricity is 110V AC, 60Hz in the United States. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type. Be aware that this voltage is half as much as in most European and Asian countries, so visitors from those countries will need a plug adapter and a power transformer to operate their appliances.

Fax machines and modem hook-ups are readily available in hotels (in business centers and sometimes in individual rooms) and at facilities such as copy centers and libraries.

Hawaii is an English-speaking state. The indigenous Hawaiian language is also spoken. There is a movement by the Hawaiian community to perpetuate this ancient language through preschool immersion programs and classes in grade school, high school, and college. Diacritical marks in words are considered part of the alphabet and should not be omitted. This includes the okina (a backwards apostrophe causing a break in the pronunciation of a word) and the kahako (a line over certain vowels that lengthens the sound of the letter). Pidgin English is used by many locals.

New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day: Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday: mid-March or early April
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25

All the islands observe Hawaii Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus 10 hours). Hawaii is five hours behind New York and two hours behind California and Western Canada. Hawaii does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Australia: Citizens of Australia must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Canada: Citizens of Canada need proof of citizenship for entry into the United States. This can be either a birth certificate with a raised seal or a voter registration card with a photo ID. A driver's license is not enough. Canadian citizens under 16 need notarized permission from both parents.

France:Citizens of France must have a valid passport to enter the United States if th ey are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Germany: Citizens of Germany must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Ireland: Citizens of Ireland must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Japan: Citizens of Japan must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

United Kingdom: U.K. citizens must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.

Pack casual clothing for mild weather. You'll need light cotton sportswear, bathing suits, sandals, sunglasses, and hats. Most restaurants permit casual wear, but in some upscale spots jackets are required for men.

Useful equipment includes snorkeling gear, boogie boards for the beach, and a beach towel. And don't forget your favorite sun block.

Anything that you do forget should be easy enough to purchase on most of the Islands.

With almost every day of the year blessed with sunshine and mild temperatures, Hawaii seems to have no distinct seasons. Summer runs from May to mid-October. Winter, when the weather is cooler with a chance of showers, runs from late October through April. August and September tend to be the hottest and most humid months, with temperatures in the upper 80s (Fahrenheit) and sometimes even climbing above 90 degrees. The coolest and wettest months are February and March, when evening temperatures sometimes drop to the low 70s. Normally, the leeward sides of the islands are warmer and drier than the windward sides.

Peak tourist season is late December through April, when mainlanders are anxious to escape winter. July and August, when children are out of school, can also be busy. To get the best rates, try to avoid these two periods.