FAST FACTS FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA Direct services to Hawai‘i depart from Sydney (Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar and Qantas), Brisbane (Hawaiian Airlines and Jetstar) and Melbourne (Jetstar). These services arrive into Honolulu International Airport on the island of O‘ahu. Travellers from other Australian states should arrange domestic flights to connect in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. Each international carrier has a domestic airline partnership which will allow luggage to be checked through from the domestic point of embarkation to Honolulu. Please ask your international carrier for more information. INTER-ISLAND FLIGHTS It’s easy to travel between the Hawaiian Islands. Flights depart regularly and are short in duration. Hawaiian Airlines offers more than 160 inter-island flights per week. Other inter-island carriers include Island Air and Mokulele Airlines. VISA REGULATIONS Holidaymakers from Australia and New Zealand must be processed via the ‘Electronic System for Travel Authorization’ (ESTA) prior to travelling to the USA by air or sea under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). A fee of US$14 applies to new applications and renewals (payable by credit or debit card). Visit cbp.gov/esta. The five major airports are: Honolulu (HNL) on the island of O‘ahu; Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) on Hawai‘i Island; Kahului (OGG) on the island of Maui; Līhuʻe (LIH) on the island of Kaua‘i. Smaller airports include: Kapalua (JHM) and Hāna (HNM) on Maui; Waimea-Kohala (MUE) on Hawai‘i Island; Moloka‘i (MKK) and Kalaupapa (LUP) on the island of Molokaʻi; Lānaʻi (LYN) on the island of Lānaʻi. Flight times from Honolulu International Airport (HNL), O‘ahu to: Līhu‘e Airport (LIH) Kaua‘i 30 min Kahului Airport (OGG) Maui 30 min Moloka‘i Airport (MKK) 25 min Lāna‘i Airport (LNY) 25 min Hilo International Airport (ITO) Hawai‘i Island 50 min Kona International Airport (KOA) Hawai‘i Island 45 min PLANNING A MEETING OR EVENT To enjoy the most competitive accommodation rates, try and plan group travel itineraries over the ‘shoulder’ periods of September, October, November and March, April, May. FLIGHTS FROM NEW ZEALAND Air New Zealand and Hawaiian Airlines offer direct services from Auckland to Honolulu on the island of O‘ahu. 32 MEET HAWAI‘I The Hawaiian Islands: Fast facts LOCAL TRANSPORT • On O‘ahu, use ‘The Bus’ to get around (visit thebus.org). • With little to no public transport on neighbouring islands, hire cars and chartered coaches are recommended. • A ferry operates daily to/from Lāhainā (Maui) to Moloka‘i (90 minute trip) and Lāna‘i (60 minute trip). • Taxis are available at airports and key tourist spots. Credit cards are not commonly accepted and long taxi rides are costly. Taxis charge approximately US$45 for the 30-minute journey from Honolulu International Airport to Waikīkī. • In key tourist spots, shuttles operate between airports and hotels/resorts, and between resorts and nearby shopping precincts. Some are free of charge and others incur a small fee (check with your hotel/resort for details). • Helicopter tours are a great way to see the particularly scenic spots such as Waimea Canyon (Kaua‘i) and inaccessible areas such as the Nāpali Coast (Kaua‘i). • Passenger submarines are a novel, comfortable and safe way to explore the wonders of Hawai‘i’s tropical waters. • Motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles are available for hire.