Answers to your most pressing questions can be found by viewing the most Frequently Asked Questions Hawaii.com receives from its readers — including questions about Club membership and booking your trip to Hawaii. Explore now:

Vacation Reservations
Q  I booked a trip through Hawaii.com but have questions about some things on my itinerary. Is there a number I can call?
A  Yes -- our reservations agents can be reached toll free at 1-888-909-7766.

Group Reservations
Q  Can I make group reservations on Hawaii.com?
A   Yes -- you can make group hotel reservations in any accommodation section of the site, and also Package and tour reservations at great prices

Good Times to Visit
Q  When are the "low" and "high" seasons in Hawaii, and should I consider these when planning when to visit?
A  "Low" season in the Hawaiian Islands is January through February and mid-September through December 15. It is during these months that prices are a bit lower and the beaches, a bit quieter. "High" seasons, which command slightly higher hotel and flight rates plus more crowds, are March through mid-September and late December/early January.

Seatbelt Laws
Q  Are seat belts and car seats required in Hawaii?
A  Yes. All occupants of a car must wear seat belts (regardless of age), and children weighing less than 50 pounds must be in a child safety or booster seat. Some car rental companies provide children's car seats to customers, so check with your rental company when making a reservation.

Drinking Age
Q  What is Hawaii's drinking age?
A  You must be 21 years of age to drink alcoholic beverages or enter most nightlife establishments.

Clothing Optional?
Q  Are there any beaches in Hawaii that allow nude sunbathing?
A  No. Nude sunbathing is illegal in Hawaii.

Passports
Q  Do I need a passport to come to Hawaii?
A  If you are traveling from outside the United States (and are not a U.S. citizen), yes. Hawaii is the United States' 50th state, so if you are a U.S. citizen, no passport is required. If you plan to take a cruise in Hawaii, there may be separate requirements if your ship is not U.S.-flagged. Click here for information on required documentation

Hawaii Weddings
Q  I'm planning a wedding in Hawaii. Where can I find information on marriage license requirements, plus find an officiant, flowers, a reception site and more?
A  You can find all the above and more — including a wedding checklist, what to wear for a beach wedding, and ideas for classic and creative weddings — in our Island wedding sections. Choose an island and go:
Oahu | Maui | Kauai | Big Island

Honeymoons
Q  We're honeymooning in Hawaii. What are some of the attractions we really should see while there?
A  Hawaii.com's island-specific Attractions sections provide a comprehensive guide to the most interesting things to see in the Islands. Go to the island of your choice, select "Attractions" and search for the type of sightseeing you'd most like to do — from arts, culture and history to gardens, parks and beaches. Pick an island and explore:
Oahu | Maui | Kauai | Big Island

Pearl Harbor
Q  Where is Pearl Harbor — and how can I visit the site of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor?
A  Pearl Harbor is on the island of O‘ahu, just west of Honolulu International Airport. At Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri are popular visitor attractions. Operating hours and how to book tours

Swimming with Dolphins
Q  I have heard you can swim with dolphins somewhere in Hawaii. How do I find out about this?
A  Several of Hawaii.com's preferred Activities providers can help you arrange a dolphin tour or encounter — for some, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Dolphin encounters are available on these Islands:
Oahu | Big Island

Events
Q  I would like to attend a cultural event while in Hawaii. How can I find out what's happening during my stay?
A  Search Hawaii.com's events and entertainment calendar for the events that most interest you — from cultural festivals and marathons to nature hikes, parades and art exhibits. We normally publish events at least 3 months ahead. Pick and island and explore:
Oahu | Maui | Kauai | Big Island

Renting a Car
Q  How old do I have to be to rent a car?
A  Most rental car companies require that you be 25 years of age and have a major credit card. Some rental companies will allow you to use a debit or cash system for payment. Pick an island and rent a car:
Oahu | Maui | Kauai | Big Island

Bringing Food
Q  Can I bring fresh fruits or vegetables with me to the Islands?
A  Perhaps. All visitors coming into Hawaii are required to complete a form declaring any fresh produce or other live organisms in their possession. If agriculture inspectors determine that your items cannot be brought into the state, they will confiscate it at the Honolulu airport.

Taking Food out of Hawaii
Q  Can I take Hawaii-grown food home with me, such as pineapples?
A  Certain fruits, vegetables and flowers are allowed for export, but they must be agriculturally approved. You can find boxed pineapple and other goods in retail shops throughout Hawaii. You CANNOT pick fruit or flowers in Hawai‘i and take them home. All luggage is scanned for outgoing agricultural products.

Pets
Q  Can I bring pets to Hawai‘i?
A  Yes. However, Hawai‘i is rabies-free and requires that all cats, dogs and other carnivores entering the state either be quarantined for a period of time to screen for rabies, or follow a regimen before coming to Hawaii. A state law exempts service dogs for the disabled. See our "Moving to Hawaii" section for more information: www.hawaii.com/relocation.

Time Zone
Q  What time zone is Hawai'i in?
A  Hawai‘i Standard Time (GMT -10). We do not observe daylight savings time. The current time in Hawai‘i is always displayed on our home page, www.hawaii.com

Hawaii Dining
Q  What kind of food do people in Hawaii eat?
A  An amazing blend of Asian, European, Polynesian and other foods. For more of an explanation and to find recommended restaurants, visit Dining and Food

Leis at the Airport
Q  Do people arriving in Hawai‘i still get greeted with a lei?
A  Yes! Traditional, Island-style lei greetings at the Honolulu International Airport can be arranged — for yourself or someone you know who is traveling to Hawai‘i. Click here to order online!

Weather
Q  What's the weather like in Hawai‘i? Is there a "monsoon" season?
A  There is no specific rainy season in Hawaii, although on the windward (eastern) side of each island rain is more frequent year-round. From season to season, air and water temperatures vary only slightly. Click here for information on Hawaii's climate

Surf
Q  Where can I find good surfing waves?
A  This depends on the time of year. In the winter months (November through March) O‘ahu has some of the best-known surf breaks in the world, including 'Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline) and Waimea Bay. Maui's North Shore is also known for big waves during the winter months. In summer, waves are biggest on the southern and eastern shores of all Islands. See this page for more: Surfing in Hawaii

Disability Travel
Q   Is Hawaii "accessible" to the disabled? Is there a Hawaii travel agency that specializes in "disabled travel" or can refer me to medical-related resources?
A  Yes to both! Hawaii's outstanding accessibility, warm climate and aloha spirit make it an outstanding choice for all ages, all abilities, at all times of the year. Hawaii boasts one of the nation's two full-service travel agencies that specialize in disability travel. Click here to learn more

All-Inclusive Resorts
Q  Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii?
A  No. Some resorts may include activities and some dining in a room/amenities package, but Hawaii does not offer all-inclusive packages like those you'd see in Mexico or the Caribbean.

Hawaii.com Club Password
Q  I would like to change my email login and other information in my Hawaii.com Club Account but can't remember my password. How can I get it?
A  See our Password Retrieval page and receive your password in minutes: www.hawaii.com/members

Managing Your Hawaii.com Newsletters
Q  I need to make sure I'm subscribed to the correct e-newsletters sent out by Hawaii.com. How can I do this?
A  You can quickly manage your newsletters in our Members section, including the ability to subscribe or unsubscribe. You must be logged in to do so. Click here to start

Free E-mail
Q  How do I get to my Free E-mail, or sign up for it?
A   Click here to go to Free Email now

Problems with Free E-mail Access
Q  When I try to log in with my username and password, the page doesn't take me anywhere. What's the matter?
A  It could be one of several things. Either your account is inactive (if you don't use the account for 60 days it automatically goes inactive) OR you are trying to login with the wrong username or password. Steps to take: 1. Try the "forgot password" link to make sure you have the correct login info; 2. Quit your browser, start it up again and try to login again. Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure all letters and numbers are correctly typed in.

Prize Award Process
Q  I notice that prize winners aren't immediately posted on the winners page. Why is that?
A  Here's how the prize notification/awards process works: On a contest's drawing date, the Hawaii.com team sends an email notice to the winner. The winner has one week to respond/accept the prize. If that winner does not respond, the web team picks another winner and sends a notice. We continue this process for 4 weeks — at which time, if the prize is not claimed, it is forfeited. We post a winner's name as soon as the winner accepts the prize. See current prizes and contests now

Mailing Information
Q  Do you mail information and brochures about Hawaii?
A  No, we do not. You can find all the Hawaii travel, relocation and local information you need on our Web site, www.Hawaii.com. Our Hawaii marketplace also offers for sale magazines, newspapers, maps and many other items that can help you plan an Island vacation or learn more about Hawaii.

Returning Rocks
Q  I took a small lava rock from the Big Island as a souvenir, but I hear it's bad luck to do so. Can I return it?
A  Yes you can. Hawaiian legend has it that Pele, the goddess of fire, becomes angry when rock or sand is taken from the Big Island, her 'aina (land) — and sends bad luck to the person who took it. You can return rocks and sand to:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052

Wearing Flowers
Q  I have seen women wearing flowers behind their ear. Are there guidelines as to which ear the flower should decorate?
A  We've been given these guidelines, though some would question the logic: A flower worn behind the right ear means you're single; a flower worn behind the left ear means you are married or otherwise taken (the left ear is allegedly closer to the heart).

Exchanging Links
Q  I have placed your link on my Web site; can you put my Web site on yours?
A  We do not participate in link exchanges. Should you be interested in advertising your products or services on Hawaii.com, see our online sales kit.

About Micronesia
Q  I heard Hawaii.com also has information about Micronesia -- Guam, Palau, Saipan, Marshall Islands etc. Where can I find it?
A  We do operate a separate Web site with information about the Micronesia region. Go to Micronesia now.

Using Hawaii.com's Photos
Q  I'm doing a school project and would like to use a few photos on your site for my project. Would I be able to do this?
A  Under no circumstances do we grant permission for readers to borrow and use our photos. These images are owned by photographers, from whom we've purchased limited usage rights. Borrowing images from the Internet is often a violation of copyright laws.



Closest Land
Q How far away is Hawaii?
A Los Angeles - Honolulu: 2560 miles, New York - Honolulu: 4960 miles, Tokyo - Honolulu: 3850 miles, Melbourne, Australia - Honolulu: 5510 miles. Flight Information



Humpback Whales
Q When are the Humpback Whales in Hawaii?
A Humpback Whales migrate to Hawaii in mid-November and remain in the islands through mid March. Read more about humpback whales


** Still can't find what you need? We encourage you to surf www.hawaii.com to find answers to your travel questions.