Insider’s Guide: What to Know Before Traveling to Hawaii

Hawaii is a beloved vacation destination for travelers worldwide. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in a foreign atmosphere while enjoying the beauty of nature. Here are some valuable tips to know before traveling to Hawaii.

Most people who travel to Hawaii end up renting a car. It allows for a convenient visit to far-off places and provides the opportunity to snorkel and enjoy the trip at various locations. Given Hawaii’s characteristics, renting a car lets you explore more tourist spots.

The cost of living in Hawaii and the rental car fees are high. To save some money, booking your rental car through a reservation agency is advisable. Finding a car rental reservation agency through the Naver Cafe is recommended. Hertz is one of Hawaii’s most widely used major car rental companies, but they don’t allow you to choose a specific car brand.

Turo is a method by which Hawaii residents rent their cars. It’s a peer-to-peer transaction, and you must pick up the vehicle directly from its location. The advantage is that it’s cheaper than large rental car companies, and you can choose the type of vehicle you want.

In Hawaii, you need to get insurance when using a rental car. Keep in mind that insurance doesn’t cover rough or unpaved roads. There are often cases of theft by smashing car windows, so getting insurance for lost personal items is recommended.

One drawback of renting a car is the expense. Parking in Waikiki is not easy. If you park at the hotel, you have to pay an additional parking fee, which averages about 35 to 70 dollars per day. It’s cheaper to pay for parking weekly. Most parking lots in Hawaii charge a fee. In places without a parking attendant, you pay through a machine.

Driving a rental car can be convenient, but driving in an unfamiliar place is difficult. In Hawaii, all passengers must wear seat belts while driving. The use of electronic devices while driving is prohibited. You must stop when a school bus is present, and you should not leave your belongings in the car when you get out.

Hawaii has a well-developed tipping culture. Korean tourists unfamiliar with the tipping culture often wonder when and how much to tip.

Usually, a tip of about 18 to 20% is considered standard when using a restaurant or taxi. The receipt you get when paying at a restaurant includes the suggested tip amount. You write down the tip amount and the total amount, including the tip, on the receipt. The payment for the food is processed first, and the tip is withdrawn separately.

If you order through a kiosk at a restaurant without the help of an employee, the tip percentage appears on the screen before payment. In this case, you don’t have to give a tip. At franchise stores or fast food restaurants, there’s a TIP BOX next to the cash register where you can leave a tip voluntarily.

For hotel staff assisting with luggage, providing room service, or cleaning rooms, it’s customary to tip around 2 to 3 dollars.

To visit Hawaii’s popular tourist spots, like Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head, you must book in advance. If there are vacancies on the day of your visit, you can use them, but they are usually fully booked. As these places attract a lot of visitors, it’s recommended that you book in advance.

During peak seasons, reservations can be fully booked a week in advance, but during off-peak times, you can book 2 to 3 days in advance. Online reservations for Hanauma Bay are possible from two days before your visit, and tickets open at 7 a.m. local time. You can book Diamond Head 30 days before your visit.

When booking a hotel in Hawaii, you need to check the resort fee. The resort fee is charged to customers for using hotel facilities, internet usage, etc., and must be paid per night. The final amount includes the hotel room rate, tax, and resort fee.

Even if the resort fee isn’t mentioned when booking the hotel, it’s often requested when you check-in. The resort fee is about 15 to 22%. Some hotels don’t charge a resort fee, but most do.

Resort fees may be prepaid during hotel booking or paid separately on-site. They are estimated at around 30-35 dollars per night.

In Hawaii, people under 21 cannot buy alcohol. A passport is required when purchasing alcohol, and drinking in public places is illegal. Alcohol sales stop at midnight.

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