Arriving in O'ahu
1. Domestic Airlines
All major U.S. airlines as well as Hawaiian and go! Mokulele fly directly into Honolulu International Airport from many U.S. cities. Several North American charter companies also bring visitors to O’ahu daily.
American • 1 800 223 5436 • www.aa.com
Delta • 1 800 325 1999 • www.delta.com
Northwest/KLM • 1 800 225 2525 • www.nwa.com
United • 1 800 241 6522 • www.ual.com
2. Foreign Airlines
Many foreign carriers – most notably the Pacific and Asian companies like Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Japan Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air, and Philippine Airlines – land at Honolulu International Airport. Air Canada, Asiana, China Eastern and Fiji Air are some others offering flights into Honolulu.
3. Inter-Island Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, and go! fly between all the major islands from early morning until evening every day. Schedules change often; weekend, non-stop, and first and last flights of the day fill up quickly.
Island Air • 484 2222 • 1 800 652 6541 • www.islandair.com
go! • 888 435 9462 • www.iflygo.com
Hawaiian Airlines • 800 882 8811 • www.hawaiianair.com
4. Information at the Airport
Information booths can be found in the baggage claim areas, outside the foreign arrivals area, in the Inter-island Terminal, near Gate 22, and at both ends of the airport’s main lobby. There are also many racks of free visitor publications.
5. Airport Shuttles
The WikiWiki Shuttle buses ( wikiwiki means “quick”) connect the terminals at the airport. Airport Island Shuttles take you from the airport to all parts of O’ahu.Airport Island Shuttle • 834 8844
6. Cruise Ships
Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Regent, Princess, and Royal Caribbean include Honolulu on some of their cruises. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers weekly cruises around Hawai’i.
7. Maps
Free maps come in virtually every drive guide for rental vehicles and in visitor publications. For more detailed maps, look in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, or ask for a photocopy of the one in the front of the phone book.
8. Directions
Folks in Hawai’i don’t give directions in terms of east, west, north, south. Instead, you will often hear the words “ ‘ewa” (toward ‘Ewa), “diamond head” (toward Diamond Head), “mauka” (toward the mountains), and “makai” (toward the ocean).
9. Greeters
Contrary to what you may see in old movies, lei greeters do not welcome every new arrival. If, however, you are on a package tour, you will likely be greeted with a lei and a peck on the cheek from a company employee. And if you’re visiting friends or family, you will surely receive a garland upon arrival.
10. Passports/Visas
Visitors from the U.K, most Western European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea need a valid passport and must also register with ESTA (for further details see Passport and Visa Requirements for Foreign Visitors). Canadians are required to show a valid passport. Other foreign nationals need a valid passport and tourist visa.
