Save in paradise with Ecoupons Hawaii

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Whether you live in the islands or are planning your vacation, make sure you check out EcouponsHawaii.com.  There are savings of all kinds on every island from food to car rentals to retail and much more.  Oahu seems to offer the best food coupons.  We like to use the U-Top-It restaurant coupons for the Big Island.  Every little bit of savings helps so head on over and see if there are some coupons you’re interested in!

Travel tips to get you through the airport

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With the holiday travel season almost upon us, now would be a good time to brush up on ways to get you through security quickly.  Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or haven’t flown for a while, these tips are good to remember not just now but any time of year.

 

 

Click here for these helpful tips.

Planning a wedding on Maui?

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So you’ve said yes to the proposal and now you’re considering a destination wedding on Maui.  You’re not alone.  Many celebs have tied the knot there as well like Woody Harrelson, Pat Benetar, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Anna Farris and others.  If you’re looking for a resource to start making phone calls for your big day, here’s a great one.  Maui No Ka Oi magazine has a list of businesses that can help make your day as special as you’ve dreamed it would be!  Congratulations!

Luggage lowpoints

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When we travel we tend to take for granted that our luggage will 1) make it to our destination 2) arrive in the same condition as the last time we saw it and 3) still have all of the things attached to it like locks, wheels, etc.  Sadly this is not always the case.  We’ve had cases where our luggage was stuck in Atlanta and missed not one, not two but three flights to get home!  We’ve had TSA approved locks cut off, scratches and rips in our suitcases and wheels crushed making the suitcase basically unusable.

Magellans has a great article on what to do if your luggage is lost, if you need to file a claim and tips for luggage safety.  Click here to read the article.

New security regulations for your flight

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A new security regulation just went into effect this week where part of the security screening process involves making sure that the name on your airline ticket matches EXACTLY to that on your government issued photo id (drivers license/state ID).  This is to compare the info to their no fly list.  While they say that the use of a middle initial/name that appears on your ID but not on your ticket won’t effect the process, I would suggest in any future reservations you make the reservation under the name as it appears on your drivers license, middle initial/name and all to avoid any confusion and possible delays.  In August, the 2nd part of this new security measure will go into effect where you will need to enter your birthday and gender when booking your flight.

To read more about this in detail, click here.

Prepare for the unexpected

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No one likes to think that something bad will happen on vacation but unfortunately it can happen.  Do yourself a favor and keep an emergency number list with your travel papers and a copy in your rental glove compartment so if something comes up you know exactly who to contact.  Some numbers I always make sure I have on hand are travel related like the 800 numbers to the airlines I’m using (including interisland) with my flight numbers as well as the rental car company and the rental/condo agencies for where we’re staying.  If your flight gets delayed, you want to make sure you call ahead to the hotel and rental car company so they don’t give away your room or car to someone else.  I’ve heard horror stories! 

Also make sure you look up the number and addresses to the local police department and hospitals in any towns you are planning to visit.  You never know if you may need them.

Finally, make sure you have the 800 numbers to your credit card companies of any cards you may take with you as well as the numbers to your travelers check companies.  Make sure you have copies of your receipts with you in case your travelers checks are stolen and keep them separate from the checks.  This will expedite the process should you need to replace them.

A little preparation can go a long way to make a not-so-ideal situation a little less stressful!

Wai’anapanapa State Park under renovations

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If you’ve got plans to visit Maui’s Waianapanapa State Park between now and the end of March, expect delays getting in to and leaving the park.  The water system is being upgraded to the day use, camping and rental cabin area.  This improvement is long overdue so hopefully visitors will drive with aloha in the area while things are in a bit of disarray.  The construction is due to be completed by March 31st but knowing Hawaiian time, be prepared for it to run over a few days just in case.

To read more about details on this project, click here.

Polihale Beach on Kauai closed indefinitely

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According to the Garden Island News heavy flooding has damaged a bridge and road that leads back to the remote Polihale State Park Beach.  This road is rarely in good condition anyway but the damage is pretty significant.  The DLNR says the park is cloased “indefinitely until significant repairs are made to areas of the park that were damaged by recent heavy rains.”  This was close to the same statement made when the road going to the beautiful Pu’u O Kila lookout over Kalalau Valley was closed…back in 2003.  So if their snappy timeline on that project is any indicator, visitors should probably cross Polihale off of their to do list on their Kauai vacation.  If I seem a little cranky about the Pu’u O Kila lookout, you can see why in this post.

Making airport security a breeze…

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Security Screening Tips

New passenger checkpoint screening procedures have been introduced to increase the ability to identify explosives and potential threats to aviation security. These include increased use of explosives trace detection machines, expanded pat-down searches and greater discretion for screeners to refer individuals for additional screening.

• You will be asked to show the agent your boarding pass and identification card prior to divesting to the security screening process. Please remember that you are only allowed 1 carry on bag plus 1 personal item.

• Place all carry-on baggage and any items you are carrying with you either on the belt of the x-ray machine or in the bin provided.

• Put all metal objects IN your carry-on bag or in the bin provided at the security checkpoint. Metal objects includes; jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs).

• Always follow the 311 rule or you will be forced to throw away any liquids that are over 3 oz.  You can use one 1 quart sized ziptop bag per passenger with liquids no more than 3 oz.  Things like lip gloss or gel based products count.  For more information and a list of restrictions, go here.

• Take your laptop computer OUT of its’ carrying case. Place it in a bin, separate from its carrying case.

• Remove ALL coats and place them in the X-ray. This includes suit and sport coats, athletic warm-up jackets, and blazers. If the coat or jacket is used as the innermost layer of clothing, you do not need to remove it. TIP: To help speed the security process, remove all coats prior to reaching the checkpoint. You will save time by consolidating your belongings - divested clothing can now be placed on top of laptops, shoes or other articles in bins submitted for X-ray.

• If your bag is selected for secondary screening, it may be opened and examined on a table in your presence. Do not interfere with the secondary screening of your carry on bag. The screener will advise you when the secondary screening is complete and you may collect your bag.

• Passengers are not required to take off their shoes before going through metal detectors, however if your shoes set off the metal detector, you will have to go through a secondary screening. You may want to voluntarily remove your shoes and place them in a bin provided for the x-ray machine and proceed through the metal detector barefoot.

• Travelers are required to walk through a metal detector unless you require a pat-down inspection for medical reasons.

• If traveler sets off the alarm on the metal detector they will undergo a secondary screening, which requires extra time. To avoid secondary screening remove all metal objects (including belts, sunglasses, objects in your pockets including change, money clips, cell phones etc.) and place them in the x-ray bins before walking through the metal detectors.

• If you require secondary screening the process includes a hand-wand inspection in conjunction with a pat-down inspection.

During the secondary screening process you will be asked to stand with your feet apart and the screener will pass the wand over your entire body without actually touching you with the wand. A pat-down inspection may follow the wand inspection.

Tips courtesy of TravelSmartHawaii.com

Snap up cheap interisland fare by tomorrow!

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If you’re looking to fly to the Big Island or Kauai from Oahu by the end of the year you’d better hurry to grab a great deal.  The three major interisland airlines are offering $39 one-way fares from Honolulu to Kona and Lihu’e for travel through Dec. 31 and tickets must be purchased by tomorrow (Wednesday).  Some restrictions apply so check with each airline.

Hawaiian Airlines website
Go! Airlines website
Mokulele Airlines website

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