Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

At just over 377,000 people, Honolulu contains roughly a third of the people on the island of Oahu. A diverse racial mix is a natural result of Hawaii's location between East and West. Over 50% of the city's population claims Asian heritage; whites and Pacific Islanders are the other major groups.

A few of Honolulu's largest employers include Bank of Hawaii, St. Francis Healthcare System, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu International Airport, and University of Hawaii.

Hawaii is on Hawaiian Standard Time which is two hours behind Pacific Standard Time. There is no daylight savings time in Hawaii.

Weather

Honolulu is not as hot as you might think, due mainly to its mid-ocean location and the movement of the California Current, which helps regulate humidity and temperature as it passes the islands on its way westward. Summer temps are usually in the 80s, with the thermometer rarely surpassing 90°F. Winter is a mild affair, eminently pleasant with highs in the 60s and lows in the 50s. In terms of precipitation, Hawaii's rainy season runs from November to March. The weather across Oahu is highly variable; the south and west coasts are often dry, while the north and east coasts are typically cooler and wetter.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Unless you're a particularly strong swimmer, you'll be flying into Honolulu International Airport (HNL). All major carriers from the US fly there, as well as a handful of international ones. The airport has just over 30 arrival gates, so it's quite manageable and easy to navigate. Travelers can walk from their gate to the baggage claim area, or take the airport shuttle – the Wiki-Wiki Bus.

The airport is approximately six miles from downtown Honolulu, and there are several options for getting into the city. Free shuttles from the airport transport you to off-site rental car desks. Taxis are plentiful outside of baggage claim, and a typical fare into Honolulu is between $20 and $25. If you're looking to save a little money and have time to spare, hop on to TheBus, Oahu's public transport system. Although the ride to Honolulu is around 45 minutes, you pay only $2 for a one-way trip. Take note: there's no room for extra luggage on TheBus; only a carry-on or a small suitcase will fit.

Making Your Way

Honolulu – and the island of Oahu – is easy to get around thanks to TheBus, Oahu's bus system with 68 lines and over 4,000 stops. Fares are $2, but you can get an even better value by purchasing a four-day Visitor's Pass for $20, which allows unlimited rides. Taxis and rental cars are also in abundance, and provide more convenience with a higher price tag. If you're limiting yourself strictly to Honolulu and Waikiki, the Waikiki Trolley is another transportation option. The trolley loops around the area and stops at major points of interest and tourist sites. A one-day adult pass for $25 lets you jump on and off whenever you like.

If you need to travel between the islands Hawaiian Airlines offers inter-island flights. Flights need to be booked ahead of time, so plan your trip in advance. Passenger ferries do not run between the islands.

News & Views

Two daily newspapers in Honolulu will keep you abreast of the daily goings-on, the Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. A few weeklies also circulate, primarily serving specific ethnic communities.

Quirks & Curiosities

A law in Hawaii's state constitution declares that any island or islet not named as belonging to a particular county belongs to the county of Honolulu. This means that islands in the Hawaiian archipelago as far as 1,500 miles away are part of Honolulu County, which technically has the longest border in the US.

Getting Your Bearings

If you're in need of traveler's assistance or just need some suggestions on what to see and do in Honolulu, check in with the local visitors and convention bureau, which will steer you in the right direction.

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
2270 Kalakaua Ave, Ste 801
Honolulu, HI 96815

(From the US and Canada) 1-800-464-2924

info@hvcb.org

Necessities - Post Offices

There are quite a few post office branches in Honolulu and Waikiki, as well as drop boxes throughout the city. Should you need to conduct serious postal business, stop by the main post office branch for the full range of services and resources. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30am-8pm; Saturday, 8am-4pm.

Main Post Office, Honolulu
3600 Aolele St
Honolulu, HI 96820
800-275-8777

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).