Fast Facts

Area Codes -- Hawaii's area code is 808; it applies to all islands. There is a long-distance charge when calling from one island to another.

Business Hours -- Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Bank hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 3pm and Friday from 8:30am to 6pm; some banks are open on Saturday as well. Shopping centers are open Monday through Friday from 10am to 9pm, Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm, and Sunday from noon to 5 or 6pm.

Doctors -- The West Maui Healthcare Center, Whalers Village, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy., Ste. H-7 (near Leilani's on the Beach), Kaanapali (tel. 808/667-9721), is open 365 days a year; no appointment is necessary. In Kihei, call Urgent Care Maui, 1325 S. Kihei Rd., Ste. 103 (at Lipoa St., across from Star Market), Kihei (tel. 808/879-7781).

Drinking Laws -- Beer, wine, and liquor are sold at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. There are no state laws limiting when alcohol can be sold, so if the store is open, liquor can be bought. In Maui County (Maui, Molokai, and Lanai) bars and nightclubs must close by 2am.[0][0]

The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out. Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot. Don't even think about driving while intoxicated.

Electricity -- Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are located in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are located in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn't listed below, visit www.embassy.org/embassies.

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000; www.usa.embassy.gov/au).

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740; www.canadianembassy.org). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939; www.embassyofireland.org).

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800; www.nzembassy.com). New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-6500; http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 911 for police, fire, or ambulance. Police district stations are located in Lahaina (tel. 808/661-4441) and in Hana (tel. 808/248-8311). For the Poison Control Center, call tel. 800/362-3585.

Hospitals -- In central Maui, Maui Memorial Hospital is at 221 Mahalani, Wailuku (tel. 808/244-9056). East Maui's Hana Medical Center is on the Hana Highway (tel. 808/248-8924). In upcountry Maui, Kula Hospital is at 204 Kula Hwy., Kula (tel. 808/878-1221).

Insurance -- Travel insurance is a good idea if you think for some reason you may be canceling your trip. It's cheaper than the cost of a no-penalty ticket, and it gives you the safety net if something comes up, enabling you to cancel or postpone your trip and still recover the costs.

For information on traveler's insurance, trip-cancellation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Legal Aid -- While driving, if you are pulled over for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. In the U.S., the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. The international visitor should call his or her embassy or consulate.

Mail -- As of press time, domestic postage rates are 28¢ for a postcard and 44¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 98¢ (75¢ to Canada and 79¢ to Mexico); a first-class postcard costs the same as a letter. For more information go to www.usps.com.

If you aren't sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call tel. 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (a driver's license or a passport, for example). Most post offices will hold mail for up to 1 month and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The island's daily newspaper is the Maui News, PO Box 550, Wailuku, HI 96793 (tel. 808/244-3981; www.mauinews.com). Publications for visitors include This Week Maui (www.thisweek.com), Maui Visitor Magazine (www.visitormagazines.com), and 101 Things to Do (www.101thingstodo.com/hawaii/maui/index.php).

Packing -- Maui is very informal. Shorts, T-shirts, and tennis shoes will get you by at most restaurants and attractions; a casual dress or a polo shirt and khakis are fine even in the most expensive places. Jackets for men are required only in some of the fine dining rooms of a very few ultra-exclusive resorts, such as the Lodge at Koele on Lanai -- and they'll cordially provide you with a jacket if you don't bring your own. Aloha wear, which does not include T-shirts or sandals, is acceptable everywhere, so you may want to plan on buying an aloha shirt or a muumuu (a Hawaiian-style dress) while you're in the islands.

So bring T-shirts, shorts, long pants, a couple of bathing suits, a long-sleeve coverup (to throw on at the beach when you've had enough sun for the day), tennis shoes, rubber water shoes or flip-flops, and hiking boots and good socks if you plan on hiking.

The tropical sun poses the greatest threat to anyone who ventures into the great outdoors, so be sure to pack sun protection, a good pair of sunglasses, strong sunscreen, a light hat, and a canteen or water bottle if you'll be hiking -- you'll easily dehydrate in the tropical heat, so figure on carrying 2 liters of water per day on any hike. Campers should bring water-purification tablets or devices..

One last thing: It really can get cold in Maui. If you plan to see the sunrise from the top of Maui's Haleakala Crater take a warm jacket; An upcountry temperature of 40°F (4°C), even in summer when it's 80°F (27°C) at the beach, is not uncommon. It's always a good idea to bring at least a windbreaker, a sweater, or a light jacket. And be sure to toss some rain gear into your suitcase if you'll be in Maui between November and March.

Police -- In an emergency, dial tel. 911 for police. For nonemergencies, call the district station in Lahaina (tel. 808/661-4441) or Hana (tel. 808/248-8311).

Smoking -- Well, not totally no smoking, but Hawaii has one of the toughest laws against smoking in the U.S. It's against the law to smoke in public buildings, including airports, shopping malls, grocery stores, retail shops, buses, movie theaters, banks, convention facilities, and all government buildings and facilities. There is no smoking in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Most bed-and-breakfasts prohibit smoking indoors, and more and more hotels and resorts are becoming smoke free even in public areas. Also, there is no smoking within 20 feet of a doorway, window, or ventilation intake (so no hanging around outside a bar to smoke -- you must go 20 ft. away). Even some beaches have no-smoking policies (and at those that do allow smoking, you'd better pick up your butts and not use the sand as your own private ashtray -- or else face stiff fines). Breathing fresh, clear air is "in," while smoking in Hawaii is "out."

Taxes -- The United States has no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level. Hawaii state general excise tax is 4% on all purchases. Hotel tax is 13.25% added to your hotel bill.

Time -- The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii each have their own zone: Alaska Standard Time (AST) and Hawaii Standard Time (HST). For example, when it's 9am in Los Angeles (PST), it's 7am in Maui (HST), 10am in Denver (MST), 11am in Chicago (CST), noon in New York City (EST), 5pm in London (Greenwich Mean Time), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November in most of the United States. Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time. Note: During daylight saving time, Hawaii is 3 hours behind the West Coast and 6 hours behind the East Coast.

Tipping -- Tips are a very important part of certain workers' income, and gratuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided. (Tipping is certainly not compulsory if the service is poor!) In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 to $2 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff and bartenders 15% to 20% of the check, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

Toilets -- You won't find public toilets or "restrooms" on the streets in most U.S. cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.

Visitor Information -- The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau is at 1727 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793 (tel. 800/525-MAUI [6284] or 808/244-3530; fax 808/244-1337; www.visitmaui.com). Molokai Visitors Association can be reached at PO Box 960, Kaunakakai, HI 96748 (tel. 800/800-6367 from the U.S. mainland and Canada, 800/553-0404 interisland, or 808/553-3876; www.molokai-hawaii.com). Lanai Visitors Bureau can be reached at PO Box 631436, Lanai City, HI 96763; or 431 Seventh St., Ste. A, Lanai City (tel. 800/947-4774 or 808/565-7600; fax 808/565-9316; www.visitlanai.net). The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, 2270 Kalakaua Avenu, Suite 801, Honolulu, HI 96815 (tel. 800/GO-HAWAII [464-2924] or 808/923-1811; www.gohawaii.com) provides brochures, maps, and island guides.

Other great websites:

College of Hawaiian Language: www.olelo.hawaii.edu

Maui Net: www.maui.net

Maui Island Currents (arts and culture): www.islandcurrents.com

Water -- Generally the water in your hotel, or at public drinking fountains, is safe to drink (depending on the island -- it may have more chlorine than you like).