Visitor Information

For advance information, contact the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), Suite 801, Waikiki Business Plaza, 2270 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815 (tel. 800/GO-HAWAII or 808/923-1811; www.gohawaii.com). Among other things, the bureau publishes the helpful Accommodations and Car Rental Guide and supplies free brochures, maps, and Islands of Aloha, the official HVCB magazine.

The Oahu Visitors Bureau, 1001 Bishop St., Pauahi Tower, Suite 47, Honolulu, HI 96813 (tel. 800/OAHU-678 or 808/524-0722; www.visit-oahu.com), distributes a free 64-page visitors booklet.

A number of free publications, including This Week and Guide to Oahu, are packed with money-saving coupons offering discounts on dining, shops, and activities around the island; look for them at the airport and around town.

If you want information about working and living in Hawaii, contact The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, 1132 Bishop St., Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96815 (tel. 808/545-4300).

Maps, Roads, Trails & Activities

One of the best general maps of the island is the Map of Oahu, cartography by James A. Bier, published by the University of Hawaii Press, available at bookstores or online at www.uhpress.hawaii.edu.

The best street map we have found is TMK Maps: Oahu Streets and Condos, published by Hawaii TMK Service, Inc. (tel. 808/536-0867).

The best and most detailed maps for activities are published by Franko Maps (www.frankosmaps.com); they feature a host of island maps, plus a terrific "Hawaiian Reef Creatures Guide" for snorkelers curious about what fish they spotted underwater. Free road maps are published by This Week Magazine, a free visitor publication available on Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai.

For topographic and other maps of the islands, go to the Hawaii Geographic Society, 49 S. Hotel St., Honolulu; or contact P.O. Box 1698, Honolulu, HI 96806 (tel. 800/538-3950 or 808/538-3952).

Fun for Less: Don't Leave Home without a Gold Card -- Almost any activity you can think of, from submarine rides to Polynesian luaus, can be purchased at a discount by using the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii Gold Card, 355 Hukilike St., no. 202, Kahului, HI 96732 (tel. 800/398-9698 or 808/871-7947; www.hawaiifun.org). The Gold Card offers a discount of 10% to 25% off activities and meals for up to four people; it's good for a year from the purchase date and costs $30.

Hey, No Smoking in Hawaii

Well, not totally no smoking, but Hawaii has one of the toughest laws against smoking in the US. 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; more and more hotels and resorts are becoming nonsmoking, even in public areas. Also, there is no smoking within 20 feet of a doorway, window, or ventilation intake (no hanging around outside a bar to smoke, you must go 20 ft. away). Even some beaches have no smoking policies (and on those that allow smoking, you'd better pick up your butts and not use the sand as your own private ashtray -- or face stiff fines). In Hawaii, breathing fresh clean air is "in" and smoking is "out."