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Aloha and Mahalo U of I Band, Cheer Squad and Mascots! Less than 30 days remain until your fabulous trip to Hawaii! On this page you will find detailed info regarding your flights, baggage limits, hotel accommodations, transportation, etc., as well as links to sites that will show you some of the scenery and a variety of activities that are available, including the World's Largest Maze (The Dole Pineapple Maze)! We hope this page will be useful to you as you pack and plan your free time in Hawaii. If you have any questions, please contact us and we'll track down the answer for you. | Flight: Your group will be flying Horizon Air. (You MUST present a government-issued picture ID - driver's license, etc.- or you will NOT be allowed to board!) Thursday, Nov. 20, Leave Spokane: 7 am; arr. Seattle: 8:10 am Leave Seattle: 9:05 am; arr. Honolulu: 1:19 pm You will be picked up by Robert's Charter Service and taken to the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki, approx. 9 miles away. Tuesday, Nov. 25 Robert's Charter Service will pick your group up at approx. 12:20 pm and take you to the airport. Leave Honolulu: 2:20 pm; arr. Seattle:10:09 pm Leave Seattle: 11 pm; arr. Spokane: 11:58 pm Baggage: You will be allowed 1 checked bag - no more than 50 pounds (they do weigh the bags and they will charge you if it's over!), 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item such as a purse or laptop. Note: There are a number of items no longer allowed in carry-on bags. Use the following link to access info about baggage, prohibited items, and get answers to FAQs. http://www.alaskaair.com/ *Please note: The flight from Seattle to Honolulu is a little over 6 hours long. Horizon Air does not supply complimentary meals but you can purchase one inflight, starting at $5. They also have snacks for purchase. Sodas are complimentary. They have gone to 'Cashless Cabins,' meaning they no longer accept cash so you'll need to use a debit or credit card. If you don't have either, you can purchase vouchers at the ticket counter in Seattle before boarding. As an alternative you can always pack your own snacks and meals - many people do. Packing and Preparation tips: Don't forget Sunscreen!! (You might want to consider visiting a tanning bed for a couple of weeks prior to departure.) Be sure to have emergency contact /insurance info with you. Don't forget to give your folks, significant other, etc. the hotel info. or just give them this website address so they can see all the info here. Trade cell numbers with at least one member of your group in case you get separated or lost. Don't forget to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs - remember the 50 pound limit! (One way to do it: forgo your carry-on piece for the trip over there. Instead, pack a collapsible duffle in your suitcase, fill it with your souvenirs and have it for your carry-on for the return flight. Make sure it will fit under your seat or in the overhead.) Be sure to put an extra change of clothes in your carry-on in case your luggage loses you. Don't forget contact stuff, prescription meds, etc. Don't forget extra batteries and/or charger for your camera. Don't forget cell phone charger! Roll your clothes before packing - prevents wrinkles and takes up less room. Leave your valuables at home. Dress casually. Bring a light jacket for nights, semi-casual dress clothes or resort wear for restaurants and nightlife. Suits and ties are rarely worn. Currency is, of course, the US dollar and credit cards are widely accepted. Your cell phone should work just fine - be sure and check with your individual carrier, though. ATM's may charge for usage. Plan accordingly. It's a good idea to never go anywhere alone - always 'buddy up.'
Hawaii Facts and Trivia: Hawaii is 3 hours behind us (i.e. 9 am here is 6 am there) during daylight savings time, 2 hours behind otherwise. (They don't observe daylight savings time.) You will be staying at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on the Island of Oahu Waikiki means, "sprouting waters." Oahu is 597 square miles Oahu temperatures range from 74 - 88 degrees F. Oahu is nicknamed, "The gathering place." Average ocean water temp. is 74 degrees F. Oahu boasts 112 linear miles of shoreline
| Hotel: Your group will be staying at the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki, a three-star property located on Waikiki Beach. Rooming arrangements are 4 per room and the rooms are studios with kitchenettes with a microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, fridge, 2 burner hot plate and all cooking and eating utensils. The hotel boasts two swimming pools and a sun deck, all located on the third floor. It is centrally located to a variety of activities and attractions and is directly on the Oahu bus route. Your porterage (tipping for luggage) is already taken care of. There are two convenience stores and a McDonalds just a few doors down. To see pictures, take a virtual tour, download a brochure, and find links to various attractions, as well as weather and shopping and dining guides click on the following link: http://www.castleresorts.com/Home/accommodations/ocean-resort-hotel-waikiki Transportation & Attractions: There is so much to see and do on the Island of Oahu! Even though your group will be staying on Waikiki Beach don't let that keep you there! The Bus, Hawaii's public transportation service, goes all around the island, stopping at virtually every spot of interest. It is $2 per ride or take advantage of the Visitor's Pass - $20 for a 4-day, unlimited ride pass. The buses run every 30 minutes on the weekend and every 15-20 minutes during the week. There are schedules at every ABC Store (think upscale 7-11) and McDonalds or click on the following link for routes, schedules, etc. http://www.thebus.org/ Here is a sampling of attractions you might want to see while in Hawaii: Map: Here is a link to a map of Oahu. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=Oahu |
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