Best Time to Go
The weather is almost always perfect in Honlulu. Hurricanes do not hit often.
Hurricane season runs from June to November so check the news before traveling
to see if an infrequent storm is forthcoming. November to March gets the most
rain. April, May, September and October have gorgeous weather and a fewer
tourists than the summer months.
Average Weather
The average high temperature year-round is always in the 80s. Average lows stay
in the 60s and 70s. December is the month with the most rainfall, averaging
close to four inches for the month. During June, July, August and September less
than one inch of rain falls.
Transportation
After arrival you’ll have several options on offer to get around town. The BUS
(call 808 296-1818 for recorded information) will take you around the whole
island for $1. A visitor's pass, available at ABC stores, costs $10 for four
days of unlimited travel. All the major car rental companies have airport
locations. The Waikiki Trolley runs around Waikiki and downtown Honolulu,
stopping every 40 minutes at 12 key places: Hilton Hawaiian Village; Iolani
Palace; Wo Fat's in Chinatown; the State Capitol; King Kamehameha's Statue; the
Mission House Museum; Aloha Tower; Honolulu Academy of Arts; Hawaii Maritime
Museum; Ward Center; Fisherman's Wharf; and Restaurant Row. A one-day pass lets
you hop off and on as much as you like. It’s priced at $17 for adults, $5 for
children under 12. The best bargain is the five-day pass costing $30 for adults
and $10 for under 12s.
In-Season Costs
There is a lot to see and do on the city streets without spending a dime.
Museums are reasonable; most costing in the $5 to $8 range for adult admission.
Budget about $15 a day for sightseeing and sodas when you take a break. Many
moderately priced and inexpensive restaurants call Honolulu home so you can
easily eat well for fewer than $15 at dinnertime. Lodging comes in all price
ranges -- from functional hostels with dorm style accommodations to luxury
hotels --- the best way to avoid disappointment and stay within your budget is
to book well in advance. Expect to pay around $130 for a business class hotel in
a good location.
Day Trips
The rest of the island of Oahu is accessible via The BUS. On the North Shore
you’ll find a designated historic site, Haleiwa, an old sugar plantation town.
On the southeast shore you’ll see Diamond Head Lookout, where the view is
spectacular and Ka Iwi, a popular body-boarding beach. Waikiki is a popular
destination for visitors to the island. If you are traveling with kids you may
want to check out Sea Life Park; it’s an amusement park, not an aquarium. Even
without kids you may enjoy the Dole Pineapple Plantation, on Kamehameha Hwy.
Call 808/621-8408 for information.
