Things to Know About Hawaii

Hawaii is a golfer's paradise with more than 70 courses. The main islands have courses of different lengths, degrees of difficulty and cost, but one thing they have in common is spectacular scenery. You can play golf on the side of a volcano, surrounded by tropical wilderness and waterfalls, or overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

American citizens and legal permanent residents who travel to Hawaii from the U.S. mainland and not traveling onward to any other country do not need a passport because Hawaii is a U.S. state. You need an official ID such as a state-issued driver's license. If you are a citizen of another country, traveling from Hawaii to another country or are entering Hawaii from abroad, you need a valid national passport and a return or onward ticket. Citizens of some countries will need a non-immigrant visa to travel to Hawaii from outside the U.S. The regulations to enter Hawaii from abroad are the same as when entering any other U.S. state.

Legal currency in Hawaii is U.S. dollars, and all major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. ATMs can be found in Hawaii's towns and cities and at some popular tourist attractions. Hawaii's seclusion and the tourist market make it a relatively expensive place, so you should expect to pay premium prices for all food, entertainment and general consumer goods.

Hawaii has a warm, sunny climate year-round. It is humid but cooled by trade winds, and rain is fairly frequent. From April to November, the climate is more warm and dry than it is from December to March, but the lowest temperature averages 68 degrees, and the highest averages 88. At higher elevations like Volcanoes National Park and Mauna Kea on the Big Island and Haleakala on Maui, the temperatures are considerably lower. If you plan to visit these places, you will need a light jacket, and if staying at high altitudes for an extended time, you need long pants, hiking boots and waterproof clothing. Some locations experience a lot more rain than others. Hilo on the Big Island and Kauai experience frequent heavy rainfall.

The six main tourist islands of Hawaii have different landscapes, attractions and characters. Oahu is a hub for tourists who fly to Honolulu International Airport, and the other islands are accessible by plane. If you are considering island-hopping, take into account the extra travel time and repacking involved. Whether you visit one island or many, think about the activities and sightseeing you want to do. For active volcanoes, rain forests, coffee farms and sleepy beach towns, visit the Big Island. For those seeking tourist hustle and bustle, a major metropolitan city, world-famous Waikiki Beach and the giant waves of the North Shore, stay on Oahu. Maui is known for its beautiful, waterfall-filled scenery along the Road to Hana, whale watching and the highest peak of Haleakala Crater. Kauai, the "Garden Isle," is covered in lush tropical vegetation, gentle, navigable rivers and features the vast Waimea Canyon. Lanai and Molokai provide more privacy and seclusion within their tranquil landscapes.