Detail Information- Hawaii's Big Island Airport Description ITO - Hilo; KOA - Kona Best Time to Visit May through October Resort Areas Kohala, Kona, Waikoloa, Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, Hilo. Travel with minors No restrictions. Bank Information Hawaiian banks are open during normal banking hours, and ATMs are readily available. ATM Available Yes Currency U.S. dollar Departure Taxes $13.00 Drinking Water The water throughout Hawaii is safe to drink. Duty Free Shopping In order to take advantage of duty free shopping, you must have a plane ticket with an international destination. Climate/Topography The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest of all the islands, with a total of 4,083 square miles (and still growing), and 266 miles of coastline. Its landscape varies from stony deserts, to tropical forests, to high alpine zones. The wide variety of climates and the resulting range of temperatures and rainfall across the island are due primarily to differences in elevation and exposure to the trade winds. Electricity U.S. standard Gambling There is no legalized casino gambling in any of the Hawaiian Islands. Innoculations/Vaccination N/A Language English Location Description The Hawaiian Islands lie 2,400 miles southwest of San Francisco (about 5 hours by air), the Big Island of Hawaii is the easternmost of the islands. Proof of Citizenship Photo I.D. - driver's license or employee I.D. Golf Courses Kona Country Club is a 36-hole layout featuring the Ocean Course and Ali'i Course. The Ocean Course has a 6,155-yd men's tee and a slope of 129. This course is difficult because it is so close to the shoreline and has a strong crosswind. Being so close, golfers may even get sprayed by ocean mist. The Alii Course was built on an inland hillside with a 5,841-yd men's tee and a slope of 138. The signature hole is #14, a 171-yd, par 3, requiring a tee shot from an elevated tee over a lake to the green. There are lava areas on both courses, which are played as lateral hazards, and both have water hazards in play. The fairways are fairly wide, and the greens are large and fast. The courses were awarded a three-star rating in 1994 by Golf Digest. Hilo Municipal Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 71 municipal course designed by Willard G. Wilkinson. Built in 1959, this Zoysia Grass course has water in play, with tree-lined fairways and a total yardage of 6,325. Hualalai Golf Club was designed by Jack Nicklaus, and play is limited to guests of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. This 18-hole par 72 course has been crafted with extreme sensitivity to the land, and stretches out over 7,117 yds. This carefully groomed course begins in a lush kipuka (oasis), and then flows across brilliant green fairways contoured against black lava, with generous landing areas that keep golfers out of the volcanic rough. This beautiful and challenging course is home to the annual Senior PGA Tours MasterCard Championship. Waikoloa Resort offers two championship courses. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, The Kings Course is a Scottish-links style layout featuring numerous pot bunkers, undulating fairways, multiple tee placements and lava outcroppings throughout. Upon opening in 1990, the Kings' Course was ranked as one of the top new courses by Golf Digest. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the resort-style Beach Course is carved through lava flows along Anaeho'omalu Bay. The Beach course features numerous sand bunkers, brilliant water features and the most spectacular oceanfront par-five in Hawaii on the 502-yd, twelfth hole. This challenging yet scenic hole has lava throughout and runs along the Pacific where views of breaching whales and vistas of the other Hawaiian Islands are not uncommon. Mauna Lani Golf Club has two outstanding 18-hole championship courses. The North Course is excellent for tournament play. Built on an ancient lava flow, it is characterized by rolling terrain and mesquite forests. Trees often come into play on this course. The South Course is built on the Kaniku lava flow, and features Mauna Lani's signature 15th hole. The course snakes through stark, rugged lava, where volcano goddess Pele reigns supreme. Besides great golf, this course offers a spectacular range of mountain and ocean views. The Hapuna Golf Course is an 18 hole par 72 course of 6,069 yds. This course features a Links-Style Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay design, and was a Four Star Award Winner by Golf Digest. The course utilizes the natural terrain formed by the extinct Mauna Loa volcano, with clover shaped bunkers and Bermuda greens and fairways. Look for the 545-yds, Par 5, 3rd hole - consistently rated one of Hawaii's best. Mauna Kea Beach Golf Club offers golfers the perfect challenge to match their level of play. Created by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the 18-hole championship course presents dramatic changes in elevation, large undulating greens, and 120 well-placed bunkers. There are incredible panoramic sweeps of sea and land, featuring snow-capped Mauna Kea, rugged lava beds, and the sparkling blue Pacific. One of the most spectacular features is the famous Third Hole -- where surging inlet water races to meet the rocky shoreline, affording one of the most breathtaking views in golf today. Dress Description Summer attire is appropriate all year round, although visitors would be well advised to pack a long-sleeved shirt or sweater for the cooler evenings. Comfortable shoes are a must, and travelers may also want to bring along a pair of hiking boots or a jacket if they plan to visit the higher elevations. Handicap Information Wheelchair accessible public and private transportation is available, as are many accessible beaches, restaurants and hotels. Rental Car Information Apple Vacations offers advance car rental service through Alamo, though many major car rental agencies are available throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Time Zone Hawaiian Time Zone, 3 hours behind Pacific Time Tipping & Taxes Tipping is at the discretion of the customer, usually 15%. Tourist Board Phone #   Wedding Requirement There is no waiting requirement for a marriage license in Hawaii, but the bride and groom must obtain it in person ($25 payable in cash, valid statewide for 30 days). Guests can check at their hotel for the nearest licensing agent. Weather Conditions The average day-time temperatures in the coastal areas range from the mid-80s in the summer months, to the mid to low 70s in the winter months.