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> Pre-Arrival/Visa > Post Arrival > Returning Home > Additional Resources
Attire
When deciding your wardrobe for Hawaii, plan on packing clothes that suit the island environment.
Hawaii is, for the most part, an informal destination. Ties are only required at finest restaurants and
although very warm during the day, the evenings can be breezy so a light sweater or jacket would be a good precaution.
Special situations
You'll need warm clothes if you plan on visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
or the summit of Mauna Kea. This also applies if you'll be hiking at higher elevations or spending
time on the ocean. Consider bringing: a light coat or windbreaker; a sweater or sweatshirt; long pants;
and hiking shoes. Although the breeze is deceiving, please be sure to pack sunblock. Hawaii's rays
are strong and can have painful after-effects.
What Can I Bring
Flying to Hawaii is different than flying to many other destinations. Many plants
and animals from elsewhere in the world can be harmful to Hawaii's unique environment, agriculture,
and communities. Aboard your flight to Hawaii, you will be required by state law to fill out an
agriculture declaration form. Passengers arriving with fresh fruits & vegetables; cut flowers &
foliage; rooted plants & plant cuttings, or algae; raw or propagative seeds or bulbs; soil,
growing media, sand; live seafood (lobsters, clams, oysters); cultures of bacteria, fungi, viruses
or protozoa; or insects, live fish, amphibians, etc., must declare them and submit them for
inspection to a Hawaii Plant Quarantine Inspector in the baggage claim area.
For further information on importing plants and animals into the state, please visit the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture's Quarantine Office website at: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/doa_importing.htm
Non-US Visitors
Aloha! To insure that your international arrival at the airport goes as swiftly and
smoothly as possible please review the information on U.S. Customs and Border Protection rules and
regulations by visiting the Department of Homeland Security website at: www.dhs.gov.
This will assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in promptly processing all non-US travelers.
Unprepared persons cannot be processed and admitted into the United States.
Visa Waiver Pro-gram
Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program
(http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html) should be aware of the new passport
requirements by the United States (www.travelsmarthawaii.com/pdf/US-VISIT_English_Web_Pamphlet.pdf).
Obtaining a Visa
Citizens of countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program must have a
valid visa to enter the United States. To find out how to obtain a visa, please visit:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html.
Customs/Immigration
For immigration procedures to the US from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, please
Click Here to download a PDF document.
To make sure you have the latest information, please check the Transportation Security Administration web page before you travel at: www.tsa.gov
Airport Codes and Connecting Flights
Although there are direct flights to Kona from many
destinations around the world, if you are catching a connecting flight to Kona, look at your baggage
claim ticket to see if your luggage has been checked through to your final destination.
Kailua-Kona Airport is your final destination (KOA) for the 21st CEOS Plenary. If your baggage claim ticket reads HNL, for example, your luggage will only go as far as Honolulu International Airport. You will need to retrieve your belongings from baggage claim and take them with you to the connecting flight.
The main Hawaii airport codes are:
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HNL (Honolulu, Oahu)
ITO (Hilo, Hawaii)
KOA (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii)
LIH (Lihue, Kauai)
OGG (Kahului, Maui)
What You Can't Take
All baggage bound from Hawaii to the U. S. Mainland is subject to preflight
inspection by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Restrictions on fruits, plants, and other items
from Hawaii to the Mainland are enforced to prevent the
spread of fruit flies and other hazardous
plant insects and diseases.
If you are departing from Hawaii, all baggage must go through agricultural inspection before checking in at your airline check in counter. Your luggage must pass agricultural inspection.
Be sure that any fruits or plants you take home are certified for export. Non-certified fruits, vegetables, flowers or plants cannot be taken in your checked or carry-on baggage. Non-inspected agricultural items will be confiscated.
Check-in Process
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Before check-in, your baggage must pass through agricultural inspection.
Inspection stations are located at various points adjacent to the check-in area.
After your luggage is scanned, an inspection sticker is placed on it and you're on your way to check-in.
For further vacation planning, see the following websites to get information about visiting Hawaii from the location you reside in:
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North America: www.gohawaii.com
Japan: www.gohawaii.jp
Europe (German-speaking countries): www.hawaii-tourism.de
Europe (English-speaking countries): www.hawaii-tourism.co.uk
Taiwan: www.gohawaii.org.tw
South Korea: www.gohawaii.or.kr
China: www.gohawaii.cn
Australia: www.hawaiitourism.com.au
New Zealand: www.hawaiitourism.co.nz
For more information on Hawaii's airports, visit: www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/visitor_info.htm
If you would like to order a complimentary "Island of Aloha Visitors Guide" please go to:
http://www.gohawaii.com/about_hawaii/visitor_guide
