According to a recent article on Budget Travel newsletter, there are some interesting things you may want to think about the next time you fly.  Then again, they may be things you don’t really want to think about, if you’re the nervous flyer type.

1. The scales the airlines use to weigh and charge you for overweight baggage…may not be accurate.   So, you may want to do as I do and weigh your luggage before arriving at the airport and be ready to dispute their scales if they show a significant difference, especially if they are planning on charging you an excess weight fee!  [Update 2/28/2013: I recently weighed my suitcase at 48 lb 8 oz and when I checked in, airlines scale read 51.5 lbs.  With a weight limit of 50 lbs, it was close and I was ready to dispute it, but the agent let it go.]
2. The air re-circulated throughout the airplane may make you sick.  Its bad enough that we have to put up with any germs a sick passenger may be passing around, but the FAA is now looking into seeing whether or not jet fumes may also be getting into the plane.
3. Just because you booked a flight on a non-stop flight doesn’t mean you will get one!  The airlines is under no obligation to put you on a non-stop flight and can change your itinerary.
4. You will not necessarily be told if there was a problem on the plane you’re flying on.  FAA does not require the airlines to tell you about any engine problems or other issues.
5. Although you’re happy knowing that you’ve got a window or aisle seat reserved, that doesn’t mean the airline has to give it to you.  As airlines continue to squeeze as much as they can out of their routes and planes, they can change planes to a smaller one and in the process, shift everyone’s seating assignments. [Update 2/28/13:  In a recent post, I mention having our seats reassigned randomly, so even without an equipment change to a different model plane, it can and does happen!]
6. Did you realize that the odds are the planes you’re flying on are older than the car you drive?  The average plane on the major US carriers tend to be over 10 years old.  American Airlines MD-80’s average 18 years old, Delta/Northwest DC-9’s average 9 years old.
7. The flight crew may not be as rested as we’d like to have them.  If you think you suffer from jetlag…imagine your flight crew feeling the same affects with even less sleep than you got.
8. Do you travel with a favorite airline?  Check your tickets close, you may or may not be flying with them.   Airlines have been share-coding for years and its not getting any simpler as airlines cut back on flights, but need to get their passengers from one airport to another…sometimes via airports they don’t serve directly or with convenient connections.  Not a big deal, unless it happens to be on an airline you purposely avoid.  [Update: Our choice of airlines continue to dwindle, Continental/United merged, American/USAirways about to merge, makes things even more confusing at times.]

Anyway, just thought I’d pass along the highlights.  Click on the link above to read the full article.

I have just returned from a 2-week vacation to the Big Island.  My trip involved three-legs on United Airlines going, a round-trip between Honolulu to Hilo on Hawaiian Airlines, and another 3-leg trip on United Airlines returning back here to North Carolina (RDU).  These are some observations of things that got my attention.

United Airlines

I spent the better part of 3-weeks putting our itinerary and bundling our tickets, selecting our seats, and purchasing everything.  (There were 7 of us traveling all together and while we all left together, we returned in 2 groups with 2 final destinations.)  Purchasing these tickets on-line was an experience, to say the least.  I could not buy all of them from one site.   I ended up using three sites to purchase 3 sets of tickets because no one site would show me the same bundling/routing options.  I have done this many times before and this was the first time I ran across this particular complication.

We all checked in on-line the night before our departure and printed out our boarding passes, except for my oldest daughter who downloaded her’s onto her smart phone.  For some unknown and unexplained reason, United Airlines had taken it upon themselves to re-assign our seats so we were no longer seated together.  [I understand there is always the possibility of an equipment…airplane model…change which requires such a change, but this was not the case.]

Even though I had notated on the information provided when purchasing these tickets that 2 of our passengers were children, ages 1 and 4, they still split us up.  Even when we weren’t split up, they had swapped my daughter’s and my seat around; she prefers aisle seating, so I took a window with my granddaughter in-between us.  Our tickets, however, showed my daughter in the window seat and me in the aisle seat for all six legs!

On the second leg of the outbound flight, my son-in-law and daughter were both separated from our grouping and seated several rows away.  I asked the gentlemen who was seated in my original window seat if he would exchange seats for our separated window seat and he said that he was with someone several rows forward, as some kind of explanation for why he wouldn’t help us out (???).  Whether he was also victim to United Airline’s unexplained reassigning of seats, I do not know.  (Frankly, I was a little miffed at the guy and really didn’t care, but I digress.)

United Airlines also had no record of our having pre-paid for our baggage fee.  I had taken the precaution of printing mine out, but my daughter did not and ended up having to re-pay it, figuring she would work it out with her credit card company at a later time.

The good news is, all flights were on-time for the outbound flights and all but our final leg was on-time on the return trip.

The bad news is, my daughter’s baggage (suitcase and box) remained behind in Houston, while my granddaughter’s car-seat (which I was most worried about) and my suitcase made it all the way to Raleigh (RDU).  (The sad thing is, Houston is where we were delayed for some two-and-a-half hours, so you would think the luggage would have had no problem at all getting onto the aircraft.)

Hawaiian Airlines

On my trip from Honolulu to Hilo, we were running a little tighter than I like to be, but being “just-in-time” is my sister’s norm, so since she was driving, we got to the airport with me feeling a little stressed and her insisting, correctly, that there was lots of time.  I should add, part of the reason for my wanting to arrive with breathing room is that Hawaiian Airlines has a reputation for not just being ON-time, but sometimes leaving early!

Well, upon arriving at the gate, my plane had not even arrived yet, but I took the missing plane as a sign that I had once again (yes, I was left behind once even though I had arrived prior to my departure time).  So, I sadly approached the gate agent and said that I needed to be put on the next flight to Hilo, if she would help me out.  She glanced at my ticket and simply said that I had not missed my flight.  (I had misread the “boarding” time for “departure” time.)

The in-bound plane did not arrive until 30 minutes prior to my scheduled departure time, so I figured we would be late leaving.  The last passenger shuffled off the plane with 13 minutes left for us to leave on time.  To my surprise, we not only got everyone boarded, but we pushed back from the gate exactly at the scheduled time.  Kudos to Hawaiian Airlines for their superior turn-around time!  It also goes a long way to explain why Hawaiian Airlines has perennially been the #1 On-Time US Carrier.

While everything with my ticketing went well at the Honolulu Inter-island terminal, the same cannot be said for our Hilo returning flight experience.  I dropped everyone and the luggage at the curb and went to return the rental van.  When I got done, I found them still at the ticket counter trying to figure out (and I still haven’t heard an explanation) who was ticketed, who had paid for baggage, etc.!  They had everything we had printed out scattered around the ticket counter.  Eventually, they got everything straightened out and nobody had to re-pay for anything.

I will make another observation on baggage handling in Hilo.  After you go through the Agricultural Inspection (no fresh fruits or live plants can be taken with you unless previously inspected and certified pest free), you then take your luggage to the ticket counter to be weighed and checked-in/tagged, and you must then take your bags to the end of the counter to be placed (by TSA?) onto the baggage conveyor belt.

My question is, why?  In the past, it always went from the ticket counter directly onto the conveyor built which runs directly behind the ticket counter.  Why must I now move it the extra 25′ to be placed onto a conveyor belt by yet another person?  Anyone who knows the answer to this, please leave me a comment/explanation as I would love to better understand what’s going on.

On our out-bound flight from Hilo back to Honolulu, once again, the in-bound plane arrived late.  Once again, Hawaiian Airlines personnel showed just how fast they can turn a flight around.  They missed matching their previous time by 2 minutes, as we managed to push back from the gate 15 minutes after the last arriving passenger got off.  This is particularly impressive since Hawaii is known for its laid back, slow moving people.

TSA

I was picked out for the body-scanner on both out-going and in-bound trips.  What are the odds of that?  In Hilo, my body profile had multiple areas lit up, such as my hat (no metal in it whatsoever) and my left knee (no metal in it whatsoever…at least none that I’m aware of).  No complaints, just an interesting observation.

I also had my suitcase selected to be opened and inspected by the TSA people, to which I also have no complaints.  My daughter has had her’s searched on virtually every trip we’ve made in the last seven years and they have always left her contents in such a disarray that no note was required to let her know it was searched.  Mine was neatly repacked the way I had originally packed it with a note explaining that they had been through it.

Overall, I think its safe to say that vacations don’t start until AFTER both you and your luggage have safely arrived and definitely ends when you get back to the airport for your return trip!  At least that’s how my vacation went.  Still, I look forward to my next vacation back and it couldn’t be soon enough.

AKL Lavender Farm on Maui is now offering pick your own lavender on most weekends throughout the summer.  First available weekend is May 28th and 29th, 2011.  Two tours will be offered at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, each lasting approximately 40 minutes.  (Children must be at least 8 years old and accompanied by an adult.)

Included in this $25 tour are the history of lavender and its benefits, picking of lavender, clippers, your choice of a hot or cold lavender beverage with lavender shortbread cookies.  They do recommend long-sleeve shirts, long pants, enclosed shoes (not flip-flops) and a hat.

Advance reservations are required.  You can call them at (808) 878-3004 or emailing them at aklreservations@aklmaui.com.

For many, this will be the first they’ve heard that lavender is commercially grown on Maui.  Actually, they’ve been growing lavender there for quite some time.   There are a number of cottage industries in Hawaii that people are not aware of.  All people tend to associate with Hawaii are pineapples, sugar, macadamia nuts and coffee.

Problem with that is pineapple production is down to under 4,000 acres state-wide and sugar production is limited to a handful of growers.  Cost of production makes competing against other countries impractical.  The good news is macadamia nuts thrive in Hawaii and will continue to be a significant crop there.  Coffee production continues to expand as more and more acreage is put into coffee production on all the islands, expanding the once singularly known Kona coffee.

AKL Lavender Farm is located at 1100 Waipoli Road, Kula, HI 96790.  You can visit them daily between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, but the pick-your-own lavender tours are very limited.

Pays to be Aware of Peak Jellyfish Activity Dates

One of the last things anyone would think about when planning a vacation to Hawaii is jellyfish!  In particular, Portuguese man-o-war and box jellyfish, who’s stings can be quite painful.  So, if you’re the least bit flexible with your vacation dates, you may want to avoid the dates associated with the greatest chances of encountering these pests.

While it is always possible to have a run in with a jellyfish, the most prevalent time period is roughly 8-10 days following a full moon.  For 2013, these dates are:

2013 Hawaii Jellyfish Sting Caution Dates

• January 4 to 6
• February 4 to 6
• March 5 to 7
• April 4 to 6
• May 3 to 5
• June 2 to 4
• July 1 to 3
• July 30 to August 1
• August 29 to 31
• September 27 to 29
• October 26 to 28
• November 25 to 27
• December 25 to 27

Jellyfish and Red Ants Tips

Awareness. Its always a good idea to check with a lifeguard for sure and look for jellyfish washed up on the sand as an indication of a problem.  It takes only seconds and could save you from a painful encounter.

And, while I’m on the subject of painful encounters, you may also want to pay attention to where you put down your beach blanket or ground cover.  While Hawaii does not have fire ants, their smaller cousins are quite widespread and just as aggressive.  So, check for these little red ants and avoid the multiple bites that result from sitting on or walking over a nest.

One popular area that is filled with these pests is Magic Island at the Diamond Head end of Ala Moana beach.  (I only mention that in particular because we failed to look close enough one evening around dusk and it was only a matter of seconds for us to quickly relocate!  As chance would have it, I was the only one who got bitten…of course!)

 Vinegar

In the event you are going to the beach, it might be a good idea to take some vinegar with you as a cheap precautionary measure.  Vinegar helps to alleviate the pain of being stung by a jellyfish should you have an encounter with one in spite of your being alert.  There are other treatments that can be used, but vinegar is cheap to buy and easy to tote a small bottle in your beach bag or backpack.

I recently blogged about the times in 2013 when you should be on higher alert to the presence of Portuguese man-o-war and box jellyfish while enjoying the beaches of Hawaii.  And, while I’m on the subject of beaches, I would like to point out a great resource to help both newcomers and kama’ainas alike in finding some beaches to enjoy is the City & County of Honolulu’s map which plots public access points to get to the shore on Oahu.  It includes all the popular, well known sites, but also includes some tucked-away places that you may not be aware of.

The map includes swimming, as well as fishing, access points and while it is not necessarily all-inclusive, it is a pretty comprehensive list.

By clicking on the location, it will pull up additional information about that particular site such as, does it have bathrooms? showers? and what type of shoreline will be found there.

For example, this is the information given for Sand Island State Recreation Area.

State-wide Ban of Non-Biodegradable plastic bags

In 2009, Kauai was the first county to pass a law banning non-biodegradable plastic bags at the checkout.  The law went into effect on January 11, 2011.

In 2010, Maui County, which covers Maui, Lanai, and Molokai, passed a plastic bags ban law which went into effect on January 1, 2011.

In January, Hawaii County passed a no non-biodegradable plastic bags bill which goes into effect in January 2014.

On April 25, 2012, the Honolulu City Council approved a plan that will ban the distribution of both non-recyclable paper and non-biodegradable plastic bags from distribution at store and restaurant checkouts.  All that awaits making Hawaii the first state to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags and non-recyclable paper trash is Mayor Carlisle’s signature, giving Honolulu businesses until July 15, 2015, to make the change.

Let’s hope he signs it and puts Hawaii in a leadership position for the rest of the country to follow.

UPDATE:   On May 17, 2012, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle signed the plastic-bag ban bill…the last Hawaii county to implement such a ban.  On July 1, 2015, when the new law takes effect, Hawaii will become the first state to ban plastic bags at checkout counters .

New Habits Take Time

As with most change we try to incorporate into our daily lives, it will take an effort and a bit of time for consumers to make the adjustment from plastic to paper…or to use re-usable bags.  There are a lot of folks who have purchased re-usable cloth bags, myself included, who just haven’t gotten into the habit of always taking it with them.  It does very little good, sitting at home.

My kids have gotten into the habit of using it selectively.  They have been using Target’s re-usable bags for a couple of years now simply because Target gives shoppers 5 cents off for each bag used.  A simple little thing, but its enough to at least make my kids use their Target bags whenever they shop there!

I will admit, I re-use those non-biodegradable plastic bags frequently, but do get annoyed when I see how many end up as litter.  Not only is it an eye-sore, but they also hurt wildlife, especially sea-life.

I no longer buy 6-packs, but for years, I got in the habit to cut up those plastic retainers so that sea-birds and turtles would not get caught in them.  It took an extra 15-seconds or so to dispose of it with this added step versus just pitching it into the trash.  There are a lot of little things we can do to help the environment and just as importantly, reduce litter.

Don’t stop there!

Do you have a favorite beach? hiking trail? picnic area? waterfall?  Have you ever taken a moment to pick up and properly dispose of someone else’s trash that was left behind?  Why not?  I have picked up bags (yep, those non-biodegradable plastic bags) full of trash that thoughtless fishermen have left behind at my favorite fishing spots and taken them to the nearest trash can or landfill site.

Yes, it took a few minutes to do.  But, it left the place looking a lot better than it did when I got there.  Obviously, it would be better if people didn’t leave their trash behind in the first place!   I have no control over that.  What I do have control over is picking up and properly disposing of at least a little bit each time I go!  So do you.

Recently, the City & County of Honolulu has eliminated picking up trash at some public beaches with private rights-of-ways.  While this move will save the C & C of Honolulu about $700,000 annually, it also means those beaches and their access points will mostly likely become trash ridden within weeks.   If only, we could get everyone to live responsibly and not litter…unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon.

Hawaii’s leadership in banning non-biodegradable plastic bags is a step in the right direction.

Akaka Falls Entry Fee

The latest fee resulting from the economic hard times is the Department of Natural Resources’ new $5 per car entry fee at Akaka Falls State Park on the Big Island (higher rates apply to commercial tours and buses).  So, yet another free attraction will now generate some badly needed revenue from visitors to the state.

For those who may not be familiar, Akaka Falls is located a few miles north of Hilo, off of Highway 19 between Honomu and Hakalau.  Also in the area is the often overlooked, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens at Onomea Bay.

So far, Rainbow Falls outside of Hilo has been kept off the list of places sporting this $5 parking fee being charged at more and more sites.  Just another sign of the economic hardships that have befallen the state budget.  The good thing about it is that the state legislature has at least deemed it unnecessary, not to mention politically correct, to not extend this fee to state residents.  Hawaii residents, who must show their id, are exempt from this new fee.

Pali Lookout, Oahu, too!

Earlier this year, the Pali Lookout had a parking fee added to non-resident visitors on Oahu.  I guess this is just a sign of things to come.  Unfortunately, as with just about all “new” fees, even a return to better economic times are unlikely to see the end to these latest revenue sources.

Anyone care to guess what will be next?  Can you foresee parking meters at the beach parks?  Many municipalities on the mainland already charge parking at popular beach locations.  Then, again, virtually all of the states bordering the east coast also require a saltwater fishing license, in addition to separate freshwater fishing licenses.  And, it wasn’t any more popular there than it would be to start charging such a fee in Hawaii.

Let’s hope it never gets to that point.  Its hard enough to find anything you can do for free in the islands, without having to pay for beach related activities.  For now, tourists will have to pay this additional fee to enjoy Akaka Falls, one of the many natural resources that make Hawaii the popular destination it is.

Is it worth it?  If you love rain forests and waterfalls…absolutely!  While I’m not a big fan of this new fee, I would not be deterred by it either.  I’m not sure whether its seeing Akaka Falls itself or the walk through the giant bamboo and other trees that line the walkway, but its always relaxing and refreshing to do so.

I have to admit, the Hawaii Magazine is one of my favorite magazines. My only complaint with it is that it only brings me a glimpse of Hawaii six times a year! I wish it was a monthly publication, but six times a year is better than not at all.

I find their articles well researched, well written and their photos invigorating! Whether they are sharing the latest eateries that they have uncovered or sharing the results of a readers’ poll on our favorite eateries, places to go, beaches to hang out at, its all a welcome escape from my day to day routine.

So, here’s your chance to have a little sunshine delivered to your door bi-monthly for only $20/year. Subscribe now to Hawaii Magazine.

Its especially nice when you are able to revisit some of your personal favorite destinations, whether its the Hamura Saimin stand in Lihue, an up close and personal tour of the H.N. Greenwell Store in Kona (you can almost smell the Sweet Bread being baked), or some great photos of Kilauea’s red hot flow to the ocean. Of course, you don’t have to be a fanatical lover of Hawaii to appreciate the magazine.

They have photo contests amongst their readership and the winning photos are amazing; every bit as good as the magazine’s own pics. They conduct polls for things like favorite beaches and favorite hideaway destinations. They took that helicopter tour that you passed up on, the cruise you didn’t take, and the hike you weren’t up for, and share the photos to make you regret not having gone. (There’s always next time.)

You will really appreciate it when the weather turns to freezing outside this winter. I even sent gift subscriptions to my family…have to admit, easiest Christmas shopping I’ve ever done. So, make sure you get your own taste of the islands delivered to your door and subscribe now.