Several years ago, I was behind the wheel in Kaua’i, on my way to the north shore’s Tunnels beach, my favorite.  I didn’t have much time on the island, and wanted to see as many turtles as possible while I was there, and still enjoy a burger in Hanalei.  I had crossed the seemingly endless chain of one-way bridges on the way there, and had been so kind as to wave the car on the other side over instead of going first every time.Near the end of my drive, I was getting anxious. I could see the water from the road, and knew that it was late enough that parking was going to be a hassle, which was why it angered me to find some guy blocking the road and stopping traffic so that he could have a chat with one of the drivers.  When he’d finished his morning conversation, I drove by, grumbling, eager to give him the hairy eyeball and maybe a little lecture on manners.  It turned out to be none other than Glen Fry of Eagles fame. I was still pissed.

These are the kinds of shenanigans and setbacks you’re bound to encounter on-island, which is why it’s best to remember that life moves differently in Hawai’i.  While you may be pressed for time, and have spent a lot of time and money making it to the islands with all your liquids in one plastic bag, there are lots of people living their dreams here, which includes stopping traffic for a minute to catch up with a friend.

If you’re visiting Honolulu, you may find traffic jams. If you’re on the “road to Hana,” you may find yourself behind a line of slow tour busses a mile long. If you’re anywhere, you’ll find  expensive gas, but the news isn’t all bad.

1. Find cheap gas before you go.  It’s not always the most expensive gas in the country, either. For a while, California had higher gas prices.
2. Plan carefully:  Buy a good guidebook with maps and make notes on your excursions beforehand.
3. Combine driving trips with public transportation:  Drive to one central location and take a bus or ferry to other destinations.
4. Do your road-intensive sightseeing early: Not only will you have more energy to enjoy the sights, you’re more likely to miss heavy traffic times after shift workers take to the roads.
5. Remember, you’re on vacation:  Don’t try and do too much; rather enjoy the things you are able to do more deeply by staying in the moment.
6. And if you see Glen Fry:  Tell him I said hello. Then, drive away. There are people behind you trying to get to Tunnels.

Photo by Flickr –Creative Commons, by erichrichardson

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler