1. Tips for
CAPE Participants
* MAPS
 Map
to Pagoda Hotel / UH Campus (PDF)
Map
to UH Dormitory / UH Campus (PDF)
 (Please
click the icon to download if you do not have Acrobat Reader).
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a. Predeparture
If
you plan to extend your trip to the mainland, make sure to
purchase tickets and confirm reservations before you depart
from your country.
It
would be very helpful to consult with a CAPE alumnus in your
region.
Learning
about Hawaii prior to your arrival may make your stay here
more enjoyable.
Other
helpful pre-departure tips for pleasant travel:
1) travel light by making a list of absolute essentials and
2) don't forget to bring your 'Sense of Humor'. TOP
b. Some things to Pack
It
is recommended that participants bring the following: light sweater/jacket,
sandals, casual shoes, swim suit, folding umbrella, spare suitcase,
camera,
emergency medicine for colds or indigestion. You may of course choose to
purchase such items here in Hawaii. Note, however, that it can
be inconvenient to purchase
emergency medicine in Hawaii, especially when they are medications that require
a doctor's prescription.
c. Weather
Hawaii
is the land of endless summers. Although the average temperature
is 71°-80°F (21°-27°C), you will be able to enjoy
cool breezes thanks to Hawaii's trade winds. From December through
March, mornings and evenings feel like autumn weather even though
daytime temperatures are like summer.
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d. Tipping in Hawaii
It
is customary to tip airport porters, restaurant waiters, and hotel
bellboys, etc. for their services. 10-20% is an appropriate amount.
For instance, if the taxi fare is $20, an appropriate tip would
be $3.00. A 15% tip is adequate in most restaurants, except in
cafeterias and fast food restaurants where you should not tip.
Although there is no set rate for porters, bellboys and housekeepers,
it is customary to tip one dollar for one or two suitcases and
add 25 to 50 cents per additional suitcase. Also leave a couple
of dollars on your pillow daily for the housekeepers who clean
your room. (One dollar would be sufficient if you are a student.)
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e. Arrival in Hawaii
Your
first day in Hawaii may be a bit challenging. Keep in mind most
international flights arrive between 6 am and 10 am but dorm/hotel
check-in is not until 3 pm. (Check-out time is 12:00 noon).
It
may take several hours to go through immigration and customs.
After processing through customs, use the marked Exit straight
ahead of you. (The left-hand Exit is for group tourists. If
you accidentally take this Exit, just look for a taxi.) Upon
coming out, approach the taxi dispatchers and wait for them
to get you a taxi. Taxi fares from the airport to the Pagoda
Hotel are around $20 for an individual riding alone.
Go
to the Front Desk of your hotel and complete the check-in procedure.
It is convenient to use VISA or Master Card. You can also use
Traveler's Checks
or pay in cash (US dollars). If you are lucky, your room will be available
for early check-in.
If
early check-in is not possible, you will have to wait several
hours before you can get settled in your living quarters.
Here are some helpful suggestions
on how to spend those hours:
- Have your luggage stored in the hotel 'Storage Room' or leave
it with your friends who were able to check-in early.
- Once you get your room number, store your valuables, cash,
passport, etc. in the hotel 'Safety Box'.
- If you are desperate for sleep, you can relax on the chairs
around the hotel swimming pools (one at the Pagoda Tower and
one at the Pagoda Terrace.)
- Those who can do without sleep might want to drop by the conveniently
located Daiei supermarket where you will find a grocery store,
post office, and drug store.
- If you still have some energy left, you can go to Ala Moana
Shopping Center (one of the biggest outdoor malls in the world)
which is within 10 to 15 minutes' walking distance.
- Go to the beach! Cross Ala Moana Boulevard in front of Ala
Moana Center, walk through the park toward the ocean, and beautiful
Ala Moana Beach will welcome you.
Although you may not be able to do all the things listed above,
exploring some of the places mentioned will help you become familiar
with Hawaii.
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f. Daily Schedule
CAPE's
daily schedule begins at 8:30 am and ends at 12:20 pm. The CAPE
program is held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH). You
can take the Bus to UH at 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, or 8:00 am at the corner
of Kaheka & Rycroft Street in front of the hotel. It takes about
15 to 20 minutes to reach UH by Bus. Bus fare is $2.00 and exact
change is required. Either dollar bills (paper) or coins are accepted.
A monthly bus pass may be purchased for $40.00.
Participants
will have free time after class sessions--unless a field trip
or visitation is scheduled. Participants are urged to be active
and try to
gain various experiences. First hand knowledge of different cultures and
life styles can only be acquired through exploration. Helpful
information on the
use of free time will be provided in the CAPE orientation session.
While
attending the program, participants will have access to UH
libraries and can photocopy materials if necessary. Access
to e-mail will also be available.
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g. Computer Use
For those who wish to use e-mail:
Please wear a Name Tag to identify yourself as a CAPE participant
at the CLIC (Sinclair Library) & Keller Hall #213 sign-up desk.
It is highly recommended that the user would first obtain a free
e-mail account at www.hotmail.com or www.yahoo.com
Access to these e-mail accounts is via the web browsers Netscape
Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Computers having access
to these web browsers can be found at:
Sinclair Library - CLIC (Computer Learning and Information Center)
Keller Hall Room 213
Hamilton Library - 1st floor & 4th floor
If the library is not busy, then the user can just use the computer
without time limitations. However, if the library is busy, then
there is a signup sheet near the computers (ask librarian/receptionist
if they cannot find/see it). The sign-up sheet allows an individual
to use one computer for 30 minutes. ALL COMPUTERS IN HAMILTON LIBRARY
ARE NOT INSTALLED WITH WEB BROWSERS. THE USER SHOULD LOOK FOR COMPUTERS
DESIGNATED FOR INTERNET USAGE.
Depending on the version of web browser installed in the UH computers,
the user may have to communicate via e-mail in English.
If
you prefer to bring your own laptop to connect to the Internet wirelessly,
the University of Hawaii can provide you with wireless access for
$10. Please contact CAPE for arrangements.
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h. Sharing a Dorm/Hotel Room/Roommates
It
is not always possible to satisfy all roommate requests due to
circumstances beyond our control:
1. If the number of double-room applicants
is an odd number, one person will be assigned to a single room.
2. If
your assigned roommate does not show up or give advance notice
you may be responsible for the cost of the entire room.
3. Cases like
these, however, can be resolved through understanding and cooperation.
4. The
following participants will not need to concern themselves with
the problems listed above: single-room applicants, couples,
those who arrive together with roommates, group participants with
prearranged roommate lists.
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i. Meals
Participants
can eat either in their hotel rooms (Pagoda Terrace has kitchenettes
and cooking utensils.) or at UH. Breakfast at the UH cafeteria
averages $3-5,
lunch $5-7. Participants have more options for dinner. Some participants
like to eat dinner in their hotel rooms. (Note: Pagoda Tower, unlike
Pagoda
Terrace, is not equipped with cooking facilities, just a small refrigerator.
Approximately 20% of the participants will be assigned to Pagoda
Tower.) Those
who plan to cook their own dinners may want to either bring some food items
from their countries or buy them here in Hawaii. Various ethnic
food items
such as rice, ramen, and kimchi are available. There are also a variety of
restaurants around the hotel.
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j. Miscellaneous
Please
be notified that, as a matter of policy, CAPE does not give discounts
on tuition under any circumstances, even when the participant chooses
to attend only a fraction of its program or programs.
CAPE
accepts VISA, MASTERCARD and JCB credit cards for payments.
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We hope that the information provided here may be of some
help with your preparation before departure. We cordially welcome
your participation. Aloha!
If you have any questions please e-mail cape@cape.edu.
To visit our homepage click on www.cape.edu
Helpful Websites
The Bus: www.thebus.org
Pagoda Hotel: www.pagodahotel.com
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