The American Studies Forum
PREDEPARTURE TIPS

The following information is being furnished to you with the hope that it will help you better prepare for the workshop prior to your departure.

1. Predeparture Tips & Maps

*
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

MAPS
Predeparture
Some things to Pack
Weather
Tipping in Hawaii
Arrival in Hawaii
Daily Schedule
Computer Use
Sharing a Dorm/Hotel Room/Roommates
Meals
Miscellaneous

 

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).

TOP

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.

TOP

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.)

TOP

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:

  1. Have your luggage stored in the hotel 'Storage Room' or leave it with your friends who were able to check-in early.
  2. Once you get your room number, store your valuables, cash, passport, etc. in the hotel 'Safety Box'.
  3. 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.)
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

TOP

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.

TOP

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.

TOP

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.

TOP

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.

TOP

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.

TOP

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