Hawai'i Drivers GuideBook©1997,2000

1) If you get a traffic ticket in Hawai`i, can you pay right away, or do you have to appear in court ?

2) What's so special about road work areas in Hawai`i, and could ruin your day?

3) What is "stink eye", and why do you even need to know what it is ?

4) Are there any places on the Islands where you can't drive a rental car, and if so, what happens if you do ?

5) When the road center has solid double white lines, can you make a left turn over them, and/or cross to pass - how about double solid yellow lines ?

6) If you drive barefoot, what is probably your greatest potential enemy if you step out of your vehicle that way (no, not hot pavement!) ?

7) Hawai`i requires mandatory nofault insurance of all it's drivers, and state approved inspections of all vehicles on the road, so doesn't that mean driving in Hawai`i would be even safer than elsewhere ?

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1)  Neither is usually the case. You can U.S. mail the fine in, if the offense does not require you to physically respond (e.g. driving without a valid license usually requires you to show one later). You often are given the option to respond with a letter of explanation to the judge, so you can write the court from home, and he/she can then reduce the fine or even throw the ticket out, if impressed by your words. <Go back to questions>

2)  What's so special, is that EVERY road work site in Hawaii has a cop, usually two, directing traffic, even if it's to fill a pot hole! They do watch the cars going by, and if you look suspicious or don't have your seat belt on, you could be getting a visit from one!
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3)  Stink eye is the Hawaiian version of the evil eye (And trust me, you will know when you see it). You need to know about it, because when you are the target of it from a local, it most likely means you are doing, or about to do, something you shouldn't be. Backing off and leaving is the prudent thing to do in this case. The full Guide gives examples of when you likely will experience this, why, and what to do.
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4)  Yes, there are many places -- all the Islands that rental cars have areas that you are not suppose to go with a rental vehicle (the rental company may not advise you of this). People do anyway of course, but what happens if you break-down while in the "forbidden" territory?! You are best advised to get someone other than the rental company to help you (e.g. locals or other tourists). The full version of the guide lists many of these "no drive" areas and how you can avoid an unpleasant experience if you drive there anyway). <Go back to questions>

5)  Nope, neither, and not for any other reason either, although you can make a left turn over solid double yellow lines (State of Hawai`i Driver's Manual page 33). By the way, you can get your own copy of the official State driver's manual at most grocery, department and drug stores. <Go back to questions>

6)  Potentially waiting for you, are the thorns of the Hawaiian Kaiwe tree. The thorns are quite long and very, very sharp!  In fact, so sharp that they can easily pierce completely through a pair of flip-flops or cheap sandals and into your foot -- even tennis shoes!  Unfortunately, Keawe and others like it, that can make bare-footing troublesome, like to grow near the ocean!  You can get more information on this tree and other Flora and Fauna of Hawaii in the Guide (many are pictured). <Go back to questions>

7)  Actually, many would say just the opposite, and the statistics would support them. The mandatory nofault insurance has influenced many insurance companies to not do business in Hawaii, causing the few left to charge very high premiums. This has resulted in a large proportion of Hawaii drivers feeling they cannot afford it, and simply drive without any insurance at all.

The vehicle inspections have had a similar ineffectiveness, in that those who actually get them, are usually those who can afford them and drive late-model cars that don't need inspection. The rest either skirt the purpose of them by buying a stolen sticker or having a friend in the garage business pass them, or simply drive without them.
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