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Saturday, 05 May 2007 |
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Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu and has a land mass of nearly 600 square miles. Downtown Honolulu is the financial center of all of Hawaii. Waikiki, located only a few miles from Honolulu is the most common tourist destination, with more than 5 million visitors per year. Oahu is a relatively small island and most attractions are not more than an hour's drive from Honolulu. If you plan on staying within the limits of the Waikiki resorts, you probably will not need a rental car. However, if you want to explore this beautiful island, a rental car is the best way to get around.
Getting around in Oahu is relatively easy and all the roads and streets are well marked. Most rental car agencies provide free maps with tourist attractions well marked by written instructions or detailed graphics showing the route. When renting a car in Hawaii, your driver's license is only valid for 90 days. If you plan to stay on Oahu for an extended period of time, you'll need to apply for a Hawaii driver's license which costs about $18. You'll also need to take a written exam at the State Department of Motor Vehicles office in Honolulu. The minimum age to drive in Hawaii is 15 years; however, most car rental agencies in Oahu Hawaii require drivers be at least 25 years of age. Oahu Hawaii has a strict safety program that requires front-seat passengers to wear seat-belts at all times. Children under the age of four must be in a car seat. Most car rental agencies provide car seats for a minimal fee. Children under the age of 18 who are riding in the backseat are required to wear a seat-belt. Speed limits are strictly enforced in Oahu Hawaii. The speed limit on interstates and highways is generally 55 mph, whereas in town speed limits range between 25 to 40 mph. Speeding fines have a base rate of $27. An additional $5.00 is added for every mile per hour over the speed limit. Reckless driving will result in jail time, a hefty penalty, and potential loss of your driver's license. Great deals can be found on car rentals in Oahu Hawaii. The easiest way to compare rates is to use the Internet to research the various car rental agencies. Although car rental prices are very affordable, keep in mind that gasoline prices in Oahu Hawaii are about 25 percent higher than on the mainland. |
