Welcome to the fabled “City of Lights” or “City of Love.” Paris is certainly both and has alwaysbeen considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. Whether an artist, a businessmanor a tourist, you will enjoy the long walks from Montmartre to the Quartier Latin. Going throughsome of the finest Roman and medieval monuments, sooner or later you will end up at a café,standing on the Pont Neuf Bridge, or exploring a vintage fashion shop in the Marais district.

Trip Planning

When planning for your trip, if you buy your ticket online from a discount company, be aware that your ticket could be non-refundable (if you have to make any changes). Be sure you check the details and read the fine print

Reconfirm your flights before departure and check for delay and/or cancellation.

Make copies of your important traveling documents (passport, driver’s license, medical and automobile insurance cards, and others) and leave the copies with a person whom you trust and are not traveling with you. This way you will have access to important information in case you lose or misplace such items while traveling.

Pack proper clothing in accordance of Hawaii’s temperature ranges.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you in the event of flight changes or cancellations lost luggage, sickness or death.

Travel insurance can be purchased through your travel agent or through a number of reputable travel insurance companies.

Travel insurance buys peace of mind and protects you financially, if anything should happen.

General Safety

Do not assume your carry-on luggage on the plane is always secure. Always keep your valuables in sight.

If you arrive before the hotel check-in time, leave your luggage with the hotel concierge or at the front desk. It is strongly recommended that you do NOT sight see with all of your valuables or leave any of your luggage in your car.

While you are checking into your hotel, always keep your luggage in sight and do not leave it unattended at any time.

Once you have checked in, it is recommended that you place your jewelry, credit card(s), passport(s), cash, and other valuables in the room safe or safety deposit box which can be found at the front desk of most hotels. Only take with you what you will need for the day. If your room does not have a safe, ask the front desk staff to place your items on the hotel safe and be sure to get a receipt for your items.

Do not leave valuables in plain sight (laptops, iPads, digital cameras, cell phones etc.) in your room.

Keep your hotel room door(s) locked at all times.

Be aware of the location of exits from your floor, in case of an emergency.

Keep your room key in safe place.

When leaving your room, be sure to close and lock the balcony/ veranda door(s) and any windows.

Road safety

Hawaii state law prohibits drivers driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Hawaii strictly enforces the seat belt law. Always keep your seat belt fastened.

Speed limits strict enforced Hawaii state law prohibits drivers talking on the phone or texting while driving.

Hawaii’s state law requires hands free devices while driving.

Hawaii’s state law requires children under the age of four to ride in a child safety seat while children ages four through seven are required to ride safety seat or a booster seat when riding in a motor vehicle.

When going to sightseeing, take only what you plan to carry with you when you park your vehicle.

At night, always park in well-lit areas.

Do not pick up hitchhikers.

Do not hitchhike. Hawaii’s state law prohibits hitchhiking.

Taking taxi and Public Transportation

Do not stand too close to the curb while waiting for taxi or bus. Vehicles with protruding side mirrors might strike you.

If you are a passenger on the bus and someone is bothering you, inform the driver.

Avoid falling asleep on the bus sp you don’t miss your stop.

Biking

Hawaii’s state law requires that everyone aged 15 years or younger wear a safety helmet while riding a bicycle.

Use appropriate hand signal and signals and stop at all stop signs and red lights.

Always ride with the flow of traffic-never against it.

When available, always use the marked bicycle lanes. Do not ride your bicycle on the sidewalk.

For your safety, always wear bright clothing during the day and night. You will be more visible to passing motorists.

Walking

Walk on sidewalks when available- not in the street. If not, always walk facing the oncoming traffic and as close to the side of the street as you are safely able to.

Always cross at a crosswalk or at the corner of an intersection.

Jaywalking is against the law and is punishable by a fine of $130 in the state of Hawaii.

Follow the directions at lighted crosswalks; only cross when the white pedestrian light is blinking-never when the red hand is blinking.

Water Safety

Never turn your back on the ocean.

When using a swimming pool, be sure to swim in a pool that has a lifeguard on duty. If no lifeguard is available, always swim with at least one other person. Do not leave children unattended.

Always swim at a guarded beach. Do not ignore lifeguard-posted warning signs.

Check the local weather conditions and forecasts and pay attention to possible changes.

Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach. Do not hide them under anything.

Do not mix alcohol with swimming, driving, or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination.

Observe Dangerous Conditions Signs: These are posted when a potential for loss of life or limbs exists.

Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Try to limit the amount of direct sun exposure you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and always wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of a high rating such as a5.

Do not dive off waterfalls and cliffs or climb on wet rocks.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body cool.

Please read and adhere to al signs, especially no trespassing or kapu (which means to stay out); these warning signs take precedence over any information that may have been provided in any guidebook.

Water recreational equipment should be rented from a licensed company, including snorkeling and scuba diving gear, jet skis, and other water craft such as surf boards, paddle boards and canoes, parasailing, and deep sea fishing. If you do not know how to operate water recreational equipment, take lessons from a licensed operator.

Beach Safety Signs Examples

These beach safety signs are posted as warnings in an attempt to educate beachgoers and prevent injuries at beaches and hotels throughout the State of Hawaii. If in doubt-don’t go out!

All signs are copyright protected by the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association.

Jellyfish- stings are painful stay out of the water

A monthly jellyfish phenomenon occurs within the Hawaiian Islands, in which box jellyfish arrive nine to ten days after the full moon. For more info visit http://www.SOSjellyfish.com to view and plan for this monthly arrival.

High Surf- can cause serious injuries or drowning

If you are uncertain of your abilities, don’t go into the ocean during high surf, heed all posted high surf warnings!

Dangerous Shore break

A shore break is a condition when waves break directly on the shoreline. Shore breaks are unpredictable and dangerous. Even very small waves breaking directly on shore can be very dangerous! Be sure to ask a lifeguard about the wave conditions that day.

Strong Current

These are swift moving channels of water against which it is difficult to swim. When caught in a strong current—Try to keep a level head, i.e. don’t panic! Wave one or both hands in the air, and scream or call for help. Swim diagonally to the current, not against it. Please heed all posted warnings!