hawaii:

10 things to keep in mind when traveling there

1. When flying on a KC-135, earplugs sure help, even though they may not be attractive.

2. The GPS doesn't work there if it's made for the lower 48 states.

3. Maps are poorly made. The streets are poorly marked. Expect to turn around from going the wrong direction, especially when you realize #2.

4. It's okay to make up your own names for towns and streets, especially when they all sound the same. Examples: Kailua, Kalaheo, Kalanianaole Highway, Kaneohe Bay Drive, Kamehameha, etc. When navigating, it is extremely difficult to quickly tell the driver to turn right on Kalanianaole.

5. It's okay to get sandy and dirty.

6. When lost in Honolulu with no address for your motel, just keep driving around. Eventually you'll see the motel. Hint: There are no motel signs towering above you. You just have to drive until you find it. When you DO finally find it, screech to a stop and turn. Knocking on the window and yelling helps too.

7. When staying in a cabin without indoor plumbing, buckets are convenient. Note: Buckets should be emptied far from cabin.

8. Cockroaches are big and fast. Think Madagascar-cockroach-size, but crawling really fast. We saw only one. It was in the shower at the campsite and Isaac freaked out. I stomped on it. It looked dead, but it came back to life a minute later. Isaac freaked out again.

9. Little lizards are more common pests. One was found in our rental car. Jared stabbed the poor thing with his pocket knife.

10. The north shore of Oahu has better and bigger waves and prettier shells.