MrMosby

Well we're supposed to leave for Hawaii (to spend a week in Kauai) on Wednesday next week.

I thought the trip was going to be thwarted by Tropical Storm Kilo, but fortunately it seems to be passing, now it's looking like Hurricane Ignacio is on a perfect track for the big island.

So since I've never travelled in a Hurricane situation - if the Hurricane heads for the island what is the higher water mark for my trip insurance to kick in - and when should I cancel?

If it misses, and goes south or north is my trip going to be ruined by torrential rain? And if yes is that still an opportunity to use Trip Insurance to delay my trip until later?

fassy

Why would you want to cancel at all? Assuming you have a ticket for a flight the airline will cancel the flights if they cannot operate due to weather and accommodate you by rebooking on the next available flight.

Ocn Vw 1K

As a lot of the OP's concerns relate to the weather conditions on the Hawaiian Islands, let me move this to the Hawaii forum for more discussion. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

MrMosby

Because I only have a very small window that I can use for vacation, and I don't want to shorten my trip (rather would reschedule).

And why go if the weather isn't desirable... No point in being stuck in a hotel.

transportprof

I'll be vacationing on the east side of Oahu next week, too.

What happens to tourists if there is an evacuation order issued on Oahu?

747FC

Never heard of an Oahu-wide evacuation order. If a hurricane is targeting an island, shelters will be opened for those whose homes may be structurally unsound or who may need assistance. A list of shelters will be published in the Star Advertiser and on the web.

Are you doing a vacation rental?

transportprof

Yes, we're renting a cottage in Kailua. It's 1 block from the beach, so if the hurricane comes in from the East, we'd be on the front line.

MrMosby

Looks like a third one is on the way, ugh. Calling travel insurance this weekend to see what they say.

MrMosby

From a tourist perspective, how do evacuation orders work. We're staying in Kauai in the Grand Hyatt.

I can't cancel because I'll lost my free nights at the Hyatt that weren't covered under my Amex Travel Insurance :-(

mommafrica

Leaving 9/24 for a surprise wedding anniversary (glad the Much Better 1/2 doesn't know about this). Planning to stay 4 days in HNL for Pearl Harbor then move on to Maui (res's made w/ HR [pts+cash] but we might switch to GH Kaua'i [pts+cash/just pts] if possible) for 5 days then another 4 days on either Kaua'i/Maui depending on whether/not I have made the switch beforehand.
All of this being said, as a 1st timer, I have put off making a res w/ Island Air so far for the inter island hop to Maui (as I believe that this is all that goes to Maui). I would like to know if this is the wise thing to do? With 3 hurricanes possibly going that way, I'm wondering how busy of a Sep will Hawai'i be having hurricane wise (this is a reason that I never book prepaid hotel rates)?

delayflight

If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel staff will have a contingency plan in case of a hurricane. Usually teliing guests stay away from windows or gather everyone in a ballroom away from windows. If you are in a B&B, the owner may have a plan, or look in telephone books for evacuation sites if you are close to ocean or prone to flooding.

Hawaiian Airlines also goes HNL to OGG, with 30 flights a day each way, and with a 90+% market share compare to Island Air, who flies ATR-72s compared to Hawaiian with Boeing 717. If you choose to go to LIH instead, Hawaiian is the only carrier for HNL - LIH.

Exec_Plat

Post a copy of the policy- either the example on line (or a link) or black out your personal info.

It is utterly impossible to get any useful advice otherwise.

Ive been reviewing policy language for a few weeks, perhaps 35 plans reviewed. It will ALL depend on the policy language.

747FC

Current tracking has it coming to the north, but there will probably be some rain an winds.

You might want to ask the rental agent or owner about where the nearest shelter is relative to your cottage.

While it doesn't look like we are going get a direct hit, you might want to be prepared. And, stay out of the ocean until it passes...

tmapian

Flight-wise, how much of an impact will this have on arriving/departing flights at HNL? I'm supposed to be flying in to HNL Wednesday afternoon. While the latest track shows the actual hurricane a few hundred miles offshore of Oahu, the outter wind and rain bands will probably still reach the islands. Any experience with how the airlines typically deal with moderate wind and heavy rain at HNL?

Mary2e

From my perspective, the weather in Hawaii this year has been very weird.

My longest trip ever was in March - 2 weeks in Waikiki. We had normal weather for 3 days and then it got cold. Yes, cold - as in near freezing at the slightly higher elevations. It stayed that way for the rest of our visit. I was happy the temps went into the low 70s. I was on the beach exactly once the entire 2 weeks.

A friend has been posting the temps and they've been in the 90s. That used to be a rarity, and I've seen him do it more than 3 or 4 times this year.

Now it's storm after storm...

I'm going again at the end of Sept and I sure hope I get good ole normal Hawaii weather this time.