Hawaii

[gurly2356]

I was just wondering if anyone has traveled to Hawaii and if it was wheelchair accessible. I am thinking of traveling there and was interested in that. I don't want to get there and not be able to do anything.

[carbar]

I went to the Big Island in May for my brother's wedding - it was pretty hot and a bit humid. Stayed at the Hilton resort - the wheelchair rooms weren't great, in fact the doors so heavy that I couldn't even get into my room by myself! It is a huge resort and should be wheelie friendly but all the paving is uneven (deliberately in rough slabs) so it is not that comfortable to roll over. I don't know that I would recommend the Big Island - I think most of the resort hotels are the same. Try Honolulu - there is bound to be more there to do and more that is accessible.

[SCI-Nurse]

It varies. Hawaii has not done a great job of complying with the ADA, esp. outside of Oahu. Where do you want to go? Where do you want to stay? Transportation is your biggest problem. Outside of Honolulu you will not find wheelchair accessible cabs or buses for the most part, and accessible van rentals are outrageously expensive on any of the islands. If you can transfer to a car or cab, of course that is not much of a problem.

Newer hotels will be more accessible. Most tourist sites are fairly accessible such as the Polynesian Cultural Center or the Honolulu Aquarium or the Maui Ocean Center. Shops in Lahaina vary...some have a few steps to get in. There are a few tour companies that have accessible buses or vans but not all (in spite of this being required by the ADA).

One of our members has a condo for rent on Maui, but it does book up pretty far in advance.

http://www.mauiaccessiblecondo.com/

(KLD)

[gurly2356]

Thanks so much. I went on a cruise in March and the ports that we visited weren't very accessible. I figured I better get some first hand advice from somebody who has tried it already.

Thanks again!

[SCI-Nurse]

Are you cruising to Hawaii, or flying over? Have cruised to Hawaii several times so can tell you about that. Where was your last cruise?

(KLD)

[gurly2356]

I am not going on a cruise, staying in Waikiki.

[KiranA]

Gurly, I'm headed there myself for spring break (hopefully) so I'll post what info I find out.

[gurly2356]

Im going for Spring Break too. Going on March 2nd..uh oh, does this mean we might be fighting over who gets the beach wheelchairs?!