Jellyfish + 10 Hawaii Travel Emergencies
Jellyfish are back in the news again. There’s been an invasion of them in Spain this week that has everybody talking. While multiple varieties of jellyfish do exist here in Hawaii, I would consider them typically a minor nuisance.
Tips: Check the full moon calendar when planning your vacation and add 8 days. This will give you the approximate date jellyfish arrive on the Hawaiian Islands’ south facing beaches only. Expect them to be a problem for 3 days. The seriousness of the invasions varies from month to month.
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Outside of jellyfish, stuff happens, even on a trip to Hawaii. Here’s our guide to avoiding problems before they occur and what to do when they happen anyway:
Mosquito bites
While mosquitoes can be dangerous and transmit diseases like West Nile virus, malaria and dengue fever, we have not had any of these problems of recent here in Hawaii. The likelihood of being bitten is far worse towards sunset and when in wooded or especially wet areas. Unless you have a rare reaction, bites are usually self-resolving. To expedite that, don’t scratch no matter what. Doing so always makes the bites itch worse and/or last longer. Beyond that breaking the skin can result in infection, and Hawaii is definitely known for nasty skin infections.
Tips: Things to ease the itch include hydro-cortisone cream, calamine lotion or a paste made from meat tenderizer and water. Another suggestion is to apply a cold papaya (save half to eat). Ice might make it feel better too.
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Centipedes and scorpions
Okay, on the subject of scorpions, yes they are here in Hawaii. If you’ve ever seen one, please let me know. I never have. Centipedes – we have plenty. We’ve written about them before, which remain among some of our most popular non-deal posts. You’ll find 25 comments about them on our site, with others foibles, and care suggestions.
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Seasickness
With ocean all around, and cruising or sailing experiences abundant, avoiding seasickness is a high priority. There are so many theories on how to take precautions, but for me, being on the ocean during calm conditions is always number one.
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Sunburn
Keeping out of the sun or wearing covering clothes during the hottest part of the day is obviously the best choice. Second is good sunscreen. I’ve been sticking with the recommendations from the Environmental Work Group.
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Coral scrapes
These can be very painful and serious, with the distinct possibility of infection, and are obviously best avoided. If you get scraped, however, here are some basic suggestions:
First, clean the scrape with soap and water. Then clean with hydrogen peroxide diluted with water. Rinse again and apply an antiseptic/antibiotic ointment. If it’s at all serious or shows sign of infection, consult a physician.
Ocean safety
This is perhaps one of the greatest concerns for Hawaii visitors. Underestimating the danger of the ocean can, and frequently does lead, to injury or death. It’s always smart to read the ocean safety brochure in your hotel room on arrival. If you aren’t completely sure of the situation, swim where there is a lifeguard.
Tip: You can also check the Hawaii Beach Safety website for updates on our ocean conditions.
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Medical emergency
Your Mainland health insurance works here. And should you need to seek medical attention, it’s good to know that you’re in good hands. Hawaii health care scored near the top of last year’s national healthcare score card.
Car accident
Hawaii is a “no-fault state.” Your own vehicle insurance will pay the bills for your injuries and your passengers’ injuries. And you cannot sue or be sued unless there are serious injuries. “No-fault” applies to injuries, not to vehicles or property, so the driver-at-fault in an accident is responsible for damages to vehicle and property.
Driving citations
These are definitely something to avoid, and the best way is to simply slow down. Hawaii is known for strict speed enforcement, often using laser detection. Read our Ten Safe Driving Tips for Hawaii Visitors.
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Lost or delayed luggage
First, it’s helpful to photograph your luggage exterior and its contents in case of loss. (It seems like I’m running around at the last minute and never think to do this). If something doesn’t show up in Hawaii, the good news is that most bags are recovered and will be delivered to your hotel at no cost.
Tip: If your bag is delayed, ask about the airline’s policy for replacing things you may need in the interim.
This must happen frequently as we often see the delivery truck driving around the island. In the unlikely event your bag is truly lost, the maximum liability of domestic flights is $3,300 per person. This is where your photos of what’s inside will really pay off.
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My son, who was 5 at the time, got stung by a portugues man of war at Hapuna beach. It was quite horrible. My husband and I got it a little too, but we didn’t even notice because we were trying to help him.
What finally helped was a passerby let us use some of her topical antihistamine spray on it. From then on we always carried some but it never happened again.
I lived in Hawaii for 14 years and that was our only experience with jellyfish.