MY ADVICE

RULE OF THREES
Day 1: Rest on the beach. 
Day 2: Go sightseeing in your rent-a-car. 
Day 3: Go on a serious off road trip with a professional... like me :-). 
Then start all over again.

Always rest on the first two days (day of arrival and day 1)...
at least. Your body and mind need to acclimatize.

You need at least two weeks for the east, Hilo side
and at least one week for the west, Kona side.

THE SUN
Be VERY careful with the sun. Best if you already have 
some tan when you land here. If not, lie under the midday sun
(10 AM-2 PM)... yes, I'm serious. 
This is the only controlled way to do it.
Use the following minute/day/side (front and back first):
10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 45
After a few days, start the same on your right and left sides.
Only two sides/day. Never expose your ENTIRE skin surface 
to the tropical, midday sun, on the same day.
If you already have a tan start with 15 or 20 minutes.

Cover your body with the strongest sun blocker 
for the rest of the days... at least for a while.
Press your finger against your skin once in a while.
If it leaves a white spot, after you remove it, 
you're burnt already. Get in the shade right away.
Frequently done will at least help you avoid a SERIOUS burn.
Do this even when completely covered with a sun blocker.

Aloe vera is the best remedy for sun burn. 
Get a fresh cutting at the market, squeeze the juice
out if it and spread it on your skin abundantly.
 
THE OCEAN
If you're not a strong swimmer go into the water ONLY on beaches 
with life guards. It's still a good idea to talk to them first.
If you're a good swimmer always ask local people 
about conditions on a beach without life guards.
Sharks have killed less than a dozen people 
in the written history of Hawai'i. On the other hand,
more people drown here every year 
than in the rest of the USA!!!

CRITTERS
Only the giant centipede can sting you real badly on land.
You'll recognize it by its size: Little finger width X 5-7".
Bees, mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, etc. are pretty much the same 
as yours at home. The giant sugarcane spider will charge 
and chase you but it's otherwise harmless. 

Jellyfish encounters can be painful in the ocean. 
Vinegar and/or human urine will mitigate the pain.
Use whichever you find more practicable :-).

MY SAFARIS / HOME