Housing and Travel

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is approximately 8 miles/12 km (about 15-20 minutes) from the Hawaii Convention Center. Upon arrival in Honolulu, taxis, buses and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are available. 

MDS will not be providing ground transportation between the meeting venue and hotels.
 

If you plan to apply for a non-immigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait times for an interview using the tool on the U.S. Department of State’s website.  It is strongly suggested that all attendees review the websites below and/or contact their local embassy to determine what, if any, travel documents they will need to travel to the United States.

•    Applying for a US Visa Online for Travel to Hawaii
•    U.S. Visas:  US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
•    U.S. Homeland Security:  Visa Waiver Program Requirements
•    International Travelers: General Information

MDS is able to provide you with an Invitation Letter and any International Congress related documentation needed to assist in this process. MDS is unable to contact the Embassy on your behalf. It is the responsibility of each delegate to make the necessary arrangements related to this process. However, if the official handling your application needs further clarification, please have them contact Sarah Smith at congress@movementdisorders.org. 

Personal travel and health insurance policies are recommended for your trip.

The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America. Exchanging money in Hawaii is as simple as using an ATM (automated teller machine), however, it’s helpful to exchange some of your currency before you travel so you’ll have money for cab fare and other incidentals. Most restaurants, stores, cafes, hotels, etc. accept major credit cards. Depending on your credit card, you might be charged a currency conversion and international transaction fees. Check with your credit card company prior to travel to keep these fees to a minimum. Only US Dollars will be accepted as cash payment for any onsite registrations at the International Congress registration desk.

The voltage in Hawaii is 120 v and the frequency is 60 Hz and they use power sockets (outlets) of Type A and Type B, like in the mainland United States.

In the United States, 911 is the universal emergency number. You can dial it toll-free from any phone. The 911 operators are trained to alert emergency responders (police, fire department and ambulance) if necessary. This is also the number to use for emergencies like auto accidents, crimes in progress, and fires. You can request language translation services if you do not speak English. For any non-emergency, non-life threatening concerns, please call the Hawaii Police Department at 808-935-3311.

In Hawaii, like in other places, natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, flooding, fire, and other disasters can occur. It’s important to stay calm and tune in to a local news station for updates if you find yourself in the midst of one.

Here are some links you can use to get the latest news and weather alerts for the Hawaiian islands:

Active Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Hawaii

Pacific Disaster Center (PDC Global)

Hawaii does not have a sales tax; instead, they have the General Excise Tax (GET), which is assessed on all business activities. The standard GET rate is 4%, but Honolulu County (Oahu) charges an additional 0.5% surcharge, bringing the total GET rate to 4.5% in that county. GET is imposed on a broader range of activities than the typical sales tax, including wholesale sales, rentals, services, and royalties. Businesses in Hawaii often pass on the GET to consumers, similar to how other states’ businesses pass on sales tax. However, because it’s a tax on the business rather than the consumer, businesses in Hawaii are not legally required to pass on the GET to their customers. 

There are really only two seasons in Hawaii: summer (kau) from May to October and winter (hoʻoilo) from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85° F (29.4° C), while the average daytime winter temperature is 78° (25.6° C). Temperatures at night are approximately 10° F lower than the daytime.

In Hawaii, the standard tipping practice aligns with the mainland USA. Here are few tipping suggestions:

• Restaurant tipping: 20% is standard with the option to tip more for exceptional service.
• Bar tipping: $1-$2 per drink is common.
• Hotel services: Tip bellhops $1-$2 per bag and housekeeping $2-$5 per day.
• Taxi and transportation: 10-20% of the fare.
• Tours: 10-20% of the tour cost, depending on the length and quality of the experience.

The official language of the MDS International Congress is English.

Individual recording of educational sessions is not permitted.

Recordings of all plenary sessions of the International Congress will be available on demand approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the live meeting. Access is free for MDS Members and attendees of the in-person meeting in Honolulu, and $250 USD for non-members who did not attend the in-person meeting.