We went to Canada from Hawaii for 10 days for last year and were absolutely grilled by immigration and customs. We had to show our passports upon departure at HNL. In Calgary we were interviewed by immigration officers upon arrival and also at departure. We were even sent to a secondary screening for more questioning and a thorough luggage inspection where they unpacked everything. They would not have let us enter without a passport or a birth certificate plus one other form of gov't picture ID. I have no idea why we received such scrutiny.

Also, sometimes the Canadian officials will not allow young children who are traveling with one parent to enter unless that parent has a notarized letter from the other parent.

>Also, sometimes the Canadian officials will not allow young children who are traveling with one parent to enter unless that parent has a notarized letter from the other parent.<

How common is this? Realistically, for our trip to Vancouver next year - does this mean I have to travel with a copy of my divorce decree that indicates I have sole legal and physical custody of my daughter?

They wouldn't let me board a trip to Cozumel with my daughter eventhough my husband was traveling to join us a few days later. You HAVE to have notarized letters if you are alone.

ICE is a HUGE problem here. What is sad is all types of people are hooked. Your everyday mom and dads and people you wouldn't expect. I watched the documentary on it and the reason it is so dangerous is because ONE use and your brain chemically needs it. Your body can't fight it. My husband is firing people about once a month for this drug use. It's so sad. The people turn out of their minds or violent. I'm always aware of who is around me on the road and out. You can see and smell people smoking it. If someone confronts you, don't even try to reason with them, just get out of there.

..... and Ice has what to do with travelling to Canada ?

Rusty, see JohnD's post above...I was confused too, at first.

Islandmom, Thanks very much for your sharing your insight about the problem, and we'll definitely heed your thoughtful advice and follow our noses on our next Oahu visit though as tourists to Hawaii, common sense is about our only guide to avoid areas where one might encounter problems. Mahalo!