Regarding Mauna Kea, you are not allowed to go to the top without 4WD. The road grade is 30% and you have to drive in 4WD Low from the midstation. Here's the website: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/index.html

Gee, I'd hate to look like a tourist, even if that's what I am. Who cares if you look like a tourist. I'm not going to rent a car I don't want to fool people into thinking I live somewhere. <BR>Okay, that said, convertibles are fun in Hawaii. They do have those occasional showers, though, and it is windy from time to time, especially along the coasts.<BR>So this is what I would do: Bring a good comb. Bring suntan oil. Open top. Drive around. Have good time. Lock car when you leave. Let people know you are a tourist. Take many pictures. Post them on website for those who didn't get convertible to see.

I have never owned anything but a convertible so here's a tip - wear a baseball cap backwards. It won't blow off and will protect your scalp. You might get a funny semi-circle burn on your forehead though if you don't use enough sunscreen :) Sebrings are big enough for 2 adults in the backseat, Mustangs most definitely are not. Both have smallish trunks. Cavaliers/Sunfires (if they are still making those for fleet cars - they are not selling the convertibles to the general public anymore) are big enough for 2 adults in the back and have pretty good sized trunks. Jeeps have virtually no luggage space and certainly not enough room for 4 adults and their luggage (I used to have one). Finally, Banana Boat, among other brands, makes an oil-free SPF 30 spray for your hair. I took it to Jamaica the last time and it worked like a charm.

Jenny thanks for the tip on the hair sunscreen. I always get a sunburn on my scalp. Can it be used with haircolor? Not blond :( but brunette?

Tracey, how was the trip up Mauna Kea doing it on your own? I also wanted the 4WD only for the trip up to the summit, but I am still considering going with a tour company. I don't usually go this route, but I have read that it is almost more dangerous driving down than going up. Also, exactly how cold was it? And did you suffer from altitude sickness at all?<BR><BR>I am looking forward to your reply.

Suzie,<BR><BR>I honestly don't know - I would check the label or with your hairdresser. It is possible that they make something specifically for color treated hair. I know other brands make this product too but I suggested the BB because it is pretty inexpensive and worked the same as some of the pricier brands I have tried like Clinique. Hope you find something that works! We got our convertible back today from the body shop (some jerk hit me) and I can't wait to go top down!

The bacteria that could be present in the streams is Leptospirosis. It is treatable but very nasty with an onset that may not occur for many days. In addition to not drinking the water, one should not swim in swimming holes if they have open wounds, as it's another way to catch it. The most dangerous time for leptospirosis is when the water stagnates or just immediately after a rainfall. If the water has been flowing consistently then there is a much less chance of being contaminated with the disease. Nonetheless, you shouldn't take the chance. The disease is spread primarily by the wild boars urine, a large beast which lives in most mountains.

Ann,<BR>On Saturdays and Sundays they will take you to the top of the mountain and let you into NASA and Keck I. They made us stay at the visitors station for 1 hour to get acclimated. The guides also have oxygen in their trucks, but they said they never has to use it. We also climbed to the geological marker about 250 feet up, there I felt winded and had to stop every few feet, but never dizzy. It was amazing! After the tour we stayed to watch the sunset below the clouds. Pack a picnic dinner, we waited about 2 hours for the sunset. It got mighty cold up there, we sat in the Jeep with the heat on. The B&B gave us some blankets, and we wore all the clothes we had. There I was in my sandals and socks! When we went back down to the Visitor Center, they were having a stargazing program. All this for free. The drive down was only scary after the visitors center. We had to go slow and watch for cows in the road, plus it was a bit foggy out. I would do it again in a heart beat, but I just can see paying for something that's free!

Tracey, thanks for the reply. Will we need to reserve the free tour, or do we just show up?

i went to kauai and would definitely recommend you get a convertible. it rains very quickly, sometimes with no notice, and the convertibles give you all the advantages of seeing something more than your car roof interior, make it easy to throw things in and out of the car, etc....spend the extra bucks----how many times have you thought about going to hawaii---now you get to go----if you had to skimp on money, this is the one thing i wouldn't skimp on---i think i used alamo when i went.

localgirl it has been mentioned on this forum that compacts and economy cars do track more mud and dirt when people rent them for a week or more. Just more space against the back seat was one issue in regards to tracking dirt in 4wd that is what I was referring to.

Ann,<BR>We called the day before to make sure the tour was on and got a recording. I don't have the number, but the website should. Then we just showed up. The guide said our group was really small, there were only about 10 of us. He said they usually range in the 30s, but this was right after 9/11 and the island was empty.