Now that you've arrived, there are a few bothersome but necessary tasks to be done before you can settle in and start finding your way around town. As nice as the climate, beaches and activities are in Hawaii, it's essential to be able to actually turn on a light or use the phone. Just remember that once they're done, they're done, and you've taken the first important steps to becoming a kama'aina.

Getting your little furball ready In a worst-case scenario, you may need several months to get your cat or dog ready for the move from your home to the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture (DOA) Animal Quarantine Station on O'ahu. Hawai'i is a rabies-free state, and quarantine is necessary to keep it that way. Only animals from the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand may be exempt. For full details, contact the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture. (Information below). Your pet will need two rabies shots 60 days apart, a heartworm test (for dogs), parasite dip, distemper vaccination, a State of Hawai'i microchip ID. (even if your pet already has one from your state) and a health certificate from your veterinarian not more than 14 days prior to the animal's arrival on O'ahu. Shortening the dreaded quarantine time The good news is that, if your pet meets specific pre- and post-arrival requirements, the 120-day quarantine may be reduced to either a 30-day or 5-day-or-less period. You'll get complete information from the DOA: Hawai'i Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Station 99-951 Halawa Valley Street Aiea, Hawai'i 96701-5602 Phone: (808) 483-7151 Web site: hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ ai_aqs_info.htm

First Things First: Turn on Your Utilities

If you keep your fingers crossed, you may be able to get your utilities hooked up the same day you call. But call early.

Electricity

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)

900 Richards Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 543-7771

www.heco.com

Gas

The Gas Company

841 Bishop Street, Suite 620

Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 535-5933

www.hawaiigas.com

Telephone

Hawaiian Telcom

1177 Bishop Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

To order services, phone: 643-3456

www.hawaiiantel.com

Water

Honolulu Board of Water Supply

630 South Beretania Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

To start service, phone: 532-6510

www.hbws.org

Cable/Wireless Cable

Oceanic Cable

200 Akamainui Street

Mililani, HI 96789

Phone: 625-8100

www.oceanic.com

Verizon Americast

1143 Bishop Street, Suite 200

Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 643-4000

www22.verizon.com

Register Your Vehicle Within 10 Days of Arrival

For more information, access www.co.honolulu.hi.us/csd or call Hawai'i State Motor Vehicle and Licensing at 532-7700 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. You can also get 24-hour recorded information at this number.

The state gives you two choices in registering your vehicle: Transfer it to Hawai'i registration, or get a permit to operate it until the out-of-state plates expire.

Before you go to register your car, you must have a Hawai'i Vehicle Inspection Certificate from any authorized safety inspection provider on the island, such as a gas station which displays a state-authorized Safety Inspection seal. You'll need to show your Hawai'i proof of motor vehicle insurance card to get your Hawai'i inspection certificate.

Register your vehicle at any Satellite City Hall. Fill out Application for Registration Form DF-L-1 (available at Satellite City Halls or by writing Motor Vehicles and Licensing, P. O. Box 30330, Honolulu, HI 96820). Be sure to take these and the completed form when you go to register your vehicle:

• Current out-of-state registration
• Certificate of Ownership/Title (if available)
• Shipping documents (bill of lading)
• Current Hawai'i Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate.

Getting Around Town

Morning and evening rush-hour traffic and gridlock on O'ahu's H-1 Freeway are daily realities. Over the past 20 years, the number of vehicles on O'ahu's roadways has almost doubled, while wrangling over a rapid transit system continues.

Here are some tips on driving in Hawai'i:

• Buckle up — It's the law. And make sure that others with you buckle their seatbelts, too.
• Crosswalks — Those white stripes in the middle of some island streets are pedestrian crossings, and they mean Stop! for anyone who is walking across the street or stepping off the curb.
• No honking — It's considered impolite in Hawai'i to sound your horn. So don't honk unless it's a matter of life or death.
• Drive with Aloha — Be gracious to other drivers. If they signal that they want to move into your lane, or if they're on an on-ramp trying to get onto the freeway, ease off and let them in.
• Don't tailgate or speed — It might seem like these warnings go without saying, but sometimes people need to be reminded. Be patient and you'll get to where you're going in one piece.

Alternate Transportation

Ride TheBus: Leave the driving to the capable hands of the bus service voted best in the country by the American Public Transportation System. TheBus provides service over 79 regularly scheduled fixed routes in all parts of O'ahu. Monthly bus passes are available at TheBus Pass office, Satellite City Halls and a number of other locations. For more information, link to www.thebus.org or call TheBus for schedules or information at 848-5555 between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Carpool: Ride with others who commute to and from the same area. It's a very flexible system, allowing you to arrange for roundtrip or one-way rides as often as you need them. Carpools are also eligible to use the freeway's less clogged HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes which are designed for vehicles carrying more than one person. For information on carpooling, call 587-RIDE or 677-RIDE.

Park & Ride: There are several Park & Ride lots that allow you to park free all day close to your bus stop or carpool meeting place. Go to www.hawaii.gov/dot/ publicaffairs/rideshare/ocsg/park.htm for locations, or call 587-RIDE or 677-RIDE.

Vanpool: The State Department of Transportation offers nine-passenger vans to groups and can facilitate matches for commuters traveling to the same area.

For more information, call Vanpool Hawai'i at 596-VANS.