GALACTIC CENTER WORKSHOP 2002:
Travel Directions

The conference is being held at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, generally known as the Kona Coast. Most people will arrive by plane either at the Keahole Kona Airport, which is about 13 miles north of the conference site, or at the Hilo Airport, which is on the opposite side of the Big Island, roughly 110 miles distant by road. Rental cars are available at both airports.

From the Keahole Kona Airport a taxi to the hotel should take about 25 minutes and cost about $30.

There is a shuttle service, SPEEDISHUTTLE, that will transport people at a group rate to and from the hotel. The cost per individual for each trip will depend on the number of people on each shuttle, but the group rate (not including optional gratuity) is as follows.

1) $26.19

2) $28.37 (i.e., ~$14/person)

3) $30.55 (i.e., ~$10/person)

4) $32.74 (i.e., ~$8/person)

5) $34.92 (etc.)

6) $38.19

7) $45.83

8) $50.19

9) $56.74

10) $61.11

11) $66.56 (i.e., ~$6/person)

This is definitely much less expensive than a taxi. SPEEDISHUTTLE takes reservations only, so the users have to make contact ahead of time via email or telephone.

You must sign up for the shuttle ahead of time, either by
(1) telephoning SPEEDISHUTTLE at (808)329-5433
or by
(2) emailing Speedishuttlkona@cs.com, attention Lani Bulawan.
In either case, identify yourself as attending the Galactic Center Workshop and provide the flight you are on and the date and time of your expected arrival.

Arrangements for using the shuttle for the return trip at the end of the conference may be made during the week of the conference.

When you arrive at the Kona airport, please be on the lookout for foreign conference attendees, who may need assistance finding the shuttle, taxis, etc., and exchanging currency.

If you are driving from the airport, refer to the detailed map, on which the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort is listed as the "Keauhou Beach Hotel" (its old name). Leave the airport and proceed south about 8 miles on Highway 19 to the intersection with Highway 190 (Palani Road). At this intersection there are two possible routes:
(1) Proceed through the intersection onto Highway 11, drive uphill on this road approximately 4 miles to the Keauhou Bay exit, turn right and proceed downhill to Ali'i Drive, turn right (north) and drive about 3/4 mile to the Keauhou Beach Resort, (which will be on the left); or
(2) turn right onto Palani Road and drive downhill until the road curves left (south) and becomes Ali'i Drive. Follow Ali'i Drive roughly 5 miles. The Keauhou Beach Resort will be on your right. This route is shorter, but slower, than route (1).

If you are driving from Hilo, it is roughly the same distance and same amount of time to the conference if you take the northern route or the southern route around the island.

The address and phone numbers of the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort are as follows.
78-6740 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ph: (808)322-3441, Fax: (808)322-3117

October 30, 2002