Placing Your Call
Check the time difference between your location and Hawaii. Even if you’re calling from the United States, there might be a difference in time from your location to Hawaii. Be sure to check the time zones before placing a call, and try to plan the call for a time when people in Hawaii will be available to talk. When calling from a place like Australia or Asia, Hawaii can be nearly 24 hours behind. This means that it can be 7:30 A.M. on a Tuesday in Australia, and 6:30 A.M. on a Monday in Hawaii. Remember to plan accordingly if you need to call someone on a specific day! If possible, let the person you are planning to call that you will be calling at a certain time.
Dial the exit code for your country. If you’re calling from outside of the United States, you’ll need the exit code for your country to tell the phone company where the call is coming from. If you’re not sure of the exit code for your location, search online for your country and the words “exit code.” If you’re calling from a country that is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), such as Canada, you do not need an exit code. Some country codes, like “00,” cover many countries, including much of Europe.
Enter the country code for the United States (1). This tells the phone company that your call is going to the U.S. If you’re calling from anywhere other than the U.S. or Canada, dial 1 directly after the exit code for your country. If you’re calling from the U.S. or Canada, start dialing with the country code, omitting the exit code completely.
Dial the area code for Hawaii (808). All islands of Hawaii are covered under the 808 area code, from Kauai to Hawaii (Big Island), which includes the metro cities of the state such as Hilo and Honolulu. Enter 808 into the phone after you’ve dialed the entrance code for the U.S. Be aware that many people who move to Hawaii from the mainland United States will not have the 808 area code for their mobile phone number. Be sure to check first before calling.
Dial the 7-digit local phone number. This number is the specific subscriber number for the person who you want to call. Be sure to dial all 7 digits carefully in order to place yout call. If you’re calling from the U.S. or Canada, you will dial: 1 808 1234567. If you’re calling internationally from Europe, for example, you will dial: 00 1 808 1234567. If you’re calling from Australia, you will dial: 11 1 808 1234567.
Wait for the call to connect and begin ringing. It can take a moment for a long distance call to connect, so be patient. The phone should begin ringing about 10-15 seconds after you dial the number. If it takes longer, hang up and re-dial the number. If the call won’t connect, double check that all of your numbers are correct, including the exit code, country code, area code, and local number.
Saving Money on Calls
Contact your phone provider to update your plan. If you’ll be calling Hawaii often from an international number, your phone provider might be able to add an international plan to your bill. Be sure to ask about additional fees and the number of minutes per month, in addition to the cost of the plan itself. If you’re making a lot of calls, this can be a logical and very inexpensive option. Sometimes, the company can apply discounts, so ask the provider if they’re able to give you a deal for being a loyal customer.
Purchase an international calling card to pre-pay for minutes. International calling cards are a cheaper way to make calls from other countries to the United States, and you can find them at most grocery stores. Make sure you get a card with the correct amount of minutes, a low maintenance fee, and an expiration date that will give you enough time to use your minutes. To use the card, dial the access number on the back of the card, type in the PIN that is printed on the card, and then type in the phone number of the person you are calling. For some cards, the PIN will be printed on the receipt for your purchase instead of the card in order to prevent theft. Be sure to keep track of your minutes when using your card. Write down the duration of your calls on a notepad so you know how much time you have left on the card.
Use a VoIP service to place your call. Companies like Skype, Viber, WeChat, and WhatsApp all provide Voice over Internet Protocol services, which allow you to place calls to other users and phone numbers for a small fee. Some services charge a flat rate for all calls, and some are free for calls to other VoIP users. In order to make these calls, you have to have strong internet connection in your area. Be aware that while the calls may be free or low-cost, your internet or phone company can charge you for data usage.
Download a messenger app to chat. Apps like Facebook Messenger, Kik, and WhatsApp, and WeChat also allow for phone calls over WiFi via your smartphone to other users of the app. Simply download the app on your phone, create an account, and place voice and video calls all over the world for free or a very small fee. Again, although these services are free, be aware that your phone or internet provider can charge you for data usage if you go over your allotted amount per month.
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