Doc Holiday: How can I avoid volcanic smog in Hawaii?

If you're allergic to sulphur, what areas of Hawaii should you avoid, and how can you manage your condition during your visit?

Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions.

I’m cruising the Hawaiian Islands in November but I’m highly allergic to sulphur. Is there anywhere I should avoid visiting on this trip?

Yes, absolutely. Although prevailing trade winds can carry volcanic smog (vog) and sulphur dioxide to neighbouring islands from time to time, these are primarily caused by Hawaii Island’s (the Big Island) active volcanoes, such as Kilauea.

While it’s believed only the strongest of emissions creep towards the island’s Kohala Coast, a part of the island providing respite for those with respiratory ailments, I wouldn’t take the risk. My advice? Avoid Hawaii Island altogether and spend the day enjoying the half-empty indoor facilities on the ship.

The Hawaii Department of Health monitors air quality and provides updates on vog; check sulphur dioxide readings at air.doh.hawaii.gov any time you’re thinking about disembarking the ship, no matter the island.

City tours can work, but be sure to stay relatively close to the airport to minimise stress.

What can we do during our four-hour stopover in Johannesburg? I’ve read that the Apartheid Museum isn’t suitable for kids under 12 (ours are seven and nine).

The Apartheid Museum is a hugely important institution, but the graphic visuals used to illustrate the history and impact of apartheid in South Africa leave their mark and I would caution against taking young children to visit (I asked myself whether I would allow my 11-year-old to visit and my response was a hard no).

You mentioned Soweto as an option and this can be an excellent choice for day trips. Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers offers a range of tuktuk, bicycle and walking tours designed to showcase the township’s history and diversity, and I would normally have no hesitation in recommending its four-hour tours (or for those with time up their sleeves, the full-day tour, which includes entrance to Mandela House and The Hector Pieterson Museum). I say normally because four hours (assuming there are no delays with flights) isn’t a lot of time when you’re battling 60km distances choked with traffic.

For those with time up their sleeves, I would normally have no hesitation in recommending the full-day tour, which includes entrance to Mandela House.

You could opt for the two-hour tour, but, honestly, I think you’d be pushing it to get there and back in time for your connecting flight. Unfortunately, the Cradle of Humankind, too, presents a similar problem.

This isn’t to say you have to be stuck at the airport; Ekala Eco Tours specialises in designing private layover tours – no matter how short – with airport pick-up and drop-off included, while Tours by Locals has a wealth of quick layover tours for you to choose from. City tours can work, but be sure to stay relatively close to the airport to minimise stress.

You can store your luggage at A-Teck, open 24 hours a day and easily found at Terminal A Arrivals Hall.

Japan not only continues to offer good value, it’s only a 10-hour flight away.

You mentioned Australian visitors to Japan were up 42.6 per cent from April 2024 and I’m wondering if this might be because of the Setouchi Triennale 2025? Should we wait to visit? We’re keen to see the art islands.

There’s little doubt the contemporary arts festival contributes to the country’s appeal, but Japan’s popularity with Australians can be linked, first and foremost, to its favourable exchange rate.

The cost-of-living crisis, coupled with the falling Australian dollar, puts holidays to Europe and the United States out of reach for many Australians, but Japan not only continues to offer good value (even if it isn’t as cheap as it was in 2024), it’s only a 10-hour flight away.

Add to that increased airline capacity and frequent sale fares, plus Japan’s reputation for friendly locals, an efficient travel system, good food and diverse attractions, and it becomes easier to understand why we’re loving the country to death.

Depending on how long you’re planning to stay, a Setouchi Triennale Passport and a three-day ferry pass can help reduce some of your costs.

Looking at search and booking trends over the coming year, it seems our love for the Land of the Rising Sun will only continue to grow so if you’re interested in checking out Setouchi Triennale 2025, as well as visiting Japan’s art islands, I wouldn’t wait. It isn’t going to be any less crowded in 2028, and frankly there’s no time like the present (if you have the funds).

Just note that due to increased demand for accommodation and transport, travelling around Japan during the Triennale will be more expensive than what you’d normally expect at other times. Depending on how long you’re planning to stay, a Setouchi Triennale Passport and a three-day ferry pass can help reduce some of your costs.

Inside Japan Tours has an excellent “6 Setouchi Triennale tips” blog post which I’d recommend reading, while Setouchi Explorer offers tips, advice and suggestions to help travellers get the most out of their trip. You can sign up for their newsletter to stay on top of the latest developments.

Need help?

Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email [e-mail]. Personal replies are unfortunately not possible.

Originally published as Doc Holiday: How can I avoid volcanic smog in Hawaii?