transit in Rarotonga

I have a transit stop in Rarotonga where I will arrive from NZ just after midnight and leave around midday to Tahiti. I presume it will be okay to catch some sleep at the airport and then head out in the morning for 3-4hrs around the island? I'm thinking of hiring scooter/bike to get around the island - are any rental places open early enough for me to arrange hire to see a bit of the island before catching flight out?

What about the departure tax - do I need to pay this considering I'm only here in "transit"? I know other airports where you are in transit less than 24hrs they don't levy an departure tax on you...

Also I presume that the airport is small enough not to necessarily check in 2hrs before departure - is 1hr enough (this is what I typically did at the smaller SE asian airports earlier this yr with no problems)?

There are bench seats on the grass in the waiting area, you can catch some sleep on these until morning. Rental scooter rental directly across the road and they open around 8:00 AM, should give you plenty of time for a leisurely trip around the island.

Departure tax is an interesting question. Don't know the answer to that one, as I stay in the Cooks multiple days. Ask when you go through immigration, they will have the answer. If you have to pay it is NZ$30.00.

I think you will be fine if you arrive 1 - 1 1/2 hours before your flight. You are on a fairly small plane for that flight and check in at Air Rarotonga counter'

Papa Mike