Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [488]
Driver’s License
An International Driving Permit, obtained before you leave home, is only necessary if you’re from a non-English-speaking country.
Fuel & Towing
Fuel is readily available everywhere except along a few particular roads; these are noted in text (like Saddle Rd on the Big Island and the Road to Hana on Maui). Expect to pay at least 50¢ more per US gallon than on the mainland. Average Hawaii gas prices soared to new highs in 2008, to well over $4 a gallon, and then in early 2009 they fell to the lowest since 2005, to under $2.40 a gallon. In recent years prices have averaged between $2.70 and $3.40 a gallon.
If you get into trouble with your car, towing is mighty expensive in Hawaii; avoid it at all costs. Fees start at around $65, plus $5 to $7 for every mile you need to be towed. Don’t drive your standard car on 4WD roads, which is usually prohibited by rental companies and will void damage-insurance coverage. Always ask when booking about the company’s road restrictions for its vehicles.
Insurance
Liability insurance covers people and property that you might hit. For damage to the actual rental vehicle, a collision damage waiver (CDW) is available for $15 to $20 a day. If you have collision coverage on your vehicle at home, it might cover damages to car rentals; inquire before departing. Additionally, some credit cards offer reimbursement coverage for collision damages if you rent the car with that credit card; again, check before departing. Most credit-card coverage has restrictions – whether over length of rental (some must be less than 15 days) or type (vans and 4WDs may be excluded).
Rental
Cars for rent are readily available except on Lana’i and Moloka’i, where you should reserve as early as possible. With advance reservations (highly recommended anywhere), the daily rate for a small car ranges from $20 to $40, while typical weekly rates are $130 to $170. (Rates for midsize cars or even 4WD vehicles are sometimes only a tad higher.) When getting quotes, always ask for the full rate, including taxes, which can add more than $5 a day and over $100 to a multiweek rental.
As with flights, getting the best deal on a car rental is all about persistence. Auto clubs and frequent-flier programs sometimes offer discounts, so ask them first. Shop around between rental companies, and check their offers against online agencies (use the same ones as for airline tickets, Click here).
Rental rates usually include unlimited mileage. Sometimes, as in Honolulu, you might get a better deal if you pick up and drop off from a city (rather than an airport) location, but be careful of dropping off and picking up at different locations, which usually requires a hefty additional fee.
Having a major credit card greatly simplifies the rental process. Without one, some agents simply will not rent vehicles, while others require prepayment, a deposit of $200 per week, pay stubs, proof of return airfare and more.
Toll-free numbers for the following companies operating in Hawaii work from the US mainland:
Alamo (800-462-5266; www.alamo.com)
Avis (800-331-1212; www.avis.com)
Budget (800-527-0700; www.budget.com)
Dollar (800-800-3665; www.dollar.com)
Enterprise (800-261-7331; www.enterprise.com)
Hertz (800-654-3131; www.hertz.com)
National (800-227-7368; www.nationalcar.com)
Thrifty (800-847-4389; www.thrifty.com)
Each island has one or two local agencies (see the Getting Around sections of island chapters), and these are worth checking out – on Maui, it’s the only way to rent a biofuel car (Click here), and on the