Recent Hawaii Shipping News

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Types of car customizations
Advice for car customizations
Wrapping up
 

Types of car customizations

There are tons of car customizations that you can get. Some are purely aesthetic while others serve legitimate functional purposes. Either way, you will need to spend at least a decent amount of money to get a customization for your car. Many customizations that you can get will likely be well over a thousand dollars.

Some of the most popular type of car customizations that people get are sport seats, tints, upgrades to their suspensions, and paint jobs. There are also various illegal customizations that you will be able to get for your car. Some of those include neon lights, extra high and extra low suspensions, nitrous oxide systems, and radar jammers. We highly recommend you skip these illegal customizations as you can end up with a series of expensive tickets for having them.
 

Advice for car customizations

If you choose to get your car customized in Hawaii, we recommend that you do choose something functional. However, whatever you choose to customize about your car, you should always shop around with different providers so that you can get the best price.

In terms of functional customizations that could specifically benefit your car in Hawaii, you could choose to get your windows tinted because of how powerful the Hawaiian sun can be at times. Just make sure that you are getting legal tints according to local laws. Some better shock absorbers can also be useful in Hawaii if you are thinking of changing things up with your vehicle because the roads tend to have a higher number of potholes and cracks than normal.

If you choose to get a customization that will improve your car’s performance, be sure that you sure up the relevant safety features as well. For example, if you get your car customized in a way which makes it faster (very likely illegal), be sure you upgrade your brakes as well.
 

Wrapping up

Getting your car customized in Hawaii is obviously completely up to you. The majority of the customizations that you will be able to get will serve little or no function other than looking cool. If you do decide to get a customization for your car, be sure to shop around so you can get the very best price. Whether your car is customized or not, if you want to get it to Hawaii, you will have to have it shipped there. If that is the case, call Hawaii Car Transport at (808) 445-6695 for a free quote!

Jump to section:
The facts about car thefts in Hawaii
The laws against car theft in Hawaii
Ways you can prevent your car from being stolen in Hawaii
Final word
 

The facts about car thefts in Hawaii

Car theft has been a bit of a problem in Hawaii in recent years. On average, car theft in Hawaii is 25% higher than the national average per 100,000 people according to a 2016 statistic. There are a few theories as to why the rate of car theft is higher in Hawaii than it is in most places in the United States, but the prevailing one is that it correlates with the drug use problems Hawaii has had.

Although heroine use in Hawaii is comparatively low, cocaine and methamphetamine were surprisingly high in recent years. This usually translates to higher rates of theft, particularly with more expensive items such as automobiles.
 

The laws against car theft in Hawaii

Laws against car theft in Hawaii are a bit different those anywhere else in the United States. Believe it or not specific statutes regarding car theft are not specified under Hawaiian law, which is fairly rare.

So, if you steal a car in Hawaii, you will likely get prosecuted under general theft laws. However, do not think that this means that someone caught stealing a car in Hawaii will face lower penalties. They will still face stiff felony charges and several years in jail.

This applies to all forms of vehicle theft including offenses such as carjacking, which will be prosecuted as a robbery but will still carry felony level charges.
 

Ways you can prevent your car from being stolen in Hawaii

There are a bunch of easy, borderline obvious, ways for you to prevent your car from being stolen in Hawaii.

• Always double check that you have locked your doors – Be sure that you have locked your doors each time you walk away from your vehicle.
• Do not keep any spare keys in close proximity to your car – Thieves know to check near cars in a residential area for spare keys that might be hidden under a rock or something like that. So, be sure you keep your spare keys at a safe distance.
• Park in areas with lots of light – Do not park in a dark corner of a mall parking lot. Instead, park in the better lit areas of the lot, like right under a light.
• Get some sort of a tracking system – You will likely never need to use it but having a tracking system in your car will at least give you piece of mind. However, in the rare instance you’re your car is stolen, you will be able to retrieve it much more quickly.
• Do not keep anything of value in the car – Thieves will want to take the car with the most value. Obviously, those are the highest value vehicle is the most prized car to steal for a criminal. However, keeping something valuable in your car could be the difference between a thief trying to steal it and passing it over.

Final word

Car theft is fairly problematic in Hawaii, but you can prevent it from happening to you by taking a few simple and proactive steps. Some of these steps are cost-free such as making sure your car doors and windows are closed and locked, while others can be pricey such as getting a tracking system. However, they are all well worth taking the time to implement as the inconvenience and cost of having your car stolen will be much greater.

Jump to section:
Colleges in Hawaii
How far ahead of the start of classes to schedule your shipment
Final word
 

Colleges in Hawaii

Hawaii has seventeen four-year colleges throughout the state. Of that number, ten are public and seven are private. Three are located on the big island, twelve are located on Oahu, one is located on Maui and one is located on Kauai. Fortunately, you can ship your car to any one of these islands.

Among the most notable colleges in Hawaii are the University of Hawaii which accounts for four of the seventeen schools listed above, Hawaii Pacific University, Brigham Young University and Chaminade University.
 

How far ahead of the start of classes to schedule your shipment

College classes in Hawaii are similar to college classes in the rest in the country in that the fall semesters start sometime in August and the spring semesters start sometime in January. Obviously, depending on the college and whether or not it is private or public, this can vary.

With this in mind, you need to consider the timeframe for shipping a car to Hawaii for college. Shipping a car to Hawaii from New York can take up to four weeks. Doing the same from Los Angeles can take up to three weeks. You should also make sure that you schedule your shipment at least a month in advance of the date that you want your vehicle picked up for shipping. The reason for that is the earlier that you book your shipment, the better chances you will have at getting the preferred pickup and drop-off dates for your vehicle.

This means that you should consider booking your shipment at least two months ahead of the start of classes. This will vary a bit depending on where you are shipping from but booking your shipment one month ahead of classes with a month’s notice (two months ahead of the start of classes total) is the safest bet for getting your vehicle to Hawaii in time for the start of the semester.
 

Final word

Having your car shipped to Hawaii for college can make life much easier for a student, especially if they are living off-campus. The process is more involved in terms of the actual logistics than a typical car shipment normally is but, thankfully, your car shipping company will worry about all of that. You just need to make sure that you schedule your shipment to be picked up a month ahead of the start of classes (give or take a week depending on the pickup location) and that you book the shipment one month ahead of your desired pickup date.

Jump to section:
Internal car temperatures when your car is parked
How you can keep your car cool in Hawaii
Final word
 

Internal car temperatures when your car is parked

With spring and summer rapidly approaching, already warm temperatures in Hawaii are about to get warmer. This means that the temperatures inside of your car will be rising as well. This should concern anyone who drives with a child, pet or any other passengers that sit in your vehicle while you run a quick errand.

In Hawaii, temperatures during the winter months are around 70 to 75 degrees. In the spring, 75 to 80 degrees, In the summer, temperatures are about 80 to 90 degrees. This is what many people would describe as perfect weather and temperatures, year-round. However, temperatures in the inside of your car when the windows are up, and the car are up can be thirty to fifty percent higher than the temperature outside. This depends on how long you are away from your car for.

For example, if it is 70 degrees out and you are away from your car for just thirty minutes, the inside temperature of the car can reach 100 degrees. If the temperature is 90 degrees and you are away for over an hour the temperature can easily get higher than 125 degrees. This is exceptionally dangerous for any person or animal in the car. In, Hawaii, never leave a pet or person in your car without the air conditioning on or windows open for more than ten minutes.
 

How you can keep your car cool in Hawaii

Thankfully, it is not difficult at all to keep your car cool in Hawaii. As we have already mentioned, you can easily run the air conditioning or open up the windows. However, there are less expensive/risky options as well. You can make your best effort to always park in the shade or in a garage. You can also get your windows tinted as long as it is not to the extent where it is breaking the law. Finally, you can also use a sunscreen for your windshield anytime you leave your car out in the sun.
 

Final word

You must never leave any person or animal in your car in Hawaii, without the windows down or air conditioning on, for more than five or ten minutes maximum. Temperatures will always be high, and they will be thirty to fifty perfect higher inside of your car after just thirty minutes of no A/C or windows being rolled down. Remember, there are also several ways for you to keep the car cool without blasting the air conditioning or putting the windows down which include getting window tints, using a sun visor and parking in the shade or a garage.

Jump to section:
Demand and Distance
Weather
Other Factors
 

Demand and Distance

When you ship your car to Hawaii, there are several things that affect how long it will take to get there. The two most influential factors are demand and distance. Demand means how many other people are shipping their cars along the same routes as you when you are shipping your car. When demand is higher, it could take some additional time to ship your car to Hawaii. So, if you can, you should consider shipping during less busy times of the year, such as during the winter.

Distance is likely a factor that you will not have any control over. The further you are away from Hawaii, the longer it will take to ship it there. With this factor in mind, all you can do is to prepare ahead of time in order to be ready for the transit time. Longer shipments, such as New York to Hawaii, can take three weeks in transit. So, be ready to be without your car for that time.
 

Weather

Weather can affect shipping of any kind. However, when you ship something overseas, ill-timed bad weather can definitely add to the overall transit time. So, when you are shipping your car to Hawaii, bad weather such as high winds and rain or a snowstorm can delay the shipment a day or two.

Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do about this. You can consider waiting to ship during a time of the year when winter weather as well as tropical storms and hurricanes are least likely. This falls later in the spring such as during April and May.
 

Other Factors

Other factors that will affect the transit time of your vehicle shipment to Hawaii include the type of car that you are shipping, how soon you need your car shipped and overall traffic. In terms of the type of car that you are shipping, if it is oversized or not running, you will need a special flatbed carrier in order to transport it which will take more time. If it is a high-end vehicle and you choose to ship on an enclosed carrier, that could also add more time to the overall transit.

How soon you need your car shipped to Hawaii can have a small affect on the transit time as well. If you only give a week or two notice to your auto transport company, your car could end up being on a less direct route to Hawaii in order to accommodate the short notice and this could add a day or two to the trip. Finally, if traffic is bad at multiple points over the course of the shipment, the arrival of your car might take a bit more time.

Jump to section:
Driving in Hawaii
9 things that you should know about driving in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Driving in Hawaii

Driving in Hawaii is a really wonderful experience. The weather is almost always gorgeous, and the sights are beautiful. It is an experience that we would recommend that everyone should have at least once in their lives.

However, driving in Hawaii is also different than anywhere else in the world. Overall, it moves at a much slower pace and that is the way that Hawaiians like it. Whether you like it or not, you will need to get to driving more slowly and taking your time to get from one place to another.
 

9 things that you should know about driving in Hawaii

1. People take it easy when driving in Hawaii – In Hawaii, people drive much less aggressively than most other places in the world. This includes driving slower and, many times, at least slightly under the speed limit. So, give yourself some extra time when you are driving somewhere and prepare to drive slower.
2. Honking means “hello!” not “go to hell!” – Honking in Hawaii is really frowned upon. In general, people only do it too say hello to someone they know, not to be rude to someone they deem is not driving well.
3. The “zipper” is not used – The “zipper” is a term that is used to describe the way that cars are typically meant to merge – one car lets another car in then follows that car. The car behind that lets one car in and so on and so forth. This looks like a zipper from above, hence the name. However, in Hawaii people are so laid back and kind that they often let several cars merge in front of them. This is especially true on bridges that only have space for one total lane of traffic. One side will let five or more cars through before they choose to venture across the bridge.
4. Traffic patterns are a disaster – The traffic patterns in Hawaii have long been a source of contention for drivers. The patterns are complicated and seem to encourage accidents at certain points. A few examples are five-way intersections and on ramps that are too short to build enough speed to merge onto a highway.
5. Oahu is known for its beauty but also for its traffic – Overall, Hawaii has some pretty bad traffic at certain times. Oahu is well documented as being the worst when it comes to traffic in Hawaii. This is primarily because of the Honolulu area which, by far, has the largest population of any city or area in Hawaii. Typical commutes in this area are over any hour for only twenty or twenty-five miles of actual distance during rush hour. We recommend that you do everything that you can to avoid driving during rush hour.
6. Rain occurs suddenly and so does the bad driving – Sudden rain and flash flooding are a part of life in Hawaii. These things cause the already slow and cautious drivers of Hawaii to get even slower and more cautious.
7. Roads are not grids in Hawaii – Hawaii’s roads are not set up like grids as they are in most places in the United States. So, if you take a wrong turn, you might want to consider stopping and checking your GPS first before you assume that taking another couple of right turns will take you back to where you were going.
8. There are a ton of potholes – Be careful of all the potholes in Hawaii. If you hit some of the bigger ones with enough speed you could do considerable damage to your vehicle.
9. See the sights but keep it moving – It may be tempting to slow down even more in Hawaii to see a beautiful beach but do not slow down so much that you are impeding traffic.

Conclusion

Driving in Hawaii is a much more pleasant experience than most places, unless you are trying to get somewhere in a hurry. It mirrors the culture of Hawaii which is laid back and relaxed. The main thing to remember is to prepare to take it slow when you are driving in Hawaii. Give yourself some extra travel time so you do not need to worry about rushing anywhere.

Jump to section:
Shipping your car to or from Hawaii for a PCS
Advice for shipping your car during a PCS move
Final word
 

Shipping your car to or from Hawaii for a PCS

If you are a military member and your family is PCSing to a location in Hawaii, driving there will unfortunately not be an option. You will need to sell your old car and buy a new one, use public transportation, rent a car, or ship your current car there. Any of these options will be an additional expense but some will cost much more than others. Thankfully, most reputable companies you deal with regarding any of these options will offer you a discount

Regardless, the most expensive of these options will be buying a new car. The cheapest but least convenient will be taking public transportation. Renting a car will get expensive over time. So, shipping your current car to Hawaii will be the most convenient and cost-effective option (over time) will be shipping your car to Hawaii.
 

Advice for shipping your car during a PCS move

Shipping your car during a PCS move to Hawaii will be a lot easier than it seems. First, you should schedule your shipment as early as you can. Doing so will allow you to get the shipping dates that you most prefer. It will also allow you to easily focus on the rest of your move.

You should schedule your move so that you get there a few days before your car will. This way, your car will not be sitting at the port while you travel to Hawaii. If that happens, you will end up being charged additional storage fees after a few days. Once you get to Hawaii and move in, you will await notification that your car has arrived and is waiting at the port. When you find out your car is at the port, get a cab or a Uber and head to the port to pick the vehicle up as soon as you can in order to avoid any additional fees.

Before you ship, when you are doing the normal preparation like cleaning the car and removing personal items, you should also make sure that your gas tank is one quarter full. More than that is not allowed because it is considered a fire hazard on the boat. Much less is no good because your car needs a certain amount of gas in order to be driven onto and off of the car carrier trucks as well as the trip.
 

Final word

A military PCS move can be a stressful time for you and your family. You can make it a bit easier by getting your car shipped to Hawaii while you worry about the rest of the move and relocation. If you have any questions about shipping your car to Hawaii for a PCS move you can always call us at (808) 445-6695.

Jump to section:
Where traffic is at its worst in Hawaii
Advice for avoiding traffic
Wrapping up
 

Where traffic is at its worst in Hawaii

Much like anywhere else in the country, the worst traffic in Hawaii is in the most populated areas. Specifically, traffic in Honolulu is considered some of the worst in the entire country. Over the years, it has been consistently worse than the traffic in Los Angeles and New York.

There are a few primary reasons for this outside of high numbers of drivers on the road at the same time. The first is that the roads in Hawaii are not in great condition and they are not necessarily suited for such high volumes of traffic. The next is that people in Hawaii do not exactly drive fast. Your average driver in Hawaii drives in quite a laid-back manner which includes driving under the speed limit.

Other areas in Hawaii will have slow moving but not dense traffic such as in areas like Kailua. The point is, be ready to take your time getting somewhere when you are driving in Hawaii.
 

Advice for avoiding traffic

Avoiding the worst traffic in Hawaii is much like it is anywhere else, planning is everything. For example, in Honolulu avoiding rush hour at all costs is a great start. Traffic eases up after 8 AM until 3 PM. Then, it eases up again after 5:30 PM.

You will also want to watch the traffic report or, better yet, use an intuitive app like Waze as you drive in order to avoid taking any routes with accidents or unprecedented delays. These sorts of apps will also help you avoid things like bad potholes and speed traps.

Finally, you will need to make sure that you check the weather the night before you drive. If you do not you could end up in a massive delay in traffic. In an area such as Honolulu, your trip could be two hours instead of just one.
 

Wrapping up

Traffic will not move fast at all in Hawaii pretty much anywhere that you are. Odds are, during non-commuter hours, in more remote areas you will be able to cruise at your leisure. However, if you are anywhere near populated areas, be prepared to take your time driving from one place to another.

If you want to minimize the amount of time you spend on the road in Hawaii, make sure that you prepare for any drive that you have ahead of you by doing your best to avoid rush hour, using traffic apps and by knowing what the weather will be like. Finally, if you need your car transported to or from Hawaii, you can always get a free quote here.

Jump to section:
Rustproofing 101
Hawaii’s weather
Conclusion
 

Rustproofing 101

Getting your car rustproofed should be a priority regardless of where you are because it will increase the longevity of the vehicle and will keep it looking its best. Doing so will require some work but it will be worth it. You can do this work yourself or you can save yourself the trouble and have a professional do it.

You will be able to start this process by making sure that the underside of your car is completely clean. You will also want to do this inside the wheel wells too. Once this is done, look for any areas of rust. If you find any, you should spray it with rust converter. After you do, you will need to come off before you move on.

Then you can apply the underseal and the wax. As we mentioned before, if this seems like too much you should talk to your mechanic and see if they will be able to do this for you. It will only cost about a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars to get this done for you. Finally, you should get the exterior of your car washed and waxed regularly. This will account for the rust protection for the rest of the car outside of the underbody.
 

Hawaii’s weather

The reason that you need to really get your car rust proofed in Hawaii is because of the weather. It does rain more than people expect in Hawaii. On top of that, the humidity and air contain higher levels of moisture due to the close proximity of the ocean. This means that your car will constantly have some levels of water on it. Thus, rust is an ever-present possibility.

In addition, there is a phenomenon called “salt air” as well that occurs in Hawaii. This means that the water from the ocean that evaporates will do so with salt in it. This salt is then in the air and will blow in the wind. Some of this will inevitably stick to your car. So, this acts as an additional corrosive element to your cars finish. This is all the more reason to be proactive and do whatever to protect your car from any rust.
 

Conclusion

Hawaii is a prime spot for rust to occur on your vehicle and the unfortunate part is that many people do not realize that. Fortunately, if you take the proper precautions, you will not need to worry about that with your car. It will either take you time and effort or cost you a few bucks to have someone else do it but it will be worth it to protect your car.

Jump to section:
Hawaii motorcycle 101
Shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii
Tips for riding a motorcycle in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Hawaii motorcycle 101

Having a motorcycle in Hawaii is a great way to experience the wonderful weather and sights that Hawaii has to offer. However, caution needs to be exercised when you are out for a ride because Hawaii has some of the worst and slowest traffic in the country. So, you need to be sure that you are safe and alert.

You also need to be aware that the roads in Hawaii are not great. They are improving and much better than they were five years ago, but they are still worse than most other places. Knowing this important because if you hit a pothole on a bike, it could mean a serious injury for you.
 

Shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii

Shipping a motorcycle is easy and comparatively inexpensive when considered against buying a new bike. All you need to do is call (888) 777-2123 and a motorcycle shipping representative will talk you through the whole process. You will just need the make and model information of the bike.

Once you book your shipment, you will just need to prepare for the pickup of your motorcycle. This means that you will just need to clean the motorcycle and remove any personal effects from it such as sunglasses. Personal items will not be covered by insurance if they are lost or damaged during transport.

After that, you just need to make sure that you have a valid and unexpired license to present your motorcycle transport driver and that you will be home and available during your pickup window. That is it, your auto transport company will handle the rest.
 

Tips for riding a motorcycle in Hawaii

Before you get on your bike in Hawaii, check out these tips for riding:

• Stay visible – Other drivers will not be able to avoid an accident with you if they cannot see you. So, do not do things like ride in someone’s blind spot.
• Be alert – Do not go for a ride on your motorcycle if you are hungover or half asleep. Doing so is an easy way to get into an accident.
• Be loose – Riding your motorcycle while you are too stiff is a recipe for disaster. Relax, take a deep breath and loosen that grip. Enjoy the ride.
• Wear a helmet with a visor – You should always wear a helmet for the sake of safety. However, be sure to wear one with a visor that covers your face. Hawaii is full of bugs and having one land in your eye while you are riding is no fun, it is also dangerous.
• Pick a side – You should always stagger yourself to the left or the right of the lane. This will help you be protected from getting sandwich in between two cars.

Conclusion

Riding a motorcycle in Hawaii can be difficult due to traffic and the condition of the roads. It is because of this that safety is of paramount importance. Always take your time and ride slow. Stay visible to other drivers. If you need a motorcycle shipped to Hawaii, the motorcycle shipping experts at RoadRunner can help you out.