Recent Hawaii Shipping News

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The risk of static electricity when you are pumping gas
How you can keep yourself safe
Final word
 

The risk of static electricity when you are pumping gas

You have likely seen security camera footage of someone pumping gas and a fire suddenly occurring that starts at or near the pump handle. Inevitably, the individual catches fire and, if they do not act quickly, their gas tank can ignite which can be an extremely dangerous disaster.

This is because a static electricity charge caused a flash fire at the gas nozzle. The vast majority of these accidents occur when someone gets back into their car while it is being refueled. What happens is that static electricity is created between your clothes and the car seat. Then, when you get out of your car and grab the fuel pump, a spark occurs which can easily ignite fuel or the fumes from the fuel.

The risk for this occurring is higher when the weather is dry. Hawaii’s weather is usually not too dry, but it can be in some cases. Regardless, the possibility for static electricity causing disaster at the pump is still present. This is why you need to take all the steps necessary to keep yourself and your car safe.
 

How you can keep yourself safe

Thankfully, keeping yourself safe from a static electricity disaster at the gas pump in Hawaii is straight forward and easy. First, you need to take the most basic safety precautions such as turning your engine off as you refuel, not smoking and not overfilling your gas tank.

Next, you should always remain outside of your vehicle when you are gassing it up. If you do need to enter your car during the refueling process, you will need to neutralize any static electricity you built up on your person before you touch the gas pump again. You can do this by touching the metal of your car door first. If it is a possibility, consider using a full-service gas station where the need for you to pump your own gas will be eliminated entirely.

Finally, if you do find yourself in the situation where a fire does start when you are pumping gas, leave the pump where it is and back away quickly. Immediately get the attention of the gas station attendant.
 

Final word

It does not happen often, but there is a possibility that static electricity can start a fire when you are pumping gas in Hawaii. This almost always happens when someone re-enters their car as the gas is pumping and a static charge develops from the contact between their clothes and the car seat. You should avoid getting into your car as it is being fueled at all costs. However, if you do need to get back in your car while it is being gassed up, make sure that you eliminate the static charge before you touch the gas pump again. You can easily do this by touching the metal of your car door first.

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What you normally need to ship a car
What else you need when you ship a financed car
Final word
 

What you normally need to ship a car

Shipping a financed car is a bit more involved than when you ship a car that you outright own. It comes down to the fact that it is a permission issue with the company that still holds some ownership over the car. However, this is actually much simpler than it sounds.

When you typically ship a car that you own completely, you will just need your license, your car in good drivable shape, a copy of your booking confirmation and a quarter tank of gas. Other than that, the process is simple and will just require that you book the shipment in advanced (preferably a month) and that you have the availability to be there for both the pickup and delivery of your vehicle.
 

What else you need when you ship a financed car

If you are trying to ship a car to or from Hawaii that you are financing, you will need everything that was mentioned above but you will also need a copy of the lien agreement. You might also need other documentation from whoever holds the lien.

Keep in mind that the lien holder has the right to deny you shipping the car. If that happens then there will be nothing that you can do. However, that is not a likely possibility. If you are moving and/or relocating for work, that will make it the most likely that the lien holder agrees to allow you to ship your car. If the lien holder does agree to allow you to ship your car, getting the documentation that is required to ship will not be hard at all. In fact, if you have questions about this, you can always contact the car shipping experts at Hawaii Car Transport.
 

Final word

If you want to ship a car that you are financing to or from Hawaii, you will need to contact whoever holds the lien on the car in question and get the extra documentation that shows they agree to allow you to ship the car. That is in addition to the normal things you will need such as your license and your booking confirmation. Remember, it is not guaranteed that your lien holder will give you the permission that you need. If you have any questions about the process of getting permission to ship your financed vehicle or anything else you want to know about the vehicle shipping process, call us today at (808) 445-6695.

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Hawaii’s weather
Taking care of your convertible in Hawaii
Final word
 

Hawaii’s weather

Hawaii is a great place to own a convertible. The weather is very frequently beautiful, and the area is a tropical paradise. It is a perfect place for cruising around sightseeing as well as for taking pictures. However, the weather can be sometimes unpredictable and sudden.

In Hawaii, what seems like a few harmless clouds can develop into rain without warning pretty quickly. How much rain or how frequently to expect it will depend on both where exactly you are in Hawaii and what time of the year it is. That is why you need to stay on top of the weather in Hawaii if you have a convertible there. You do not want to get caught driving through the rain with your top down.
 

Taking care of your convertible in Hawaii

If you own a convertible, look, style and performance are obviously important to you. So, you should treat your convertible accordingly. You must take good care of it in order to ensure it lasts for the longest amount of time possible.

The first step in caring for your convertible will be making sure that you keep it clean. Getting a convertible washed is a bit different than getting a regular vehicle washed. With a convertible, you should avoid any high-pressure washes. Ideally, you will wash your convertible yourself. However, most newer soft-top convertibles are car wash safe as long as it is not a high-pressure wash. Although, you should consult your owner’s manual to be completely sure.

The next step in caring for your convertible if you have a vinyl top will be to use a protectant on it to prevent damage from the strong Hawaiian sun and rain. You can go to an auto store such as Auto Zone for this or you can always order it online.

Hardtop convertibles will be easier to care for. You just need to make sure that your top is up when you are not using the vehicle or when there is the possibility of inclement weather, such as rain, in the forecast. It is important to have the top up when you are not using the car for the obvious possibility of theft but also because tops left in the down position can get stuck or get slower going up or down.
 

Final word

Convertibles are a great choice for driving in Hawaii as long as you are proactive and take care of the vehicle and its top. It is quite important that you make sure you check the weather so that you know to keep the top up if rain is in the forecast in Hawaii. You should also make sure you keep your top clean but that you do not do so by taking it through a high-pressure car wash if you have a vinyl top. Finally, keep your convertible’s top up when you are not using it regardless of whether it is a hard top or vinyl cover.

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The cost of shipping your car to or from Hawaii
Ways you can save for your shipment
Conclusion
 

The cost of shipping your car to or from Hawaii

The price of shipping your car to Hawaii will depend on a few things, but it will primarily depend on the distance of your shipment. Other factors that will affect the cost of shipping your car to or from Hawaii will include the time of year that you are shipping your car, how far in advance you schedule your shipment as well as the current cost of gas.

At the time this post was written, in October 2020, the cost of shipping an average car (for our purposes we chose a 2014 Hyundai Sonata) from New York City to Honolulu with one month’s notice, would cost about $2,945. If you were to ship the same car, at the same time, with the same notice but from Los Angeles, it would cost approximately $1,820. The cost for shipping in the other direction would be similar give or take one or two hundred dollars.

This cost might possibly seem expensive, but it is a one-time fee, and it is much cheaper than buying a new or even used car. Renting a car is a possibility but it is only a very temporary one as the cost of renting continues every day and will add up quickly. Shipping a car is your best option in terms of having a car in Hawaii and there are even some simple ways to help save up in an efficient way for your car shipment.
 

Ways you can save for your shipment

The following are simple and easy ways that can help you save for your Hawaiian car shipment and defray the cost:
 

• You should be able to set up automatic deductions from your checking account at regular intervals. The money will be placed into a savings account where it can also accrue some interest.
• When the day ends, take all the bills out of your wallet that are less than twenty dollars and set them aside in a safe place.
• Set aside all the spare change you end up with. Slowly but surely, this will add up.
• Cut out poor habits like smoking or drinking and use the extra money to save for your car shipment.
• Eat at home instead of going out to eat.
• Buy generic brand items. Name brand will always cost more.
• Use coupons when you shop. You can find coupons online, in local papers or at the stores themselves.
• If you have the internet, you can find all your news there. Cancel your newspaper subscription.
• Work out at home for a few months. The savings from cancelling your gym membership will add up quickly. You can find lots of great home workout routines online on sites like YouTube.
• Unplug any electronics in your home when they aren’t being used. Believe it or not, electronics still consume a considerable amount of power when they are plugged in but turned off.
• You can temporarily rent out extra space in your home through Airbnb.
• You can have a yard sale.
• Be meticulous about your tax return. The more attention you pay to detail here can save you more money. Depending on your particular financial situation and tax bracket, your tax return could easily pay for your car shipment itself.

Conclusion

Shipping a vehicle to or from Hawaii will usually cost between one and three thousand dollars. Although that might seem a bit costly, it will save he expense of getting a new or used car or the perpetual cost of renting a car or using ride shares. If you give yourself the right amount of time and make a moderate effort, there are very simple things you can do to save money to use towards your car shipment.

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Why floor mats are so important in Hawaii
Which type of floor mats are right for you?
Conclusion
 

Why floor mats are so important in Hawaii

Hawaii can have heavy and sudden onslaughts of rain fairly often. The street and sidewalk also have a bunch of sand and dirt that you can track into your car. With these facts in mind, it is easy to see why your car’s carpet could become damaged, stained and worn quickly in a place like Hawaii.

That is why you definitely need to have reliable floor mats in a place like Hawaii. Having a good set of floor mats can help you avoid the massive expense of getting new carpet in your car which can run you several hundred dollars. In some cases, it can even cost over a thousand dollars. It is clear that floor mats are the way to go in Hawaii. However, not all floor mats are created equal.
 

Which type of floor mats are right for you?

There are several different types of floor mats to choose from. While all of them will obviously protect your carpet better than not having them, some will work better in certain circumstances than others. In Hawaii, the primary concern is the rainwater as well as sand and dirt. So, you will want to choose floor mats that are made to best withstand those elements. This might sound like its obvious, but some floor mats are intended more for looks rather than function.

The following are the types of floor mats you can choose from and how they work:

• 3D mats – These mats are the best-looking floor mats that you can get. They are also the most costly. Unfortunately, they serve the least function in terms of protecting your carpets. So, we do not recommend these in Hawaii.
• Fabric mats – Fabric mats are the most affordable of any of the mats mentioned here. However, you get what you pay for so they will not last as long as other floor mats. They do offer better protection than the #D mats.
• Rubber mats – These mats are the standard when it comes to mats that function well in terms of protection. They also last longer than the vast majority of floor mats that you can get for your car. They do not look the best
• All-weather mats – All-weather mats are always your best bet in terms of protecting your car’s floors. They are specifically designed to prevent dirt and rain from impacting your car’s carpet. These mats are a bit more expensive than rubber mats but they are your best bet in Hawaii.

Conclusion

Floor mats provide a crucial protection for your car’s carpets from being damaged in Hawaii. Without them, the water from the rain as well as the sand and dirt that you track into your car can eventually damage your carpet to the point that you would need to get it replaced or at least professionally cleaned. Either way that can cost well over a hundred dollars and replacing it could cost over a thousand dollars. If you get floor mats before this happens, it will likely only cost you about fifty bucks.

How Hawaii’s weather and climate can damage your paint

Hawaii’s climate and weather have nearly no downsides. Unfortunately, one of them is that the sun and precipitation can damage the paint job on your car. Moreover, these things can work together to do even more severe damage to your car’s paint. Being aware of this is the first step in being able to be proactive and take steps to prevent damage to your paint job.

The sun will wreak havoc on your car’s paint by oxidizing the paint which will cause it to fade over time. Oxidation is when a substance combines with oxygen in such a way that causes it to break down. When metal oxidizes, it causes rust.

Rain can hurt your paint job because it is full of contaminants from the air. These substances can attach to your paint and then cause damage after a rainstorm. The same actually goes for the air and salt from the ocean in Hawaii.

The warm temperatures in Hawaii will cause water from the ocean to evaporate, as this happens the air absorbs salt which is then blown with the wind and can often land on your car. This can also lead to harmful effects for your car’s paint finish. So, the question becomes, how can you protect your car from all of this?
 

What you can do to protect your car’s paint

Thankfully, you can avoid damage to your car’s paint from the sun, rain and salt wind of Hawaii by being proactive and doing a few simple things. The first of those things is that you can cover your car when you are not driving it. You can do this by covering it with an actual car cover or by keeping it in a garage.

Next, you should be sure that you get your car washed and waxed regularly. By washing the car, you will be ridding it of any rain or salt particles still attached to it. By getting it waxed, you will not only be adding an extra layer of protection, but you will also be making your car’s surface such that rain beads and rolls off much more easily.

Finally, you should avoid taking your car out during any really bad weather in Hawaii. So, be sure that you keep your eye on the forecast and your car in the garage during any bad rainstorms.
 

Conclusion

Getting a new paint job for your car can cost you thousands of dollars. It is obviously best to protect your car’s original paint. As beautiful as it is, Hawaii’s weather can be terrible for your car’s paint. That is why you need to take the steps necessary to protect it including covering your car and getting it waxed.

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The basics about shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii
Advice for your motorcycle shipment
Conclusion
 

The basics about shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii

There are numerous reasons to have and enjoy a motorcycle in Hawaii. The most popular of those reasons is that Hawaii has the perfect weather for riding your bike. It also has some wonderful sights and riding routes. However, the only issue is that you will only have two options in terms of getting your motorcycle to Hawaii, you can buy a new one or ship an existing motorcycle there.

If you choose to buy a new motorcycle, you should realize it is exponentially more expensive than shipping a motorcycle there. The cost of a new motorcycle will usually be somewhere between five and ten thousand dollars. If you choose to buy a used motorcycle, it will still likely cost several thousand dollars. However, if you ship your motorcycle to Hawaii it will likely only cost you between one and two thousand dollars.

If you do choose to ship a motorcycle to Hawaii, you should know the process is pretty simple. First, your motorcycle will be picked up at your door wherever it is in the United States. After that, your bike will ship for between about ten days and three weeks, depending on where you are shipping it from. Finally, you will need to pick the bike up at the port on the island that you shipped it to but that is as simple as getting to the port during the appropriate hours of operation.

You will need to do a bit of preparation for your shipment but that is as easy as making sure that the motorcycle is clean, you remove any personal items or parts that could come off the bike during shipping and that you have only a quarter tank of gas. The reason the bike needs to be clean is that there will be a visual inspection for preexisting damage prior to shipping and if it is dirty, that will take much longer. Personal items will not be covered by the shipping insurance if they are lost or damaged thus the need to remove them. Finally, it is against fire code to have more than a quarter tank of gas before your bike ships.
 

Advice for your motorcycle shipment

As we have already mentioned, shipping your motorcycle is easy and simple. However, the more prepared and knowledgeable that you are prior to shipping your bike, the better off you will be. First, you should plan ahead. You do not want to give yourself less than a month of total time from your decision to ship until you need your bike in Hawaii. Remember, the actual shipment could take up to three weeks’ time.

Odds are that your bike is not your only method of getting around, but if it is, you should be prepared to be without it for a few weeks before it is picked up for shipping. Make use of ride-share apps and public transportation while you wait.

Finally, avoid the temptation of shipping your motorcycle by air. Doing so will be considerably quicker than shipping by a combination of land and sea but it will also be much more expensive. In general, shipping your motorcycle by air will be at least twice as expensive. So, if your shipment would have run about $1,500 normally, shipping the same motorcycle by air will cost at least $3,000.
 

Conclusion

Shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii is your only option for having a bike there other than buying a new or used motorcycle as you obviously cannot ride to Hawaii. When you do choose to ship your bike to Hawaii, the process is simple, you just need to prepare for the shipment correctly. If you are considering shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii, you can get a quote here.

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Car trade-in 101
Hawaii trade-in mistakes
Final word
 

Car trade-in 101

Trading in your car is a great way to get a new car at a much more affordable cost. When you trade in your car, you get the current value of the car you are trading in subtracted from the price you will pay for a new vehicle. However, if you do not know what you are doing and do not do your due diligence, you can end up losing out on a lot of money that you could have saved.

The first thing that you will need to do when you have decided to trade your car in is to research your vehicle and its current trade in value. By doing this, you will ensure that you know your car’s current worth and that you do not get taken advantage of and end up losing out on money. You can figure out your car’s current value by using online tools. Be sure to use tools from reputable sources such as edmunds.com or kbb.com.

Next, you will need to get your vehicle officially appraised. In order to do this, you will either go to a dealership or go online and get it appraised on a website like Edmunds.com. When you are getting your car appraised you are getting an actual offer for your car. If you choose to go with getting your car appraised at a dealership, make sure that you research each dealership that you are considering and that past customer reviews state that they are fair and easy to deal with when it comes to appraisals. You should always get several appraisals so that you have a few options to compare.

After that you will need to decide if you want to accept any of the appraisals that you received as they stand, if you want to try and negotiate a slightly better value for your car, or if you want to walk away. You should try and negotiate each one of your appraisals then go with the one that is offering the highest value for your car.
 

Hawaii trade-in mistakes

When people trade-in their car in Hawaii, there are several common mistakes which people make that you should be aware of and avoid.

• Do not try and hide anything about the car – Plain and simple, dealers are not stupid. You will not get away with trying to conceal anything negative about the car. Best case scenario, you end up wasting your time and effort doing this. Worst case, you end up nullifying what could have been a good deal for you.
• Over preparing the vehicle – You should obviously get the car cleaned and ready before you get it appraised. However, you should not worry about fixing dents or scratches before you trade it in. Doing so will add value but the value that it adds will be less than it cost you to fix those flaws. Remember, the dealer can fix these things at cost, so you will only get that value back.
• Not managing expectations – Almost everyone loves their car. When someone gets a trade-in estimate or appraisal, they often are shocked it is not worth more. Do not get hung up on the actual value of your trade-in. It is what it is and there is not much you can do to change it.

Final word

Trading in your car in Hawaii is a very good way to defray the cost of a new or used car that you are interested in buying. With that in mind, you need to be aware of what you are doing before you jump into the trade-in process. Always make sure that you are not overpreparing your car for its trade in and that you manage your expectation for your car’s appraisal value. If you decide that you would rather ship a car to or from Hawaii, give us a ring today at (808) 445-6695.

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How driving in Hawaii can sometimes be dangerous
The most dangerous roads in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

How driving in Hawaii can sometimes be dangerous

Driving on some roads in Hawaii can be more dangerous than others. It can also make for more dangerous driving in Hawaii if you end up driving during inclement weather. Many roads in the area have potholes and cracks which can lead to direct damage to your car or even a loss of control which can obviously lead to an accident.

A lot of the danger of driving in Hawaii can be mitigated by making sure that you are prepared to drive in the rain and the slick conditions that it creates. You can do so by making sure you have all-weather tires and are both defensive and cautious when driving in the rain. This will include driving at reduced speeds, keeping more distance between you and the car in front of you and giving yourself more time to come to a gradual stop.
 

The most dangerous roads in Hawaii

There are some roads in Hawaii that you should try and avoid if possible. Common factors that make these roads more difficult to traverse safely are the potential for falling rocks, lower visibility, frequent curves in the road, poor service for cell phones & gps, slick roads, tons of traffic and a lack of signage and reflectors.

The following are the roads in various areas in Hawaii that have been the most dangerous over the years:

• Pali Highway – Pali Highway in Oahu is the first of these roads you should avoid if possible. It has a long and windy path with a simultaneously steep incline. The road also has several unexpected rockslides per year.
• Kahekili Highway – Next, you should take a detour from Kahekili Highway in Maui. First and foremost, its reputation precedes itself as it is known as “death highway.” Secondly, this road has low visibility, bad or non-existing lighting at points and also has no guard rails.
• Route 200 – You should also avoid taking a trip on Hawaii Route 200. This road gets quite step at points, has extreme cases of fogs throughout the year and has a bunch of one lane bridges which can lead to head-on collisions.
• Ka’ena Point – Finally, you should plan on missing Ka’ena Point. All you need to know about how dangerous this road can be is that you are only allowed to use authorized vehicles on the road and need a permit because of how treacherous the road can be.

Conclusion

Driving around in Hawaii is a wonderful experience that we recommend all licensed drivers try at least once in their lifetimes. However, certain areas and weather can actually make driving in Hawaii quite dangerous at times. This is why you should always drive with caution, make sure that you have all-weather tires and that you do your best to avoid the roads that we mentioned above.

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The potential for a flat tire in Hawaii
How you can fix your flat tire in Hawaii
Final Word
 

The potential for a flat tire in Hawaii

The potential for a flat tire exists no matter where you go. However, in areas such as Hawaii where the roads can be rough in certain spots, that potential is considerably higher. The roads in Hawaii have a higher number of cracks and potholes than they do in most other states. That is because of fairly frequent and sudden bursts of rain that occur throughout the year across the state.

This can sometimes lead to flash flooding. All of this precipitation can easily cause cracks and potholes. So, as much as Hawaii has been pretty vigilant, especially in recent years, in terms of fixing potholes and cracks, new ones popup pretty frequently.

Regardless of whether or not you are on a Hawaiian road that has potholes, you should always know how to change a flat tire just in case you ever need to. Hawaii, like most places, has some more remote locations where help is quite a distance away and cell service will be at a minimum. Thus, you should not have to rely on someone else to change your tire for you.
 

How you can fix your flat tire in Hawaii

Once you have the hang of it, fixing your own flat tire will be pretty simple. However, doing so for the first time can definitely seem intimidating. Also, keep in mind that the process will differ at least slightly for different types of vehicles so, be sure that you always have your owner’s manual handy.

The first thing that you should do if you have a flat is to find a safe place to pull over and check it out. If you have access to a roadside assistance program such as AAA, you should try to take advantage of it in this situation because doing so will take all the work out of it for you. If not, you will likely need to change your own tire. In order to do so you will need a few things including a spare tire or at least a donut, a jack, a lug wrench, a wheel lock, alignment studs and wheel wedges.

Next, you should employ the parking brake and put the wheel wedges beneath the other tires of the car to make sure that it does not start moving as you are repairing the flat tire. After this you can take off the hubcap.

After that you should undo up the lug nuts and then you should securely put the jack under the car. You can then elevate the car using the jack. Once you have completed this, you should take off the lug nuts entirely and then remove the flat.

After that has been completed you can put the spare tire or donut onto the lug bolts. Then you must place the lug nuts back on and tighten them up. You then can incrementally drop the car by using the jack again. Once that is completed, check the lug nuts to be sure that they are totally tight. Finally, put the hubcap back in place.
 

Final Word

In Hawaii, because of the conditions of some of the roads, there is a higher possibility of getting a flat. For this reason, you really should know what you are doing when it comes to changing your tire. Be sure that you get your tires changed and/or rotated when the time comes and always check your tire pressure on a regular basis.