Recent Hawaii Shipping News

Jump to section:
Your tires
Your driving technique
Car maintenance
Conclusion
 

Your tires

When it comes to car safety, one of the most frequently overlooked areas is tire safety. If your tires are not functioning the right way, the consequences could be disastrous. Thankfully, it is not difficult at all to make sure that your tires are working the way they should be and keeping you safe.

First and foremost, you should keep a close eye on the pressure level in each of your tires. In hot climates, as you have in Hawaii, tire pressure tends to increase as the temperature does. Overinflated tires are very bad thing. If your tires are overinflated, they can blowout much more easily. If your tire blows out, you can easily lose control of your car and get into an accident.

You should check the pressure of each of your tires once each week in order to avoid any issues with over inflation.
 

Your driving technique

The way you drive is obviously also important to your safety when you are driving. If you drive too fast, change lanes too suddenly and/or without signaling, run red lights or stop signs etc. you are jeopardizing your own safety as well as the safety of everyone else who is driving around you.

If you want to take this concept to the next level rather than doing the bare minimum, you can take a defensive driving course. On top of teaching you how to drive in the safest fashion possible, taking the course will also lower the cost of your car insurance.
 

Car maintenance

Keeping your car running and in tip top shape is likely the most important factor when it comes to keeping your car safe. In order to do this, you should take your car in regularly for service appointments. If you hear any strange noises coming from your engine, you should take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible and avoid driving that particular car until you are able to service it.

Beyond your engine, you should be vigilant about more routine maintenance such as having your oil changed every five thousand miles driven. Not getting your oil changed could result in several engine problems. Most often, not getting your oil changed will cause your engine to run too hot. This risk is even higher in a hot climate like Hawaii, so, get your oil changed.

You should also make sure that your headlights, brights, signal lights and brake lights are working properly. If possible, keep spares for each in your car just in case one burns out, and you need to make a quick change. If you end up driving with one of these out, you risk another car not being able to see you which increases the chance for an accident occurring.
 

Conclusion

Keeping your car safe and sound in Hawaii is easy so long as you make the right effort. You need to pay close attention to your tires, engine and any other maintenance that your car needs. Taking a defensive driving course will also help in terms of sharpening your own safe driving habits. Finally, be sure that you obey all local driving laws including but not limited to driving the speed limit when you are driving in Hawaii.

Jump to section:
Hawaii’s weather and your tires
Hawaii’s roads
Tips for tire safety in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Hawaii’s weather and your tires

Hawaii is considered by many one of the very best places in the world to be because of its gorgeous warm weather. What many people do not know is that the hot weather in Hawaii is not any good for your tires. Hawaii’s average winter temperature is 78 degrees while its average summer temperature is 85 degrees. This also means that temperatures are also frequently higher than this.

What this means for your tires is that they will be overheated and weakened. The pavement that constantly makes contact with your tires as you drive is extremely hot. The pavement can reach temperatures almost twice as hot as the weather. Constant friction with the pavement is a great way to wear the treads and grip off the tires quickly.

The warm weather will also increase the pressure within the tires. This will put you at a higher risk of having a blowout which can be extremely dangerous depending on where you are driving as well as how fast you are driving.
 

Hawaii’s roads

You also need to consider the effect that Hawaii’s roads have on your tires. The condition of Hawaii’s roads has been pretty bad to say the least. As of November of 2019 Hawaii, had the third worst roads of any state in the US according to a study done by ConsumerAffairs.

According to the study, over forty percent of Hawaii’s roads were considered to be in poor condition. Some factors included high levels of traffic congestion and poor road maintenance. However, for our purposes, the most important factor to pay attention to is “tire-damaging roads.” Many roads have potholes that need to be repaired and some need to be repaved completely.
 

Tips for tire safety in Hawaii

• Tire pressure – As we mentioned earlier, Hawaii’s weather can increase your tire pressure to an unsafe level. Having a tire leak can decrease tire pressure to an unsafe level. Make sure you check your tire pressure regularly and fix it if it needs to be increased or decreased.
• Keep it slow in the rain – No matter how much you might have spent on “all-weather” tires, driving too fast in the rain is an unnecessary risk. It rains pretty often and sometimes suddenly in Hawaii, so take it slow when it does.
• Slow down and keep an eye out for potholes – Avoiding hitting a pothole is not always possible. However, if you slow down and keep your eyes peeled, you will be able to avoid much more of them.
• Get the sidewalls checked – The sidewalls of your tires are critical to the structural integrity to the tire itself. Whenever you take your car to the mechanic, get the sidewalls of your tires checked.
• Get your tires rotated or changed – Rotating your tires is more important than most people think. By rotating your tires, you are ensuring that your tires will wear evenly over time which is important to their overall function and performance.

Conclusion

Your tires are quite important in Hawaii. You need to pay attention to them as well as how they perform. Be careful while you are out on the road in Hawaii because many of the roads are in at least a bit of disrepair and there tends to be higher than average traffic in more populated areas like Honolulu.

Do not forget, if you are headed to Hawaii, you only have one option in terms of getting your car there, shipping it. You can always give us a call at (808) 445-6695 for a free quote!

Jump to section:
Terrestrial radio
Satellite radio
Other forms of in-car entertainment in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Terrestrial radio

As with anywhere else in the country Hawaii has many terrestrial radio stations available. This includes both FM and AM frequencies. These stations broadcast a variety of programming including news, talk, music and more.

The FM stations tend to play music from a variety of genres including dance, top 40, rock, hip-hop, reggae and more. The AM stations tend to focus more on news and talk.

Both AM and FM radio are free so long as you have a functioning radio in your car. Because it is free, it has a high number of programming interruptions for advertising. The sound quality of FM is usually pretty good while the quality of AM radio tends to be low.

Some popular FM stations in Hawaii include: 92.3 KSSK which is variety, 102.7 KDDB which is hits, 101.1 KORL-FM which is oldies, and 93.5 KPOA which is Hawaiian music.
 

Satellite radio

Satellite radio is much different than typical terrestrial radio. Some of the primary differences include the fact that you must pay a monthly subscription fee, you must have a separate device installed in order to listen, the sound quality is considerably higher and there are extremely few to no advertisements.

SiriusXM is, by far, the biggest provider of satellite radio in the country. SiriusXM could even be described as a monopoly because of how much of the market they hold. However, they offer hundreds of channels of programming with an exceptionally high variety. Right now, it costs $10.99 per month for the basic package which is music only. Pricing ranges up to $21.99 per month for access to all music, entertainment and talk channels.

Unfortunately, in Hawaii, Sirius XM is only available for streaming on your mobile device for the time being. However, you can always connect your phone to your car’s speakers using a simple auxiliary hook up.
 

Other forms of in-car entertainment in Hawaii

There are several other forms of in-car entertainment available in Hawaii. They are as follows:

• Streaming services – Just as you can use your phone to stream SiriusXM in your car in Hawaii, you can do the same for several music streaming services such as Pandora or Spotify. These music streaming services are now SiriusXMs top competitors.
• Television – This is obviously only for your passengers only. However, it can be useful if you have children how tend to become a distraction when they are in your car. Whether or not you can have TVs installed in your vehicle depends on the model and year of the car.
• CD players – Some cars still have CD players and some still have the ability to have them installed. You can find out if your car can have one installed by calling a business that does car customizations such as Best Buy. You can also connect certain types of portable CD players to your car’s stereo through an auxiliary device as well. –

Conclusion

In Hawaii, you have a bunch of options in terms of in-car entertainment. These options range from regular, radio, to satellite radio, to streaming services. It is obviously up to you and the type of car that you have. The important thing to remember is that you should always concentrate on the road at all times and never let yourself get distracted by any form of in-car entertainment.

Jump to section:
Getting your car to Oahu
Parking, traffic and gas in Oahu
What you can see with your car in Oahu
Conclusion
 

Getting your car to Oahu

If you are on your way to Oahu and you plan on taking your car with you, your only option will be to ship it there. Shipping your car to Oahu is as simple as getting a quote for your car shipping company, booking your shipment/scheduling your pickup and delivery, and preparing for your pickup.

In terms of shipping a car specifically to Oahu, you can have your car picked up at your door anywhere in the continental United States. After that, it will be shipped on an auto carrier truck to a US port where it will be loaded onto a ship where it will be shipped to the port in Oahu.

It is there that you will pick up the car. You will be notified when your car arrives at the Oahu port. You will then have a few days to pick it up before you start getting charged storage fees.
 

Parking, traffic and gas in Oahu

Once you have your car in Oahu, you will need to know where you can park, how you can avoid getting stuck in traffic and what gas is going to cost you. Parking can be difficult in certain areas of Oahu especially during certain times.

You will have the most difficulty finding parking in an area such as Honolulu because of the high population. Your best bet to find parking in Honolulu is to pay for parking either in a lot or by meter. There is free parking available but those lots are small and fill up quickly.

It is no coincidence that the most traffic also happens to be in and around the Honolulu area as well. In particular, Honolulu’s traffic is worst at rush hour. This is pretty similar to the rest of the country but a bit earlier. Rush hour in Honolulu usually falls around 8 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. So, if you are driving in Honolulu during the week, we recommend leaving before 7 AM or after 5 PM. Otherwise, at other times and in other places on Honolulu traffic usually will not be too bad.

Finally, you will need to know how much gas will impact your budget in Hawaii. Unfortunately, Hawaii consistently has some of the highest gas prices in the country. More often than not it is the highest in the country. However, it only averages out to a little under three dollars a gallon. So, regardless if it is the highest in the country or not, it will not break the bank for you when you are fueling your car in Oahu.
 

What you can see with your car in Oahu

Oahu is one of the best places on the planet to go sight-seeing. So, once you are there take the chance to see the following:

• Diamond Head
• Hanauma Bay
• Kualoa Ranch
• Manoa Falls

Conclusion

Getting your car to Oahu is easy, all you need to do is ship it there. After that, parking and traffic might not be the best in Honolulu and gas prices will be pretty high by comparison to anywhere else in the US. However, these are extremely small prices to pay for the wonderful life you will have and the sights that you will see in Oahu.

If you choose to bring your car to Oahu, you can do so with ease by calling us today for a free quote at (808) 445-6695.

Jump to section:
The first cars in Hawaii
The evolution of cars in Hawaii
Cars in Hawaii today
Final word
 

The first cars in Hawaii

Hawaii saw its very first cars in 1899. This is only three years after the very first car appeared in the country. The car in Hawaii was called a Locomobile. A Locomobile is a type of early automobile that looks just like a horseless carriage.

The Model T did not reach Hawaii until 1905. This was for two reasons. Ford Motor Co. did not start until 1903 and then it took two years for the cars to reach Hawaii.
 

The evolution of cars in Hawaii

Just as cars in Hawaii followed the trend of the rest of the country with the dawn of cars, it did so with the continual evolution of cars. For years, the types of cars that you would see in Hawaii were a bit behind the rest of the country due to the lack of shipping and manufacturer of different types of cars in Hawaii. However, by the 1950’s larger freight capacity become more readily available for air and sea.

Thus, many more types of cars became available in Hawaii at this point. Since then, Hawaii has kept up with the rest of the country and the world with the evolution of automobiles.
 

Cars in Hawaii today

Cars in Hawaii today are still as numerous and have as much variety as anywhere else in the world. For example, the growing trend of electric vehicles is as popular in Hawaii as it is anywhere else in the country. In fact, as recently as 2017 Hawaii had the second highest rate of electric vehicles per one thousand residents behind only California.

According to recent data, since 1995, the total combined miles driven on the island of Oahu in Hawaii has risen from just over 5 billion miles to just over 7 billion miles. During the same time, there was a thirty one percent increase in the number of registered vehicles in Hawaii as well.

The increase in automobiles in Hawaii over the years has led to noticeable amounts of traffic as well as heavy amounts of road depreciation resulting in high increases in imperfections such as potholes.
 

Final word

The hundred and twenty year history and evolution of cars in Hawaii is full of growth. This has been both good and bad for the state. Hawaii now has the same access to cars and variety of cars as the rest of the world. However, this has also caused considerable increases in the depreciation of the condition of roads as well as overall traffic.

If you already have a car but it is not in Hawaii, your only option will be to ship it there. If that is what you end up choosing to do, Hawaii Car Transport can get your car to any island with ease. You can book your shipment today by visiting our website or by calling (808) 445-6695.

Jump to section:
The cost of gas in Hawaii
Why fuel economy in is important in Hawaii
Advice for using less gas
Conclusion
 

The cost of gas in Hawaii

The cost of gas in Hawaii is constantly among the nations highest. In fact, it is usually has the single highest average gas prices in the country. At the beginning of April 2020, when this was being written, Hawaii had the highest gas prices in the country at $3.34 when the national average was $1.97.
 

Why fuel economy is important in Hawaii

Fuel economy is essentially how efficiently your particular vehicle uses gas. This is obviously different for every type of car. Typically, larger cars like Hummers are called “gas guzzlers” because their fuel economy is very poor. This is due to the fact that in order to move such large cars, the engines need to work harder, hence they use more gas.

Electric cars have the best fuel economy by a long shot because they use a combination of gas and electricity to power the engine. Thus, gas is used at a much slower rate.

In general, a great fuel economy is between thirty and forty miles per gallon. Whereas a bad fuel economy would be less than twenty miles per gallon. However, Electric vehicles tend to have fuel economies over a hundred miles per gallon. But these cars are very expensive to buy and will also cost you money in the cost of electricity.

If you are in the market for a new car and fuel efficiency matters to you consider cars such as the Chevrolet Spark, Mazda MX-5, or any hybrid. Try and avoid larger cars like Hummers and Escalades.

The price of gas in Hawaii fluctuates as it does anywhere else in the country. However, the price always remains much higher than average. Therefore, fuel economy is so very important in Hawaii. Also consider that traffic can be problematic in Hawaii, so, it is easy to burn through gas here. Thus, fuel economy matters.
 

Advice for using less gas

Whether or not you have a fuel-efficient vehicle, you can do a few simple things to help your car better conserve gas:

• Keep your tires inflated properly – Simply put, the more underinflated your tires are the more mileage per gallon of gas you will lose. Be sure that your tires are inflated to the level recommended by the manufacturer.
• Slow down – This should not be an issue in Hawaii because of how slowly the people in front of you tend to drive but the faster you drive the more gas you will burn. So, take it nice and easy like the other drivers in Hawaii routinely do.
• Forget idling – There really is no reason to idle in Hawaii. Normally, people do it to warm up their car or to keep it warm. In Hawaii temperatures will always be either warm or hot, so idling makes no sense when you consider how much gas it wastes.
• Lose the extra weight – The more a car weighs, the harder the engine will need to work, the more fuel it will burn at a faster rate. This is why larger cars like Escalades burn more fuel then smaller cars. So, if you have anything in your car that you can afford to take out, do so.
• Get your car serviced – Making sure that your engine is running properly and at its top efficiency is critical to maximizing how well your car can conserve gas. Always get your car checked out by a mechanic when your check engine light comes on.

Conclusion

Fuel is almost more expensive in Hawaii than it is anywhere else in the entire United States. So, it only makes sense to try and get the most mileage out of the gas that you get. It also makes sense to do whatever you can not to waste any fuel. If you will be driving in Hawaii, consider getting a more fuel-efficient vehicle such as a hybrid.

Jump to section:
Moving violations versus parking tickets in Hawaii
Traffic moves different in Hawaii
Tips for avoiding a ticket in Hawaii
 

Moving violations versus parking tickets in Hawaii

Just like anywhere else in the United States, you can get a ticket for parking or you can get a ticket for parking. Parking tickets will not require that you show up in court for an appearance. However, depending on the moving violation that you commit, you might have to show up in court.

The best bet is always to drive safely and avoid getting a ticket at all costs. The majority of tickets issued in Hawaii are for parking and the majority of moving violations are issued for speeding. As you will read in the next section, many people in Hawaii drive the speed limit or less, so, if you are speeding you will stick out and likely get caught.

If you do end up getting a ticket, you can pay in person at any district court in Hawaii. You can also mail the ticket in to the address that is provided on the ticket. You may also pay online here.

As you might expect, you can get a citation for speeding, running a red light or stop sign, changing lanes without signaling and more.

When it comes to parking in Hawaii, always keep an eye out for parking signs or meters. Also, some areas make use of painted curbs. So, if the curb is painted blue it means that parking is for handicapped use only.
 

Traffic moves different in Hawaii

In Hawaii, you will notice that traffic moves considerably slower than anywhere else in the country. This is because people’s attitudes are different in Hawaii. People tend to take things easier and be more relaxed in Hawaii. In fact, people only really use their horns to say hello rather than “Get out of the way!”.

So, do not expect to cruise at 75 miles per hour in the left lane in Hawaii. Give your self some extra time when you are traveling somewhere. If a trip typically takes twenty minutes, give yourself thirty minutes.
 

Tips for avoiding a ticket in Hawaii

If you want to avoid getting a ticket in Hawaii, use the following tips:

• Be polite – If you do get pulled over, be polite and respectful to the officer. It could end up being the difference in whether or not you get a ticket.
• Fix whatever needs it – If you have a headlight or taillight that needs to be replaced, be sure that you fix it immediately.
• Obey the rules – Do not drive over the speed limit, run red lights, drive aggressively or break any other laws when you are driving in Hawaii.
• Give yourself some extra time – To avoid the temptation to speed or drive aggressively in Hawaii, you should take some extra time when you need to travel somewhere.
  

Jump to section:
How you can get your car to Maui
What you need to know about having your car in Maui
Things you should see with your car in Maui
Conclusion
 

How you can get your car to Maui

As you know, there are no highways or roads connecting Hawaii to the rest of the United States. So, you obviously cannot drive your car there. Your options for getting your car there are shipping it by plane or shipping it by boat. Otherwise, you would need to leave your current car and rent a car in Hawaii or sell your current car and buy a new car in Hawaii. Both of those options can get outrageously expensive.

What you need to know about having your car in Maui

Driving in Maui and Hawaii is a bit different than it is anywhere else in the country. First of all, you will notice that traffic moves much slower here. It is not because there is a high volume of traffic or because there are a lot of accidents. It is simply because that is how the residents prefer to drive. So, take it easy and slow down.

There is traffic though and a considerable amount too. It is typical rush hour traffic. But it is a little earlier than most other places. You will usually see the most traffic in Maui between Kahului and Lahaina in the late afternoon around 4 PM or so. Try to travel before or after the late afternoon if at all possible.

You will also see some animals crossing the road in Maui such as deer and cattle. So, always keep your eyes peeled and pay attention to the road.

Parking in Maui can be difficult at times. You will have the option of paying for parking, but it can get pretty expensive. There are some free lots in areas like Lahaina and Kaanapali. You can also stop at some stores, buy something small and, as a result, have your parking validated.
 

Things you should see with your car in Maui

One of the best upsides to having your car with you in Maui is that you will be able to see all of the great sights. Here are the best sights that you can drive to see in Maui:

• Maluaka Beach – Maluaka Beach is a beautiful beach with bright blue waters and pristine. It is also one of the very best spots in all of Hawaii for snorkeling.
• Hana Highway – Hana Highway is a perfect sight-seeing adventure to embark on with your car. The road is about sixty miles long and has a bunch of great sights such as breathtaking overlooks, waterfalls, forests, beaches and more.
• Haleakala Crater – This is a dormant volcano with some incredible views including one of the best spots to watch a sunrise in the entire world. You do need a reservation to watch the sunrise which you can book here.
• Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm – This is one of the most serene and relaxing experiences in all of Hawaii. It is also quite picturesque.

Conclusion

There are a couple of things that are different about driving in Maui. However, slower driving and moderately difficult parking is worth all of the wonderful sights that you will see when you are there with your car.

Jump to section:
Hawaii’s weather and its effect on your engine
The list of fluids and when to change them
Advice for getting your fluids changed
Conclusion
 

Hawaii’s weather and its effect on your engine

Hawaii’s warm and humid weather can cause your car’s engine a good amount of trouble. It can shorten the life of your battery, lower the ability of air-intake, and it can destroy the engine if you do not keep up with the fluids such as oil and anti-freeze.
Warm weather will make your engine work harder and in Hawaii, that is year-round. So, you must be sure that you keep up with having your car’s fluids changed.
 

The list of fluids and when to change them

As we previously mentioned, having your fluids checked and changed regularly is very important in Hawaii. Here is the list of how often you should have each fluid changed.

• Oil – In warmer climates such as in Hawaii, you should get your oil changed every two thousand miles that you drive.
• Coolant – Coolant is obviously critically important in warmer climates. You should change it about every thirty thousand miles that you drive.
• Transmission fluid – You should get your transmission fluid changed every fifty thousand miles. You might hear that you do not need to do this, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
• Power steering fluid – How often you change your power steering fluid will depend on what type of car you have. In general, you should get it checked every time that you have your oil changed.

Advice for getting your fluids changed

• Keep track of each fluid – You should make note of the dates and mileage that you last got each particular fluid changed.
• Take a dip – You can check most of your car’s fluid levels such as oil by unscrewing the cap, removing the dipstick and inspecting it. If the fluid level seems low it is likely time to get it changed.
• Pay attention to the mileage – All of these fluid changes are based on mileage, so be sure you pay close attention to the mileage on your car at all times.
• See if you can get multiple fluids changed at once – It is no secret that taking one trip to the mechanic is better than two or three trips there. So, if you are getting your oil changed make sure that you ask your mechanic to check on your other fluids as well.

Conclusion

You should stay vigilant in terms of checking and changing your car’s fluids. This can only serve to help your engine and its overall performance. Most fluids do not need to be changed that often, but you should always keep track of the last time that they were changed as well as your car’s mileage.

Jump to section:
What you need to know about buying a car from a dealership
The best dealerships in Hawaii
Tips for buying a car from a dealership
Conclusion
 

What you need to know about buying a car from a dealership

When you walk into a car dealership with the intention of possibly buying a car, you will want to be prepared. A car salesman’s job is to sell a car for as high of a price as they possibly can. Thus, not being prepared can literally cost you.

Buying a car from a dealership is a commitment. Unless you have the cash available to buy a car outright, you will be agreeing to make several hundred dollar payments each month for several years to come.

Keep your head on a swivel and do not take everything a dealer tells you at face value. Shop around and always look for the best deal possible.
 

The best dealerships in Hawaii

These are the most popular and best rated car dealerships in all of Hawaii:

• Tony Nissan – Tony Nissan is likely the most popular dealership in the state of Hawaii. It has a 4.5 rating on Google with almost five hundred reviews. They sell all types of Nissans.
• Voyager Auto Sales – Located in Pearl City, Voyager Auto Sales has a 4.8 rating on Google. They sell BMW, Acura, Cadillac and more.
• Choice Auto Hawaii – Choice Auto has a 4.6 rating on Google and sells used cars. They primarily sell trucks, sports cars, and SUVs.
• Ohana Motors – Ohana Motors has a 4.9 star rating on Google with over 300 reviews. Their inventory includes Acura, Chevy, Chrysler and more.
• Ford Kauai – Ford Kauai boasts a 4.7 rating on Google with over two hundred reviews. They sell all types of Fords and have hours Monday through Saturday.

Tips for buying a car from a dealership

When you visit a dealership with the intention of possibly buying a car, you will want to make sure that you get the best deal possible, here’s how you can:

• Buy based on the full price, not payment price – Often, car dealers will offer you what seems like an amazing monthly payment price. What they are really doing is lowering the monthly payment but greatly extending the term of the loan. So, if the monthly price was normally $200 and they lower it to $100, the term of the loan will increase from 36 months to 72.
• Consider a used car – A new car is great, but it will always cost absolute top dollar. Buying a used car will save you a bunch of money and you can still get a car that has not been used much.
• Keep the trade-in to yourself – You should get a final price first. Then mention your trade-in. Get the dealer to go as low as they can then add on the trade-in value, if you mention the trade-in too soon they might act like they are factoring it in then give you a final price without that actually factored in.
• Do not buy on impulse – This is a rule that you should apply to all transactions that you are involved in, not just car buying. If you buy on impulse, you are more likely to end up paying more than if you held out for a bit.
• Skip the extended warranty – The extended warranty that a dealer offers you will simply cost more while failing to cover many basic things. Skip it and save some money.

Conclusion

Car dealerships can be quite tricky. You need to be alert and aware when you step into a dealership with the intention of possibly buying a car. Otherwise, you could end up paying way more than you actually need to.

If you are moving to Hawaii and want to skip the hassle of buying a new car, you can always have your current car shipped there.