Recent Hawaii Shipping News

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When red-light cameras are coming to Hawaii
Why red-light cameras are coming to Hawaii
Tips for avoiding a red-light camera ticket
Final Word
 

When red-light cameras are coming to Hawaii

Red light cameras are already in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. They are all in or near the Honolulu area which is where there is the most traffic in Hawaii by a long shot. Right now, the tickets run about eighty dollars per infraction.

However, there has been talk about expanding the program to other areas of Hawaii. In fact, in a recent poll, the majority of Hawaii residents actually support expanding the program and adding more cameras. So, over the next few years you could start seeing red-light cameras on the other islands of Hawaii such as Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and more.
 

Why red-light cameras are coming to Hawaii

The reason for the proposed expansion of the red-light camera program in Hawaii is that most Hawaiian drivers are very far from aggressive when they are driving. There is a strong preference amongst Hawaiians for safer driving conditions rather than quicker driving times. You will experience this first-hand if you ever drive in Hawaii, you will routinely notice Hawaiians driving under the speed limit and much more cautiously than you would see anywhere else.
 

Tips for avoiding a red-light camera ticket

If you are in Hawaii and want to avoid any chance of getting a red-light ticket, use the following tips:

• Drive slowly – You might need to react quickly if a light is changing, so give yourself the best chance possible to do so by driving slowly.
• Learn where the red-light cameras are – It definitely helps knowing where the red-light cameras are in Hawaii before you even head out on the road. You can see where the red-light cameras are in Hawaii by clicking here
• Download an App – You can always download an app like Waze which will tell you when you are about to come across a red-light camera in real time.
• Try not to stop short – This will not help you avoid a ticket, but it will help you avoid getting slammed into from behind. If you get hit from behind because you stopped short at a red-light camera intersection, it can up being more costly than a simple red-light camera ticket. At the very least, it will be much more inconvenient because you will be without your car for several days while it gets repaired.
• Give yourself some extra time to reach your destination – If you give yourself some extra time for your commute, you will not need to worry about needing to blow any red-lights in order to reach your destination. Safety first!

Final Word

If you will be driving in Hawaii, you should be prepared to take it slow and stop at all red lights. Right now, red-light cameras are only being used on Oahu, but you can expect to see them starting to pop up on the other islands of Hawaii in future years. The smartest thing to do is to give yourself extra travel time, so that having to stop at a red-light is not any sort of inconvenience at all. Once you get one of these tickets, it is nearly impossible to contest in court, you will end up paying the fine anyway and wasting a day in court.

Jump to section:
Why gas costs more in Hawaii than most states
Why gas prices are increasing again in Hawaii
Tips to keep your overall gas costs down
Conclusion
 

Why gas costs more in Hawaii than most states

Unfortunately, gas always costs a bit more in Hawaii. This is because the process of transporting the gas to Hawaii is much more difficult and costly. Gas is brought to Hawaii by the ocean which costs more to transport thus the prices are reflected by the price you pay at the pump. Just as with most things, the customer ends up paying the expensive difference. The primary issue is the high cost of transporting fuel across the ocean.
 

Why gas prices are increasing again in Hawaii

Right now, gas prices are increasing again, even though we are headed into the winter months of the year for most of the United States when much fewer people are traveling. This is due to an issue in the middle east where Saudi Arabia is increasing the overall price on oil.
 

Tips to keep your overall gas costs down

If you want to keep the money that you spend on gas in Hawaii at a minimum, you can use the following tips:

• Slow down – If you do not want to spend any more money than you absolutely need to on gas, you can always take driving a bit slower. It is a fact that the faster you drive the more gas you will burn through. Most people tend to drive pretty slow and calmly on Hawaii anyway so this should not be an issue.
• Do not idle – This likely will not be an issue for most people, but idling is a great way to waste gasoline. So, if you are considering trying to cool your car down by letting it run with the air conditioner on before you get in, realize that you are wasting a considerable amount of gasoline each time you do that.
• Try not to buy gas at “las resort” gas stations – When we say “last resort” gas stations, we are referring to gas stations that are the last place to fill up for a while. These stations follow the laws of supply and demand and know that they are the only option for gas in a long while.
• Keep up with all of your car’s maintenance – Things such as getting your air filters changed and making sure that your tires are properly inflated can help you increase the efficiency of your car’s gas mileage.
• Make use of a gas app – You can download and use one or more of several gas apps. These apps, such as Gas Buddy, which will help you locate the gas stations with the lowest prices near you.

Conclusion

Fuel will always be more expensive in Hawaii than it is in most places in the United States. Although, that does not mean that you will need to break the bank in order to be able to afford to fill your tank. There are several ways that you can actually save money on gas by using common sense and by paying attention to what you are doing.

Jump to section:
Hawaiian car insurance 101
The rules about Hawaiian car insurance
Interesting facts about Hawaiian car insurance
Conclusion
 

Hawaiian car insurance 101

Car insurance is required by law in Hawaii just as it is in any other state in the US. It can get expensive too just like any other state. In 2019, car insurance prices in Hawaii ranged between $788 and $1,312 per year depending on which insurance provider was used by a particular driver.

These prices also depend on several key pieces of demographic information such as age, gender, driving history and more. So, for example, if you have a clean driving history and are between the ages of 25 and 65 your rates will be lower than those who do not meet this requirement.
 

The rules about Hawaiian car insurance

The first thing that you should know about car insurance in Hawaii is that there are minimum coverages required. This includes twenty thousand dollars in bodily injury liability per person, forty thousand dollars in bodily injury liability per crash, and ten thousand dollars in property damage liability per crash.

You are not required to carry other coverages such as Uninsured Motorist insurance. However, you should be consider carrying extra insurance because if damages exceed the insurance limits in an accident, you will be liable to pay them.

You must have car insurance in Hawaii if you plan on doing any driving. There are no exceptions to this law. If you are caught driving without insurance, you could face different penalties including fines, vehicle impoundment and even jail time.
 

Interesting facts about Hawaiian car insurance

The following are some interesting facts regarding car insurance in Hawaii:

• On average, Hawaii’s car insurance was cheaper than the rest of the United States. – Hawaii actually came in over a hundred dollars cheaper than the rest of the United States when it came to average annual insurance cost. The average annual cost for auto insurance was $1,009 while Hawaii’s average annual auto insurance cost only $873.
• Be sure to comparison shop – Some insurance providers in Hawaii will charge more for the same coverage that another provider is charging a lower monthly price for. So, be sure you take your time and research your options before you commit to one.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage is NOT required in Hawaii – As we mentioned earlier in this post, Hawaii does not require you to have Uninsured or Underinsured motorist coverage. Although, you should consider adding those coverages to your policy because it will help keep you protected in the future.
• The penalty is stiff if you drive without insurance in Hawaii – The first time that you are caught driving without insurance in Hawaii will mean at least a $500 fine. There is also a good chance that you might also have your license suspended for 90 days. If you are caught driving without insurance a second time the fine will increase to over a thousand dollars, your car could be impounded, and you can even face jail time for up to thirty days.

Conclusion

Car insurance is required by law in Hawaii, just as it is in every other state in the Country. It is important to make sure that you are covered before you even consider getting behind the wheel in Hawaii because the penalties for driving without insurance can really cost you in a big way. The price for car insurance is actually pretty reasonable so you will not need to worry about breaking the bank.

Jump to section:
Why you should get your window repaired as soon as you notice any damage
The different types of repairs for car windows
The best places to get your car’s windows repaired in Hawaii
Advice for preventing damage to your car’s windows
 

Why you should get your window repaired as soon as you notice any damage

Any time that you notice any damage to your windows on your car, you should get them repaired immediately. Otherwise, the damage could get worse and could spread over time which could make driving much more dangerous.

This includes even damage as small as a chip in your windshield. Damage such as that can “spider-web” and can quickly become large cracks in your windshield. If this happens, you could get a ticket, or your car might not pass an inspection.

Furthermore, if you do not get a chip or smaller crack in your cars window repaired right away, it will become more difficult or even impossible to repair. So, you could end up needing to buy an entirely new window or windshield and having to pay the cost of installation as well.
 

The different types of repairs for car windows

As you might expect, when it comes to getting your car’s windows repaired, not all repairs are equal. The main two areas are “repair” and “replacement.” The difference between these is obviously that with a “repair” your existing window is fixed, whereas as with a replacement, you will have a new window put in.

However, it gets more detailed than this. Certain types of chips and cracks will allow you to have your window repaired instead of replaced, which is cheaper. Other types of cracks will require that you get your window replaced.

The cracks and chips that will allow you to only get your window repaired are a “ding”, “cracked chip”, and “stone break”. These are most common and are almost always less than six inches long. Thus, a repair is possible.

When you have more serious damage to your windshield such as a “edge crack”, “floater crack”, or “combination break” you will likely need to get the window replaced (depending on the severity).

Other types of damage to your windows including “bull’s eyes” and “stress cracks” could go either way.

Regardless of the type of damage that your window has, whoever services your car will be able to diagnose the severity of the damage and implement and repair and/or replacement with ease.
 

The best places to get your car’s windows repaired in Hawaii

There are always option for getting your car’s windows repaired in a timely manner almost anywhere you go. Hawaii is no different. The following are the best options for getting your car’s window repaired in Hawaii:

• Hawaii

  • Aloha Auto Glass – Hilo – Located in Hilo, Hawaii Aloha Auto Glass boasts great customer reviews on Google. They offer all sorts of repairs and replacements for auto glass and even offer 24 hour emergency service.
  • Aloha Auto Glass – Kona – Found in Kona, Hawaii, Aloha Auto Glass – Kona has a good history of customer service and satisfaction. They offer several vehicle glass replacement services including mobile glass replacement.
  • Safelite Auto Glass – Hilo – Located in Hilo, Hawaii, this branch of the global auto glass repair company has long been a trusted name in car window repair. They are best known for their on-the-go service where they come to you and fix your windshield.

• Maui

  • Ace Auto Glass – In Kahului you will find one of the more highly regarded auto glass repair services in the entire state of Hawaii, Ace Auto Glass. They are family owned and offer a variety of car glass services including mobile service.

• Oahu

  • Safelite Auto Glass – Honolulu – Another Safelite location is found in Honolulu. However, They can come to you in most areas to complete your car window repairs or replacement.
  • Roy’s Auto Glass – Roy’s Auto Glass is located in Honolulu and offers all types of windshield repair and replacement service. They have some nice reviews on Google as well.
  • Lee Ward Auto Glass – Located in Waipahu Lee Ward Auto Glass can fix and replace your auto glass with a variety of same-day services.

• Kauai

  • Ace Auto Glass – Kauai – Located in Lihue, Hawaii, this is another location of the reputable and family-owned Ace Auto Glass.
  • Safelite Auto Glass – Lihue – Found in Lihue, Hawaii this is another Safelite location with on-the-go repair capabilities.

Advice for preventing damage to your car’s windows

It is always better to be proactive rather than reactive, so preventing damage from occurring to your car’s windows in the first place is by far the best way to go. Take the following steps to prevent damage to your car’s windows while driving:

• Do not follow too close – Chips and small cracks generally tend to occur as a result of small road debris hitting your windshield. Sometimes, you cannot prevent this as this debris could be kicked up by your own car. However, more often than not, this debris is kicked up by a vehicle that is travelling in front of you. So, the more space you give the car in front of you the less of a chance you will have that a pebble will chip your windshield.
• Park in the shade – This obviously is not always possible but if you can park under some cover. Weather elements including the sun can weaken and even damage your windows. This is especially true in a place like Hawaii where the sun is especially strong. The effects will be almost imperceptible at first but over time this could result in a crack.
• Avoid off-roading or anything close to it – You should avoid driving off-road or on any dirt or gravel roads. These types of roads are full of small debris such as pebbles and can easily cause chips and cracks in windshields.
• Slow down a bit – The truth is that it is impossible to avoid all road debris from hitting your car’s windows. However, you can at least minimize the damage from this by slowing down which will decrease the force of the impact.
• Get new wipers – Windshield wipers that are too old can actually cause damage to your windshield and over time this can cause cracks and chips. Change your wiper blades at least once annually and do not skimp and buy the cheap ones either.
• Keep your windows clean – When you do have extremely small and imperceptible damage to your windows, dust, dirt and grime can get into cracks and chips and make them harder to repair or even make them worse. If you keep your windows clean, you will not need to worry about this.

Jump to section:
What exactly is traffic like in Hawaii?
Where and when is the worst traffic in Hawaii?
Tips for avoiding traffic in Hawaii
Final word
 

What exactly is traffic like in Hawaii?

Traffic in Hawaii varies depending on which island you are on. Overall, though, traffic in Hawaii is not great by any measure. Hawaii was ranked 45th in the country for its traffic and infrastructure by a recent study.

This is, however, an improvement from more recent years. As recently as 2012, Hawaii had been ranked the worst in the country for traffic. So, the traffic situation is improving in Hawaii, just slowly.
 

Where and when is the worst traffic in Hawaii?

Not surprisingly, the Honolulu area has the worst traffic in the state. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii as well as the most popular tourist area in the state.

Honolulu is also the most populated area in the state of Hawaii by a long shot. It has over seven times more people than the next most populated area in the state. The issue with traffic here is that many people do not live in the area where most jobs are located which is in the actual city of Honolulu. Most commute from neighboring areas, thus traffic can get very congested during rush hour.

Honolulu is not the only place in Hawaii that has substantial traffic delays consistently. Both Kahului and the Kailua – Kaneohe areas have legitimate amounts of traffic congestion as well. It is not nearly as much as Honolulu, but it is enough to inconvenience you on a consistent basis. Kahului is located on the island of Maui while the Kailua – Kaneohe area is also located on Oahu, making Oahu the worst island to drive on Hawaii because Honolulu is located on the other side of that same island.

Overall, these are the average annual driving delays per commuter in each respective area in Hawaii:

• Honolulu – 64 hours
• Kailua – Kaneohe 23 hours
• Kahului – 23 hours

You can see that Honolulu is almost triple that of the next two highest areas on Hawaii’s list. Honolulu’s traffic delays actually measure up with that of Los Angeles and New York City. The traffic delays in the Honolulu area averages out to about fifteen minutes per day for each driver. The delays in both Kahului and Kailua – Kaneohe averages out to 6 minutes per day for each driver.
 

Tips for avoiding traffic in Hawaii

If you are driving in Hawaii and you want to try to avoid traffic, you can use the following tips:

• Do your best to avoid rush hour – This is easier said than done for most people but if your job allows you the flexibility to come in earlier or later, we highly recommend that you do so.
• Pay attention to traffic and weather reports – Be sure that you give yourself a few extra minutes before you leave for your commute to listen to the local traffic and weather reports.
• Use a GPS traffic app – Waze is one of the most widely used ways that people avoid getting stuck in traffic that is too congested.
• Avoid the major highways – Just as in other major cities, the brunt of the rush hour traffic tends to occur on major highways such as the H-1 and H-2 (both in the Honolulu area), so plan to avoid those if you can.

Final word

Traffic can be pretty bad in certain areas in Hawaii, namely Honolulu. But it does make sense for the large population that Honolulu has. However, the congestion has slowly been improving on Hawaii’s roads. Hawaii has moved down five spots on the list of the states with the most traffic in just the past several years. So, just be sure to plan your driving in advanced, and your drive time in Hawaii likely won’t be that bad.

Jump to section:
The on-going issue with drunk driving in Hawaii
What is being done to prevent it?
Facts about drunk driving in Hawaii
Final word
 

The on-going issue with drunk driving in Hawaii

Recently, over half of all the car accidents resulting in a death in Hawaii have been because of a drunk driver. This is an alarming statistic because in 2012 the percentage of fatal accidents involving a drunk driver was 31% nationwide. More recently in 2016, that number was down to 28%. So, Hawaii seems to have a dangerous problem with drinking and driving, especially when you consider their percentage of deadly car accidents involving alcohol is nearly double the national average.

That percentage had dropped after being alarmingly high in the 1980’s and even into the early 1990’s after stricter laws were introduced regarding drinking and driving in Hawaii. It reached an all-time low in 2014 at only 35%, which finally fell close to the national average. However, now the number has risen again to over 50%.

Over the years, these numbers have been higher than other places in the country likely because Hawaii has some unorthodox and confusing traffic patterns which are difficult to navigate and the culture is one of relaxation which leads to higher amounts of people drinking. In fact, a recent study found that just over 20% of adults in Hawaii drinks “excessively” which is two percent higher than the national average of 18%.
 

What is being done to prevent it

Hawaii is going to tighten its drinking and driving enforcement in a big way going forward. They recently started a “Drive sober or get pulled over” program in an effort to educate the public about drinking and driving.

In addition to that, laws are being created that will enforce stricter penalties on drunk drivers. A new law that passed just two and a half months ago on July 1st will lower the charge of “habitual DUI” from three convictions in ten years to only two. It will also increase fines and jail time for DUI and DWI offenders.

Specifically, the periods for the length of license revocation will increase from months to years in many cases, probation will become jail time and fines will increase from hundreds to thousands of dollars in most cases.

Local police will also step up enforcement. More checkpoints are planned in Hawaii in the coming months, especially on holidays where people generally tend to drink such as the eve of Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
 

Facts about drunk driving in Hawaii

Before you decide to risk arrest, your safety and, most important, other people’s safety, you should learn the facts about drinking and driving in Hawaii. Here are the facts:

• More than half of the fatal car accidents in Hawaii could have been avoided – In 2016, 64 out of 109 fatal accidents involved a driver who tested positive for alcohol. That is 59%. That is double the national average for that year which was 29%.
• You will pay dearly if you drink and drive in Hawaii – The new legislation that passed on July 1st introduced stricter penalties for drunk driving. The highlights of the law are:
  
  • For someone’s first offense they will lose their license for a year, have a breathalyzer installed in their vehicle, pay a fine between $250 and $1000, and could possibly get community service or even several days in jail.
  • For a second offense that person will lose their license for two to three years, they will serve over two hundred hours of community service or go to jail for a month, and they will pay a fine between $1,000 and $3,000 dollars,
  • If a person is arrested for DUI with someone sixteen years old or younger, they will suffer the above consequences appropriate to their past history plus an additional $500 fine and serve an additional mandatory two day jail sentence.
• There is a chapter of MADD in Hawaii – You can join the fight against drunk driving in Hawaii by joining the efforts of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The Hawaii chapter can be found here.
• You can report someone you suspect of drunk driving – If you are out on the road and you see someone driving who is doing so erratically (swerving etc.), you can report them to the police by calling their non-emergency line in Hawaii at (808) 529-3111.

Final word

Just don’t do it. Drinking and driving is a senseless and selfish act. You can always grab a cab or a ride using a ride-share app like Uber for just a few dollars and avoid the possibility of injuring or killing someone. Getting caught drinking and driving will turn your life upside down and will crush you financially.

If you are out on the road, always stay away from any drivers who seem like they might be driving drunk. You should pull over and call the police immediately if you suspect anyone of driving drunk as well.

Jump to section:
What does it cost to own a car in Hawaii each year?
Why it costs what it does
Advice for keeping your car costs low
Conclusion
 

What does it cost to own a car in Hawaii each year?

According to recent data from this article it costs $14,516 on average, to own a car in Hawaii over a typical three-year span. So, this breaks down to $4,839 each year. This puts Hawaii towards the top of the list at number eight out of the fifty US states in terms of overall expense to own a car.
 

Why it costs what it does

The cost of owning a car involves several variables and these variables will vary depending on where you live in the United States. These variables include insurance premiums, the cost of gas, registration, fees, taxes, and the cost of repairs.

In Hawaii’s case, the cost of owning a car is more expensive than it is in most states. This is partially because the cost of gas in Hawaii is significantly higher than other US states due to how much extra it costs for the gas to get shipped to Hawaii. As this post is being written, Hawaii has the most expensive gas prices in the United States at $3.60 per gallon. That is over a dollar more than the national average which is currently $2.59.

Then there are the costs of the registration in Hawaii which are $45 plus 1.75 cents per pound of the vehicle up to 4,000 pounds. The fee per pound increases beyond 4,000 pounds to 2 cents per pound. In 2018 the average American car weight was just over 4,000 pounds. That weight fee is for the state, there is an additional weight fee for the county as well. This fee is 1.25 cents per pound up to 6,500 pounds.

So, let’s say you have a car that weighs 4,100 pounds. Your annual registration fee would be $176.25 in total ($45 plus $80 for weight from the state and $51.25 for weight from the county). This is one of the more expensive registration fees in the entire country.

Thankfully, the average annual cost of insurance is considerably lower in Hawaii than the national average according to recent data. On average, annual insurance costs in Hawaii are $764.72 per year. This is 13% and over a hundred dollars less than the national average which is $889.

The cost of maintenance and repairs is much harder to estimate because every car is very different in this regard. However, AAA estimates that the national average monthly cost of maintenance and repairs is about $100. So, that is $1,200 per year. This can change greatly depending on both how well or poorly you drive as well as how old your car is.

Then there are the more miscellaneous costs such as parking costs and any toll fees. These will vary too much to estimate, so you can easily figure these costs for yourself by adding any annual parking fees to the total cost you pay for tolls (cost each week multiplied by 52 weeks).
 

Advice for keeping your car costs low

If you want to keep the cost of owning a car in Hawaii low each year, there are several things that you can do to save money.

• Drive safely and cautiously – If you get into an accident, you have the obvious expense of getting your car repaired. However, if you are at fault, your insurance costs will go up and likely quite a bit.
• Take your car in for regular maintenance – You might be thinking “How can taking my car to the mechanic more often SAVE money?” Well, this will ensure that all small issues get fixed and that they simultaneously do not become big issues. This can end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We recommend you take your car in for a mechanic to check at least twice a year.
• If you are in the market for a car consider something smaller – Due to the weight tax from both the state of Hawaii and your individual county, if you have a lighter car you will end up saving a few bucks each year.
• Do not drive if you do not have to – We are not saying that you should actively avoid driving if you do not have to but if you can walk somewhere instead that will help keep the cost of gas down. You should also avoid idling in your car as this will drain your gas tank.
• Pay attention and avoid traffic and parking fines! – This should be pretty obvious but if you do not violate traffic and parking laws you will not need to worry about the added expense of traffic and/or parking tickets. These are completely unnecessary expenses in terms of owning a car.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, owning a car can be fairly expensive in Hawaii. The cost of fuel and registration is higher than most other places in the united states. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do in order to keep that cost down.

Either way, you will likely need a car to get around in Hawaii if you are moving there or even staying for an extended period or vacation. So, if you need your car shipped there the vehicle transport experts at Hawaii Car Transport can help, just give us a call today at (888) 777-2123.

Jump to section:
What is the Hawaiian Railway?
Common questions about the Hawaiian Railway
Advice for taking a trip on the Hawaiian Railway
Final word
 

What is the Hawaiian Railway?

The Hawaiian Railway is an operational train that is solely used for the purposes of ninety-minute-long guided tours each and every weekend in the area west of old Ewa. All of the trips are round-trips and there are no “stops” as it is not at all intended for commuter use.

Each weekend, the train has three departures: Saturday at 3 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 and 3 pm. Tickets cost $15 for adults, and $10 for kids as well as seniors.

Each ride lasts for an hour and a half and is narrated by a knowledgeable guide. The 3 pm trips feature a stop where passengers can get out and get ice cream. All rides feature places of historical significance such as sugar cane plantations and even a “ghost town”.
 

Common questions about the Hawaiian Railway

Where is the Hawaiian Railway located? How can I get there?

• The Hawaiian Railway is located at 1001 Renton Rd, in Ewa Beach, Kapolei. You can plug in your current address to get directions right here. If you drive your car there, parking is available.

  You can also take the bus there. Information on taking the bus there is available here.

Can I buy advanced tickets online?

• No, unfortunately, all ticket sales are in-person only. Ticket sales for each ride only begin two hours before the departure time. It is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Cash, check and credit are all accepted.

Is it handicap accessible?

• Yes, the Hawaiian Railway Society is handicap accessible.

Advice for taking a trip on the Hawaiian Railway

Before you set out on your first trip on the Hawaiian Railway, you should make sure that you are ready to get the most out of the experience. Keep the following things in mind:

• Check the forecast – If the weather gets particularly bad a ride could be cancelled or delayed. If you feel it is borderline you can give them a call at 808-681-5461 on the day of the ride that you are thinking of taking and ask them what the situation is. We recommend that you go on a nicer day as it is generally more enjoyable that way.
• Arrive early! – As we mentioned before, tickets only go on sale two hours before each scheduled departure and the seating is first-come-first-serve. So be sure to get there at least an hour before the departure of the train.
• Bring a camera or at least make sure your phone is fully charged – There will be some great photo opportunities during the ride so be sure you are able to snap some pictures!
• Check out the toy train museum! – There is now a toy train museum open which is pretty incredible. It is the perfect thing to do while you wait for your departure.
  

• Don’t forget about the ice cream rides or the gift shop – As we mentioned earlier, each week there is an “ice cream ride” where the train will stop and passengers will have the opportunity to get ice cream. This is the 3 pm ride on Saturday and Sundays. Every ride will allow passengers the chance to check out the gift shop, so be sure to pick up something to remember the trip by.

Final word

The Hawaiian Railway is a must for anyone interested in a great and unique way to see Hawaii as well as getting some history in the process. Be sure to arrive early so you can get tickets as well as to keep an eye on the weather the day that you are planning on taking a ride on the train.

Jump to section:
The traffic in Oahu
Tips for navigating traffic in Oahu
Resources to help you avoid getting struck in traffic in Oahu
Final word
 

The traffic in Oahu

Traffic has long been an issue for the island of Oahu. Many people attribute this to the fact that the affordable housing on the island is a considerable distance from the area where most people work. The Kapolei area, where most affordable housing is located, is approximately about twenty-three miles from the Honolulu area, where most jobs are located.

That distance should yield no more than a forty-minute commute. However, during rush hour it will typically take at least an hour to complete that drive because of the amount of people driving on that route.

There is also the laid-back nature of most Hawaii residents to consider as a contributing factor for the amount of traffic on Oahu. Generally, the people of Hawaii tend to drive in a very un-aggressive fashion which also usually means driving the speed limit or slightly under it.

Unfortunately, on Oahu’s major highways like the H-1 and h-2, there is little to no room at many points to pull over in case of an emergency such as engine trouble. So, when these things occur, as they do fairly frequently, it causes the shutdown of at least a lance which slows traffic immensely.

Finally, Hawaii’s traffic patterns have long been a source of frustration for residents as well as traffic. Things like four-way intersections with four or five lanes of traffic on each side or entrance ramps that are way too short leading onto highways cause major delays when driving.
 

Tips for navigating traffic in Oahu

Sometimes, you will just need to sit in traffic and there is not much you can do about it. However, you can trim the amount of time you spend in traffic on most days by using the following tips:

• Leave early or late – The peak driving times in Oahu are similar to the rest of the United States but they do tend to be a little earlier during the morning commute. The times during which the traffic is highest in the morning is between 6 and 8 AM going from Kapolei to Honolulu. In the afternoon/night the traffic is worst between 3 and 5:30 PM going back from Honolulu to Kapolei. So, leave before these times or after in order to avoid the brunt of traffic.
• Check the traffic and weather before you leave – Be sure to check the traffic and weather reports prior to leaving for your commute. As much as traffic is almost always pretty slow, unpredictable weather, accidents and construction can cause even worse delays.
• Use traffic apps – Apps that you can download and use for free on your phone such as Waze use up-to-date crowdsourced traffic data to ensure that you are getting the quickest and most efficient routes in real-time.

Resources to help you avoid getting stuck in traffic in Oahu

These are a few helpful resources that you can use if you are trying to avoid all the traffic on Oahu. Use them before you head out for the best results.

1. Oahu traffic cameras – You can use these cameras to see live footage of some major roads and highways along your route so that you can possibly avoid any high traffic areas.
2. Waze – As was mentioned earlier in this post, Waze is a great app to have because it reacts to current traffic conditions and gives you alternate routes so you can save time on your commute.
3. Park Me – Park Me is a website where you will be able to quickly see all the places in an area where you can find parking. This can help you if you lost time in traffic and now do not want to lose additional time driving around looking for parking.

Final word

The traffic in Oahu can be frustrating at times. Keep in mind that it is only bad during the rush hour commutes during the week or if there is construction or an accident.

Always try to plan ahead, this way you can know the best routes with the quickest drive times before you even get into your car.

Jump to section:
Basic info about the protests
What roads and areas will be affected
Tips for avoiding the protests
Conclusion
 

Basic info about the protests

Right now, there are on-going protests in Hawaii at Mauna Kea mountain to prevent the building of a large telescope on top of the mountain. For many years, Mauna Kea has been a sacred area for prayer and burials. This is why the building of something like a telescope is causing high levels of tension and emotion among longtime residents of the area.

Keep in mind that there is obvious benefit to constructing a state-of-the-art telescope in terms of research and science. However, that is not what is being protested. Those protesting have been fighting the project for years and this has now reached a boiling point as the construction on the Thirty Meter Telescope has begun.

So far, there has not been any resolution for the protesters and the building of the telescope has started to go ahead as planned. As construction has gone on, protests have continued. You will see some of the protesters throughout the island but mostly near Mauna Kea near the side of the road.
 

What roads and areas will be affected

Mauna Kea Access Road will be closed during the construction. Also, roads near Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park will be slower because of the protests.

Other than that, there won’t be much traffic disruption. In fact, in these areas, there are now traffic guards working around the clock to ensure that protesters and travelers alike are not injured by traffic and that traffic disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.
 

Tips for avoiding the protests

Right now, the protests are not out of control by any standard. They are actually quite peaceful. However, they have caused some lighter traffic delays in the past few weeks. Use the following tips to avoid getting delayed in traffic as a result of the protests:

• Avoid the Mauna Kea area – These protests are barely affecting traffic at this point but there are still the occasional disruptions. So, avoid the area altogether if you can.
• Check the traffic in the area before you get in your car – It only makes sense to check the up-to-date traffic conditions before you leave for your commute or trip. Google “(your area)” plus “traffic” to get up-to-date traffic information online.
• Plan out alternate routes – You can use apps like Waze to figure out what the best and quickest alternate routes are each day. Try and do this before you actually start driving.

Conclusion

Tempers are high right now regarding the construction of the telescope on Mauna Kea. It is important to realize why exactly the protests are going on. What is being protested is not the benefit of a new telescope or even science in general but the desecration of land that is deemed to be sacred by many Hawaii residents.