Recent Hawaii Shipping News

Jump to:
Hawaii’s beaches
The best beaches in Hawaii
Advice for enjoying the beach in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Hawaii’s beaches

Hawaii is often considered paradise by many people. The primary reason for this is that the beaches in Hawaii are some of the most beautiful beaches on the entire planet. If you are in Hawaii for pretty much any period of time and do not make it to the beach at least once, you are wasting a golden opportunity.

If you do plan on getting out to the beaches in Hawaii, you should realize that you have a ton of different beaches between the different islands to choose from. Sure, if you were living there you could eventually make it to every beach in Hawaii. However, that probably is not the case. So, you will want to be sure that you spend your time on the very best beaches of Hawaii.
 

The best beaches in Hawaii

Here are the best beaches in Hawaii, how you can get there and where you can park:

• Hawaii (The Big Island)

  • Mauna Kea Beach is at the top of the list for the Big Island because it has the gorgeous white sand and bright blue water with less of a crowd because of the beach’s smaller size. You will need to arrive early to find parking as well as a spot on the beach, but it will be well worth it.

    As we mentioned, parking can be limited here. So, make sure you get to the parking lots by 8 AM at the latest. You will need to go through the resort to find parking. There is valet parking, but it is about $40. If you are staying at the Mauna Kea Beach resort then the valet fee will be reduced. We recommend this as it is the easiest of all the options. You can find directions to the resort here.

  • Hapuna Beach is another fantastic beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. This beach is much bigger than Mauna Kea Beach. It is one of the best beaches in the entire state of Hawaii for snorkeling as well as swimming.

    You can almost always find parking here. There is a small fee of $10 to park for the day. You can find directions to the beach here.

  • Maniniowali Beach has amazingly clear water and white sand that make it one of the more picturesque beaches in all of Hawaii. The water is calm earlier in the day, so get there early if you are not a super experienced swimmer because the water can be rougher later in the day. You will also have the chance to see lots of different fish and turtles throughout the day here.

    There is also a lot of parking here, so need to rush to the beach in order to find a spot. You can get directions to Maniniowali Beach here.

• Maui

  • Makena Beach State Park is a popular spot for weddings in Hawaii because of how nice the weather usually is as well as the beach’s overall beauty makes for great photo opportunities. Swimming is also great here, but the water can get rough here seemingly randomly. So, be sure you are always paying attention and using caution.

    Parking is pretty good here. There are additional parking lots available if you are not staying at the resort. You will just need to drive a little further and walk a little further as well. You can get directions to the beach here.

  • Baldwin Beach is another amazing sight and enjoyable beach on our list for Maui. The beach has beautiful crystal blue water near the shore. It is a great beach for swimming, running, sunbathing and more. There is even a small section where there is what is known as a “baby beach” portion where there is a seawall that provides a nice little and extremely calm swimming area for kids.

    There is a lot of parking available at Baldwin Beach on most days. You can get directions right here.

  • Kapalua Bay is a less popular beach but it is just as beautiful as most of the other Hawaiian beaches. There are a bunch of watersports that go on here. It is a week-known spot for snorkeling which provides a great chance to see some really cool marine life. This beach is generally quieter and less crowded.

    Parking can be a little harder to find here as it is fairly limited. So, get to the beach early! You will find directions to Kapalua Bay here.

• Lanai

  • Hulopoe Beach is likely most famous for its opportunity to see Dolphins. However, it is yet another beautiful Hawaiian beach and a great spot to kick back and enjoy the day. With white sand and pretty blue water, Hulopoe Beach a a perfect spot for a family beach day.

    Parking is fairly easy here as the beach doesn’t tend to get that busy normally. Find directions to Hulopoe Beach right here.

  • Shipwreck Beach is a difficult beach to get to because you will need to rent a Jeep so you can off-road your way there. However, if you can make it there, there will likely not be anyone else there. So, you will have lots of privacy. You can also see turtles and will have a great view of a wrecked ship hence the name of the beach.

    There are some places to park your Jeep when you finally arrive, you might just have to take a few minutes and look around. You can get directions here.

• Molokai

  • Kephui Beach is a nice and quaint beach and good for a quiet day relaxing in the sun. In the summer, the water is usually calm enough for swimming but exercise caution when you do as there are no lifeguards anywhere.
    The drive there can be a little rough but there is usually parking available followed by a short walk to the beach. Directions to the beach can be found here.
  • Pohaku Mauliuli Beach is another more quaint beach in Hawaii but it is also gorgeous and great for a relaxing day or half-day long get away. The water can be dangerous in the winter but is usually swimmable in the summer.

    Parking at Pohaku Mauliuli Beach is fairly tough as there is only a smaller area for parking here than most beaches. However, it is not a super popular beach. So, if you arrive early enough, you should be able to find parking. Pohaku Mauliuli Beach driving directions can be found here.

  • Murphy Beach, also known as Kumimi Beach, has shallow and calm water as well as golden sand. It’s safer to swim here than the other beaches on Molokai yet it is just as picturesque.

    Parking is available but it is limited, so arrive early if you can. You can find directions here.

• Oahu

  • Waikiki Beach is the most popular beach in all of Hawaii as well as one of the most popular beaches in the entire world and for good reason too. The beach is one of the most beautiful sights on the entire planet with gold sand and tropical teal waters. Get here early, this beach gets millions of visitors per year with no sign of getting any less busy.

    Parking is ample but also in high demand. Arrive early and you can find a relatively inexpensive spot fairly close to the beach. Driving directions to Waikiki Beach can be found right here.

  • Lanikai Beach is another incredibly popular and famous beach in Hawaii. This beach has some of the best swimming conditions in the world. As you might expect, it is also incredibly gorgeous and a great spot to kick back and enjoy the day.

    It is located right near a residential area so finding a parking spot can be really hard sometimes. Try and get here to find parking as early in the morning as possible. You can enter your address and find directions here.

  • Sunset Beach is well known for its surfing conditions as well as for its crystal-clear water. The water can be too rough for swimming during the winter, but it can be ideal during the summer for going for a swim. Snorkeling is also ideal here.

    Parking here is as easy as it can possibly be. So, no need to wake up extra early in order to find a spot. Directions can be found here.

• Kauai

  • Kee Beach is another incredibly popular Hawaiian beach. It has really amazing views and a true natural beauty. The beach also has a great variety of fish and is near a popular to hike as well. It’s a great spot for photos and a quick swim as well.

    Parking here fills up quickly so be sure to get here well before 10 AM. You can get directions to Kee Beach here.

  • Hanalei Bay Beach is another popular spot for surfers as well as vacation-goers alike. This is a popular spot for most ocean activities including swimming, surfing, fishing, fishing, snorkeling and more. The scenery, especially the mountains, is absolutely stunning.

    Parking at Hanalei Bay Beach can be hard at times but if you spend time looking you will almost always find a spot. Directions to the beach are right here.

  • Haena Beach is a lesser known beach in Kauai, but it is still a borderline perfect place to unwind for a day. With great sights and perfect tranquility, this beach a great stop at any point on a vacation. The beach also boasts some great amenities such as lifeguards, restrooms, showers and more.

    Finding parking at Haena Beach is not too hard. If you think it might be a popular beach day, just try and leave a little earlier in the day. You will find directions right here.

Advice for enjoying the beach in Hawaii

As you can tell by now, the beach is one of the absolute best parts of being in Hawaii. However, there are a few things to remain mindful of when you are planning a trip to the beach in Hawaii.

It should be clear by now that parking for the beach, no matter which beach, is a bit of a hassle. You can minimize the stress of parking by getting up as early as you can and driving there. You can also walk there if reasonable or try to take a cab or some sort of public transportation such as the bus.

Be sure that you pack the essentials for the beach before you head out there too. Some of Hawaii’s beaches are located in fairly remote areas. So, if you forget something like sunscreen you might have to travel several miles to go get it. Remember things like enough drinking water, food, towels and whatever else you might usually bring to the beach.

Check the weather and, more importantly, the surf conditions. Try to avoid going to the beach on days where the surf is particularly rough. The water can be very dangerous in those conditions and lifeguards in Hawaii are already spread thin. So, they might not see you in a situation where you are in trouble.

Conclusion

Spending a day on the beaches in Hawaii is truly like spending a day in paradise. If you are in Hawaii do not short-change yourself by missing the opportunity to spend some time at the beach. When you do go to the beach, make sure that you are prepared for things like parking and how rough or calm the water will be at that particular beach on that day.

Jump to:
Basic information about moving to Hawaii
The best places to move to in Hawaii
Tips for moving to Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Basic information about moving to Hawaii

A move to Hawaii is an exciting time for many people. It means living life in paradise. However, there are a few things to be aware of before you do move to Hawaii.

The first thing to think about is the cost of living in Hawaii. It is pretty expensive to live there, and average wages are actually below the US average. So, you really cannot move to Hawaii with just hope in your heart, you will need to have some savings to fall back on. Even things like milk normally costs $5 per gallon and gas costs around $4 per gallon.

You should also plan the specifics of your move far in advanced. You will need to consider what you want to take with you to Hawaii and what you are going to throw away or put in storage. You should try and keep what you bring to a minimum. You can always buy some new clothes and furniture when you arrive in Hawaii. You must also be careful when you choose a moving company.

However, there are things you might need to bring such as pets or your car. Be sure you get your pets up to date on their immunizations because Hawaii has some tough laws about importing pets. Shipping your car there is simple but can take several weeks so keep that in mind.

Another thing to think about before you move to Hawaii is your current friends and family. You likely won’t get to see anyone you know from the mainland more than once or twice per year after you move. This is because visiting the mainland from Hawaii or vice versa can get expensive when you consider the cost of flights alone. However, keep in mind, it is fairly easily to keep up with people across long distances in the digital age with things like FaceTime.

Be ready to deal with large amounts of sunlight. The sun is out a bunch in Hawaii, and it is also strong. Be ready to get a tan whether you want to or not.

There are also a bunch of different types of bugs in Hawaii. If you can’t stomach of idea of occasionally seeing a centipede or spider, Hawaii might not be for you.

Most of the jobs in Hawaii are in the transportation/hospitality industries as well as in the retail and office industries. If you have a specific career in mind, be sure you do your research before you move to Hawaii to make sure its feasible for your career.
 

The best places to move to in Hawaii

There really isn’t anywhere in Hawaii that you can move to that we wouldn’t consider “good,” but the following are widely accepted as the best places to move to in Hawaii:

• Maunawili – Maunawili is just a little bit north of Honolulu, the state capital, so it’s a good place to be if you need to commute there. This also provides a great opportunity to get a job in Hawaii. The area is gorgeous, and the population is pretty low. However, the one drawback to moving here is how much property costs. On average, property costs just under a million dollars.
• Waikele – Another fantastic place to move to in Hawaii, Waikele. It is one of the better places in Hawaii to raise a family because property is much more affordable here, coming in at just over $400,000 on average. Overall, it is another beautiful area and even has a shopping mall.
• Honolulu – Honolulu is the most populated and famous city in Hawaii. It has almost 400,000 people living there. This is the best spot in the state to look for a job. Rent is also quite affordable here coming in at only $1,300 per month.
• Princeville – Princeville is a gorgeous little costal community in Kauai. It is well known for its schools as well as the coconut trees. With great weather and even better views, the only negative is that property can cost up to three million dollars, although there are some options available for under a million.
• Mililani – Another good place to raise a family, Mililani has almost fifty schools in or around it. There are also ample opportunities for shopping and finding a job. As was the case with the rest of the cities/towns on the list, it is as beautiful as can be.

Tips for moving to Hawaii

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are moving to Hawaii:

• Start looking for a place as soon as you decide to move there! It can be pretty difficult to find a place to live. There will be lots of competition whether you are looking to buy or rent. So, be sure you give yourself enough time to find a place.
• Be ready not to have a job at first. It is tough to find a job in Hawaii before you get there. Once you do get there, it is still pretty difficult to get a job. The issue is that many people try to move to Hawaii from the mainland and can’t quite cut it, so they end up having to leave. Thus, companies are hesitant to hire people from the mainland unless they lived in Hawaii for a year or more.
• Have some money saved. There are two reasons to have a comfortable amount of savings when moving to Hawaii. The first is that the cost of living is so high. The second is that it can be difficult to find a job when you first get there. Those two things can be dangerous when paired together if you do not have much savings.
• Become a resident as soon as you can. In Hawaii, having your local Hawaii license will help you get discounts at various places which can help you out with the cost of living.
• Ship your car to Hawaii. Renting a car is not really an option forever. Buying a new car can be outrageously expensive, especially when you need all the money you can get in Hawaii. Shipping your car one way to Hawaii is a cheap one-time alternative.
• Be prepared for sudden spells of bad weather. You should always have a light raincoat or umbrella within reach because bad weather can develop and occur quickly in Hawaii. For the most part, the weather is beautiful but being prepared can’t hurt.

Conclusion

Moving to Hawaii can be complicated and intimidating if you don’t prepare and plan for the move properly. You need to have extra money to fall back on because it is pretty expensive to live in Hawaii and finding a job is not easy at all at first.

However, if you save and plan properly as well as use the tips above, you will get the chance to live happily in paradise for life.

Jump to:
The facts about flash floods in Hawaii
How to protect your car from flash flooding
General safety tips for flash floods
Conclusion
 

The facts about flash floods in Hawaii

Flash floods can occur anytime of the year in Hawaii. Although, they occur most often in October through April. On average, they occur eight times per year which averages out to once every six and a half weeks.

These floods are caused by heavy rains which are usually produced by hurricane-like weather systems. Most recently, in 2018, flash floods occurred in Hawaii due to a series of thunderstorms that occurred. Over five hundred houses were destroyed, and the total damage was estimated at well over a hundred million dollars. Many people needed to be rescued by helicopter and boat. In twenty-four hours in some areas, there was nearly fifty inches on rain which was a record.

These floods are actually the leading cause of direct weather-related deaths in Hawaii. There have been nearly fifty deaths in the past fifty years due to flash floods. So, it is important to know how to stay safe during flash floods in Hawaii.
 

How to protect your car from flash flooding

You are likely worried about your car’s safety during a flash flood. In Hawaii, you can do the following to keep your car safe during a flash flood:

• Avoid driving through puddles – Sometimes you have no choice but to drive through a puddle but, if you can, avoid driving through puddles as much as possible.
• Drive slow – This might seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many people try to speed through bad weather conditions. Drive slowly so you can react to obstacles more easily.
• Brake gently – the more gently you brake, the easier it will be to avoid hydroplaning.
• Keep up-to-date on the weather – Whether it’s watching the news or installing a weather app, be sure to keep up on the latest weather news.
• Don’t park anywhere you think water could collect – When you are parking, be sure that you try to do so at the top of a hill for example. You don’t want to park in an area where water can accumulate.

General safety tips for flash floods

During a flash flood, you can do the following to stay safe yourself:

• Do not attempt to drive, swim or walk through flood waters – Flood waters can be stronger and deeper than they initially look. Stay away to avoid getting caught in them.
• Try to stay off bridges – Bridges can weaken and get knocked down in floods. Stay off them to avoid getting swept into flood waters.
• Evacuate if need be – If you are told to evacuate, then do so. Learn your nearest evacuations prior to a weather event.
• Have a way to hear/read local alerts – Be sure to be able to watch/read for any and all local alerts on television and/or radio.
• If you are stuck in your car, stay inside – If you are struck in your car stay inside. If there is rising water in the car, then try to get onto the roof of the vehicle.

Conclusion

Flash floods happen several times each year in Hawaii. You need to be prepared just in case you end up getting caught in one. Do your best to keep your car safe but, most importantly, look out for your own safety in the event that you are caught in one of these floods. Just about fifty people have died in flash floods in the last fifty years, so pay serious attention to any and all warnings.

Jump to:
Driving in Hawaii
Buying a car in Hawaii
Renting a car in Hawaii
Shipping a car to Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Driving in Hawaii

Driving in Hawaii can be a great experience. At other times it can also be extremely frustrating. However, having the ability to get around is a necessity. So, one thing is clear – you or someone in your family needs to have a car for you to be able to get around.

If you are driving in Hawaii during rush hour, it can be a difficult experience because the conditions of the roads are not great, but they are slowly improving. However, the traffic patterns have long been a primary source of contention for motorists in Hawaii.

With that in mind, driving in Hawaii can also be a really pleasant experience if you drive outside of those rush hour times. It is a great way to see all the sights as well as the most convenient way of getting around in Hawaii.

But the question is, should you buy a car, rent a car or ship your car to Hawaii?
 

Buying a car in Hawaii

Buying a car in Hawaii is obviously the most expensive option you have by a long shot. It would also mean that you would need to get rid of or store the car that you have on the mainland which can be a complicated experience.

You will also need to go make the decision to lease the car or buy it outright. There is also the choice of buying a brand-new car or buying a used car. All of this can take weeks or even months to sift through. Choosing this option would also include the most obstacles to finally getting your car on the road after you purchase it.
 

Renting a car in Hawaii

For a very short stay, this is a viable option. However, if your stay in Hawaii is longer than a few days this option can really start to add up quite quickly. Renting a car for a month can easily run over a thousand dollars.

With this option, you avoid putting wear and tear on your own car. But, what’s the point of having a car if you are concerned that regular driving will put too much wear and tear on your car? You might as well not drive the car at all with that mentality.

You also need to worry about any sort of damage that occurs to the car. Often, through some sort of loophole or hidden clause, rental car insurance can fail to cover you in case you have some sort of an accident. The rental insurance might cover you partially but there is a good chance it won’t cover you completely. Plus, you will get charged for any little ding or scratch and it will be the highest amount the rental can justify as well.

Shipping a car to Hawaii

Shipping a car to Hawaii is likely your best option if you are staying there for longer than just a few days and do not want to spend the money on buying a car or renting a car long-term. This way you can also have piece of mind knowing that the car you are driving is your own and you will be much more familiar with the ins and outs of the insurance policy on the car as well.

You also won’t have any restrictions on how you drive your car. Often with rentals and leases you will be limited to some extent in how you can drive. For example, rental companies often forbid drivers from driving off-road with their vehicles.
 

Conclusion

Depending on your situation, one of these options might be better than the others. In many cases you should consider shipping your current car to Hawaii before you consider buying a new car or renting a car. It will help you save money in the long-run and it will give you the freedom of having your own vehicle with you in Hawaii.

You can always call the experts at Hawaii Car Transport to get a free quote today at (808) 445-6695.

Increasing public transportation has been an initiative that has been on-going for years in Hawaii in an effort to ease the high level of traffic congestion. As a result, there was on-going debate for several decades over the development of a rail system on the main island of Hawaii.

After much discussion and planning, ground was broken in 2011 on the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. The rail line is scheduled to open its first phase in late 2020 and its second phase in 2025.
 

The history of Honolulu Rail Transit

Hawaiians had been trying to get a train system in place in Hawaii for over half a century before they voted to allow the Honolulu Rail Transit System just under a decade ago. Back in the mid 1960’s, the public discussion started regarding a new commuter rail system in Hawaii. However, it took until 2005 for the project to get approved.

This was due to several things one of which was the failure of several commuter railroads earlier in the 20th century in Hawaii. This includes the Hawaiian Railroad in the late 19th century, Hawaii Consolidated Railway, and the Ahukini Terminal and Railway Company which ran its last train in 1959.

It was a few years after that when discussions started regarding the current Honolulu Rail Transit Train, although it obviously was not named as such at the time.

Discussions went on and on for several decades without anything actionable occurring due to political turmoil and some general public opposition.

Then, in 2008 voters narrowly approved the project and ground was finally broke in late 2011.
 

When the project will be complete

As we mentioned earlier, the first phase is scheduled to open in late 2020 and the second phase in 2025. However, as with any project as large scale as this there could be delays and set-backs. In fact, they are currently facing budgetary issues right now concerning the cost of re-locating residents and businesses along the proposed route.

As of May 2019, even with some snags in the process, the first phase of the Hawaii Rail Project is scheduled to open in late 2020. The second phase is scheduled to finish in late 2025.
 

Planned routes

The Hawaii Rail Project is planned to have a two-phase route as previously mentioned.
The route on Phase one is:

• Kualaka‘i – East Kapolei
• Keone‘ae – University of Hawaii West O’ahu
• Honouliuli – Ho’opili
• Hō‘ae‘ae – West Loch
• Pouhala – Waipahu
• Hālaulani – Leeward Community College
• Waiawa – Pearl Highlands
• Kalauao – Pearlridge
• Hālawa – Aloha Stadium

 
The route of phase two is:

• Pearl Harbor Naval Base
• Honolulu International Airport
• Lagoon Drive
• Middle Street
• Kalihi
• Kapalama
• Iwilei
• Chinatown
• Downtown
• Civic Center
• Kakaako
• Ala Moana Center

Honolulu Rail Transit facts

To get a little more in depth on the Honolulu Rail Transit project, here are some interesting facts about the future Hawaii railway:

• It is estimated that the train will eliminate forty thousand car trips each year by Hawaii commuters.
• Honolulu Rail Transit will help stimulate the Hawaiian economy by creating thousands of jobs both during and after construction.
• The train also benefits the environment as it will eliminate tens of thousands of car trips each year and will make use of electric power itself.
• As of May 2019, construction progress is considered over fifty percent complete on the rail line as a whole.

Conclusion

The big island of Hawaii will have its commuter train within a year and a half. It will help ease the traffic congestion which currently plagues Hawaii. Within six years, the train’s full route will be complete. The train will not only ease traffic congestion, it will create jobs and lessen pollution as well. This is a big win for the state of Hawaii as a whole as well as all of its residents and visitors.

The bugs of Hawaii

As a tropical island, it should come as no surprise that there are a bunch of different bugs in Hawaii. Some are more bothersome than others, but you do not want any of them in your car. Hawaii has ants, centipedes, spiders, cockroaches and other types of insects.

Some of these bugs, like the Black Widow spider, can have very poisonous bites which require immediate medical attention. Others, like centipedes, inflict very painful bites. However, all of them are a nuisance when they are taking up residence in your home or car.
 

The problems insects can cause for your car

Insects can cause several problems for your car beyond the obvious general disgust of having them there. They can eat away at and ruin your interior. They can clog the fins of radiators which can lead to your car overheating. They can also eat through your cars paint if you do not clean off the ones that get smushed on the outside of your car while you are driving right away.

You also should not forget the potential for a car accident due to an insect sighting. Many people could potentially freak out if they see a bug like a spider crawling around near them in their car which could easily cause a momentary lapse in attention on driving.

These are all situations that you would be wise to try and avoid. Anyone of them could end up costing you hundreds of dollars in repairs to your vehicle. You will be responsible for paying the bill for any of these repairs as well because your car insurance almost certainly won’t handle a claim of this sort.
 

How you can keep bugs out of your car

There are a few simple ways in which you can make sure that bugs stay out of your car. The first and most obvious is by keeping your car clean and keeping food out of the vehicle entirely. This includes getting the exterior washed as frequently as you can.

Next, you can clean and spray your car with something lemon or vanilla scented. The vast majority of insects do not like these scents; hence they will be repelled by them.

Use a bit of vinegar mixed with a little bit of water to wipe down the hard surfaces in your car. Ideally, the mixture should be one-part vinegar and five-parts water. Insects do not like the smell of vinegar either.

If you really want to get thorough, you could leave a small mesh bag of Eucalyptus leaves somewhere in your car. This will help repel many insects naturally.

Make sure when you clean your car that you are vacuuming well, especially near any small openings where bugs may be able to enter. This includes the area on the front of your car where the hood of the car meets the windshield.

Finally, try not to park near trees and areas where insects might typically be. This isn’t the easiest task in the world, especially in Hawaii, but parking on a busy city street or in a garage will almost always result in less bugs in, on or near your car than if you park near an area of trees and grass.

Car club basics

Joining a car club in Hawaii is a great way to show off your ride or even just your enthusiasm for someone else’s car. With some of the beautiful weather in Hawaii, car shows and car club cruises are perfect ways to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

Most clubs will have a very small annual membership fee that is somewhere between twenty and fifty dollars each year. Some clubs have different levels of membership; thus, the membership fee will vary depending on which level of membership you choose.

Participation is never really required. However, if you are going to pay the membership fees and go through the sign-up process, you might as well take part in as many club activities as you can. Most clubs have meetings, shows, cruises and more.
 

The list of car clubs located in Hawaii

Here are a few of the longest running and most popular car clubs in Hawaii:

• Aloha Mustang & Shelby Club of Hawaii – The Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii was established back in 1979. Ownership of a Mustang or Shelby is not required for membership. Membership in the club costs $30 per year. The club holds monthly meetings and participates in many other events including banquets, car shows, charity events and more. The club is located in Honolulu.
• Corvette Club of Hawaii – The Corvette Club of Hawaii was founded back in 1973. You can join even if you don’t own a Corvette. The club dues are about $30 per year depending on when you join and what type of membership you choose. The club holds dinners, meetings, car cruising meets, attends car shows and more. The Corvette Club of Hawaii is located in Kailua.
• British Car Club of Hawaii – The British Car Club of Hawaii was founded in 1988. Membership is open to all British car enthusiasts, not just owners. Membership costs $25 per year. This club holds meetings, special events and an annual car show. The club is located in Kapolei.
• Cars and Coffee Hawaii – Cars and Coffee of Hawaii is essentially a loose club comprised of the other car clubs in Hawaii. All of the club’s activities are open to anyone and there is no membership fee. They have monthly meets in various locations across Hawaii, check their website for more details.

Tips for joining a car club

If you are interested in joining any of these Hawaiian car clubs, there are a few things that you should know first.
Here are some tips for joining a car club:

• Most clubs do not require you to own one of their cars – Most car clubs will allow anyone who considers themselves an enthusiast of that club’s particular cars to join. It is usually not necessary to own one. However, it will allow you a much greater level of participation if you do own one of the club’s cars.
• Take good care of your car – You will want to be sure that you take good care of your car if you are joining a car club as a car owner. Other members will be checking your car out. So, be sure that you keep your car clean and running well!
• Stay involved – Most car clubs that you can join meet on a pretty regular basis. This includes monthly meetings, car shows, group car cruises and more. If you want the full experience once you join a club, be sure to participate in as many of these events as possible.

Conclusion

Joining a car club is a very fun and memorable experience. It is also a great way to meet a bunch of like-minded people that you can hang out with or even network with. In general, it is a great way to spend some of your spare time while you are in Hawaii.

If you are on way to Hawaii and you need to move your car there, reach out to the car shipping experts at Hawaii Auto Transport today to get your free quote!

The basics about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a national park in Hawaii with two Volcanoes, one of which is currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In fact, just about a year ago in May 2018, extremely high levels of volcanic and seismic activity of the Kīlauea volcano led to high levels of lava flowing on land for the rest of the summer in the southeast part of the park.

As a result, the park was closed for a while and some of the attractions in the park still remain closed. However, many of the attractions in the park are now open again.

The park itself is open every day of the year, twenty-four hours a day. The weather there is dependent on where you are in the park. Most of the park has weather that is similar to the rest of the island. However, the summit of the volcanoes can typically have temperatures that are actually about ten degrees cooler than the rest of the island. There is also the area around the Chain of Craters Road which will have considerably hotter, windier and dryer weather.

The entrance fees for the park are as follows:

• Private Cars – $25 (The car must have 15 people or less. The fee is for the car as a whole, not per person. Organized groups such as schools or clubs will not qualify for this rate.)
• Motorcycles – $20
• Bikes – $12
• Per person – $12 (People choosing to walk into the park)
• Groups – $12 per person (This is for any vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more. Anyone 15 or younger is free. If you have hired a driver for your group, they will likely be free too.)

How to get there

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawaii.

The entrance to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located at 1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718.
You can get there from Hilo by driving forty-five minutes southwest on Highway 11. You can get there from Kailua-Kona by driving about two hours southeast on Highway 11.

You can also enter your specific address here and get directions.
 

What to see when you are there

As previously mentioned, some of the areas and attractions in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are currently still closed as of April 2019. However, there are still a bunch of incredible things to check out while you are there. So much that it will likely take you a few days to get to it all.
Here are the best things to see at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

• Kilauea Visitor Center – The Kilauea Visitor Center is the first part of the park that you should visit. Here you can learn everything else that you need to know about the rest of the park including volcano updates, what hikes and trails you can take and much more. You can even hear a few great “Ranger talks” here.
• Volcano House – This is a hotel in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you can stay that has a view of the Halemaumau Crater. It has four-star reviews on both Google and Trip Advisor.
• Devastation Trail – This is a short, about half-mile-long, trail where you will walk across the cinder outfall of the 1959 Kīlauea eruption. Overall, it is a wonderful trail experience that you won’t want to miss.
• Chain of Craters Road – This is a famous road where you will take a scenic drive in with scenery that you probably never thought you would see. This road cuts right through an area in the park full of craters and hardened magma for views that almost look as if you are driving on Mars on certain points. On average, Chain of Craters road has had lava on it at some point during the year four out of every five years since it was created because of its proximity to the Kīlauea volcano.

Tips for enjoying Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

• Bring an umbrella – The average precipitation in the area always ranges from forty to seventy-five percent. So, you will likely experience some rainfall while you are in the park. January and February have the lowest precipitation of any month at around forty percent.
• Stay on the trail – It is very important that you always stay on the marked trails and stay out of any restricted places you might come across. There are dangerous volcanic gases in restricted areas as well as unstable land.
• Watch out for cracks and falling rocks – Stay away from cracks, the useless selfie is not worth slipping into one. Cracks have unstable edges, so don’t think being careful will prevent you from falling in either, just stay away. Stay away from the bottoms of mountains and cliffs as well, falling rocks occur randomly and are unpredictable.
• Dress appropriately – Wear durable shoes and pants. It goes without saying but do not wear shorts and sandals. Wear steel toe boots if you can and pants that won’t tear easily.
• Stay in Hilo or at the Volcano House – The Volcano House is actually in the park and is a perfect place to stay. Unfortunately, it does reach capacity fairly often. So your next best option is to stay at one of the many hotels in Hilo which is only a forty five minute drive away from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Conclusion

Although some parts of the park remain closed as of April 2019, there is still a bunch of really incredible and fun stuff to see and do. Be sure that you plan your trip properly so that you can see everything that you want to in an efficient manner.

Your experience at the Hawaii Volcano National Park will be a lot easier and more time-efficient if you have a car with you. If you are headed to Hawaii and are in need of vehicle shipping, give us a call for a free quote at (808) 445-6695!

Once you actually get to Hawaii and start driving, you will start to realize why they drive this way. According to a 2016 report, the state ranks fifth on a list of the states with the worst roads in the country. Potholes and general road disrepair are the two main contributing factors to this dubious honor.

On top of that, the state has long been notorious for its borderline senseless traffic patterns which tend to be responsible for a higher than normal rate of car accidents.
 

The current condition of roads in Hawaii

As was just mentioned, the current condition of the roads in Hawaii is very poor. On average, Hawaiian drivers spend almost nine hundred dollars a year on car repairs related to the conditions of the roads. That is over two hundred and fifty dollars higher than the national average.

However, the state has spent a lot of money and effort in the past two years repaving roads and repairing these deficiencies.

Still, certain areas of the state have roads that are in noticeably worse condition than roads you might see anywhere else in America.
 

The issues with the traffic patterns in Hawaii

The traffic patterns in Hawaii have always been an issue for drivers. This is a direct result of the way that the roads in Hawaii were designed. By looking at some of the roads with their traffic patterns in mind, you might think some sort of insane person designed them.

At certain points, four-way traffic is actively crossing and turning against itself. It can be a real mess sometimes and this includes a five-way intersection where most of the lanes have limited options in terms of turning in including one lane where you are not allowed to travel straight.

This also causes a lot more traffic and not just from the occasional accident that occurs but also from people waiting to long to cross through an intersection or turn because of how unsafe it is sometimes.
 

Can anything be done to fix these problems?

Yes and no. The physical condition of the roads can be obviously be repaired little by little and over time. It will be pretty expensive but at least it will get done with such an investment.

Improving the traffic pattern and flow situation is another story. Unfortunately, it is much more complex than just paving over some potholes.

First of all, any city needs a strong justification in order to re-arrange the flow of traffic. It cannot just be that “it makes driving more difficult.” There must be a legitimate safety concern in order for there to be anything done in terms of rearranging the traffic patterns.

Secondly, changing this would be extremely expensive. It is not a typical road repair such as potholes. It is much more involved than that. It requires street closures, re-painting street lines, new road signs, re-programming traffic signals and much more.

For now, you will just need to drive with extreme caution in these areas or, better yet, you should try to avoid these areas as much as you can. Some of the worst traffic pattern areas in Hawaii are:

• Atkinson Drive and Kapiolani Boulevard
• University Avenue on-ramp onto Lunalio Freeway
• Kamehameha Highway & Acacia Road
• King Street, South Street, Alapai Street & Kapiolani

Tips for driving safely in Hawaii

If you will be driving in Hawaii anytime in the near future. You will need to make sure that you do your best to avoid any sort of damage to your vehicle from the conditions of the road or the unorthodox traffic flow.
Here are some tips for driving safely in Hawaii:

• Drive slow – You might not actually have much of a choice with this first tip at times, but the traffic tends to move more slowly in Hawaii. It is just their way. Don’t worry though, there are tons of great sights to take in as you drive so there’s no need to rush.
• Yield to your fellow drivers – As we have made very clear, some of the intersections in Hawaii are extremely confusing and very dangerous. It is better to take your time and wave someone else on than to take a risk and assume you have the right of the way.
• Keep an eye out – Be on the lookout as best you can be for potholes. Hawaii has done a pretty nice job of taking care of many of them but many still remain.
• Go with the flow – If you aren’t sure about the way an intersection flows or works, just pay attention to traffic and follow suite with a high level of caution and alertness. Try and read any and all road signs before doing so as well.

Conclusion

In the end, Hawaii is a wonderful place to be. It might just be a little difficult to drive on the roads there sometimes. Take caution, drive slowly and follow the flow of traffic and you should be fine.

If you have to worry about driving while you are in Hawaii, you should not have to worry about shipping your car there in the first place. Hawaii Car Transport can get your car to or from Hawaii, worry free!

Basics about moving to Hawaii

Moving to Hawaii can be a life-changing experience. You will be in the most beautiful place on the planet twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The actual move there might not be so fantastic. Moving anywhere can be a stressful and difficult experience but moving to Hawaii can be even more stressful.

Packing up your life and moving it to a far away, overseas destination like Hawaii can be a mess if you don’t put the right amount of preparation and planning into it. Planning is crucial to not only making sure that your shipment goes well but also that it does so in the timeliest manner possible.
 

Preparing to move

As mentioned earlier, the preparation for your shipment is the most important part of the shipment because it will make or break the rest of the process.

1. Household and personal items – All of your personal effects and household items will need to get shipped to your new home in Hawaii. It is best to start looking into this as soon as a few months before your move. You can
2. Jobs and schools – You will not only need to line up a new job or jobs and schools (if you have children), but you will also need to leave your old jobs and schools and do so with some notice before you leave for Hawaii.
3. Cable and internet – You will need to schedule an appointment to have a service technician from the cable company come over and hook up your cable and internet. Make sure that you do this ahead of time but that you will be there for the actual appointment with your TV and internet-connected devices set up so you can test them as soon as everything is ready to go.
4. Your car – If you have a car and you want it with you at your new home in Hawaii, you will need to ship it. You should start planning your car shipment six to eight weeks before you move. You will need to first figure out your exact shipment details. Then you will need to use those details to get free quotes from several auto transport companies so you can compare prices and transit times. Then, you should thoroughly research any company which you are considering using.

   Once you have done all that, then you can book your shipment with the company of your choice. Make sure you are booking your shipment a month in advanced. You will also need to consider if you want to be without your car while it ships at your old home or your new Hawaiian home. We recommend that you schedule your shipment at least a week in advance of leaving for Hawaii yourself. This way, if there are any delays with your pickup you won’t need to worry about missing your flight.

5. Getting yourself and your pets there – Last but not least, you will need to prepare to fly there yourself and either fly with your pets or have them shipped. By the time you start preparing to book your flight you should already have a good idea of when you are going to fly. At this point,

The actual move

The actual execution of the move is extremely important as well. Be ready for things to go wrong because something inevitably will. However, if you are prepared, you can quickly and easily keep the negative effects to a minimum.

The actual move will consist mostly of getting your stuff delivered and unpacking it as you see fit. You will likely need to use the help of a moving company at some point during the move. So, you could use any of the following companies to move your stuff while a company like Hawaii Car Transport moves your vehicle:

• https://www.royalhawaiianmovers.com/
• http://www.islandmovers.com/
• https://www.worldwidemoversinc.com/

Unpacking and setting up

If you have made it this far, you’ve made it past the most difficult parts of the move, but you are not out of the woods yet. When you arrive in Hawaii you will need to likely wait a day or two for your things to arrive then you will need to unpack everything and set it up.
A few tips for unpacking and setting up your new home in Hawaii:

• Start with the essentials – Start off by unpacking whatever you absolutely cannot live without. Things like food and toiletries. In the case of moving to Hawaii, you don’t even need to wait for these things to ship you can easily run to the store and buy these things. In fact, we do recommend that you do exactly this. Shipping things like toiletries from the mainland seems a little excessive.
• Get the appliances out of the way – Some of the most difficult unpacking work is moving appliances to where they are supposed to go in your house then hooking them up. If you get this out of the way first, you won’t have to worry about it hanging over your head and doing it later. However, things like the stove and fridge should be left to professionals, it is worth the extra money.
• Use painters/masking tape to mark your furniture layout before the furniture arrives – Before your furniture gets there, you will want to make sure that you figure out the layout of the furniture by placing “X’s” in tape on the wall (or floor if you have hardwood).

Other things to consider

There are a few other things you should consider when you are moving to Hawaii. These are a few of them:

• You will need to get your car insurance, license, and license plates changed – You will need to get all those things changed. You should absolutely look into getting your car insurance changed before you move. The license and license plates will need to wait until after you arrive in Hawaii.
• You will have to get your mail changed – You will need to get your address changed from your old address to your new address in Hawaii. You will need to do this for any important communications you get in the mail such as credit card statements. You can change your address with the postal service by going online at USPS.com/move.
• Prepare for the time change – You will need to change time zones on any phones, computers, watches and clocks. Hawaii is in “Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time.” This time zone is six hours behind Eastern Standard Time and three hours behind Western Standard Time. If it is 12 PM in Hawaii it will be 3 PM in California and 6 PM in New York. You will also need to get used to the time difference physically. For example, you will need to get used to going to sleep three hours later if you are moving to Hawaii from California.

Conclusion

The move to Hawaii will be a long and stressful one if you don’t plan and prepare well enough. But, if you do, then the move could become an enjoyable opening chapter to your new life in paradise.

You will need to ship pretty much your entire life to Hawaii, and this includes your car. If you want a stress-free car shipping experience so that you can concentrate on your move, then contact Hawaii Car Transport.