Recent Hawaii Shipping News

Drive safe and obey the law

Just as with any other place in the United States, the best way to avoid any tickets or even getting pulled over in Hawaii is to drive safely and obey all the local traffic and parking laws. Driving happens at a much slower and more friendly pace in Hawaii, so, driving aggressively is a great way to stand out to the police and get pulled over.

Parking is a little different in Hawaii. For the most part it is pretty self-explanatory. However, there are such things as “residential parking zones” where only designated residents can park their cars.

Hawaii traffic violations and costs

If you get caught speeding or running a red light in Hawaii, the fines and penalties are just as hefty and serious as anywhere else in the United States.

• Speeding – If you are caught speeding more than ten miles per hour (but less than thirty) over the speed limit and are a first-time offender, you will get a fine up to $200 depending on exactly how fast you were going. Your license could be suspended but that is rare.

  If you are caught going thirty or more miles per hour over the speed limit, your ticket could cost up to a thousand dollars. You also might face thirty days in jail but that is not likely. However, you license will very likely be suspended for at least a year.

• Red lights and stop signs – If you get pulled over for running a red light or stop sign in Hawaii, you will end up paying $200, $300 and $500, respectively, for your first second and third violations within a year’s time.

  Remember, you must make a complete and full stop at stop signs and that you cannot enter the intersection once the light has turned red. However, in Hawaii, you can still proceed through an intersection during a yellow light. Also, there is a caveat where you can turn left on red (yes, left) if you are on a one way street and turning left onto another one way street once you have already made a complete stop.

• Driving under the influence of alcohol – In Hawaii, if you drive under the influence of alcohol you will face the strictest penalties you can for any moving violation. This is the same across the United States and if you are caught driving under the influence, you will face very high fines, community service, jail time, and the loss of your license.

  Unlike the other violations on the list, you also need to factor in legal fees which could end up costing tens of thousands of dollars.

  For your first offense of DUI in Hawaii, you could face up to $1,000 in fines, seventy-two hours of community service and up to five days in jail. You will also lose your license for three months and might have to take alcohol classes and testing as well as have a breathalyzer ignition device installed in your car. For second and third offenses these penalties get exponentially worse and include the possible confiscation of your car.

Whenever you are cited for any of these violations, keep in mind that your insurance will likely increase as a result. Especially if it is a DUI, your insurance will skyrocket and you may not even be able to afford it anymore.
 

Hawaii parking violations and costs

The parking in Hawaii can be a bit complicated at times. However, if you pay close attention and ask around if you are not sure about a spot, you should be just fine. Thankfully, the parking situation is a lot less aggressive than it is in places like New York City or Los Angeles.

However, it has been reported that the Hawaii parking enforcement is extremely vigilant and does not over-look any violation they come across. So, do not take any chances.

• Parking in areas not designated for parking – If you park in area that is not designated for parking such as a bike lane you will be ticketed. These fines can be extremely high, some reaching over $200. If you park in a handicapped space, you could end up with a fine of up to $300 and some nasty looks from the locals.
• Parking meters – The parking meter enforcement is also pretty strictly enforced as well. If you have an expired meter, you will likely find a ticket for about $50 on your windshield. Don’t park in front of a broken meter either, broken meters are considered “No Parking” signs.
• Residential Parking Zones – There are some areas in Hawaii where residential areas have designated parking specifically for residents only. You cannot park in the areas under any circumstance unless you have permanently moved to Hawaii, taken residence in one of these areas and gotten the necessary parking permits.

Conclusion

Driving in Hawaii is not an all-out rush like it is in many cities in the continental United States. Take your time, drive safely, obey the rules of the road and enjoy the sights. Then, you won’t have to worry about any trouble with the police or traffic tickets. As far as parking, just pay attention and read the signs carefully. If you still aren’t sure about parking somewhere, you can always ask one of the locals as they are very friendly and will be able to help you out.

If you need your car shipped to or from Hawaii, let the car shipping professionals at Hawaii Car Transport get the job done for you. Call for a free quote today at 808-445-6695!

Enjoy the best views of Hawaii

If you have every seen the incredible aerial views from the movie Jurassic Park as the characters approached the island aboard a helicopter, you should be aware those were actually views of Hawaii from a helicopter. The views of the most beautiful place on earth are that much more breathtaking from above.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be rich enough to own a helicopter or know someone who is in order to see the magnificent sights Hawaii has to offer from a helicopter. There are a bunch of amazing and affordable helicopter tours available for you to choose from.

On some of these tours you can choose to have the doors open so you can get the absolute full experience of soaring above paradise. Other tours will take you right over the volcanoes. No matter which tour you choose, you are bound to remember the experience for a lifetime.

The best Hawaiian helicopter tours and driving directions

The following are the best helicopter tours that you can take in Hawaii:

• Open Door Helicopter Tour in Oahu – On this tour you will have the full open-door experience (with safety restraints of course) of Oahu including amazing views of Pearl Harbor, the coastline and beaches, the Halona Blowhole and much more. The tour lasts about forty-five minutes and includes transportation to and from your hotel as well as a DVD of the tour. There is a maximum of four people allowed per booking. The tour costs $234.99 per person.
• No Doors Lava and Rainforest Adventure – This helicopter tour will take you as close as you can go to active volcanoes, smoldering craters and all, as well as beautiful rainforests with door-free access for the best views. You won’t soon forget this tour. It lasts about an hour and requires a booking of at least three passengers. It costs $324 per person.

  To get there you can use Hawaii Belt Road/Kanoelehua Avenue off of Highway 11 and get to the airport from either the North or South. You can also access the airport from Highway 11 turn east onto Airport Road (Kekuanaoa Street) and then drive east about 2 miles until you get to the airport. You can also enter your address and get directions here.

• Hawaii Big Island Helicopter Tour – This tour lasts a whopping two hours and it will take you all around the main island of Hawaii to all the must-see sights such as volcanoes, waterfalls and more. The tour costs $559 per person. Very limited hotel pick-up is available.

  To drive there you can take Queen Kaahumanu Highway/HI-19, then turn toward the ocean on Keahole Airport Road. Drive approximately a third of a mile to Keahole Street then turn right and follow the road into the airport. You can also enter your address and get directions here.

• West Maui and Molokai Tour – On this tour you will get to see incredible sights that you would never be able to via land. You will hover just a matter of a few feet above some of these sites which will provide insane picture-taking opportunities. The tour takes about forty-five minutes. This tour costs $220.

  There is not hotel pickup for this tour so, to get to the departure at Kahului Heliport you can drive or take a cab. You can also enter your address and get directions here.

• Helicopter, Lava and Zipline Tour – This tour is probably the most interactive tour on the list. It is also the longest, by far, at about fourteen hours long. As the name obviously suggests, you will be touring Hawaii in the helicopter as well as ziplining too. The tour includes lunch, dinner and snacks as well as hotel pickup and drop-off. The tour costs $573 per person.

Conclusion

There are a variety of incredible helicopter tours to choose from in Hawaii. Which you choose depends entirely on your sense of adventure and curiosity.

There are some more expensive options available that offer extras like zip-lining, hiking and VIP experiences in addition to the actual helicopter portion of the tour. But there are also much more affordable options that will also offer incredible views and awesome fun. In fact, some of the most highly rated tours are less expensive options.

Having a car while you’re there is essential to being able to see all the amazing sights you can see in Hawaii.

For example, it would take you about eight hours by car to drive around the outside of the “big island” and that’s without stopping to see sight-seeing attractions. If you wanted to see the major and most popular sights, you should consider budgeting yourself at least twelve hours to do so. Without a car, who knows how long it would take.
 

The basics about shipping your vehicle to Hawaii

So, it is clear you should really have a car with you during your Hawaiian excursion. You could obviously rent a car, use ride-share apps or dreaded public transportation. But, if you want the cost-effectiveness and peace of mind of having our own vehicle while you’re in Hawaii then you’ll want to take a look through this guide on having your car shipped there.

The first thing you should be aware of is that you either need to have your car registered (if you plan on moving there) or you need to get a temporary permit. You can only do either once you and your vehicle arrive there. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do any sort of online pre-registration. You will, at some point, need to make it down to the Hawaiian Department of Motor Vehicles.

Most of you reading this probably will need the temporary out-of-state permit. So, in order to get your permit, you’ll have to:

• Give them your full car inspection to check
• Show them your registration
• Give them a copy of the shipping receipt with the date of arrival on it
• Complete and file the Permit for Vehicle Application
• Pay a five-dollar permit fee

This permit will be good for up to a year once you complete the required process.

Some of you will be moving to Hawaii rather than just visiting. In this case, you will need to get your vehicle registered with your new state. In this case, you will need to make sure that you visit the DMV in the county that you are living in and complete any necessary steps in order to complete the registration and license plate change. Be sure to do this as soon as you can after arriving in Hawaii.

This also goes for those of you who are moving to Hawaii and are buying a car from a dealership or from an individual. You will have some additional requirements as well, so be sure to check in with your new county’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

There are some cost exemptions for members of the military. You might qualify to have the registration fee waived depending on your current service level in the military. However, most military members will be exempt from paying additional vehicle weight fees.
 

What will it cost me to ship my car to Hawaii?

As you might expect, it will cost considerably more in order to ship your car to Hawaii than it costs to ship it within the Continental United States. This is due to the additional distance, fuel cost, lessened carrier availability and the coordination it takes to fulfill these shipping requests.

The price of shipping to Hawaii can also grow depending on which special shipping options you choose for your transport such as expedited shipping or air transport.

In order to give you a better idea of how much it might cost you to ship your car to Hawaii, we have complied a list of quotes for shipping to Hawaii from major US cities. These prices were quoted with door to port shipping chosen. Door to port shipping enables many carriers to pick the car up at your house, or close by, for an additional charge. Door-to-port shipping to Hawaii is much more convenient than port-to-port shipping to Hawaii and, as a result is much more popular.

For each quote a 2019 Nissan Altima was used. The shipment was booked a month in advanced in the spring of 2019. Each shipment was sent to the Honolulu port.

**Please remember, these quotes are just estimates of prices. There are many different things that factor into car shipping including the vehicle model, current fuel prices, carrier availability and much more. These prices are subject to change at any time based on these variables.**

• New York to Hawaii – $2,475
• Boston to Hawaii – $2,525
• Chicago to Hawaii – $2,175
• Los Angeles to Hawaii – $1,375
• Dallas to Hawaii – $1,975

The alternative is driving your car to the port or to an approved central hub yourself which will likely end up costing you the money you saved in the cost of fuel and then transportation home via a train, bus or plane.
 

How long will it take to ship my car to Hawaii?

Shipping your car to Hawaii will also take longer than your average car shipment. Obviously, it’s a larger distance for a carrier to transport your vehicle thus it will take longer. There are multiple variables at play here, just as there are with the cost of your shipment. As mentioned before, exactly how far you are shipping your car plays a large role in this part of the process. If you are shipping from Los Angeles to Hawaii versus New York to Hawaii the Los Angeles shipment will obviously ship in less time.

Carrier availability is another important part of the duration of your vehicle shipment to Hawaii. As more carriers become available, it will lessen the length of your car’s shipment because there are more routes to choose from rather than a “take it or leave it” type situation where only one or two longer than normal routes are available to choose from.

These are some estimated transit times for shipping your car to Hawaii. Remember these are only estimates and are subject to change for several reasons. This is why you should plan ahead so you can prepare to be without your vehicle for that time frame.

• New York will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Boston will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Chicago will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Los Angeles will take about 2 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Dallas will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.

Be mindful, that when you get your drop-off window it will be a window of a couple days. So, if your estimate says your car will be available at the port somewhere between twenty and twenty-two days from pick-up, it may actually take the full twenty-two days.
 

The step-by-step-process of shipping your car to Hawaii

The car shipping process can be a long and complex one. However, it does not need to be. If you know your way through the following steps, then the whole process should be a breeze.

1. Get a quote – The first step in shipping your car to Hawaii is to get free quotes from any auto transport companies that you might be thinking about using. This way you will be able to compare prices and transit times and choose the best option for you. Any reputable company will have a free quote available on the homepage of their website.
2. Book your shipment – After you have decided on a company you will need to book your shipment. You will just need to call the company you chose and let them know the details of your shipment such as the make and model of your car, when you want it shipped and the pickup and drop off locations.
3. Get your car ready for shipping – Before your driver arrives to pick up your car, you will need to make sure that your car is ready for shipping. A few ways that you can do this is by:
   • Remove all personal items from the car – Any lost or damaged personal items won’t be covered by any insurance you get for your shipment. Why risk it when you can bring those items yourself and guarantee their safety?
   • Get the exterior of your car cleaned – Your driver will need to conduct a thorough visual inspection of your car and will take note of any pre-existing damage on the bill of lading. In order for the driver to be able to do this, your car needs to be clean so that they can see any scratches or dents with ease.
   • Ensure that your gas tank is only a quarter full – By doing so you will be making sure that you are not adding any unnecessary weight to your vehicle. It is also against fire safety regulations for cars to be transported aboard a ship with more than a quarter tank of gas in them. However, make sure it isn’t much less than a quarter tank of gas because the driver still needs to drive the car onto and off of the carrier without running out of fuel.
   • Disable the alarm or make sure that there is a simple way for your driver to turn it off – If your alarm goes off during the transport process, your driver will take any steps necessary to get it turned off and that includes disabling your cars battery.
   • Take pictures of your car before your driver arrives to pick up your car. Use a digital camera so that you can make sure that they have date stamps on them. Doing this will serve as proof that damage occurred during shipment and was not pre-existing. It would be extremely rare that you ever need to prove something like that. However, it is better to be safe than sorry.
   • Your vehicle is picked up – Your driver will come to your house and pick up your car. This includes the performance of the inspection, checking your documents and loading the car onto the carrier. If you are located on a street that is particularly narrow or that doesn’t allow large trucks on it, you will need to meet your driver at an area nearby. We suggest large mall and school parking lots for this.
   • Pick up your car at the port in Hawaii – Finally, you will pick up your car at the port in Hawaii. When you do, be sure you inspect your vehicle thoroughly and note any damage to your car on the bill of lading. In Hawaii, there are several ports you can pick your car up at. They are:
     • Honolulu
     • Hilo
     • Kahului
     • Nawilliwilli

When you do pick your car up, you will need to make sure that everything is in working order. If you find anything wrong with it, you should take note of it on the bill of lading as well as take pictures of the damage with a digital camera so you can have date stamps on the photos.

You will then have to get into contact with your auto transport company and move forward with their instructions on any damage claims. Be aware that these circumstances occur extremely rarely, so, you will likely not need to worry about this.
 

The best ways to ship your car to Hawaii

You could ship your car the entire way by plane or you could drive your car to the port yourself and go with a regular freight company, however, we highly recommend that you use an Auto Transport company such as Hawaii Car Transport. Shipping your vehicle by air can get outrageously expensive. It’s generally something that’s reserved for antiques or other types of very rare cars.

Driving your own car to the port or central hub can be extremely time consuming and can end up eating through most of the money you saved through the cost of fuel for your own car as well as the cost of transportation home once you drop the car off.

With an auto transport company, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your car will be shipping safely without you having to drive the car all the way to the port or to the hub yourself. You also won’t have to spend any additional money on transportation for yourself.

You will also want to consider whether or not the particular car shipping company that you are considering is a direct carrier or a broker. Direct carriers are generally cheaper but there is less buyer protection and direct carriers are always limited in the routes they can service. Brokers use a network of carriers in order to facilitate the best routes with the most efficient transit times and cheaper prices for the customer. Brokers also have entire departments dedicated to customer service whereas some direct carriers operate their entire company as a single person.
 

Conclusion

In the end, whichever way you choose to transport your car to Hawaii, the overall preparation for shipping your vehicle is almost entirely same. Be sure to take the following steps in order to be ready for when your auto transport driver arrives to pick-up your car:

• Before your car is picked up, be absolutely sure the exterior is clean, and that the vehicle isn’t leaking anything. Any fluid leaks could result in an extra charge for damaging another vehicle during transport.
• Take everything out of the vehicle that isn’t a part of the car including roof racks, personal items etc.
• Make sure there’s a clear and easy way for the driver to disable your car alarm during the shipment.
• In fact, when your car is being picked up make sure that you let the driver know of anything wrong with the car that could possibly affect them handling it.
• Make sure you have the following ready at pick up: your shipping booking confirmation, non-expired driver’s license, current registration, vehicle title, Lien holder’s permission to ship vehicle, if you’re leasing or financing the vehicle (check with your carrier to see if they require this), Proof of insurance (required by Young Brothers only), Copies of your keys to all parts of the vehicle and the contact information for the person who will be present to pick up the vehicle.

Keep this guide handy. There is a lot of information to remember here. When you are preparing to re-locate or move altogether, you will have enough on your mind whether it is settling into a new home or things like switching your mailing address and phone number. You shouldn’t have to also worry about remembering every tiny detail regarding your car shipping process.

In addition to using this as a reminder, you can use it as a jumping off point for any questions or concerns you might have for your auto transport company. It’s important to do your due diligence with your car shipping company because you don’t want to end up with a carrier who isn’t trustworthy.

Having a car while you’re there is essential to being able to see all the amazing sights you can see in Hawaii.

For example, it would take you about eight hours by car to drive around the outside of the “big island” and that’s without stopping to see sight-seeing attractions. If you wanted to see the major and most popular sights, you should consider budgeting yourself at least twelve hours to do so. Without a car, who knows how long it would take.
 

The basics about shipping your vehicle to Hawaii

So, it is clear you should really have a car with you during your Hawaiian excursion. You could obviously rent a car, use ride-share apps or dreaded public transportation. But, if you want the cost-effectiveness and peace of mind of having our own vehicle while you’re in Hawaii then you’ll want to take a look through this guide on having your car shipped there.

The first thing you should be aware of is that you either need to have your car registered (if you plan on moving there) or you need to get a temporary permit. You can only do either once you and your vehicle arrive there. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do any sort of online pre-registration. You will, at some point, need to make it down to the Hawaiian Department of Motor Vehicles.

Most of you reading this probably will need the temporary out-of-state permit. So, in order to get your permit, you’ll have to:

• Give them your full car inspection to check
• Show them your registration
• Give them a copy of the shipping receipt with the date of arrival on it
• Complete and file the Permit for Vehicle Application
• Pay a five-dollar permit fee

This permit will be good for up to a year once you complete the required process.

Some of you will be moving to Hawaii rather than just visiting. In this case, you will need to get your vehicle registered with your new state. In this case, you will need to make sure that you visit the DMV in the county that you are living in and complete any necessary steps in order to complete the registration and license plate change. Be sure to do this as soon as you can after arriving in Hawaii.

This also goes for those of you who are moving to Hawaii and are buying a car from a dealership or from an individual. You will have some additional requirements as well, so be sure to check in with your new county’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

There are some cost exemptions for members of the military. You might qualify to have the registration fee waived depending on your current service level in the military. However, most military members will be exempt from paying additional vehicle weight fees.
 

What will it cost me to ship my car to Hawaii?

As you might expect, it will cost considerably more in order to ship your car to Hawaii than it costs to ship it within the Continental United States. This is due to the additional distance, fuel cost, lessened carrier availability and the coordination it takes to fulfill these shipping requests.

The price of shipping to Hawaii can also grow depending on which special shipping options you choose for your transport such as expedited shipping or air transport.

In order to give you a better idea of how much it might cost you to ship your car to Hawaii, we have complied a list of quotes for shipping to Hawaii from major US cities. These prices were quoted with door to port shipping chosen. Door to port shipping enables many carriers to pick the car up at your house, or close by, for an additional charge. Door-to-port shipping to Hawaii is much more convenient than port-to-port shipping to Hawaii and, as a result is much more popular.

For each quote a 2019 Nissan Altima was used. The shipment was booked a month in advanced in the spring of 2019. Each shipment was sent to the Honolulu port.

**Please remember, these quotes are just estimates of prices. There are many different things that factor into car shipping including the vehicle model, current fuel prices, carrier availability and much more. These prices are subject to change at any time based on these variables.**

• New York to Hawaii – $2,475
• Boston to Hawaii – $2,525
• Chicago to Hawaii – $2,175
• Los Angeles to Hawaii – $1,375
• Dallas to Hawaii – $1,975

The alternative is driving your car to the port or to an approved central hub yourself which will likely end up costing you the money you saved in the cost of fuel and then transportation home via a train, bus or plane.
 

How long will it take to ship my car to Hawaii?

Shipping your car to Hawaii will also take longer than your average car shipment. Obviously, it’s a larger distance for a carrier to transport your vehicle thus it will take longer. There are multiple variables at play here, just as there are with the cost of your shipment. As mentioned before, exactly how far you are shipping your car plays a large role in this part of the process. If you are shipping from Los Angeles to Hawaii versus New York to Hawaii the Los Angeles shipment will obviously ship in less time.

Carrier availability is another important part of the duration of your vehicle shipment to Hawaii. As more carriers become available, it will lessen the length of your car’s shipment because there are more routes to choose from rather than a “take it or leave it” type situation where only one or two longer than normal routes are available to choose from.

These are some estimated transit times for shipping your car to Hawaii. Remember these are only estimates and are subject to change for several reasons. This is why you should plan ahead so you can prepare to be without your vehicle for that time frame.

• New York will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Boston will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Chicago will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Los Angeles will take about 2 weeks to ship to Hawaii.
• Dallas will take about 3 weeks to ship to Hawaii.

Be mindful, that when you get your drop-off window it will be a window of a couple days. So, if your estimate says your car will be available at the port somewhere between twenty and twenty-two days from pick-up, it may actually take the full twenty-two days.
 

The step-by-step-process of shipping your car to Hawaii

The car shipping process can be a long and complex one. However, it does not need to be. If you know your way through the following steps, then the whole process should be a breeze.

1. Get a quote – The first step in shipping your car to Hawaii is to get free quotes from any auto transport companies that you might be thinking about using. This way you will be able to compare prices and transit times and choose the best option for you. Any reputable company will have a free quote available on the homepage of their website.
2. Book your shipment – After you have decided on a company you will need to book your shipment. You will just need to call the company you chose and let them know the details of your shipment such as the make and model of your car, when you want it shipped and the pickup and drop off locations.
3. Get your car ready for shipping – Before your driver arrives to pick up your car, you will need to make sure that your car is ready for shipping. A few ways that you can do this is by:
   • Remove all personal items from the car – Any lost or damaged personal items won’t be covered by any insurance you get for your shipment. Why risk it when you can bring those items yourself and guarantee their safety?
   • Get the exterior of your car cleaned – Your driver will need to conduct a thorough visual inspection of your car and will take note of any pre-existing damage on the bill of lading. In order for the driver to be able to do this, your car needs to be clean so that they can see any scratches or dents with ease.
   • Ensure that your gas tank is only a quarter full – By doing so you will be making sure that you are not adding any unnecessary weight to your vehicle. It is also against fire safety regulations for cars to be transported aboard a ship with more than a quarter tank of gas in them. However, make sure it isn’t much less than a quarter tank of gas because the driver still needs to drive the car onto and off of the carrier without running out of fuel.
   • Disable the alarm or make sure that there is a simple way for your driver to turn it off – If your alarm goes off during the transport process, your driver will take any steps necessary to get it turned off and that includes disabling your cars battery.
   • Take pictures of your car before your driver arrives to pick up your car. Use a digital camera so that you can make sure that they have date stamps on them. Doing this will serve as proof that damage occurred during shipment and was not pre-existing. It would be extremely rare that you ever need to prove something like that. However, it is better to be safe than sorry.
   • Your vehicle is picked up – Your driver will come to your house and pick up your car. This includes the performance of the inspection, checking your documents and loading the car onto the carrier. If you are located on a street that is particularly narrow or that doesn’t allow large trucks on it, you will need to meet your driver at an area nearby. We suggest large mall and school parking lots for this.
   • Pick up your car at the port in Hawaii – Finally, you will pick up your car at the port in Hawaii. When you do, be sure you inspect your vehicle thoroughly and note any damage to your car on the bill of lading. In Hawaii, there are several ports you can pick your car up at. They are:
     • Honolulu
     • Hilo
     • Kahului
     • Nawilliwilli

When you do pick your car up, you will need to make sure that everything is in working order. If you find anything wrong with it, you should take note of it on the bill of lading as well as take pictures of the damage with a digital camera so you can have date stamps on the photos.

You will then have to get into contact with your auto transport company and move forward with their instructions on any damage claims. Be aware that these circumstances occur extremely rarely, so, you will likely not need to worry about this.
 

The best ways to ship your car to Hawaii

You could ship your car the entire way by plane or you could drive your car to the port yourself and go with a regular freight company, however, we highly recommend that you use an Auto Transport company such as Hawaii Car Transport. Shipping your vehicle by air can get outrageously expensive. It’s generally something that’s reserved for antiques or other types of very rare cars.

Driving your own car to the port or central hub can be extremely time consuming and can end up eating through most of the money you saved through the cost of fuel for your own car as well as the cost of transportation home once you drop the car off.

With an auto transport company, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your car will be shipping safely without you having to drive the car all the way to the port or to the hub yourself. You also won’t have to spend any additional money on transportation for yourself.

You will also want to consider whether or not the particular car shipping company that you are considering is a direct carrier or a broker. Direct carriers are generally cheaper but there is less buyer protection and direct carriers are always limited in the routes they can service. Brokers use a network of carriers in order to facilitate the best routes with the most efficient transit times and cheaper prices for the customer. Brokers also have entire departments dedicated to customer service whereas some direct carriers operate their entire company as a single person.
 

Conclusion

In the end, whichever way you choose to transport your car to Hawaii, the overall preparation for shipping your vehicle is almost entirely same. Be sure to take the following steps in order to be ready for when your auto transport driver arrives to pick-up your car:

• Before your car is picked up, be absolutely sure the exterior is clean, and that the vehicle isn’t leaking anything. Any fluid leaks could result in an extra charge for damaging another vehicle during transport.
• Take everything out of the vehicle that isn’t a part of the car including roof racks, personal items etc.
• Make sure there’s a clear and easy way for the driver to disable your car alarm during the shipment.
• In fact, when your car is being picked up make sure that you let the driver know of anything wrong with the car that could possibly affect them handling it.
• Make sure you have the following ready at pick up: your shipping booking confirmation, non-expired driver’s license, current registration, vehicle title, Lien holder’s permission to ship vehicle, if you’re leasing or financing the vehicle (check with your carrier to see if they require this), Proof of insurance (required by Young Brothers only), Copies of your keys to all parts of the vehicle and the contact information for the person who will be present to pick up the vehicle.

Keep this guide handy. There is a lot of information to remember here. When you are preparing to re-locate or move altogether, you will have enough on your mind whether it is settling into a new home or things like switching your mailing address and phone number. You shouldn’t have to also worry about remembering every tiny detail regarding your car shipping process.
In addition to using this as a reminder, you can use it as a jumping off point for any questions or concerns you might have for your auto transport company. It’s important to do your due diligence with your car shipping company because you don’t want to end up with a carrier who isn’t trustworthy.

Introduction

Believe it or not, traveling from one Island to the other in Hawaii is pretty difficult. For the most part, you need to take a flight to get from one island to another currently. This was not always the case though.

Hawaii had a ferry that brought people from one island to another which operated for a few years about ten years ago. Unfortunately, legal troubles as well as financial issues caused the Hawaiian Super Ferry to cease operations in 2009.

There currently is limited Ferry service between some islands, but it does not include the option to take your car with you. Right now, the only way to get your car from one island to another is to ship it. The problem with that is that many car shipping companies do not have the option for inter-island car shipping in Hawaii.
 

The now defunct Hawaiian Superferry

Ferries were a big mode of transportation in Hawaii in the nineteenth century up until the 1950s. Since then there were a couple of attempts at re-establishing Ferry service in Hawaii, but they all unfortunately failed.

Then, in 2001 planning for the Superferry started. In mid-2004 construction on the first Superferry started. In late 2007, the Superferry took its very first voyage. The first trip was smooth but was met with resistance from many protesters. These people were protesting the potential environmental effects the massive ship could have. The protesters went as far as forming a human chain on surfboards in front of the ferry at one point.

The ship is three hundred and fifty and feet long and stands five stories above sea level. It weighed almost nine hundred tons. It could carry almost nine hundred passengers and nearly three hundred cars.

The issue is that such a big ship moving through the shallower waters when docking near each island, could have decimated the local ocean ecosystem. It could easily have crushed and killed oceanic wildlife such as whales and dolphins.

The Superferry was incredibly inefficient too. It used fifteen times the amount of fuel that a plane would have in order to travel the same distance. The Superferry also took six times longer to travel the same distance as said plane.

Initially, the ferry was allowed to operate without providing an environmental impact statement. That is how it was able to operate on and off for nearly two years. However, Hawaii’s Supreme Court quickly ruled unanimously that the environmental impact statement was required.
The ferry service was soon after suspended in 2007 due to that supreme court decision, mounting protests and overall environmental concerns.

After more back and forth legal proceedings, the Superferry was once again allowed to resume service later that year.

A year later in 2008, the ferry company and the environmental group returned to court on an appeal of the decision to allow the ferry to operate while the environmental study was being done. In 2009 the court ruled that it was in violation of the constitution for the Superferry to do so.

The Superferry immediately suspended service and let go all of its employees. Two months later the company filed for bankruptcy. It then announced it would abandon both of its ships. This was the official end of the Hawaiian Superferry.

The ships were both bought by the US Navy for a fraction of what it cost to build them. The Navy then leased the larger ship to Bay Ferries in Canada where the ship will once again operate as a Ferry between Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada.

In the years since the Superferry ceased operations in Hawaii there have been several revival attempts. All have failed so far. However, the discussion is on-going. Environmental concerns still play a major role in these decisions as do projections for ridership which are still not high enough to justify a new ferry. Although, these projections do not include tourists yet.
 

What ferries currently run between Hawaiian Islands?

Right now, there are only ferries that run between Maui and Lanai. You can book these trips here.

That’s it as far as ferries in Hawaii at the moment. If you want to travel from one island to another in Hawaii in any other combination than Maui and Lanai, you will need to take a short flight.

You can see the full list of flights you can take to other islands here.
 

Conclusion

It is obviously not easy getting from one island to another in Hawaii. Even when the Superferry did exist, there were lots of delays and it would sometimes take longer than a flight would. There isn’t anything to suggest that a new ferry will pop up anytime soon, but it is still not out of the realm of possibility.

Introduction

Every state has at least one or two very odd laws. Some even have weird laws that affect driving. Hawaii is no exception to that. Hawaii has some driving laws that will seem fairly unnecessary, but these laws will have you scratching your head.

In fact, not included on the list is a law that is no longer in effect where it was illegal in Hawaii to leave your home if you did not know where you were going.

Hawaii even has non-driving laws that are strange too such as a law where it is illegal to put coins in your ears.
 

The weird laws that affect driving in Hawaii

There are a few laws that are both weird and affect driving at the same time in Hawaii. These are the main ones:

• Hazard lights

  Currently, it is against the law for any car that is in motion to have its hazard lights on in Hawaii. So, if you a driving with some sort of malfunction going on in your car, just get off the road as quickly and safely as possible. Turning your caution lights on will get you pulled over.

  However, there is current consideration to make it legal if you are doing so while slowing down and approaching a cross-walk where pedestrians are crossing in order to warn other drivers about the said pedestrians.

  The opposition to this proposed law is that it might have the opposite effect than intended for some motorists. This is because some drivers might immediately react to a driver slowing down with their hazard lights on by driving around them. Thus, this would put the pedestrians in more danger than they were originally.

  This would only ALLOW this, it would not mandate it. So, you would not have to do this if you didn’t want to. There are several other options being considered as well.

• Seat belts

  No matter where you sit in a car while driving in Hawaii, seat belts are required for all passengers in a car, both front and back seat.

  However, if you are in a truck and all of the seats are taken, you can sit in the bed of the truck with no safety restraints whatsoever.

  So, you can sit in the most dangerous part of the car with zero safety restraints, as long as the other seats are taken. Go figure.

• Billboards

  Billboards are illegal in Hawaii. They are considered to be too distracting for drivers and would be in the way of all of Hawaii’s incredible beauty.

  So, you won’t have to worry about obnoxious advertisements distracting you from safe driving and seeing all of the wonderful Hawaiian sights.

Conclusion

These laws are very strange, but they are laws, so be sure that you obey them just like any other law in Hawaii.

If you are re-locating to Hawaii and want to ship your vehicle there, call the experts at Hawaii car transport at 808-445-6695.

Benefits of driving an electric car in Hawaii

There are numerous benefits to driving an electric car outside of the obvious contribution you are making to the environment. If you live in Hawaii and drive an electric car, you will receive the following benefits:

• You will save money on gas – Even though gas prices are fairly low and have been that way for a while, you can still save about a third of the money you would be normally spending on gas.
• You will get a big tax credit – When you buy an electric car, you can earn a federal tax rebate of up to $7,500.
• Better parking opportunities all over Hawaii – There are specific (and free!) spaces on the street and in municipal lots all over Hawaii for electric vehicles.
• Use the carpool lane without carpooling – In Hawaii, you will be legally allowed to use the carpool lane with only yourself in the car if you are driving an electric vehicle.
• You will qualify for $50 of free charging – When you register your electric car on the Project Footprint website, you will qualify for fifty free dollars’ worth of charging at Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light vehicle charging stations.

Places you can charge your car

• Oahu

• 86-120 Farrington Hwy Waianae, HI 96792
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card or OpConnect Network
• 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy Wahiawa, HI 96786
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • Hours of operation are 10 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week
  • Payment by credit card or OpConnect Network
• 4470 Kapolei Parkway Kapolei, HI 96707
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card or Greenlots Network
• 98-1268 Kaahumanu St Pearl City, HI 96782
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card, Greenlots Network, or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”
• 47-388 Hui Iwa Street Kaneohe, HI 96744
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card or OpConnect Network
• 801 Dillingham Building Honolulu, HI 96817
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Paymemt by credit card or OpConnect Network
• 820 Ward Avenue Honolulu, HI 96814
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card, Greenlots Network, or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”
• 515 Pepeekeo St Honolulu, HI 96825
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 57¢ (5pm – 10pm), 54¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card or OpConnect Network

• Molokai

• 64 Ala Malama Street Kaunakakai, HI 96748
  • per kWh rates: 54¢ (9am – 5pm), 66¢ (5pm – 10pm), 64¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card or Greenlots Network

• Maui

• 210 W Kamehameha Avenue Kahului, HI 96732
  • per kWh rates: 49¢ (9am – 5pm), 62¢ (5pm – 10pm), 60¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment only by Greenlots Network or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”

• Hawaii

• 65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy Waimea, HI 96743
  • per kWh rates: 51¢ (9am – 5pm), 63¢ (5pm – 10pm), 61¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by Credit card, Greenlots Network, or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”
• 68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive Kamuela, HI 96743
  • per kWh rates: 51¢ (9am – 5pm), 63¢ (5pm – 10pm), 61¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment only by Greenlots Network smartphone app or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”
• 74-5519 Kaiwi Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
  • per kWh rates: 51¢ (9am – 5pm), 63¢ (5pm – 10pm), 61¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card, Greenlots Network, or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”
• 1200 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, HI 96720
  • per kWh rates: 51¢ (9am – 5pm), 63¢ (5pm – 10pm), 61¢ (10pm – 9am)
  • 24/7 operation
  • Payment by credit card, Greenlots Network, or “Nissan No Charge to Charge”

Hawaii’s Electrification of Transportation Strategic Roadmap

Hawaii’s Electrification of Transportation Strategic Roadmap (or EoT) is Hawaii’s strategic plan and vision for a future with a transportation system that runs entirely or almost entirely on electricity. With several initiatives that encourage the use of electronic vehicles, the EoT hopes to have Hawaii’s transportation gas-free by the year 2045.

There are five primary ways in which Hawaiian Electric Company plans to reach this goal over the next twenty-five years:

1. They will work closely with auto-makers and dealers to get the cost of buying an electric vehicle lowered while also doing everything possible to educate customers.
2. They will work to facilitate and speed up the build out of the infrastructure of charging throughout the state of Hawaii. Making charging as easy and available as possible will help motivate people to go electric with their vehicles.
3. They are going to help bus and public transportation operators prepare and transition to electric only vehicles.
4. They will create programs that will benefit both electric vehicle drivers and all electric grid customers by producing more grid service opportunities.
5. They will coordinate with city and electric grid planning efforts in order to make sure that many more electric vehicle charging stations are properly planned for.

Common questions

• How do the charging rates work?

The charging rates are calculated after a new meter is installed at your home. It can either be a completely new meter which can measure both your regular home energy use as well as your electric vehicle charging use, or a separate meter can be installed just to measure your vehicle charging.

Rates for vehicle charging are different throughout the day. This is to prevent a surge of charging at one particular time. Rates are cheapest during the day between 9 AM and 5 PM in order to discourage surge charging immediately before and after those times.


• Do I get any sort of tax break for driving an electric vehicle?

You will get a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 dollars. The amount you get for this tax break will be dependent on your other tax exemptions, your tax bracket and other variables. You can find out more information at https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/.


• What should I consider before buying an electric car?

Before you buy an electric car, you should consider the details of your electric vehicle purchase most of all. This means that you need to think about whether or not to get a pure electric vehicle or a hybrid. You will also need to consider things like getting the proper cords in order to charge it with.
Also realize, there are a few scattered charging stations across the several Hawaiian Islands, however they are still pretty far and few. Make sure you can get by most days with just charging your car at home once or twice.


• Can I get a charger for my electric car installed at my house?

Yes, it is possible to get a charger installed at your home for your electric vehicle. Whether you, specifically, will be able to will be dependent on your home’s capacity for energy use. The majority of more modern homes will have no issues getting chargers installed.


• How long will it take to charge my car?

It will typically take about half an hour to get get your car about eighty percent charged.

Conclusion

Hawaii is “all in” on electric vehicles right now. The state is looking for as many people as possible to start using electric cars. So, the incentives will only get better in the coming years. Primarily, the state is looking to reduce their carbon-emission footprint by as much as possible and to the point that they become a leading example for the rest of the world.

If you already have an EV and you need to ship your electric car to Hawaii, get in touch with the auto transport experts at Hawaii Car Transport today!

The basics

Dates and times

Hawaii’s first International Auto Show will take place from Friday, March 29th through Sunday, March 31st 2019! The show opens on Friday at noon and at 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The show will end at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 7 PM on Sunday.

Tickets

The cost for a ticket will be ten dollars for anyone thirteen years old and above, eight dollars for military members with valid ID, seven dollars for senior citizens who are sixty-two years old and older with valid ID and free for kids twelve and under. You can buy tickets here.

Free subscription to Motor Trend Magazine

Every one who buys a ticket and attends will receive a free one year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine as well.

Parking

There will be a parking garage at the convention center offering parking for the duration of the event each day for a small additional fee.
 

Cars you need to see

There will be a ton of must-see cars at this show but you definitely won’t want to miss any of these:

• Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio
• Bently’s Continental
• Ferrari’s 488 Spider
• Lamborghini’s Performante
• Maserati’s Quattroporte
• Kia’s Niro Triathalon
• Hyundai’s Kona
• And much more…

Participating car clubs

• Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii – Early Ford Mustang Owners in O’ahu. Features all mustangs from 1964 to the present as well as some Shelby American Mustangs.
• Corvette Club of Hawaii – Founded in 1973, the club honors any and all corvettes.
• Antique Automobile Club of America – The club features various types of antique cars. At this year’s show they will showcase the Model A and cars from the 1950’s.
• Volkswagen Club of Hawaii – This club features all classic VW models from the Beetle to the Cabrio.
• 808 Supra Club – For almost two decades this club has been honoring all versions of the 808 Supra.
• Sports Car Club of America – As a national organization the Sports Car Club of America has over 55,000 members with over 300 in Hawaii.
• Cobra Club of Hawaii – A club dedicated to the 289 Cobra and how it changed racing forever.

Interactive experiences

There are a few really cool exhibitions where you can go-hands on at the first International Auto Show in Hawaii. Don’t miss these!

• Distracted Driving Simulator – You will get a virtual demonstration of distracted driving inside of a real car. You will be able to see how driving while distracted with your phone can decrease reaction time dramatically and can have life altering consequences.
• Texaco Kids Test Drive – Children from ages three to seven will be able to drive around in battery powered miniature luxury cars on their very own test track.
• Drive Electric Hawaii – You can test drive an electric car as long as you are over the age of eighteen and have a valid driver’s license.

Directions

The show will be taking place at the Hawaii Convention Center which is located at 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.
You can get directions by clicking on this link and entering your address.
 

Enjoy the show

This is historic because it is the very first time that Hawaii will have an International Auto Show. Be sure you make it down for at least a day of the event, you won’t want to miss it!

If you need your car shipped there or you just need to ship your vehicle to Hawaii in general, let us take the stress out of the process. Get a free quote today!

Either way, there are many great places that can take care of these issues for a very reasonable price.

From Maui to Lanai, we have compiled the best service centers for your car that you will be able to find in Hawaii.
 

Maui

• I.H. Auto Service – Founded in 2013, I.H. Auto Service offers inspections, oil changes and repairs of all kinds. They list their labor rate as seventy-eight dollars per hour on their site. You can contact them at (808) 249-2027.
• SR Discount Tire – Offering both tire services as well as repair services, SR Discount Tire can help you with pretty much any of your auto service needs. They offer new and used tire services as well as service for air conditioning, body work, paint, suspension, alignment and much more. You can contact them at (808) 870-7070.
• Ed’s Union Service – Opened in 1969, Ed’s Union Service station offers a variety of services. These services include tire repair, air conditioning service, oil changes and more. You might need to make an appointment for any larger repairs, call them at (808) 661-3055.
• Kihei Automotive – Offering a wide variety of services from oil changes (which you need an appointment for) to diagnostics, and most mechanical repairs like air conditioning and transmission. You can call them at (808) 875-0400.
• M&M Auto Repair – M&M Mobile Auto Repair is an auto repair service that comes to you. Their services include: oil change, brake repairs, suspension, air conditioning service, transmission service and more. You can call them for an estimate today at (808) 268-2931.

Oahu

• Mike’s AC & Auto Repair – Mike’s AC & Auto Repair opened in 2007 and has extensive experience with air conditioning repair and service. They also offer general auto repair services including brakes, radiators and tune-ups. You can contact them at (808) 673-8188.
• Chung’s Alignment & Auto Service – Chung’s Alignment & Auto Service open almost twenty years ago. They offer a wide range of automotive services including: air conditioning, alignment, brakes, oil changes, suspensions, radiators and much more. You can contact them for an appointment at (808) 744-8692.
• Hawaii Mobile Auto Repair – Hawaii Mobile Auto Repair will come to you for your auto service needs, just as their name suggests. You will need to contact them in order to learn more about their services. Call them at (808) 425-9880.
• A-1 Auto Repair – Opened in 1997, A-1 Auto repair offers service for brakes, oil changes, air conditioning, engine repair, batteries, diagnostics, radiators, tires and more. You can get in touch with them at (808) 842-7700.
• Chik’s Auto Air Inc. – With over forty-five years of experience of servicing A/Cs, Chicks Auto Air Inc. is a great choice for your car’s air conditioning needs. They also perform other minor auto repairs as well. Contact them to see what they can do for you at (808) 591-1726 .

Kauai

• Destination Autoworks – Destination Autoworks has been in business for over fifteen years now. They provide many different automotive services from routine safety checks to complete transmission overhauls. Call them at (808) 246-9700.
• Bumper and Dent Co. – Bumper and Dent Co. specialize in dent repair but they also offer air conditioning service, glass service and much more. Call them for an estimate at (808) 990-1048.
• Kevin’s Automotive Repair – Kevin’s Automotive Repair has been in business for nearly fifteen years. They offer transmission services, brake service, air conditioning service, inspections, oil changes and much more. You can get it touch with them at (808) 822-7507.

Molokai

• I.H. Auto Service – Serving a larger part of Hawaii, I.H. makes the list again for Molokai. Contact them to see how they can help you with your auto service needs (808) 249-2027.
• Mike’s Automotive – Fully experienced with all forms of mechanical and electrical automotive repair, Mike’s has been a community favorite for years. Get it touch with them at (808) 877-5616.
• Maui Oil Change & Tune Up – Maui Oil Change & Tune Up has been in business for two decades. They specialize in tune-ups, air conditioning, batteries, tires and more. You can give them a call at (808) 877-7522.
• Uptown Automotive – Uptown Automotive offers air conditioning service, alignment, brake service, transmission service and much more. You can contact them by calling (808) 249-2229‎.

Lanai

• I.H. Auto Service – Serving a larger part of Hawaii, I.H. makes the list again for Lanai. Contact them to see how they can help you with your auto service needs (808) 249-2027.
• Kihei Automotive – With over seventy years of experience between all of their mechanics, Kihiei Automotive is a great choice for your auto service needs. The offer service for your brakes, steering, transmission, engine, suspension and much more including oil changes. Call them at (808) 875-0400.
• Ed’s Union Service – Ed’s Union Service has over forty years of experience. They offer oil changes, tire repair, air conditioning service and more. You can call them at (808) 661-3055.
• Island Automotive Center – With over twelve years of experience, Island Automotive Center offers inspections, oil changes and mechanical repairs of all kinds. You can reach them at 808-243-5500.

Conclusion

There are a bunch of great spots in Hawaii where you can get your car serviced the right way and for a good price too. Some might require an appointment, so it is always best to call ahead and see if they can squeeze you in whenever you are looking for an appointment.

If you need to transport your car to Hawaii, get a free quote from us today!

Driving under the speed limit

People in Hawaii love to take things at a nice slow pace no matter what they do. This definitely includes driving. Don’t be surprised if you are driving on a road with a forty-five mile-per-hour speed limit and you end up behind someone who is only driving thirty or thirty-five miles-per-hour.

This is just the way that it is in Hawaii. People routinely drive under the speed limit here. Once you have a few days driving here, you will get used to it. One thing you shouldn’t do is honk at someone for driving too slowly. This is considered exceptionally rude whereas in a place like New York it’s the norm.
 

Yielding to too many people at once on a one lane road or bridge

This is something that’s very helpful to be aware of before you start driving in Hawaii. There are several areas where you will experience a road that is only one car width wide but two-way traffic is permitted. So, you might expect “the zipper” to occur, where one car from one side goes then one from the other and so on and so forth.

However, this is not the case in Hawaii. Some drivers will let five or six cars go from the other side before they decide to proceed on. This can be a little frustrating if you are stuck behind them. It’s just another one of those things that you will need to get used to when driving in Hawaii.

Keep this in mind, too, because letting several cars go from the other side is considered normal. So, if you are first in line and one car from the other side goes, you can expect a couple other cars to follow close behind. Don’t try and “gun it” to squeeze in because you might end up causing an accident.
 

Coming to a stop when merging onto a highway

This isn’t necessarily exclusive to Hawaii. You will occasionally see less experienced drivers slow down or come to a stop on an entrance ramp anywhere in the country.

Obviously, in a perfect world, everyone on the road would understand that on-ramps are meant for drivers to accelerate and match the speed of the drivers on the highway that they are attempting to merge onto. However, this isn’t the case. Sometimes, it’s not even possible because there are people on highways who use the right lane for traveling long distances rather than just for exiting the highway as the right lane is intended for.

However, you will see this much more frequently in Hawaii. It’s good to be aware of because you don’t want to be accelerating behind someone who is coming to a stop or actively slowing down on an entrance ramp.

Always keep your focus on the driver in front of you until they have merged successfully onto the highway. Then, you can focus on merging yourself.
 

Conclusion

If you are used to driving in a place like New York or Los Angeles and you end up driving in Hawaii, try and take a deep breath and take it easy. It can be exceptionally frustrating at times but that’s just how it goes here, everybody moves at a slower pace.

Driving in Hawaii is a completely different experience than anywhere else in the continental US. In fact, it’s quite nice once you actually get used to it.