I am planning a honeymoon trip to Oahu, Maui and Kauai in August, but have become increasingly worried by posts I have read on the Fodors site about rental cars being infested with roaches. For those who have been to Hawaii in the last 5 years or so, is this a legitimate concern? How bad is the problem? Is there any way to avoid it (possible to request newer cars or rent from particular companies?)?

I have survived roaches before, having lived in NY and Miami, but the thought of them in my car (and on my honeymoon) is particularly unpleasant. Thanks for your help!

I have made three trips to Hawaii (Feb 97, June 2001, & July 2003). During those trips I have rented from Dollar (2002), Avis (2001 & 2002), and National (97). I have never had a problem with roaches in the car. Can't promise that you won't have a different experience; however, I still wouldn't worry about it.


--Jon

We've been traveling to Hawaii once or twice a year for a long time now.

We've never seen a roach in a rental car.

But you didn't ask about ants.
We've encountered ants in the car a couple times but not what you'd call "infested".

We were in Kauai with my niece and her husband in October of 2001. We both rented cars from Alamo; ours (a convertible) had no roaches, theirs (economy) did. Wasn't what I'd call an infestation, but there were a few. Midway through the stay, they took their car back to Alamo and got a fresh one.
We've been to Hawaii 8 times in the last 6 years and haven't had a problem, though.

Roaches do pop up in rental cars occasionally. However, it isn't common. I've never had a problem when the few times I've rented a car here, nor have any of our guest. One friend of mine recently had roaches in a rental car though. Best bet, if you see one, turn the car in for another. Also, obviously, keep food and such out of the car in order not to attract bugs.

We were just on Kauai and The Big Island. Rented cars from Avis on both islands and didn't have any problems with bugs. Yes I was concerned based on reading threads here on FT, but we never encountered any problems.

Roaches are mostly present in SUVs and 4WDs. I'd been to Hawaii probably 25 times before we ended up with an SUV with roaches. It's really not a big deal. If it happens to you, buy a can of bug spray or a bug bomb and spray your car one night when you're not going out. Then open all the windows so it can air out. Save your receipt and the rental agency will reimburse you. If your vehicle does have roaches you will only seem them at night when they run from the dome light.

Enjoy your honeymoon and don't let this bother you.

Surya, don't stress over this. I used to live in DC and the "roaches" here are not what you're thinking of - not nasty little inside bugs that swarm on filth, but big nasty outside bugs that are just, well, a part of life. They're pretty "ugh" inducing, but they're everywhere, and not an indication of filth or uncleanliness.

I rented a Budget truck in KOA a few years back. It was infested with roaches. Only noticed it (on the last night - had the car for 4 days) at night when I suddenly opened the door and saw scurrying (there were at least 8-10 of them).

These cockroaches are the Asian variety which can (and do) fly. They've been jokingly referred to as the state bird.

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 05-01-2003).]

Rented from Dollar at Kahului, Maui (OGG) in Oct 2002. I noticed a couple of them on the back seat after I had arrived at my hotel. Took the car back to Dollar the following morning, told them about the roaches and they exchanged the car no questions asked. Check the back seat and check the trunk before driving off. What I don't see I don't care about. But when they show up, the car goes back.

I've had them ... the rental car company offered to come up to the North Shore to swap the car, but I just drove it back to Lihue and exchanged it.

It's not really something you need to worry about. You can always exchange your vehicle if its a problem.

-David