Originally Posted by
jaketravels
Been lurking long enough on here for the past 3 years while visiting Kona every Summer. Thought it was good enough time to contribute. This location has made strides since last year. Rented a jeep last year and the lady attendant ended up charging me for it despite getting a free upgrade with EE status. Spoke with the manager on return and they knocked the upgrade cost off and gave me a 20% discount.
This year was walked to the lot by a younger gentleman, not sure if he was going to give me an option to choose so I asked when we arrived if we could get a jeep. Not a problem, got a 2023, 200mi jeep no extra charge. Reserved a full-size.
Rented on 7/22 Saturday around noon, Lot had 6 jeeps, a few sedans, I think I saw a Tahoe, a few jeep compasses, no Pacificas, but on the island you see probably 3-4 Pacificas wherever you go so they have them.
I was there 7/21 - the odd thing was the website did not show any bookable 4x4 of any kind for 3 weeks before our pickup, so we ended up reserving at Waikoloa, but the KOA location was able to rebuild our reservation and save us the Uber ride to Waikoloa, so we drove away in a 4 door Wrangler.
If anyone is thinking of driving to the summit of Mauna Kea, make absolutely sure you have a true 4x4 and know how to shift into 4LO because the rangers WILL check both before releasing you for the drive up.