Last month, we rented for 8 days (midsize) on Oahu for about $250.

Went through Autoslash. The lowest rate anywhere else, though, including Budget, where we got the car, was over $500. And that rate was through Costco, usually the best rate.

$1000/day car rental rates
 

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/0...prices-hawaii/

"Rental cars are a hot commodity in Honolulu. If you can reserve one ― and that’s not guaranteed ― prepare to pay top dollar.

A spike in spring break travelers is causing a shortage of rental cars in a number of US vacation hotspots, including Honolulu. And that’s causing sky-high prices for vacationers.

Several travel websites on Monday showed very few rental cars available for Honolulu this week.

Vans were going for as much as $500 a day. Convertibles were renting for $1,000 or more."

$1700 for two week rental of a standard car in Honolulu late June - early July! Cars can be had for cheaper, but they are from non airport locations and/or require 100% prepayment with no refunds.
Taxi driver told our kids that there are hundereds of rental cars parked at the Hula Bowl but "not enough mechanics to put them back into service quickly" (perhaps they are all Chryslers??).

I am hoping for prices to return to the $350/week normal by the time we return here in June.

I think Hawaii requires a state safety inspection every year - my guess is the rental companies let these lapse, and now they are scrambling to get these cars re-inspected so they can put them back on the road.

Has anyone had any issues while using a fixed corporate rate and being denied a reservation or de-prioritized during this shortage/rate-hike? I’m renting with Hertz and I am a President Circle Member if this helps.

Options
 

Saw these ideas on a blog. Rent a U-Haul van/truck or try renting a car from a car dealership. Hey, driving around in a U-Haul for 2 weeks couldn't be too bad, could it? :)

Fueling it at today's prices will hurt.

"Will move boxes for gas"

David

I have a nice little SUV I might be willing to pimp out if the price is right :p

Here's a breakdown of my rates for my trip in August. All reservations made about 2 weeks ago (which may be good, as I'm having trouble finding any availability at this point..)

Honolulu, 1 day, National, $62/day (full size), $83 all-in
Kauai, 4 days, Autoslash/Priceline/Hertz, $48/day (compact), $265 all-in
Kona, 3 days, Autoslash/Priceline/Hertz, $48/day (compact), $199 all-in
Kona, 1 week, Autoslash/Priceline/Payless, $689/week (minivan), $877 all-in
Maui, 8 days, Autoslash/Priceline/Enterprise, $825/week + $165/day (minivan), $1,243 all-in

(edit: at this point, my first 2 day rental in San Jose is my most expensive/day/compact)

God I hope not, I have a 30 day Avis rental at HNL with my corporate rate @$970 vs $1,787 retail rate

Any ideas for a rental in Kauai starting late may for week to 2 weeks. Asking for a friend. Autoslash is coming up with 1 month quotes starting at $2500.

Panic? Don't go?

David

Plans are definitely "on-hold" unless they can find something < $100 a day or so.
I have res for September using a corp rate, I'm a little worried that they will just be out of stock when we arrive, but hopefully the scarcity is remedied by then. This must overall be hurting the economy.

No cars in KOA and HNL in June
 

Have to do a biz trip in June and can’t find any cars in Kona
the only thing I found was Sixt in HNL for $300 ish day