Consolidated "Renting cars on the Big Island" thread
Apr 17, 2006, 12:52 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Originally Posted by lance6
This is probably a silly question, but having never been to the Big Island, will a compact rental car make it up and around the island? I guess any car will be able to do it, I am just wondering if we need something with more horses to handle the hill grades.
We are planning on staying in Hilo and we want to see some lava flow at night (if they're flowin'). Not sure if we're going to go all the way up to the summit (s), but we'll probably try to do some sort of circle island tour.
Am I concerned over nothing?
We are planning on staying in Hilo and we want to see some lava flow at night (if they're flowin'). Not sure if we're going to go all the way up to the summit (s), but we'll probably try to do some sort of circle island tour.
Am I concerned over nothing?
FWIW, I've edited your thread title to make it a bit more informative for others browsing the Hawaii forum.
--slippahs, Hawaii co-mod
Apr 20, 2006, 9:32 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern California
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors
Posts: 251
Can I rent an "island cruiser" on the Big Island?
Hawaii Locals:
Years ago on Maui, I knew them as "Maui Cruisers." Can I rent one on the Big Island?
I don't mind a few dents and dings, I am just looking for a cheap-ish rental.
Any websites would be greatly appreciated!
Years ago on Maui, I knew them as "Maui Cruisers." Can I rent one on the Big Island?
I don't mind a few dents and dings, I am just looking for a cheap-ish rental.
Any websites would be greatly appreciated!
Apr 23, 2006, 7:17 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tristram
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Priority Club, Emerald Club, Amtrak
Posts: 902
no rentals to summits
All rental car contracts on the Big Island prohibit driving on the "saddle road" between the Kona side and the "saddle" between the volcano peaks.
You may drive up there from the Hilo side, and that road is well-made because the scientists drive up from Hilo.
Almost all other roads are just fine for any size car that will hold you and your stuff.
(Shh, don't tell National that I drove their minivan up from the Kona side a few years back.)
Note on fuel: Self-serve gas-pumping is prohibited in Hawaii. Some sort of environmental logic.
edit: Additional note; got asthma? got an infant? Either way, the saddle's altitude is not a good idea.
You may drive up there from the Hilo side, and that road is well-made because the scientists drive up from Hilo.
Almost all other roads are just fine for any size car that will hold you and your stuff.
(Shh, don't tell National that I drove their minivan up from the Kona side a few years back.)
Note on fuel: Self-serve gas-pumping is prohibited in Hawaii. Some sort of environmental logic.
edit: Additional note; got asthma? got an infant? Either way, the saddle's altitude is not a good idea.
Apr 29, 2006, 8:14 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,079
Go to www.konaweb.com and click on 'Visiting the Big Island'. After you register you can post your questions. Great folks. I've heard of a local car rental agency but I can't remember their name. I've always found Budget or Alamo cheaper than 'local' companies. Use a discount coupon & see if I'm right.
Apr 29, 2006, 9:57 pm
#24
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,023
Not exactly what the original poster is looking for, but the main Big Island independent car rental agency is Harpers
http://www.harpershawaii.com/
They are indeed usually, but not always, more expensive than the others. They also do not have the prohibition that the "majors" do against driving Saddle Road.
http://www.harpershawaii.com/
They are indeed usually, but not always, more expensive than the others. They also do not have the prohibition that the "majors" do against driving Saddle Road.
Apr 30, 2006, 8:35 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,017
in a word, yes, you can rent a cruiser on the big island.
affordable rent-a-car is on palani road in kailua-kona, they will pick you up from the airport but i don't know that they have a website.
808-329-776
it's a cheap rental (dings come with the territory, but they have a few convertibles as well) and won't peg you as a tourist, if that matters to you.
(it's also worth checking the price at the chain places for the time you're planning to be in town...you just never know.)
affordable rent-a-car is on palani road in kailua-kona, they will pick you up from the airport but i don't know that they have a website.
808-329-776
it's a cheap rental (dings come with the territory, but they have a few convertibles as well) and won't peg you as a tourist, if that matters to you.
(it's also worth checking the price at the chain places for the time you're planning to be in town...you just never know.)
May 1, 2006, 7:53 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 984
Originally Posted by ZeppoX
Note on fuel: Self-serve gas-pumping is prohibited in Hawaii. Some sort of environmental logic.
Did I miss something? On the Big Island, drivers can pump their own gas at most stations. The only ones I saw that pumped for you were a few where driveoffs might be a problem. In fact on the Kona side the only station I know where they come out and pump for you is Patel's in Captain Cook (at the top of my street).
May 1, 2006, 9:14 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Originally Posted by ZeppoX
Note on fuel: Self-serve gas-pumping is prohibited in Hawaii. Some sort of environmental logic.
I always pump my own gas; it's def. not prohibited in Hawaii.
May 2, 2006, 3:26 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tristram
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Priority Club, Emerald Club, Amtrak
Posts: 902
Originally Posted by slippahs
You're lucky enough to find a full-service gas station anywhere in Hawaii!
I always pump my own gas; it's def. not prohibited in Hawaii.
I always pump my own gas; it's def. not prohibited in Hawaii.
May 2, 2006, 8:46 am
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,192
Originally Posted by ZeppoX
All rental car contracts on the Big Island prohibit driving on the "saddle road" between the Kona side and the "saddle" between the volcano peaks.
However, even with the restriction, plenty of visitors drive the entire length of Saddle Rd - however, I recommend first timers acquaint themselves with the 'culture' of this route before giving it a try. A AAA membership would help too, so in the event of a breakdown, one is not stuck with calling the rental company 'if' their contract prohibited driving the road.