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Car rental in Kauai

C

classiclincoln

TUG Member
Joined
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Location
Southern New Jersey
We're going to be in Kauai over spring break and want to drive around the island. Will we need a Jeep or will a regular car do? Also, any pointers would be appreciated since it's our first trip there.

Thanks!
 
A regular car is fine. The roads are good. One time they were out of regular cars and gave us a jeep. I hated it.
 
You'll be fine with a regular car. Where are you staying at, Kauai Beach Club?
 
We had requested an intermediate and got a Chevy Impala. Visibility in all directions except forward was so bad we went back and got a small Ford SUV. Both had backup cameras.

Be sure and get the book "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook-Kauai Revealed by Andrew Doughty" Wizard Publications ISBN 978-0-9814610-1-4 for my version. I'd get a used one since not much changes from each edition.

Sterling
 
I think a lot of Jeeps at rental places are overrated anyway - they're either two-wheel drive, or if you take them off road, you void your rental warranty and become liable for all sorts of fees. Given how people tend to abuse rental cars, it's probably not a bad thing.

That said, as others have said, Kauai is an easy drive. Roads are good. (Don't go off road at Polihale Beach. That would be a bad thing...) You'll do fine with any sort of car you like. I prefer renting a convertible, because the hills and trees are so interesting. The view from a convertible is better.

Dave
 
Just remember to allow for driving time. It is mainly a simple two lane HWY. It is only 53 miles from Princeville to Waimea but it can take 90 minutes or longer depending on traffic. Last February we had reserved a med-sized Sedan but they were all out. So we got upgraded to a nice SUV for no extra charge.

The Chevron Gas Station at Princeville has good Lemon Pepper Chicken. The Snack Shack at Sueoka Store in Koloa has really good Loco Moco. There are tables out back to sit and eat. Plan an all day for Waimea Canyon and take a picnic lunch to eat in the Park near the top. We had a good time with the Koloa
Town Ziplines. We also enjoyed the Sugar Cane Irrigation Canal Tube Float. Gaylord's at Kilohana has a good Sunday Brunch. There is also a decent Luau at Gaylord's and. Rum Distillery. We also enjoyed the Kayak Trip up the Wailua River. There are so many beaches - Poipu, Anini, Hanalei, Ke'e Beach (end of the Road), etc. There is also the Na Pali Coast. See many things to do and see. We go to the Hawaiian Islands about every 12 to 18 months. We divide our time between Mau'i and Kaua'i. We try and go for 2 weeks at a time. However next August/September we are splurging and visiting Kaua'i for 3 weeks.
 
Kauai Kid said:
We had requested an intermediate and got a Chevy Impala. Visibility in all directions except forward was so bad we went back and got a small Ford SUV. Both had backup cameras.

Be sure and get the book "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook-Kauai Revealed by Andrew Doughty" Wizard Publications ISBN 978-0-9814610-1-4 for my version. I'd get a used one since not much changes from each edition.

Sterling
Click to expand...

Kauai Revealed also has an an $8 smartphone app.

For the best car rental rates try Discount Hawaii Car Rental. Not only do they have great rates, there's no pre-payment required. If the rates go down (which they often do), you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate. If you have a Costco membership, I've heard they have great rates too. When selecting a car type, remember that many of the parking lots have tiny little spaces.
 
Personally, I own a Jeep and loved renting a Jeep in Kauai.
Jeeps are NOT for everybody of course.... Taking the tops on/off can be a pain; the soft tops are also tough for people who have limitations or lack mechanical know-how. It also rains quite frequently without much notice (seasonally).

Speaking of open tops
If you rent a convertible or Jeep (with soft top), just remember that locking the car/Jeep with a soft-top means that the criminal will need to slash your top when they break-in. Better off not locking.
The better advice might be: never leave belongings in locked car, in plain sight. Of course, around the really busy places, spotters will see you putting all your camera gear, purses etc... into the trunk and can just as easily break the lock. So, maybe not leave lots of expensive stuff locked into the rental car. Especially a Jeep or SUV with no truck and lots of windows.

I've not had any problems, but just a thought. Have fun!
 
A local once told us leave nothing of value in your car and leave it unlocked. That way if someone wants to break in they will not have to shatter a window.
 
The Suzuki Samurai was the best Hawaii rental. It had an all plastic interior and drain holes in the floor. :)
 
Kapolei said:
The Suzuki Samurai was the best Hawaii rental. It had an all plastic interior and drain holes in the floor. :)
Click to expand...


I knew someone in San Diego who bought a Samurai when they first came out. After a day of four-wheeling in the hills, she would park in the yard, jack up one end of the car, and hose it down - with the top off. Didn't seem to hurt it one bit. :)

Dave
 
classiclincoln said:
We're going to be in Kauai over spring break and want to drive around the island.
Click to expand...
I was under the impression that there was no way to drive around the island. I thought you could drive around a large part, but had to double back. Is that incorrect?
 
presley said:
I was under the impression that there was no way to drive around the island. I thought you could drive around a large part, but had to double back. Is that incorrect?
Click to expand...
That is correct. The road doesn't go around past the Na Pali coast. You can go around maybe 2/3 of the island (just a guess from memory.)
 
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presley said:
I was under the impression that there was no way to drive around the island. I thought you could drive around a large part, but had to double back. Is that incorrect?
Click to expand...
Unless you have some magical winged vehicle that can get through the Napali coast terrain, there is no way to drive around the island.

The road stops at Ke'e beach and you will need to turn around (or use your magic car).

-ryan
 
Along the Kauai coastline, you can drive from Polihale to Ke'e - in-between is the Napali Coast.

It's handy to have a Jeep for high clearance, and possible 4WD, because there are also lots of dirt roads - some of them quite good.

Also - many places where you might want to park along the road for sightseeing are wet, muddy, and steep, so sometimes it is handy to have a Jeep to park in areas where you wouldn't want to park a car. But it's absolutely not necessary - just fun!

kauai-map.jpg


napali-coast.jpg
 
Denise is right, they aren't needed but can be handy. We got a free upgrade a
Few times. One time we took the soft top Wrangler but we took it back later the
First day figuring if we were away and bought something it wouldn't be safe to
Leave it in the soft top Jeep.

Another time we got a free upgrade and took a hard top four door Wrangler.
That's when we made our first trip to Polihale. I'm really glad we had it for that
Trip. Lots of potholes over a few miles. When we got there, there were cars
Regular cars there but I was glad to have the Jeep and I don't know if I would
Go back there without one.

The only bad thing about that larger Jeep was parking in some of the small
Parking lots on the island.
 
*Good point, Jeff - we prefer the hard top, with the lift-off sun roof. It's far easier than dealing with a soft top, and more secure.
 
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I love these threads when I'm close to returning to Kauai. They are tougher to
Read when we have a long wait.:D

I have to go to Houston again for work at the end of January, after that the
Countdown will really begin but for right now, 47 days.:D
 
slip said:
I love these threads when I'm close to returning to Kauai. They are tougher to
Read when we have a long wait.:D

I have to go to Houston again for work at the end of January, after that the
Countdown will really begin but for right now, 47 days.:D
Click to expand...


Jeff, I'm looking for a "tongue sticking out" icon just for you. ;) We don't get back to Hawaii till October!! :eek:

Dave
 
How about a "yeah but". Yeah but you have the Outer Banks in late spring and
Didn't you just get back from Hawaii?:D
 
Thanks for all the help. Discount car rental was about $9 more than using Hotwire through Upromise, but we get an additional driver for free, so it may make sense.

Yes, we're using our week at Kauai Beach Club.

Found a
 
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Go to Dukes at least once, because your so close you may go a couple times.
Plan on going to Waimea Canyon and using most of the day. That's something
I wouldn't rush. You'll also need a full day to go up north and see the sights. I
Would probably make a couple trips up there. Be watching for whales. If your
Going on a whale watching tour book it early in case the ocean is too rough,
Then you can try to rebook later.
 
classiclincoln said:
Thanks for all the help. Discount car rental was about $9 more than using Hotwire through Upromise, but we get an additional driver for free, so it may make sense.

Yes, we're using our week at Kauai Beach Club.

Found a
Click to expand...


Stu, be sure to check Costco car rental rates. In my experience they're just about always better than DHCR, and you don't have to prepay like with Hotwire.

Dave
 
slip said:
How about a "yeah but". Yeah but you have the Outer Banks in late spring and
Didn't you just get back from Hawaii?:D
Click to expand...

Outer Banks will be excellent, for sure, but it's not Hawaii. And we haven't been to Hawaii since last Spring. That was years ago! ;)

Dave
 
Alright Dave, I'll cut you some slack, it's only been Since May for me.

Daves right about Costco too. I used DHCR on my first trip to Hawaii about a
Decade ago and then I joined Costco and they have beat them every year since.
 
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