Always Photogenic, Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Hawaii, October '08, artistic view, click to enlarge.
Aloha.
Driving by car is perhaps the best way to get around Hawaiian Islands. Although there are many bus tours that can take you almost everywhere, we prefer our own way of transportation. No need to wait for the bus, no need to check time the bus leaves, no need to have interest in all places the bus stops at, etc. However, if you like to be always in a group of 30-40 people, feel safer that way, like to perhaps save some money, then the bus tour approach may be right for you. A motorcycle is also good, a bicycle less so because of the heavy traffic, especially in Honolulu. In summer months, everything inside the car is going to get very hot, so make sure you do not leave kids, any animals, or even food inside.
Parking around Honolulu can be a problem, streets are narrow, and some malls only have a very limited number of parking spaces available. However, the biggest problems are with parking in your own hotel, and if you happen to rent a large car, you are going to spend lots of time in the parking garage under the hotel, driving backward and forward, trying to park and avoiding hitting other cars. The worst situation happens when you come back from the beach around 9 or 10pm on weekend, because inevitably near all spaces will already be taken, and the one remaining for you is in the dark corner, at 45 degree angle, between two cement columns, and two big cars, one of them parked half-legally, almost blocking your access. Imagine it is very hot underground, and there is no good ventilation, you are sweating profusely trying to figure out what to do. Several towing and “Don’t Park Here” reminders on walls, for $20/day. Moreover, the squeaky sound of tires is more than you can handle!
Outside of hotels, and away from Honolulu, things are usually problem free. If there are special events, attended by many people, then obviously you need to consider that. Therefore, our advice to you would be to think twice about renting a large car, a rental place agent will always try to upgrade your reservation to a larger car, but this may mean problems down the road. Hope you learned something new from this blog. In a smaller car, you are free as a bird!
Mahalo everyone.
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