Another part of my trip to sort out is a rental car in Hawaii. Im flying into Waikiki and spending 4 days there and then heading up to the north shore for a few weeks and obviously will get a car for that time. Not so worried about in Waikiki itself.

My questions are should i pre order a car before i leave Perth, or just look around and hire one once I'm in Waikiki. I don't really want to waste too much time looking around but have been told ill get a better deal on the ground once landed

Also any ideas on roof racks? Will i need them or can i just strap the boards to the roof with a noodle and lockable tie downs, or should i take some removable roof racks, or try and hire a car with them..

I was thinking about a mid sized 4wd still like Rav or similar..Maybe a Jeep..

Whilst I'm on the North shore i will be loading it up with long boards and short boards, three in total and maybe a sup but not too often, hoping to just surf straight out the front mostly

Any help or tips would be appreciated..Thanks

When are you going? If not peak winter, buy a bomb and resell or leave it at the airport.

Hired a couple of different cars when I went there some mmmm 25+ years ago so things might be different now...maybe
One car I hired was a convertible Mustang so the boards just fitted in nicely, but there were lots of places to hire from and a great choice of cars, the only hard thing to get use to was driving on the wrong side...great fun place...

Select to expand quote

jbshack said..
Another part of my trip to sort out is a rental car in Hawaii. Im flying into Waikiki and spending 4 days there and then heading up to the north shore for a few weeks and obviously will get a car for that time. Not so worried about in Waikiki itself.

My questions are should i pre order a car before i leave Perth, or just look around and hire one once I'm in Waikiki. I don't really want to waste too much time looking around but have been told ill get a better deal on the ground once landed

Also any ideas on roof racks? Will i need them or can i just strap the boards to the roof with a noodle and lockable tie downs, or should i take some removable roof racks, or try and hire a car with them..

I was thinking about a mid sized 4wd still like Rav or similar..Maybe a Jeep..

Whilst I'm on the North shore i will be loading it up with long boards and short boards, three in total and maybe a sup but not too often, hoping to just surf straight out the front mostly

Any help or tips would be appreciated..Thanks

The past 3 years I've booked before I went - just takes the stress out of booking when you get there and you get a better deal. Straps looped through the window are fine, just make sure they are tight before you go the H1 then H2 out to the North Shore. Mid size SUV should be fine. I booked through www.rentalcars.com/ Get full insurance as well - I've had the car hit in the Foodland car park, reversed into a street sign and didn't have to pay a cent.
Order some boards to pick up as well

Don't they have "Soft Racks" in Oz that you can buy and take in your luggage?
Foam tubes with webbing that goes thru them and some more webbing that goes over the top of the foam tubes to hold the boards down onto the foam.
The kind shown are a more modern version, that look pretty good.

Thanks guy, yeah will book before i go, i think, ill try your place Beagle. Only have my shorties for the drive North. I have been told its worth hiring convertibles as they then won't get the windows smashed in car parks..Not sure it sounds a bit like easy work for the local crims

I have been told its a good idea though to remove the hire car stickers, has anyone tried this option

Going Sept, Oct but don't really want to drive a bomb around, I'm a little old of that now I was thinking about a scooter though for Coffee runs, solo surf trips are they ether hireable or cheap enough to buy on the North shore

Another option... no family in tow? Take the bus to the NS and hoof it. You seriously don't need a car.

Could always borrow Ocean's ride...

Select to expand quote

jbshack said..
Thanks guy, yeah will book before i go, i think, ill try your place Beagle. Only have my shorties for the drive North. I have been told its worth hiring convertibles as they then won't get the windows smashed in car parks..Not sure it sounds a bit like easy work for the local crims

I have been told its a good idea though to remove the hire car stickers, has anyone tried this option

Going Sept, Oct but don't really want to drive a bomb around, I'm a little old of that now I was thinking about a scooter though for Coffee runs, solo surf trips are they ether hireable or cheap enough to buy on the North shore

If you want to draw attention to yourself get a convertible and look like a complete Haole. If not just get a normal car and don't leave any valuables visible when you leave it - you shouldn't have any problems, just be aware of what's around you when you park and be friendly to everyone around you.I used a key lock and stuck it up in the springs in the suspension when surfing - no dramas.
The hire cars generally don't have stickers but are identifiable to would be crims by the number plate.
Not sure where you are staying but where I stay at Sunset the cycle path is easy to get around on. Car is good to get to the lesser known surf spots

Select to expand quote

jbshack said...

I have been told its a good idea though to remove the hire car stickers, has anyone tried this option

Yes I do that on every rental car that I've ever had. I've even put my own stickers on (rip curl ect)
That deffenty make u a target and no rental place has ever said anything / made me pay for new ones

Definitely DON'T get a convertible Mustang !!

It will end in tears when you come back to find the slashed top and any valuables you hid while out and about gone. We saw that a lot at many of the quieter parking spots at beaches....

if you were staying a couple of weeks you would be best off buying a north shore rust bucket. just make sure its not a stolen one

Select to expand quote

patsken said..
Definitely DON'T get a convertible Mustang !!

It will end in tears when you come back to find the slashed top and any valuables you hid while out and about gone. We saw that a lot at many of the quieter parking spots at beaches....

A Mustang was never on the agenda, especially after reading Chas's book, but i had thought about a Jeep but preferred a closed car, will try and stick with a Toyo as there always look after me. Yeah i have also been told to sticker up my car. A few of the breaks I'm keen on they all talk about not parking nice cars and a few of the locals I've chatted with agreed. Will mostly walk to surf spots (south of Sunset so no bike paths were we are) but want to car to get all over a bit with family..

When people talk about buying a rust bucket, what are we talking about price wise

Reserve a car because sometimes they are in short supply, then when you get there go to the counter and ask for rates, it may well be cheaper than what you reserved.
Pickup and drop off is cheaper at the airport than at Waikiki. A vehicle is totally unnecessary and in fact a headache in Honolulu area. 4X4 also unnecessary but they do have some nice SUV's, a Dodge Caravan is like a giant box that will hold tons of gear and people but is still a manageable size. Scooters are insanely dangerous, about every few weeks someone on Oahu is killed on one. Rust bucket will break down, no thanks. Actually a rental car will afford you some courtesy, from the majority of people at least. They are expecting you to drive slow and dodgy and perhaps do something unexpected so people will back off a bit and give you leeway.

As for break ins, doesn't really matter if it's a rental or not, if it's locked and in an isolated location it can very well happen. Local people will leave the car unlocked, windows open and nothing valuable left in car in these situations.

Select to expand quote

Beaglebuddy said..
As for break ins, doesn't really matter if it's a rental or not, if it's locked and in an isolated location it can very well happen. Local people will leave the car unlocked, windows open and nothing valuable left in car in these situations.

Thanks heaps for all the info. Yeah really only want it for when we head North..So after a few days of arriving..

In Waikiki the only parking is at your hotel so unless you are wanting to leave Waikiki you would not be able to park the car anywhere. It's a small area, walking is easy and there is the bus