Recent Hawaii Shipping News

Jump to section:
Demand and Distance
Weather
Other Factors
 

Demand and Distance

When you ship your car to Hawaii, there are several things that affect how long it will take to get there. The two most influential factors are demand and distance. Demand means how many other people are shipping their cars along the same routes as you when you are shipping your car. When demand is higher, it could take some additional time to ship your car to Hawaii. So, if you can, you should consider shipping during less busy times of the year, such as during the winter.

Distance is likely a factor that you will not have any control over. The further you are away from Hawaii, the longer it will take to ship it there. With this factor in mind, all you can do is to prepare ahead of time in order to be ready for the transit time. Longer shipments, such as New York to Hawaii, can take three weeks in transit. So, be ready to be without your car for that time.
 

Weather

Weather can affect shipping of any kind. However, when you ship something overseas, ill-timed bad weather can definitely add to the overall transit time. So, when you are shipping your car to Hawaii, bad weather such as high winds and rain or a snowstorm can delay the shipment a day or two.

Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do about this. You can consider waiting to ship during a time of the year when winter weather as well as tropical storms and hurricanes are least likely. This falls later in the spring such as during April and May.
 

Other Factors

Other factors that will affect the transit time of your vehicle shipment to Hawaii include the type of car that you are shipping, how soon you need your car shipped and overall traffic. In terms of the type of car that you are shipping, if it is oversized or not running, you will need a special flatbed carrier in order to transport it which will take more time. If it is a high-end vehicle and you choose to ship on an enclosed carrier, that could also add more time to the overall transit.

How soon you need your car shipped to Hawaii can have a small affect on the transit time as well. If you only give a week or two notice to your auto transport company, your car could end up being on a less direct route to Hawaii in order to accommodate the short notice and this could add a day or two to the trip. Finally, if traffic is bad at multiple points over the course of the shipment, the arrival of your car might take a bit more time.

Jump to section:
Driving in Hawaii
9 things that you should know about driving in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Driving in Hawaii

Driving in Hawaii is a really wonderful experience. The weather is almost always gorgeous, and the sights are beautiful. It is an experience that we would recommend that everyone should have at least once in their lives.

However, driving in Hawaii is also different than anywhere else in the world. Overall, it moves at a much slower pace and that is the way that Hawaiians like it. Whether you like it or not, you will need to get to driving more slowly and taking your time to get from one place to another.
 

9 things that you should know about driving in Hawaii

1. People take it easy when driving in Hawaii – In Hawaii, people drive much less aggressively than most other places in the world. This includes driving slower and, many times, at least slightly under the speed limit. So, give yourself some extra time when you are driving somewhere and prepare to drive slower.
2. Honking means “hello!” not “go to hell!” – Honking in Hawaii is really frowned upon. In general, people only do it too say hello to someone they know, not to be rude to someone they deem is not driving well.
3. The “zipper” is not used – The “zipper” is a term that is used to describe the way that cars are typically meant to merge – one car lets another car in then follows that car. The car behind that lets one car in and so on and so forth. This looks like a zipper from above, hence the name. However, in Hawaii people are so laid back and kind that they often let several cars merge in front of them. This is especially true on bridges that only have space for one total lane of traffic. One side will let five or more cars through before they choose to venture across the bridge.
4. Traffic patterns are a disaster – The traffic patterns in Hawaii have long been a source of contention for drivers. The patterns are complicated and seem to encourage accidents at certain points. A few examples are five-way intersections and on ramps that are too short to build enough speed to merge onto a highway.
5. Oahu is known for its beauty but also for its traffic – Overall, Hawaii has some pretty bad traffic at certain times. Oahu is well documented as being the worst when it comes to traffic in Hawaii. This is primarily because of the Honolulu area which, by far, has the largest population of any city or area in Hawaii. Typical commutes in this area are over any hour for only twenty or twenty-five miles of actual distance during rush hour. We recommend that you do everything that you can to avoid driving during rush hour.
6. Rain occurs suddenly and so does the bad driving – Sudden rain and flash flooding are a part of life in Hawaii. These things cause the already slow and cautious drivers of Hawaii to get even slower and more cautious.
7. Roads are not grids in Hawaii – Hawaii’s roads are not set up like grids as they are in most places in the United States. So, if you take a wrong turn, you might want to consider stopping and checking your GPS first before you assume that taking another couple of right turns will take you back to where you were going.
8. There are a ton of potholes – Be careful of all the potholes in Hawaii. If you hit some of the bigger ones with enough speed you could do considerable damage to your vehicle.
9. See the sights but keep it moving – It may be tempting to slow down even more in Hawaii to see a beautiful beach but do not slow down so much that you are impeding traffic.

Conclusion

Driving in Hawaii is a much more pleasant experience than most places, unless you are trying to get somewhere in a hurry. It mirrors the culture of Hawaii which is laid back and relaxed. The main thing to remember is to prepare to take it slow when you are driving in Hawaii. Give yourself some extra travel time so you do not need to worry about rushing anywhere.

Jump to section:
Shipping your car to or from Hawaii for a PCS
Advice for shipping your car during a PCS move
Final word
 

Shipping your car to or from Hawaii for a PCS

If you are a military member and your family is PCSing to a location in Hawaii, driving there will unfortunately not be an option. You will need to sell your old car and buy a new one, use public transportation, rent a car, or ship your current car there. Any of these options will be an additional expense but some will cost much more than others. Thankfully, most reputable companies you deal with regarding any of these options will offer you a discount

Regardless, the most expensive of these options will be buying a new car. The cheapest but least convenient will be taking public transportation. Renting a car will get expensive over time. So, shipping your current car to Hawaii will be the most convenient and cost-effective option (over time) will be shipping your car to Hawaii.
 

Advice for shipping your car during a PCS move

Shipping your car during a PCS move to Hawaii will be a lot easier than it seems. First, you should schedule your shipment as early as you can. Doing so will allow you to get the shipping dates that you most prefer. It will also allow you to easily focus on the rest of your move.

You should schedule your move so that you get there a few days before your car will. This way, your car will not be sitting at the port while you travel to Hawaii. If that happens, you will end up being charged additional storage fees after a few days. Once you get to Hawaii and move in, you will await notification that your car has arrived and is waiting at the port. When you find out your car is at the port, get a cab or a Uber and head to the port to pick the vehicle up as soon as you can in order to avoid any additional fees.

Before you ship, when you are doing the normal preparation like cleaning the car and removing personal items, you should also make sure that your gas tank is one quarter full. More than that is not allowed because it is considered a fire hazard on the boat. Much less is no good because your car needs a certain amount of gas in order to be driven onto and off of the car carrier trucks as well as the trip.
 

Final word

A military PCS move can be a stressful time for you and your family. You can make it a bit easier by getting your car shipped to Hawaii while you worry about the rest of the move and relocation. If you have any questions about shipping your car to Hawaii for a PCS move you can always call us at (808) 445-6695.

Jump to section:
Where traffic is at its worst in Hawaii
Advice for avoiding traffic
Wrapping up
 

Where traffic is at its worst in Hawaii

Much like anywhere else in the country, the worst traffic in Hawaii is in the most populated areas. Specifically, traffic in Honolulu is considered some of the worst in the entire country. Over the years, it has been consistently worse than the traffic in Los Angeles and New York.

There are a few primary reasons for this outside of high numbers of drivers on the road at the same time. The first is that the roads in Hawaii are not in great condition and they are not necessarily suited for such high volumes of traffic. The next is that people in Hawaii do not exactly drive fast. Your average driver in Hawaii drives in quite a laid-back manner which includes driving under the speed limit.

Other areas in Hawaii will have slow moving but not dense traffic such as in areas like Kailua. The point is, be ready to take your time getting somewhere when you are driving in Hawaii.
 

Advice for avoiding traffic

Avoiding the worst traffic in Hawaii is much like it is anywhere else, planning is everything. For example, in Honolulu avoiding rush hour at all costs is a great start. Traffic eases up after 8 AM until 3 PM. Then, it eases up again after 5:30 PM.

You will also want to watch the traffic report or, better yet, use an intuitive app like Waze as you drive in order to avoid taking any routes with accidents or unprecedented delays. These sorts of apps will also help you avoid things like bad potholes and speed traps.

Finally, you will need to make sure that you check the weather the night before you drive. If you do not you could end up in a massive delay in traffic. In an area such as Honolulu, your trip could be two hours instead of just one.
 

Wrapping up

Traffic will not move fast at all in Hawaii pretty much anywhere that you are. Odds are, during non-commuter hours, in more remote areas you will be able to cruise at your leisure. However, if you are anywhere near populated areas, be prepared to take your time driving from one place to another.

If you want to minimize the amount of time you spend on the road in Hawaii, make sure that you prepare for any drive that you have ahead of you by doing your best to avoid rush hour, using traffic apps and by knowing what the weather will be like. Finally, if you need your car transported to or from Hawaii, you can always get a free quote here.

Jump to section:
Rustproofing 101
Hawaii’s weather
Conclusion
 

Rustproofing 101

Getting your car rustproofed should be a priority regardless of where you are because it will increase the longevity of the vehicle and will keep it looking its best. Doing so will require some work but it will be worth it. You can do this work yourself or you can save yourself the trouble and have a professional do it.

You will be able to start this process by making sure that the underside of your car is completely clean. You will also want to do this inside the wheel wells too. Once this is done, look for any areas of rust. If you find any, you should spray it with rust converter. After you do, you will need to come off before you move on.

Then you can apply the underseal and the wax. As we mentioned before, if this seems like too much you should talk to your mechanic and see if they will be able to do this for you. It will only cost about a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars to get this done for you. Finally, you should get the exterior of your car washed and waxed regularly. This will account for the rust protection for the rest of the car outside of the underbody.
 

Hawaii’s weather

The reason that you need to really get your car rust proofed in Hawaii is because of the weather. It does rain more than people expect in Hawaii. On top of that, the humidity and air contain higher levels of moisture due to the close proximity of the ocean. This means that your car will constantly have some levels of water on it. Thus, rust is an ever-present possibility.

In addition, there is a phenomenon called “salt air” as well that occurs in Hawaii. This means that the water from the ocean that evaporates will do so with salt in it. This salt is then in the air and will blow in the wind. Some of this will inevitably stick to your car. So, this acts as an additional corrosive element to your cars finish. This is all the more reason to be proactive and do whatever to protect your car from any rust.
 

Conclusion

Hawaii is a prime spot for rust to occur on your vehicle and the unfortunate part is that many people do not realize that. Fortunately, if you take the proper precautions, you will not need to worry about that with your car. It will either take you time and effort or cost you a few bucks to have someone else do it but it will be worth it to protect your car.

Jump to section:
Hawaii motorcycle 101
Shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii
Tips for riding a motorcycle in Hawaii
Conclusion
 

Hawaii motorcycle 101

Having a motorcycle in Hawaii is a great way to experience the wonderful weather and sights that Hawaii has to offer. However, caution needs to be exercised when you are out for a ride because Hawaii has some of the worst and slowest traffic in the country. So, you need to be sure that you are safe and alert.

You also need to be aware that the roads in Hawaii are not great. They are improving and much better than they were five years ago, but they are still worse than most other places. Knowing this important because if you hit a pothole on a bike, it could mean a serious injury for you.
 

Shipping a motorcycle to Hawaii

Shipping a motorcycle is easy and comparatively inexpensive when considered against buying a new bike. All you need to do is call (888) 777-2123 and a motorcycle shipping representative will talk you through the whole process. You will just need the make and model information of the bike.

Once you book your shipment, you will just need to prepare for the pickup of your motorcycle. This means that you will just need to clean the motorcycle and remove any personal effects from it such as sunglasses. Personal items will not be covered by insurance if they are lost or damaged during transport.

After that, you just need to make sure that you have a valid and unexpired license to present your motorcycle transport driver and that you will be home and available during your pickup window. That is it, your auto transport company will handle the rest.
 

Tips for riding a motorcycle in Hawaii

Before you get on your bike in Hawaii, check out these tips for riding:

• Stay visible – Other drivers will not be able to avoid an accident with you if they cannot see you. So, do not do things like ride in someone’s blind spot.
• Be alert – Do not go for a ride on your motorcycle if you are hungover or half asleep. Doing so is an easy way to get into an accident.
• Be loose – Riding your motorcycle while you are too stiff is a recipe for disaster. Relax, take a deep breath and loosen that grip. Enjoy the ride.
• Wear a helmet with a visor – You should always wear a helmet for the sake of safety. However, be sure to wear one with a visor that covers your face. Hawaii is full of bugs and having one land in your eye while you are riding is no fun, it is also dangerous.
• Pick a side – You should always stagger yourself to the left or the right of the lane. This will help you be protected from getting sandwich in between two cars.

Conclusion

Riding a motorcycle in Hawaii can be difficult due to traffic and the condition of the roads. It is because of this that safety is of paramount importance. Always take your time and ride slow. Stay visible to other drivers. If you need a motorcycle shipped to Hawaii, the motorcycle shipping experts at RoadRunner can help you out.

Jump to section:
The risk of static electricity when you are pumping gas
How you can keep yourself safe
Final word
 

The risk of static electricity when you are pumping gas

You have likely seen security camera footage of someone pumping gas and a fire suddenly occurring that starts at or near the pump handle. Inevitably, the individual catches fire and, if they do not act quickly, their gas tank can ignite which can be an extremely dangerous disaster.

This is because a static electricity charge caused a flash fire at the gas nozzle. The vast majority of these accidents occur when someone gets back into their car while it is being refueled. What happens is that static electricity is created between your clothes and the car seat. Then, when you get out of your car and grab the fuel pump, a spark occurs which can easily ignite fuel or the fumes from the fuel.

The risk for this occurring is higher when the weather is dry. Hawaii’s weather is usually not too dry, but it can be in some cases. Regardless, the possibility for static electricity causing disaster at the pump is still present. This is why you need to take all the steps necessary to keep yourself and your car safe.
 

How you can keep yourself safe

Thankfully, keeping yourself safe from a static electricity disaster at the gas pump in Hawaii is straight forward and easy. First, you need to take the most basic safety precautions such as turning your engine off as you refuel, not smoking and not overfilling your gas tank.

Next, you should always remain outside of your vehicle when you are gassing it up. If you do need to enter your car during the refueling process, you will need to neutralize any static electricity you built up on your person before you touch the gas pump again. You can do this by touching the metal of your car door first. If it is a possibility, consider using a full-service gas station where the need for you to pump your own gas will be eliminated entirely.

Finally, if you do find yourself in the situation where a fire does start when you are pumping gas, leave the pump where it is and back away quickly. Immediately get the attention of the gas station attendant.
 

Final word

It does not happen often, but there is a possibility that static electricity can start a fire when you are pumping gas in Hawaii. This almost always happens when someone re-enters their car as the gas is pumping and a static charge develops from the contact between their clothes and the car seat. You should avoid getting into your car as it is being fueled at all costs. However, if you do need to get back in your car while it is being gassed up, make sure that you eliminate the static charge before you touch the gas pump again. You can easily do this by touching the metal of your car door first.

Jump to section:
What you normally need to ship a car
What else you need when you ship a financed car
Final word
 

What you normally need to ship a car

Shipping a financed car is a bit more involved than when you ship a car that you outright own. It comes down to the fact that it is a permission issue with the company that still holds some ownership over the car. However, this is actually much simpler than it sounds.

When you typically ship a car that you own completely, you will just need your license, your car in good drivable shape, a copy of your booking confirmation and a quarter tank of gas. Other than that, the process is simple and will just require that you book the shipment in advanced (preferably a month) and that you have the availability to be there for both the pickup and delivery of your vehicle.
 

What else you need when you ship a financed car

If you are trying to ship a car to or from Hawaii that you are financing, you will need everything that was mentioned above but you will also need a copy of the lien agreement. You might also need other documentation from whoever holds the lien.

Keep in mind that the lien holder has the right to deny you shipping the car. If that happens then there will be nothing that you can do. However, that is not a likely possibility. If you are moving and/or relocating for work, that will make it the most likely that the lien holder agrees to allow you to ship your car. If the lien holder does agree to allow you to ship your car, getting the documentation that is required to ship will not be hard at all. In fact, if you have questions about this, you can always contact the car shipping experts at Hawaii Car Transport.
 

Final word

If you want to ship a car that you are financing to or from Hawaii, you will need to contact whoever holds the lien on the car in question and get the extra documentation that shows they agree to allow you to ship the car. That is in addition to the normal things you will need such as your license and your booking confirmation. Remember, it is not guaranteed that your lien holder will give you the permission that you need. If you have any questions about the process of getting permission to ship your financed vehicle or anything else you want to know about the vehicle shipping process, call us today at (808) 445-6695.

Jump to section:
Hawaii’s weather
Taking care of your convertible in Hawaii
Final word
 

Hawaii’s weather

Hawaii is a great place to own a convertible. The weather is very frequently beautiful, and the area is a tropical paradise. It is a perfect place for cruising around sightseeing as well as for taking pictures. However, the weather can be sometimes unpredictable and sudden.

In Hawaii, what seems like a few harmless clouds can develop into rain without warning pretty quickly. How much rain or how frequently to expect it will depend on both where exactly you are in Hawaii and what time of the year it is. That is why you need to stay on top of the weather in Hawaii if you have a convertible there. You do not want to get caught driving through the rain with your top down.
 

Taking care of your convertible in Hawaii

If you own a convertible, look, style and performance are obviously important to you. So, you should treat your convertible accordingly. You must take good care of it in order to ensure it lasts for the longest amount of time possible.

The first step in caring for your convertible will be making sure that you keep it clean. Getting a convertible washed is a bit different than getting a regular vehicle washed. With a convertible, you should avoid any high-pressure washes. Ideally, you will wash your convertible yourself. However, most newer soft-top convertibles are car wash safe as long as it is not a high-pressure wash. Although, you should consult your owner’s manual to be completely sure.

The next step in caring for your convertible if you have a vinyl top will be to use a protectant on it to prevent damage from the strong Hawaiian sun and rain. You can go to an auto store such as Auto Zone for this or you can always order it online.

Hardtop convertibles will be easier to care for. You just need to make sure that your top is up when you are not using the vehicle or when there is the possibility of inclement weather, such as rain, in the forecast. It is important to have the top up when you are not using the car for the obvious possibility of theft but also because tops left in the down position can get stuck or get slower going up or down.
 

Final word

Convertibles are a great choice for driving in Hawaii as long as you are proactive and take care of the vehicle and its top. It is quite important that you make sure you check the weather so that you know to keep the top up if rain is in the forecast in Hawaii. You should also make sure you keep your top clean but that you do not do so by taking it through a high-pressure car wash if you have a vinyl top. Finally, keep your convertible’s top up when you are not using it regardless of whether it is a hard top or vinyl cover.

Jump to section:
The cost of shipping your car to or from Hawaii
Ways you can save for your shipment
Conclusion
 

The cost of shipping your car to or from Hawaii

The price of shipping your car to Hawaii will depend on a few things, but it will primarily depend on the distance of your shipment. Other factors that will affect the cost of shipping your car to or from Hawaii will include the time of year that you are shipping your car, how far in advance you schedule your shipment as well as the current cost of gas.

At the time this post was written, in October 2020, the cost of shipping an average car (for our purposes we chose a 2014 Hyundai Sonata) from New York City to Honolulu with one month’s notice, would cost about $2,945. If you were to ship the same car, at the same time, with the same notice but from Los Angeles, it would cost approximately $1,820. The cost for shipping in the other direction would be similar give or take one or two hundred dollars.

This cost might possibly seem expensive, but it is a one-time fee, and it is much cheaper than buying a new or even used car. Renting a car is a possibility but it is only a very temporary one as the cost of renting continues every day and will add up quickly. Shipping a car is your best option in terms of having a car in Hawaii and there are even some simple ways to help save up in an efficient way for your car shipment.
 

Ways you can save for your shipment

The following are simple and easy ways that can help you save for your Hawaiian car shipment and defray the cost:
 

• You should be able to set up automatic deductions from your checking account at regular intervals. The money will be placed into a savings account where it can also accrue some interest.
• When the day ends, take all the bills out of your wallet that are less than twenty dollars and set them aside in a safe place.
• Set aside all the spare change you end up with. Slowly but surely, this will add up.
• Cut out poor habits like smoking or drinking and use the extra money to save for your car shipment.
• Eat at home instead of going out to eat.
• Buy generic brand items. Name brand will always cost more.
• Use coupons when you shop. You can find coupons online, in local papers or at the stores themselves.
• If you have the internet, you can find all your news there. Cancel your newspaper subscription.
• Work out at home for a few months. The savings from cancelling your gym membership will add up quickly. You can find lots of great home workout routines online on sites like YouTube.
• Unplug any electronics in your home when they aren’t being used. Believe it or not, electronics still consume a considerable amount of power when they are plugged in but turned off.
• You can temporarily rent out extra space in your home through Airbnb.
• You can have a yard sale.
• Be meticulous about your tax return. The more attention you pay to detail here can save you more money. Depending on your particular financial situation and tax bracket, your tax return could easily pay for your car shipment itself.

Conclusion

Shipping a vehicle to or from Hawaii will usually cost between one and three thousand dollars. Although that might seem a bit costly, it will save he expense of getting a new or used car or the perpetual cost of renting a car or using ride shares. If you give yourself the right amount of time and make a moderate effort, there are very simple things you can do to save money to use towards your car shipment.