Car Rental - Hawaii / Volcano National Park

bob · 03-30-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm going to Hawaii, and need to rent a car for when we are on the big island. I have heard that most car rental companies do not allow you to take your rental car up into the mountains / volcano areas. Is this true? The last thing I would want is to have a car break down that I will not be covered for since I broke the rental agreement.

Any suggestions from those who live there or have been there?

finketr · 03-30-2006, 03:29 PM

are you staying on the big island or is it a one-day trip from Maui or Oahu?

Have you given thought to taking a guided tour of the big island?

just a thought.

moriarty · 03-30-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

I'm going to Hawaii, and need to rent a car for when we are on the big island. I have heard that most car rental companies do not allow you to take your rental car up into the mountains / volcano areas. Is this true? The last thing I would want is to have a car break down that I will not be covered for since I broke the rental agreement.

Any suggestions from those who live there or have been there?

There may have been something in the rental agreement to that effect, but to be honest I never gave it a second thought. I drove right up there (it's a paved road, so we're not talking off roading here). The odds of the car breaking down on top of the vocano is soooo remote. I think they put that in there in the event of an eruption (and damage to the car), and if that happens you have bigger concerns.

My advice, rent the car ... go see the volcano park, and don't give it a second thought. Just enjoy it, and don't worry.

WSUCougar · 03-30-2006, 03:36 PM

The park's website might have some helpful info: Hawaii Volcanoes

Blade6119 · 03-30-2006, 04:01 PM

Rent and go, its what my fam did...and it was a blast(maui)

Masked · 03-30-2006, 04:49 PM

I rented a car on the big island a few years ago. I believe only there was only one road you were not allowed to use, Saddle Rd, which goes from the east two the west side of the island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The road is about a hundred miles with no services and goes from sea level up to a pass between two 12K ft mountains. From the rental companies perspective, the road is too isolated and they have had too many cars stranded up there. There are other highways to go from Hilo to Kona which are not much longer.

I don't recall any restrictions for Volcanoes National Park (well other than stop when the road is covered by lava).

bob · 03-31-2006, 07:30 AM

We are staying near Kona for four nights - we definitely need a car to get around.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

moriarty · 03-31-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masked

I rented a car on the big island a few years ago. I believe only there was only one road you were not allowed to use, Saddle Rd, which goes from the east two the west side of the island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The road is about a hundred miles with no services and goes from sea level up to a pass between two 12K ft mountains. From the rental companies perspective, the road is too isolated and they have had too many cars stranded up there. There are other highways to go from Hilo to Kona which are not much longer.

I don't recall any restrictions for Volcanoes National Park (well other than stop when the road is covered by lava).

Yeah, that rings a bell. There was something in the rental contract about not taking that one road, but there really is not a need to (unless you want to go offroading). You can see the volcano park fine w/out taking the 'forbidden' road.

03-30-2006, 03:36 PM	#4
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	The park's website might have some helpful info: Hawaii Volcanoes __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

03-30-2006, 04:01 PM	#5
Blade6119 Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona	Rent and go, its what my fam did...and it was a blast(maui) __________________ *Underachievement* The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the lawnmower. *Despair* It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black. *Demotivation* Sometimes the best solution to morale problems is just to fire all of the unhappy people. http://www.despair.com/viewall.html

03-30-2006, 04:49 PM	#6
Masked College Starter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bay Area	I rented a car on the big island a few years ago. I believe only there was only one road you were not allowed to use, Saddle Rd, which goes from the east two the west side of the island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The road is about a hundred miles with no services and goes from sea level up to a pass between two 12K ft mountains. From the rental companies perspective, the road is too isolated and they have had too many cars stranded up there. There are other highways to go from Hilo to Kona which are not much longer. I don't recall any restrictions for Volcanoes National Park (well other than stop when the road is covered by lava). Last edited by Masked : 03-30-2006 at 04:50 PM.

03-30-2006, 03:29 PM	#2
finketr College Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inland Empire, PRC	are you staying on the big island or is it a one-day trip from Maui or Oahu? Have you given thought to taking a guided tour of the big island? just a thought.

03-31-2006, 07:30 AM	#7
bob College Starter Join Date: Oct 2004	We are staying near Kona for four nights - we definitely need a car to get around. Thanks for the advice everyone.

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