Car Rental Oahu, Hawaii
Hawaii is the nations endangered species capital, so if you are looking for a place that will be both beautiful and fascinating, this island is for you. Honolulu is on the island of O’ahu, which has a land area of nearly 600 square miles. Downtown Honolulu is the financial centre of all of Hawaii, and Waikiki is the most common tourist destination (only a few miles from Honolulu). Honolulu is known to receive approximately 5 million visitors per year. Although O’ahu is the smallest of the four counties in size, it is home to three quarters of the State’s population. The average temperatures range from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and rainfall on the coast averages about 22 inches per year, and humidity is usually 68%. Honolulu has a population of approximately 400,000 in a land area of 25 square miles, and an elevation of 15ft (5m); the telephone area code is 808.
Car Rental in Honolulu, Hawaii
O’ahu is not a very big island, and in fact, most attractions are not much more than one hour’s drive from Honolulu. If your plans are to stay within the boundaries of the Waikiki resorts, then perhaps renting a car is not for you, but if you are planning to go beyond the cities limits, a car really is the best way to see the island. However, beware that gasoline prices are about 25% more expensive than mainland US.
Don’t worry about getting lost, as the hardest part of driving in almost all of Hawaii is pronouncing the names of the streets (for example: Kalanianaole Highway). All roads and street are well marked, and keep an eye open for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s red-capped warrior signs that mark major visitor attractions and scenic spots.
General Safety Tips
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Check the weather before driving.
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Be aware of unexpected moves from other motorists.
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Drive focused -- without distractions.
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Carry emergency items in your car, particularly a cell phone.
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Use seatbelts.
Driving Regulations-Rules of the Road
While driving in Hawaii, your valid driver’s license is valid only for 90 days, so if you plan to stay on the island for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to apply for a Hawaii driver’s license which costs $18, at the State Department of Motor Vehicles office in Honolulu. You'll also have to take a $2 written exam.
The minimum age to drive in Hawaii is 15 years, and most car rental agencies hike that limit to 25.
Be sure to buckle up. Hawaii has a strictly enforced seat-belt law for front-seat passengers. Children under four must be in a car seat (regardless of weight, ask the car rental agent about renting a child seat). Children 18 and under, riding in the backseat, are also required by state law to use seat belts. Jaywalking is common on the island, so make sure to watch for pedestrians, especially in congested areas.
Asking for directions will almost always produce a helpful explanation from the locals, but you should be prepared for an island term or two. Instead of using compass directions, remember that Hawaii residents refer to places as being either mauka (toward the mountains) or makai (toward the ocean). It all makes perfect sense once you get the lay of the land.
Speed Limits in Honolulu
The highway speed limit is usually 55 mph, whereas in town limits range from 25 to 40 mph.
Speeding ticket fines have a base rate of $27, of which $5 is added for every mile per hour over the speed limit. For example, if you are caught doing 55 mph in a 45-mph zone, the ticket will be $77. If the fine is paid on or after the court date, the base increases to $52. Additional penalties may be assessed if payment is more than 30 days past the court date.
Legal Driving Limit
Hawaii enforces several laws concerning drunk driving, including Administrative License Revocation, .08 BAC, Zero Tolerance for Drivers Under21, and a new law that requires hospitals to report BAC's of injured DUI offenders to police.
There are frequent sobriety checkpoint operations, several times a month on the island, so make sure that you are not driving at all after drinking. The percent of traffic fatalities that are alcohol-related in Hawaii was reduced from 44 percent in 1999 to 41 percent in 2000. This is slightly higher than the national average of 40 percent.
Parking
Parking regulations are strictly enforced on the island, so make sure to check all signs before leaving your vehicle, as it may not be there when you get back if you are not parked in a valid spot. Unauthorized use of a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities can get you a $150 fine.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Here are some telephone numbers you may find useful during your trip in honolulu.
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AAA Hawaii
Club Office
1270 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808)593-2221
Emergency Roadside Assistance: 1-800-AAA-HELP (222-4357)
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Police, Fire, Ambulance: 911
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