Konaweb is getting more serious and businesslike, so they've gotten rid of this somewhat humorous page about driving on the Big Island. Thanks to google.com's archival cache, we've been able to retrieve this now-historical page - here it is, mildly reformatted to be consistent with this site, and with some minor content revisions. It's still Copyright © konaweb.com.
If you don't like to drive at night, remember, the sun sets quickly in the Tropics! Sunset in December is about 6:00 p.m. and in July is about 7:00 p.m. Plan for it!
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 No one was injured in this one car accident involving a "B-52" cockroach near Pahoa. Insecticides were not involved. While rare, such incidents point out the unusual obstacles faced by drivers in the Tropics. |
 | Gasoline is about 15 cents higher than mainland price per gallon on most of the island, and the price drops almost 10 cents as you reach Hilo. Hilo is where it is shipped in. There are parts of the Island where you don't want to run out of gas. The Saddle Road, Hwy 11 between Oceanview and Volcano, Waipio Valley, and Hawi Town on a Sunday after 2:00 PM. Don't say I didn't warn you! |
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| Sudden Downpours will almost surely mean trouble for drivers. Several places around the island you may see highway warning signs about rocks washing onto the road, or places where the water gets deep enough to swim comfortably. Don't ignore the signs! |
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| People often ask if they will need a 4 wheel drive when they visit the Big Island. The answer is no, unless you really like that kind of thing. A rental car will take you almost everywhere you might want to go. We do live on a mountain here, and there are lots of places you can get to in a 4 wheel drive. Green Sands beach, Kua Bay, Waipi'o Valley, and the top of Mauna Kea, for example. However there are usually other ways to reach these destinations. |
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| The Saddle Road will someday be a shortcut between
Kona and Hilo. Rumor has it that the county will begin improvements on
it in the next year or so. In the meantime, it is a winding and bumpy
drive through some enchanting scenery, and a chance to see how truly
vast and unpopulated the Big Island is. You will probably want to check
your rental car contract before driving
it, as some companies just say "no".
(Actually, only Harper doesn't say "no".) It is really not too bad if you
are used to winding and bumpy roads. Rarely does it snow, and the only
real "hazards" are the Army's tanks and trucks which may want to share
the narrow road with you.
Should you decide to drive it, here are a few suggestions:
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| South Point Road takes you from Hwy 11 down to the extreme southern end of the Island. It is a beautiful drive, but take it slow and enjoy the view. Also, remember to slow down and pull off the road when other vehicles approach because it is technically a "one lane road" for most of its length. There are several interesting historical sites, and some rugged cliffs which drop straight into the sea. A large "blowhole" nearby is said to have been the demise of at least one rental van, so watch for it! The road to Green Sands eats cars for breakfast. As you walk along, look for rocks soaked with motor oil. |
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| Waipio Valley is accessible by 4 wheel drive or horseback only. The road is very narrow, very steep, and utterly breathtaking. Once you reach the bottom of the valley, you can drive along the river and see some long, cascading waterfalls, but be aware that the land is private property. If you turn to your right at the bottom you will reach a beautiful black sand beach where Kevin Costner finally reached dry land in "Waterworld." |
| Company | Toll-Free | Local Offices |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 327-9633 | (808) 961-3343 Hilo (808) 329-8896 Kona |
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| Avis | (800) 321-3712 | (808) 935-1298 Hilo (808) 329-3684 Kona |
| Budget | (800) 527-0700 | (808) 961-0661 Hilo (808) 329-8511 Kona |
| Dollar | (800) 800-4000 | (808) 961-2101 Hilo (808) 329-2744 Kona |
| Harper (local co.) | (800) 852-9993 | (808) 969-1478 Hilo (808) 969-1478 Kona |
| Hertz | (800) 654-3011 | (808) 935-2896 Hilo (808) 329-3566 Kona |
| National | (800) 227-7368 | (808) 935-0891 Hilo (808) 329-1674 Kona |
| Thrifty | (800) 367-2277 | (808) 329-1339 Kona |
When you buy your airline tickets, check to see if your airline has any special deals worked out with the car rental companies. There are deals to be had!
When you arrive at the airport in Kona, have your partner wait for your luggage while you proceed directly to the rental car shuttle bus. By doing this, you can often avoid a long wait in line.
When returning your car to the airport, do as the locals do, and fill up at Costco (if you're a member and have your card with you) or at the little gas station in the Kaloko industrial area. Their prices are consistently lower than other stations in the area.