Hawaii Car Rental

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Rental Car Taxes in Hawaii

Hawaii car rental taxes and fees

Car Rental Info

Avoid taxes!

Now that I got your attention, did you really think you could avoid Hawaii Car Rental taxes?

This article focuses on the money you're looking to save on those taxes, renting off airport.

Or, if you decide to use a rental alternative. Basically, renting from the public under the umbrella of a rental service.

Before July 2014 this was a real thing.. Over the years, I saved countless people hundreds of dollars renting off Airport. So, what changed? In 2014 the State of Hawaii enacted a facility surcharge of $4.50 per day, at all OFF-Airport locations. Over two weeks that's $63, imagine how that adds up for our annual long term (two - three month) renters. We'd compare airport to off airport and sometimes the difference was stunning.

Today's reality.. Let's take a Maui car rental for example. I may be able to save you $50 a week renting in Kihei. Well, that's about a 25-minute drive, since the major car rental companies don't have shuttles that go to Kihei, you have to use alternative transportation averaging about $55 each way. The other considerations are inconvenience & time. Seeing that most agencies are only open until 5pm, it adds another issue for late arrivals. In summary, public transport after a long flight to save a few bucks will have you scratching your head, asking if it was worth it!

Other options.. Is it possible to bypass the majors and some taxes, get a vehicle several years old, get picked up at the airport, herded to a location normally 20-30 minutes away? The answer is yes, it is. The stories I hear after doing this over 30 years are of people running into issues with their rental. Ranging from mechanical problems, a vehicle that smells like an ashtray, or cockroaches partying in the car all night. Even worse, imagine the Christmas holiday, your with the entire family when some unfortunate issue arises. The independent rental agency is sold out, with nothing else to put you in when your rental is broke down and busted. Every year like clock-work we get calls from these agencies asking if we have cars for there customers! Fast forward to 2024, now droves of people started renting there own cars through a popular service, at first when rates skyrocketed at Covid time, everyone and there mother bought a car to rent. Well, now the pandemic is over and rates fell like an anvil and people are upside down in car notes, and cant get out of the rental business fast enough. Plus, many have made advanced booking only to have the car break down or get trashed. Well the average Joe is not prepared for such problems and will not have another vehicle to put you in. Destroying a Holiday! Enough said!

My 2 cents regards to other options.. It's my humble opinion since major car rental agencies can handle issues when they arise and are fully equipped to get another car to you lickety split, in just in case of a worst case scenario, they will be standing at the end..