Renting a car with DWAI

Old Jan 15th, 2017, 08:10 AM
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Renting a car with DWAI

So I'm interested in going to Hawaii this year to learn how to scuba dive, and from what I can tell it looks like I'll need to rent a car. My plan is to go to Kona on the big island. However, last year I got a DWAI - which is a traffic violation here in NY, driving while ability impaired. I'm not interested in being berated for this - I did my community service, paid my fines, and am trying to move on with my life. Yes it was a dumb mistake and I'm continuing to pay for it in ways I never even imagined, i.e. this aspect...I've read that different car rental companies take different approaches to this - does anyone have experience or advice?
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 08:56 AM
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You don't NEED to rent a car. http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps
Get your scuba certification in New York before going to Hawaii.
Did you lose your drivers license for a period of time?
Your other option would be to take a SO that does all of the driving and rents the car.
It's much more fun traveling with someone than traveling solo.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 09:34 AM
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Thanks. Don't have an significant other to travel with and I've been traveling by myself for years. I actually prefer it, in most respects anyway. This would be one area where it would be nice to have a travel buddy. My license was suspended last year for 90 days but it's now been restored in full. I read about the Heleonbus and from what I understand it's for workers there...not convenient for tourists. Although I read something about the Alii Shuttle..that might be a possibility I guess.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 09:42 AM
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>>It's much more fun traveling with someone than traveling solo.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 09:47 AM
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tomfuller, have you ever spent time on Hawaii Island and used public transportation as your only means? Do you have first hand experience with visiting the Big Island without a rental car?

SweetCaroline, it is an interesting question. I think, but do not know that if you have a current legal drivers license, you will be all set. Maybe call a rental agency or AAA to find out. Or the lawyer who handled your case may have good council on repercussions and if they will follow you.

Beware advice on these types of forums.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:00 AM
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janisj - have you travelled to the big island and used public transportation, and taxis? I don't think uber has a big presence on the Island of Hawaii. Perhaps you have first hand experience with that and rental agency policies for previous records. I think you are as full of it as tom fuller.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:34 AM
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The VAST majority of rental agencies will not if the offense is w/i 48 months. T\So the OP cannot rent a car if she is truthful (and will be committing fraud and negate the insurance if she lies) .

So instead of attacking/insulting others inababy, why not try to help the OP. If Kona is where s/he wants to go, and if s/he can't rent a car, then public transport/local tours/and shared rides are just about the only options.

(Oahu woud be much easier sans wheels BTW)
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:40 AM
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I am trying to protect the OP from advice that is not based on experience. They are clearly intelligent enough to know that the public transportation is not set up for tourists. And please tell them about your experience with Uber while on island. I'd love to know about it. As would the government.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:49 AM
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This might be what you are looking for. https://www.aggressor.com/konaschedule.php
The site said that taxis are available from the airport.
Hawaii is the only state that I have not been to. I've ridden many thousands of miles on public transportation including a few buses.
Hawaii is planned for 2018. My trip back to the east coast for my 50th HS reunion and finding geocaches in 6 states that I have not find caches in is planned for late May 2017.
I still think it is wise to get the scuba certification locally rather than find that you have a medical condition that does not allow you to dive (has happened).
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 10:54 AM
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Is there Uber on the big island? I checked Uber's website and it doesn't seem to be in Kona.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 11:13 AM
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https://www.lovebigisland.com/getting-around/#taxi Shared rides are mentioned but not uber.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...-without-a-car

But my main point was -- it will NOT be easy . . . so you would be better off going to a place/island that is easier w/ public transport -- such as Oahu.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 11:42 AM
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I agree with tom regarding doing you preliminary diving work at home if possible. That and finding a reputable diving company that won't bring you up too quickly and give you the bends, just because they have better lung capacity. And a company that will monitor when you will be flying.

I don't dive. So this is armchair advice.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 12:02 PM
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On most of the islands in Hawaii you cannot take luggage on the bus, I know this is true for Kauai and Oahu and suspect it is the same with the Hele-On bus on Big Island.
I agree with maybe visiting Oahu until you are able to rent a car for the other islands.
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Old Jan 15th, 2017, 05:43 PM
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Why not just call the car rental places and find out? For example, Budget's website says the past 48 months for your infraction is the magic number for "some" corporate localities, and they use the phrase "may be denied."
Big Island would be the diver's choice.
Big island has limited public transport.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 06:00 AM
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Thanks Sylvia3, I think that's what I'm going to do.
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Old Jan 16th, 2017, 01:07 PM
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One other question - are you locked in to going to Hawaii? There are plenty of other places, both in the US (USVI, PR) and out that are actually closer to New York (Belize, Cozumel, pick a Caribbean nation) and have good diving. Plus, in many of those areas, you're fine without a car.
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