Should we change our car rental to a 4WD for the Big Island?
Nov 19th, 2007, 03:24 PM
#1
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Should we change our car rental to a 4WD for the Big Island?
Hello,
We have booked a basic economy car for our month vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. The more reading I do, the more places I discover that require a 4WD.
From what I have read, it sounds like Waipio Valley is not a good place to drive yourself in a 4WD anyways. What about Mauna Kea summit and the black sand beach of Kalapana. Will we have to pay for a tour to these areas? Are there many more places we will not be able to access without a 4WD?
My fear is we will have spent money on the car rental and regret that we can't access many parts of the island.
Any comments to first timers to the Big Island please.
Thanks
We have booked a basic economy car for our month vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. The more reading I do, the more places I discover that require a 4WD.
From what I have read, it sounds like Waipio Valley is not a good place to drive yourself in a 4WD anyways. What about Mauna Kea summit and the black sand beach of Kalapana. Will we have to pay for a tour to these areas? Are there many more places we will not be able to access without a 4WD?
My fear is we will have spent money on the car rental and regret that we can't access many parts of the island.
Any comments to first timers to the Big Island please.
Thanks
Nov 19th, 2007, 04:28 PM
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How 
lucky you are to spend a month in 
Hawaii!
Personally, would rent an SUV with 4WD or AWD, mainly for the increased ground clearance to access some off the beaten path beaches.
Recall that not many rental companies permit driving to MK summit or Waipio.
We were impressed with the black sand beach at Punalu`u which is easily accessible by any means, see
:
http://tinyurl.com/2mepjj
lucky you are to spend a month in Hawaii! Personally, would rent an SUV with 4WD or AWD, mainly for the increased ground clearance to access some off the beaten path beaches.
Recall that not many rental companies permit driving to MK summit or Waipio.We were impressed with the black sand beach at Punalu`u which is easily accessible by any means, see
: http://tinyurl.com/2mepjj
Nov 19th, 2007, 04:48 PM
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We rented a convertible & loved it. The only time we really could have used the 4WD was at the Green Sand Beach, but I wanted the hiking experience anyway.
DO include the GSB in your plans - it was the most beautiful place of all the islands IMO.
Is it possible to rent a convertible for most of the time but switch to 4WD for the days you really feel like you will need it?
DO include the GSB in your plans - it was the most beautiful place of all the islands IMO.
Is it possible to rent a convertible for most of the time but switch to 4WD for the days you really feel like you will need it?
Nov 19th, 2007, 07:43 PM
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We don't want to be doing any major off road adventures where we have chances of getting a vehicle stuck, or massive 4X4ing. We just don't want to be limited by having only a car. Not being to the Big Island before, I have no idea of what the road conditions are like. I guess it all depends how much of the island is accesible by car. If a large percentage of view points, beaches etc. require a 4X4, could someone please let me know?
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 19th, 2007, 09:10 PM
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Hi travelbug,
We toured the island in September, travelling on the highways and byways in a small rented four-door sedan, a Ford Focus. Fuel economy and small-space parking a definite plus. For us it was perfect. Like you, did a lot of research on roads/driving/areas/conditions and local kapu, and we had an amazing adventure driving in a circle
in geological contrasts that seem improbable and are breath-taking.
Although the Saddle Road (to Mauna Kea) was forbidden territory on our rental agreement, most locals advise not to drive that road, even in a 4WD. It's not so much the surface condition of the road that's the danger, but the number of inexperienced drivers, going too fast, that are the hazard. They advise using one of the local tours instead. The very active Island of Hawaii forum on TripAdvisor was a great info resource and extremely helpful http://tinyurl.com/38kw6w
Actually, during all of our driving we saw very few 4WDs - and those domesticated tanks tend to stand out, lol - so you can be confident of having road access to nearly all the places of interest.
Also, 4WDing in the Waipio Valley is a bone of contention with the locals, as this is apparently private land and un-guided tourists are less and less welcome.
But whatever your ultimate choice of wheels, am sure you will have an amazing vacation.
Aloha!
Jackie
We toured the island in September, travelling on the highways and byways in a small rented four-door sedan, a Ford Focus. Fuel economy and small-space parking a definite plus. For us it was perfect. Like you, did a lot of research on roads/driving/areas/conditions and local kapu, and we had an amazing adventure driving in a circle
in geological contrasts that seem improbable and are breath-taking.Although the Saddle Road (to Mauna Kea) was forbidden territory on our rental agreement, most locals advise not to drive that road, even in a 4WD. It's not so much the surface condition of the road that's the danger, but the number of inexperienced drivers, going too fast, that are the hazard. They advise using one of the local tours instead. The very active Island of Hawaii forum on TripAdvisor was a great info resource and extremely helpful http://tinyurl.com/38kw6w
Actually, during all of our driving we saw very few 4WDs - and those domesticated tanks tend to stand out, lol - so you can be confident of having road access to nearly all the places of interest.
Also, 4WDing in the Waipio Valley is a bone of contention with the locals, as this is apparently private land and un-guided tourists are less and less welcome.
But whatever your ultimate choice of wheels, am sure you will have an amazing vacation.
Aloha!
Jackie
Nov 20th, 2007, 01:03 PM
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We have been to the BI twice and returning again this Feb. We have rented both types of vehicle and prefer the SUV for the height and viewing of scenery as we drive. You can see whales breaching from the SUV but definitely not from the low economy car. Also, I agree with the other posters that the Green Sand Beach is not to be missed and you can get to a closer parking area with the higher clearance SUV. Have a great time.
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