Why are there no rental cars in Kauai?

Last year, the Hawaiian islands mandated a bevy of steep travel restrictions to keep residents safe during the pandemic, and as a result the number of visitors to Kauai shrunk dramatically. The rent a car companies had so few customers they were forced to start selling off their fleets just to stay a float.



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When the COVID-19 pandemic halted travel to the state of Hawaii, there was no longer a demand for rental cars. As a result, car rental companies moved a large portion of their fleet off to the mainland and also sold some of their vehicles. It is estimated that Kauai only has 60% of their pre-COVID rental fleet.

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A rental car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the best way to get around the island, with most destinations being no more than a couple of hours away. Visit one of our convenient neighborhood car rental locations in Kauai or rent a car at Lihue Airport (LIH).

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Having a car at your fingertips on Kauai makes all the difference in your island experience. Kaui has one major thoroughfare — the Kuhio Highway — and it takes just under 3 hours to travel from the North Shore's Haena to the West Side's Polihale.

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Taxis and ride share options from the airport are the most direct options for those without a rental car, but they can often be expensive. Don't forget that there are shared airport shuttles on Kaua?i that can get you from the airport to your hotel for a reasonable price.

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In short, the answer to whether you need a rental car in Kauai is yes! The areas of population on the island are geographically distant from each other, so unless you're planning on staying in the same place for your entire vacation, you'll need a car to travel from town to town.

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Eighty percent of Kauai is inaccessible by car, but that doesn't mean you can't explore further by Helicopter, ATV, horseback or by foot along miles of hiking trails Kauai has to offer. Kauai is an outdoor paradise waiting to be discovered. Need help planning? Kauai.com offers a free concierge service to help plan.

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With much of the Aloha State easing its travel restrictions, visitor numbers — and rental car prices — are skyrocketing. During the pandemic, rental car companies were forced to sell vehicles and thin out their fleets when a lack of visitors left them with nowhere to park all of the unused cars.

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There are only two main roadways on Kaua?i – Kuhio Highway (Route 56) and Kaumuali?i Highway (Route 50) – and the island is 25 miles long and 33 miles wide. This means getting around the Garden Island isn't very difficult – if you have a car.

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It might seem like a short trip, but seven days is the right amount of time on Kauai. A week will get you to the best hiking trails, waterfalls, beaches, viewpoints and restaurants, and all at a pretty relaxed pace. One of the prettiest beach backdrops in the Hawaiian Islands is here at Tunnels Beach.

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The Kaua?i Bus provides transportation options to get to and around Kapa?a. Skip the Kapa?a Crawl traffic by walking through town or renting a bike and riding along the Kaua?i Path (Ke Ala Hele Makalae). Click here for more information on other transportation options.

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Ultimately, it depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a comfortable and versatile vehicle that can just take you around the roads of the island, an SUV may be the best choice. If you're an experienced off-road driver looking for a more challenging adventure, a 4WD may be the way to go.

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Public transit, bike shares and your own two feet offer cheaper alternatives to renting a car in Oahu. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

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LIHU'E — Car thefts are on the rise on Kaua'i, with police reporting Wednesday that 64 vehicles have been stolen this year, compared to 31 stolen in all of 2021.

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With taxi options limited and city buses only covering a small portion of the island, a rental car is the best way to see all parts of the island at your own pace. Many customers opt for a Jeep, convertible or SUV while visiting Kauai.

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The West Side of the island, the leeward coast of Kauai, is drier and the mountains in the center of the island block the rest of Kauai from the rain. This is one of the least visited parts of the island, excluding the sights along Highway 550 (like Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park).

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For a well-rounded experience, spending at least 5-7 days on Kauai is recommended. This allows enough time to explore the island's diverse attractions and participate in various activities while having some downtime for relaxation. If you're short on time, 4-5 days will allow you to see most of the island.

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One of the things we love about Kauai is its size. The island is big and diverse enough for all kinds of adventures, but small enough to drive in just a day. Driving around the island of Kauai is not only easy, but also offers stunning views of white-sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, and lush tropical valleys and forests.

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As of November, the rental car crisis has since calmed down. The supply of new cars is growing, but it's not what it was prior to the pandemic, Jerry Agrusa, a professor for the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Travel Industry Management, told USA TODAY.

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Results from the 2022 Kaua'i Point-In-Time Count revealed there are a total of 444 homeless individuals on Kaua'i, including 404 unsheltered and 40 sheltered people, an increase of 20 from 2020. Only sheltered individuals were counted in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Based on the size of the homeless group she assists at Ho'omana Thrift Shop in Wailua, Rowena Contrades-Pangan estimated there are between 800 and 1,000 homeless people on Kaua'i. “These are local people born and raised on Kaua'i,” said Contrades-Pangan.

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If you're ready to trade the hustle and bustle for variety and adventure in your life, Maui probably sounds like the perfect escape. If you're looking for something quieter and family-friendly, with plenty of outdoor activities and natural beauty, Kauai is the ideal island paradise.

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