Why is it so hard to rent a car in Kauai?

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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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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The root of the problem is two-fold. When the pandemic hit and Hawaii imposed the nation's strictest travel rules, car rental companies like Hertz and Budget started to sell off portions of their fleet and ship some of their inventory to the U.S. mainland, where they could still make money.

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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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The sudden surge in post-vaccination travel is colliding with a relative shortage of rental cars. Rental-car companies sold a huge chunk of their fleets—hundreds of thousands of vehicles—to survive the pandemic.

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Through 2023 at least, limited vehicle availability will continue. However, most experts report some recovery on the horizon. There were finally early signs of increased allocation to rental fleet channels in fall 2022. Operators still need to be clever in how they source cars as we inch toward supply recovery, though.

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In the early sixties, Avis launched the slogan We try harder, positioning ourselves as the world's number two car rental company. Or rather the car rental company that must constantly prove itself to be as good as the No. 1, again and again.

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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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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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Renting a car is an important part of the budget for a trip to Hawaii. The Covid-19 crisis has caused prices to rise dramatically in 2021 and 2022, although there has been a significant drop in prices since the summer of 2022, which is expected to continue in 2023 to reach pre-Covid prices again.

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For most islands you can also get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, or public transportation.

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Tourism officials have said Hawaii's shortage is worst on Maui. Recently on Maui, the lowest-priced cars at the airport from major rental firms were higher than they've ever been. The supply has improved slightly for 2023. We have been fortunate to have an ample supply for most travel dates.

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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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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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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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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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Embark on a captivating journey through Kauai's rich history with our 20-mile scenic Hop on hop off Kauai Tour. Experience the birthplace and cherished playground of the esteemed kings, immersing yourself in the local heritage that has shaped this remarkable destination.

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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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The island is circular in shape, with one main road connecting the North Shore and West Side of the island. You cannot drive completely around the island, the rugged and beautiful Na Pali Coast makes that impossible.

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“For many years, The Hertz Corporation ('Hertz'), along with its affiliates and subsidiaries, has been falsely reporting thousands of its own customers for stealing its rental cars. These theft reports are infected with serious problems that cause them to be false, misleading, and unverified,” one lawsuit states.

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Halfway through 2022, and some rental firms still don't have enough cars because of a shortage of automotive chips. Manufacturers haven't built as many vehicles, and they have prioritized production of high-margin models (rather than the small, cheap vehicles holidaymakers typically rent).

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