Car Rentals in Hawaii — Maui, Oahu, Big Island, Kauai
Hawaii car rentals are unique — 4 major island markets (Maui OGG, Oahu HNL, Big Island KOA + ITO, Kauai LIH), no inter-island car ferries (must rent on each island), and the highest per-mile convertible + Jeep rental rate in the US. PickRV's HI car catalogue is small but growing — Maui + Kauai are the primary markets.
Rental classes Hawaii leans on
The body types this state's market is built around — each opens its PickRV hub.
Primary Hawaii car-rental markets
Maui (OGG, Kahului airport)
Road to Hana + Haleakala summit drive; convertibles + Jeeps dominate.
Oahu (HNL, Honolulu)
Largest HI market; North Shore + Waikiki + Diamond Head driving.
Big Island (KOA Kona + ITO Hilo)
Volcanoes NP + Saddle Road + Mauna Kea access; SUVs/Jeeps dominate.
Kauai (LIH, Lihue)
Na Pali Coast + Waimea Canyon drive; Jeeps + convertibles dominate.
Hawaii state rental rules
Hawaii Department of Transportation- 1
Out-of-state US licenses honored without restriction for tourist rentals.
- 2
International tourists from countries with US driving reciprocity may rent with home-country license + IDP.
- 3
Minimum rental age typically 21; renters 21-24 face Young Driver Surcharge ($15-35/day).
- 4
Hawaii minimum liability 20/40/10 — verify your insurance/credit card meets requirements.
Hawaii rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 7% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Varies by rig — verify with your host
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00
What the Hawaii DMV doesn't tell you
First-hand context the official .gov pages skip.
- Coastal driving
No inter-island car ferries — you must rent a car on each Hawaiian island you visit.
- Time and distance
Maui Road to Hana (Hana Highway) is best driven dawn-departure (sunrise + 6 am start) to avoid afternoon tour-bus traffic.
- Mountain driving
Big Island Mauna Kea summit (13,800 ft) requires 4WD; most rentals prohibit Mauna Kea Access Road — verify with host.
- Rules and permits
Kauai's Na Pali Coast Trail (Kalalau Trail) requires permit + 4WD access to Ke'e Beach; rental car parking is limited.
- What it costs
Hawaii sales tax + airport concession recovery fees can add 25-35% to base rental rate.
Best season in Hawaii
Year-round (tropical climate). Peak: December-April (whale season) + June-August (summer). Hurricane season June-November.
Where PickRV is active in Hawaii
HI coverage is small + growing — Maui + Kauai are primary markets. Oahu + Big Island smaller cohorts. No inter-island cars (rent per island).
Hawaii car rental FAQ
Can I drive my Maui rental to the Big Island?
No — no inter-island car ferries. You rent a separate car on each Hawaiian island. Plan inter-island flights + per-island rentals.
Is Mauna Kea summit drive doable?
Requires 4WD; many rentals prohibit Mauna Kea Access Road. Specific 4WD-approved rentals exist; verify with host.