You might want to take advantage of the gas fill-up deal offered by most of the car rental agencies. Sometimes they have the best gas prices on the island. Gasoline is currently over $2.00 per gallon of regular unleaded everywhere on Maui and quite a bit more in Hana. Also, be sure to ask for a copy of the "Maui Drive Guide" at the car rental agency. For some reason, good maps of Maui are hard to find and theirs is about the best you'll find and are free.

Before you travel to Maui, you should check with your own car insurance company and credit card company to see if your collision and liability coverage will transfer to your rental car. If it won't transfer, it will be a rather expensive surcharge that you really can't afford to be without. If you plan on visiting the summit of Mt. Haleakala, the world's largest dormant volcano (you shouldn't miss it!), the rental agency will require you to sign an agreement to use a lower gear on the descent. After you go up it, you'll understand why this is so important. You're sure to burn out the brakes in short order if you don't gear down.

Be advised that for most car rental agencies, they don't allow most types of vehicles beyond where the paved road ends past Kipahulu near Kaupo on Hwy. 31 when coming from the direction of Hana in East Maui. This is a very desolate area and the road beyond is quite rough for several miles and if you break down, there are no phones, almost no inhabitants and none of the car rental agencies will come out to help you. In other words, you are on your own and expect a tow bill upwards of $200 or more and several hours wait for the wrecker to arrive. You will also be responsible for any damages or repairs to the vehicle. The standard coverages for this won't apply as far as the car rental companies are concerned. If you rent a Jeep, you shouldn't have any problems. If you would like to see the southeast lava desert side of the island in a car, the best way is to approach from the other side of the island from the Kula Hwy. (Hwy 37/31) past Ulupalakua Ranch and Tedeschi Winery and go as far as the pavement allows. There is some spectacular views of the island of Kaho`olawe and some large volcanic cinder cones from this side of the island.

A few words of caution about rental cars on Maui: be sure to keep your doors locked any time that you're not in the car and don't leave any valuables in your car, not even in your trunk. The local police unofficially recommend leaving the doors unlocked to save thieves from breaking the windows out, but your car rental agency will definitely not agree and insurance may not cover theft of the vehicle if you admit the doors were unlocked. Valuables left in the trunk are not safe either. Trunks are hardly more difficult to open than car doors. Just be sure to take all of your valuables with you when you leave the car. Take advantage of your hotel room safe or safety deposit box for all valuables you won't be using while you're out. While Maui is very safe compared to many resort areas (and much safer than Oahu), car theft and auto burglary are somewhat of a sporadic problem, especially at some of the remote beach areas.

Go on to your hotel or condo!

You are our welcome visitor number

Last updated on Aloha Friday, May 25, 2001