Rental Car or 4wheel drive vehicle in Kauai

My husband and I are going to Hawaii in April. It is the first time away without the kids and we are really looking forward to our first trip to Hawaii. We are flying into Maui for a few nights and then Kauai for 6 nights.

This site is absolutely fantastic. I have been able to get some great ideas and almost all of my questions answered. The only thing I am undecided about which vehicle to rent on Kauai. Right now I have reserved a midsize through Hertz for about $210 for the week unlimited miles. We do not need a convertible because we have one at home and it would not be a big treat for us. We would love to explore some of the beaches mentioned on this site. Many say they are on dirt roads which the rental companies will not allow you to go on, but from reading this site it appears many people ignore this rule.

Questions:

With the midsize rental can we get to these sites without breaking any rental rules:

Anini Beach, Hideaway Beach, kokee State Park, Lydgate Beach Park, Poipu Beach,

( Awaawapuhi-Nualolo ,Canyon Trail,

Kuilau Ridge, Kalalau trail, Kilaueu Lighthouse, Waimea Canyon get close enough to hike)

If we decide to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle and head to Polihale Beach or any dirt roads and get stuck what is the danger. What will the rental companies do. Can we call AAA?

I really would appreciate anyones thoughts on this and what vehicle I should go with.

Thanks!

Rental Car or 4wheel drive vehicle in Kauai

Rochester, love how you have done your homework with prior planning. GOLD STARS !

For all of the places that you have chosen to snorkel, beach it, or hike , you will NOT need a four wheel drive....

with one exception, and that is Polihale beach. There is a firm, and sometimes muddy cane haul road going out there. That road ends,and becomes sand. DO NOT GO PAST THIS POINT INTO THE SAND, even vehicles with lift kits, huge tires, and jacked up trucks will get deeply burried out there !!

And if you call a tow truck, get ready to part with a few hundred bucks,and pay the rental car people for damage.

Polihale, and this opinion will differ among people, but we feel it is over rated. We have been out there twice, and stopped where the UKG recommended, and walked the tall dunes to that long hot beach. No reef, so there can be dangerous surf,and currents as well. Now that is in our 12 years of visits,and now living here. There are much neater beaches to visit. Our leaned opinion.

NO 4 wheel drive needed for: ( Zip- Nada )

Hiking kokee, or waimea canyon, or the kuilau ridge trail. Trail heads are just off or next to the main road, which is waimea canyon road. the Kukui and the Canyon trails are great for views of Waimea Canyon.

You do not need a four wheel drive for the awa awa puhi-nualolo loop, or the Water tank-Berry flat trail, or the Pihea Trail with killer views of the kalalau, or the Alakai Swamp trail off the Pihea, or the Kuilau ridge trail, or Powerline Trail, or Hanakapiai trail, or Okolehau trail. And others.

No four wheel drive is necessary for: Hideaways, Kee, Tunnels, Anini, Lydgate, Poipu, Brenneckes, or Lawaii.

The only reason, we will eventually be getting a four wheel drive is to get to some of the more remote trail heads up in kokee. But, we hike all over, and get along just fine as it is.

If you do go off road, in any vehicle, better check with the rental car company, as the insurance may be void%26#39;

You are visitors that we love to see. Plan, be prepared,and get out and explore and have fun on all shores of the Garden Island.

Good on ya, lads, and lasses.

You are going to see and experience wonderful adventures.

Denny

Rental Car or 4wheel drive vehicle in Kauai

Interesting. I%26#39;ve secured a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but fro the sounds of things, it may not be necessary? Can someone confirm that it%26#39;s not required to explore the ridge roads that cut off of 550 in waimea?

I was on some roads around the canyon that requried 4wd, so if you%26#39;re going to poke around some of the more isolated areas there it%26#39;d probably be a good idea get a 4wd vehicle. I also just think soft-top jeeps are fun in general, even though they aren%26#39;t quite as comfortable as a car would be.

Denny, as usual, is spot on, including his comments about Polihale.

Denny is 100% correct. Stay with the car. Almost all of the locations you list have paved roads right up to them with parking lots, comfort stations and the rest. After that you can hike into the boonies if you wish.

a regular car is more comfortable and has better security. A convertible may be fun for a bit, but there%26#39;s no trunk space, pale people from snow country get fried immediately, and if you hit a sudden shower it gets pretty exciting getting the lid on.

As for AAA, there is a number in the phone book but it%26#39;s for Oahu. perhaps they can dispatch one of the local towing companies. The danger is just monetary really. $300 for a tow (polihale or some other boondocks spot) + whatever damage you do to the jeep. it really is better for the trails to hike them rather than use a 4WD. Erosion is a real problem here.

AAA uses local tow co which we had to contact for locked keys in trunk (son). We had better luck asking locals and then contacting co direct and having them contact AAA. Count on a wait. Ok problem is voiding agreement and if auto is damaged they can hold you responsible for full cost of car. Hope your credit card has enough on it to pay as you probably won%26#39;t be leaving till paid for put on that the cost of rescheduling your flight out and maybe emergency housing gee I don%26#39;t think I will take their cars where they don%26#39;t want me to anymore. More of problem on Big Island south end. Funny most allow you to do saddle road over middle now.

Also, if the vehicle has to go in for repair they%26#39;ll charge you for loss of use. Buggahs.

Thank you all so much for all of the info. Denny thank you for the great detail. We will stick with our midsize since it is just the two of us and stay on the paved roads. I don%26#39;t want to ruin my trip to paradise.

Two more questions:

What are some favorite places to watch the sunset. I am interested in Restaurants and Parks. I plan on the Beach House and tidepools for a special evening, but due to our budget would like some cheap options.....a bottle of wine and a blanket work for me!

What footwear is best for hiking? Boots, sneakers, or strong sandles.

Thanks so much!

Mary

Alot of people take blankets out onto the grass in front of the restaurant( which is a few steps higher than ground level), just don%26#39;t block the view of the patrons and you should be ok. Gras forms a reverse j shape between restaurant and ocean.

frozen is right. As a matter of fact, we%26#39;ve gotten reservations at Beach House and gone down in the morning to snorkel at Lawai (Beach House) Beach all day. Left good clothes in the car and rinsed off and changed at the comfort station across the street. (Take things that are easy to slip into.) Then watched the sunset from the lawn, then had dinner.