Pimping your Ride, Aloha Style

No rule says you have to rent a Ford Taurus, or even the signature "I'm a tourist" car, the red convertible, on your Hawaiian vacation. Sure, all the major car rental companies do business in the islands--and  it may well be that you'll end up finding the most economical deal renting a compact from one of them. Like a sensible pair of shoes.


But Hawaii is a place where shoes are optional, and you have the option of getting a little zany on the choice of transportation. You can try a scooter, limo, Jeep, luxury Italian sedan, or an old beater surfmobile. Or fool them all, and use the bus and a bicycle to get around.

Kauai has some excellent coastal bike paths. The Big Island invites mountain bikers who want to get way away from it all. Oahu has excellent public transportation and having a car in Waikiki can be more trouble than it's worth. Daily hotel parking fees can be a costly add-on.  On Maui ... a car is your best bet.

Use the links below to shop for something unconventional.

Maui
http://www.bio-beetle.com
http://www.adventurelanai.com (jeeps)
http://www.alohatoystore.com/index-car.htm
Mercedes CLK 500:  $250/day

Oahu
http://www.hiluxurycarrentals.com
Corvette: $350; BMW convertible: $325; Porsche Carrera: $550

Big Island
http://www.islandrv.com
http://www.harpershawaii.com
http://www.bigislandexoticcarrental.com
Lamborghini: $1200/day; Maserati Gran Turismo: $800

Kauai
http://www.kauaiscooter.com
http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com/state.php?s=HI